The Big Breakfast Blaa

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Start your day with Ollie Carroll, Dymphna Nugent and the WLR News team on The Big Breakfast Blaa, who will bring you plenty of on-air banter, laughter, great music, fantastic competitions, features and much, much more… And as well as being entertained you’ll also be kept well informed with all the very latest news, sport and traffic updates from our team. It's as much a part of Waterford life as the Blaa itself! The Big Breakfast Blaa is brought to you in association with Coffee House Lane https://www.wlrfm.com/listenback">Listen back to The Big Breakfast Blaa here.

  1. 3d ago

    The Crash: The Netflix True Crime Story That Sent Grace Down a Rabbit Hole

    Bad Apples, The Crash, and a momentous October 2nd with a fainting spell involving The Darkness... Grace has been a busy bee this week. Bad Apples is in cinemas now starring Saoirse Ronan as a teacher frustrated with a challenging student, a distinct lack of support from school management, and a class which cannot be reached with her attentions directed towards managing one student. A fairly grey moral area emerges as the teacher effectively kidnaps the student and imprisons him in her house. Grace gave this cracker of a film a 4.5/5 (not one to award the full 5 stars easily is our Grace!) And for those who won't make it to the cinema, The Crash on Netflix has viewers going down a rabbithole of armchair detective activity when a car driven at 100 mph crashes killing two passengers and injuring the driver. The driver is Mackenzie Shirilla, aged then 17, who was in a long-term committed relationship with Dominic Russo and living with him in his house. What seemed initially as a tragic accident turned into a murder trial, ahead of her eventual imprisonment. It's the side stories on YouTube, Reddit, and other platforms which add much more meat to the bone here and make this something worth sinking your teeth into, AND it's October 2nd, which marks Grace's anniversary of feigning a fainting period outside HMV in order to see The Darkness... would you doubt her? Listen back in full and catch Grace every Friday after the news at 9am. Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Crash: The Netflix True Crime Story That Sent Grace Down a Rabbit Hole

  2. 4d ago

    Sent to Dublin: The Hidden Stories of Ireland's Forgotten Women

    Stiúrthóir/Director of Red Shoe Productions in An Rinn, Maggie Breathnach is motivated and inspired by people, their stories, their traditions, and their 'why.' Having seen The Lost Children of Tuam which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh, she was 'moved' by the courage, tenacity and determination of 'an ordinary woman.' It was this tenacity and doggedness which saw historian Catherine Corless uncover what happened in Tuam and her attempts to bring some peace to more than 700 babies and their families. That story was brought into the public sphere in Galway through film and thus reached a new audience, or perhaps even the same audience, but in a different way- through film and with a real depth of feeling. Maggie knew she had to do something with the feelings the film had evoked in her, such is the power of film. This Friday, she has organised a special screening of The Lost Children of Tuam in Dungarvan Cinema with special guests in attendance, and a community of creatives who tell stories through their own medium, each an activist in their own right bringing about change. Red Shoe Productions is moving further into scripted film and an exciting project is currently in its infancy, exploring the stories of local people who went to houses in Dublin rather than into one of the Magdalene laundries.  The story of this lesser-known alternative for woman is set to be turned into a film in the near future working with the extraordinary Maeve O'Boyle with a red carpet event planned close to home.  Maggie is inspirational, fiercely determined, and fuelled by the stories of our people.  Pour a cuppa and listen back. Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Sent to Dublin: The Hidden Stories of Ireland's Forgotten Women

  3. 5d ago

    Loren’s Miss World Ireland Message: Listen to Women

    Miss World Ireland 2026 finalist Loren Flynn is using her platform to shine a light on an issue she believes deserves far more attention: women’s cardiac health. Loren has just completed her BA in Psychology in SETU and while she is originally from Douglas in Co. Cork, she has been embraced by the Déise and now works with young people with intellectual disabilities. While the Miss World Ireland competition is about much more than a title, Loren says she wants to use the opportunity to start conversations that could make a real difference to women. In particular, she is encouraging women to take their heart health seriously and to advocate for themselves when something does not feel right. This, she says is particularly important for women who can often be dismissed when they first flag their concerns with a healthcare provider. 12 months ago, Loren began her healthcare journey to investigate heart palpitations, extremem fatigue, dizziness and general symptoms which were out of character for her. Many months went by with many bouts of testing completed and today Loren has a loop implant recorder in her chest which records activity in her heart and sends the details recorded to an app on her phone which is monitored by her medical team. While scary, this, she says offers her a degree of comfort to know that while the cardiac activity is happening inside her body and being felt only by her, it is being monitored by a team of people who will instantly know if she isn't ok. That loneliness that goes hand-in-hand with health concerns is something is keen to highlight, the loneliness and isolation. Health challenges can affect far more than a person's physical wellbeing. They can have an impact on confidence, relationships, social lives and a person's sense of connection with the world around them. Loren believes those emotional and social effects deserve to be part of the conversation too. She hopes her Miss World Ireland journey will allow her to reach women who may be quietly experiencing health difficulties, while also reminding friends, family and communities of the importance of connection and support. Speaking on The Big Breakfast Blaa, Loren shared why using her voice for these issues is such an important part of her journey and why she hopes other women will feel empowered to speak up about their own health. For Loren, the platform is not simply about a competition. It is an opportunity to encourage conversation, raise awareness and remind people that nobody should have to face health challenges or isolation alone. Voting opens on the Miss Ireland app on Thursday October 1st and voting can be completed every 24 hours. Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Loren’s Miss World Ireland Message: Listen to Women

  4. 6d ago

    Tallow GAA celebrates Zuckerberg windfall

    Tallow GAA, Lismore GAA, and Shamrocks GAA are all celebrating the news that Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have made a donation of €150,000 to be divided evenly across all three clubs. This is the Chan Zuckerberg's first philanthropic donation since their purchase of Strancally Castle in West Waterford last month. Kieran Geary is the treasurer of Tallow GAA Club and he joined Ollie and Dymphna on air to welcome news of the funding. This donation, he says, is the single largest donation ever received by the club across its 139 year history and will ensure all three clubs are future-proofed for future generations in the community. It seems that Kieran may not only have manifested this development, but even actively sought it. He admitted to having sent an email to the Meta founder following news of his purchase of Strancally Castle with a suggestion on how local clubs might benefit. Did he receive the email? Who knows... but the donation was forthcoming and warmly welcomed. Listen back to Kieran Geary in full on The Big Breakfast Blaa with thanks to Shaws. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Tallow GAA celebrates Zuckerberg windfall

  5. 6d ago

    The Waterford man who shaped Mickey Mouse

    The foundation of Universal Pictures in 1912 remains a major moment in the history of Motion Pictures. Remarkably, among its founders was Waterford’s own Patrick A. Power, known in the United States as Pat Powers. The Barrack Street-born son of a coachbuilder went on to become closely associated with Thomas Edison concerning the development of the gramophone. Later, Powers’ Celebrity Productions became the first distributor of Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse cartoons in the late-1920s. Powers continued to have a keen interest in his native Ireland for the rest of his life, with his generosity and love for home demonstrated before his death. At times, it feels like you can't move for the famous connections in Waterford once you scratch beneath the surface, and Cian Manning is the man to bring those stories to the fore. Cian joined us on a Tuesday this week but ordinarily, you can listen back to Cian Manning each Wednesday just after the news at 9 on The Big Breakfast Blaa. Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Waterford man who shaped Mickey Mouse

  6. Sep 25

    Practical Magic 2 & Lizzie Borden: Grace Was NOT Having It

    Two giants of film and small screen hit households this week- Practical Magic 2 and Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story. Grace saw both and Grace has lots to say about both. Back in 1998, we fell in love with the Sally and Gillian Owens in Practical Magic, the sisters who battle a family curse and strengthen their own familial bonds in the process. A return to Practical Magic has been on our bucket list for such a long time and 2026 was the year we got it.  What does Grace think? Officially she awarded it 1/5 with the star given for the nostalgia vibes only. Which brings us to one of the most awaited stories to come to Netflix, Ryan Murphy's depiction of the Lizzie Borden story as part of his famous Monster series. Previously we saw Dahmer, the Menendez Brothers, and Ed Gein and so it was high time a woman featured on the list of truth being stranger than fiction. Grace firmly believes she was not well represented on screen, and that only breadcrumbs of truth were present in Ryan Murphy's artistic licence. A disappointing result for Grace who had high hopes, but never fear... she wore her Westlife robe into studio, a comfort blanket of floating heads. Listen back to Grace on The Big Breakfast Blaa and don't forget you can catch her every Friday just after the news at 9. Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Practical Magic 2 & Lizzie Borden: Grace Was NOT Having It

  7. Sep 24

    “Every Story Matters”: The Mount Sion Teacher Giving Students a Voice

    Eadaoin Griffin is many things, an English and Geography teacher, an SEN co-ordinator for third year, and the literacy co-ordinator in Mount Sion CBS in Waterford. As part of One Day Many Voices, The Big Breakfast Blaa visited the school and we sat surrounded by books, beanbags, and an atmosphere of active learning. It was in the company of Eadaoin that students offered to share their experiences to WLR of the challenges and bravery in making Waterford their new home. Through the School of Sanctuary, she helps to create a nurturing environment which is supportive, encouraging, and kind. Why does she do it? Simply because she believes in the importance of recording our histories, our stories, and of listening to each other. It is through listening to the personal reflections of lived experiences that we can learn, develop, and gain appreciation and understanding of challenges beyond our own. This is a mantra which has guided Eadaoin throughout her career. Listen back to the full interview with Eadaoin, and her enduring love of books and learning. Listen back to The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna, weekdays from 6am to 10am. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    “Every Story Matters”: The Mount Sion Teacher Giving Students a Voice

  8. Sep 24

    “Every Smile Meant Something”- Mount Sion CBS Students Give Thanks

    In Mount Sion CBS, sometimes, it is the smallest things that can make the biggest difference. A smile. A kind word. A moment of friendship. For Shakhib, who travelled for 15 months from Afghanistan before reaching safety in Ireland, those moments have helped him build a new life in Waterford. And for Antonio, who moved here from Portugal, kindness and inclusion helped turn an unfamiliar place into somewhere he could call home. The two Mount Sion CBS students joined The Big Breakfast Blaa this morning as WLR marked One Day Many Voices, sharing powerful stories of starting again, finding friendship and looking towards the future. “I’m choosing my future” Shakhib is now studying for his Leaving Certificate at Mount Sion, determined to succeed and build a future he can be proud of. But getting to this point has been a long and difficult journey. He left his childhood home in Afghanistan, leaving family, friends and the life he knew behind. For 15 months, he travelled here, immersed in fear and uncertainty, without the personal or financial security many of us take for granted. The days and the nights brought unimgainable fear and very real dangers. Then came Ireland. Then came Waterford. And then came Mount Sion. Shakhib arrived with very little English and a fear of failure. What he found, however, were people willing to help him find his feet. Teachers who encouraged him. Classmates who included him. And those little moments of kindness that meant so much. He spoke movingly about being grateful for “every smile, every kind word and every moment of friendship.” He hasn't forgotten where he came from. He hasn't forgotten what he left behind. And he hasn't forgotten the 15 months of fear that brought him here. But Shakhib is looking forward. His past is part of his story, but he is determined to choose his future. “Waterford became home” Antonio's journey was very different. He moved to Ireland from Portugal and, while he already had a good command of English, he still had to navigate a new culture, new surroundings and a completely different social environment. Once again, friendship made the difference. The welcome he received at Mount Sion helped him settle, find his place and eventually begin to think of Waterford as home. Today, Antonio is a proud member of the school's School of Sanctuary community. And having experienced what it feels like to be the new person, he understands just how important that first smile or friendly word can be. Because you never know what someone has been through before they walk through the school gates. Two journeys. One powerful message. Shakhib and Antonio have very different stories. But both spoke about the importance of being welcomed, included and given the chance to belong. Their message is a simple one. Kindness matters. For someone starting again, a smile might be more important than you realise. A kind word might stay with them for years. And an invitation to join in might be the moment they stop feeling like an outsider. Powerful stuff from two students of Mount Sion CBS, shared with WLR as we mark One Day Many Voices. Two journeys. Two new beginnings. And a reminder that sometimes, making someone feel at home starts with simply making them feel welcome. Listen back to The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna, weekdays from 6am to 10am. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    “Every Smile Meant Something”- Mount Sion CBS Students Give Thanks
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About

Start your day with Ollie Carroll, Dymphna Nugent and the WLR News team on The Big Breakfast Blaa, who will bring you plenty of on-air banter, laughter, great music, fantastic competitions, features and much, much more… And as well as being entertained you’ll also be kept well informed with all the very latest news, sport and traffic updates from our team. It's as much a part of Waterford life as the Blaa itself! The Big Breakfast Blaa is brought to you in association with Coffee House Lane https://www.wlrfm.com/listenback">Listen back to The Big Breakfast Blaa here.

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