Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis

Weekend Breakfast had an inspiring chat with rugby legend Paul O'Connell. Alison spoke to our Limerick national treasure as he takes a break from the pitch to explore remarkable initiatives off the field! Paul is helping to lead a new campaign to help support young people in Ireland. Toyota Ireland and Foróige’s 'Big Brother Big Sister' programme , a mentoring initiative for children aged 10 to 18 and about the power of adult role models in shaping young lives. He is the youngest of three lads and knows what it's like to have big brothers you love to look up to and of course be competitive with! This rewarding program connects volunteers with kids who are eager for support and guidance. Plus, Paul reflects on his coaching journey with the Irish rugby team. For more see bigbrotherbigsister.ie

Weekend Breakfast was delighted to welcome Comedian Peter McGann and Actor/Director Hugh O'Conor live in studio. They are part of a brand new show starting ion RTÉ 1 called Showkids. Set in a drama class for children led by the intriguing Miss Jessop, the series explores young Sam Curtin (played by Flynn Gray, star of Wednesday and the new Star Wars movie with Ryan Gosling!) Sam discovers, that when they act out scenes, the world they are pretending to be in literally comes to life around them!Peter, who plays the entrepreneurial father, brings a hilarious twist with his character's quirky invention, the 'Headbag'. The idea for the show came from Hugh who was inspired by his own career - he has starred in many movies including as a child in Lamb with Liam Neeson and playing a young Christy Brown in My Left Foot. Plus, hear about Peter's upcoming comedy tour and catch a sneak peek of the adorable new series starting every Sunday at 5 PM on RTÉ 1!

As autumn approaches, it's time to declutter for a fresh start! Hazel shares insightful tips on seasonal wardrobe rotations, organizing homework stations, and creating efficient entry zones. Discover how to simplify meal planning and tackle pantry messes with family involvement. The discussion highlights the impact of childhood on our relationship with belongings and the importance of routines. Get ready to transform your home into a calm and organized space this September!

Dive into delicious back-to-school lunch ideas with Lou Robbie, a culinary magician and bestselling author. Discover kid-friendly treats like no-bake energy balls, mini scones, and reduced-sugar cookies. Learn how to balance sweets with healthier options, and get savory batch-cooking tips for busy parents, including mini quiches and veg fritters. Lou also shares practical lunch strategies for teens, ensuring meals don't smell in class. It's all about making mealtime fun and efficient for families!

Here we dough again!!Iain enters the famous tent of the Great British Bake Off in its 16th series! Known online @ Thug.Loaf the Irish baker from Belfast has gained a huge following for his music inspired bakes! (Asap Rocky-Road anyone!!)Iain shares his unique baking journey, revealing how a last-day-of-uni loaf sparked his passion for creating over a thousand delicious breads since! He dives into his signature sourdough and how he infuses musical artistry into his bakes by painting album covers on pastries and bread. He also reveals the behind the scenes intense pressures of the show and the friendships forged in the baking tent. And yes Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond are absolutely lovely!!The Great British Bake Off kicks off Tuesday Sep 2nd on Channel 4 at 8pm

Grab your stetsons and ready your yeehaws!! Paula MacSweeney in for Alison on Weekend Breakfast welcomes the fabulous Clodagh Lawlor, the vibrant voice behind the Country Hits show every Wednesday on Today FM! Clodagh shares her whirlwind journey to making her mark at the Rose of Tralee. Discover the passion that fuels her love for country music, and its huge popularity in Ireland. With an upcoming trip to Nashville on the horizon, (she's literally flying out after the chat!!) Clodagh reveals her exciting plans, including meeting industry legends and exploring the heart of country music. Follow Clodagh on Instagram at @clodalawlormusic.

Star of Line of Duty, This is England, The Replacement, Insomnia among many others and most recently filming season 4 of Trigger Point   Actress Vicky McClure joins Alison Curtis on this week's Weekend Breakfast.Vicky shares the inspiring story behind her event Day Fever, a vibrant daytime disco experience that brings people from all walks of life together for an unforgettable dance party. With its infectious tunes and inclusive vibe, Day Fever is all about community, fun, and nostalgia and it's coming to Ireland in September! Vicky also reflects on her iconic role in Line of Duty, and the cast WhatsApp group and the excitement surrounding the Oasis concerts in Dublin.

Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis chats with two incredible Irish surfing champions, Gearoid McDaid and Ruby Knox from Sligo and Kerry respectively. Ruby joins us live from the sun-soaked shores of Cornwall where she is competing! Gearoid is currently Ireland's top surfer and the first Irish surfer to ever claim gold at the European Championships! He shares his journey from a young boy in Sligo to an aspiring world-class talent currently competing at the Board Masters. Meanwhile, Ruby recounts her own path from reluctant beginner to longboarding enthusiast, diving into her family's surf center and the artistry of traditional surfing. Gearoid also shares the mindset needed to conquer those massive waves, and hear their aspirations for upcoming competitions, including the World Surfing Games in El Salvador and future Olympic dreams. Follow them @gearoidmcdaid  and @rubyknox515

Join Alison Curtis on this week’s Weekend Breakfast for an inspiring chat with the incredible Lou Robbie from Little Lou Cooks! Galway based Lou shares her fascinating journey from professional chef to viral cooking sensation, revealing the story behind her explosive growth on social media during the pandemic! (one of her videos is close to 16 MILLION VIEWS!! Wowsers!)With her dedication to sharing easy, family-friendly recipes, she has transformed the way parents approach cooking for their kids. In her new book, “Make and Freeze: The Ultimate Guide to Family-Friendly Meal Prep,” Lou demystifies the art of freezer cooking, encouraging busy parents to embrace their freezers in a fun and creative way. Discover how her simple recipes are captivating young chefs and making nutritious lunches a breeze!Follow her @littleloucooks on Instagram

Alison Curtis chats to proud Corkonian and Telly super chef Clodagh McKenna .She tells Weekend Breakfast about the upcoming Cork on a Fork Festival, happening from August 13th to 17th and how it makes the city come alive.Clodagh has a deep-rooted passion for Cork’s culinary scene and the incredible local producers that make it truly special. With a nod to her journey in the food industry, Clodagh also chats about the monumental success of her latest book, "In Minutes," which skyrocketed to number one on the Amazon book charts and her regular appearances as one of the special guest chefs on top rated telly show This Morning.