Weekend Breakfast with Alison Curtis

Today FM
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Apr 27, 2025 • 7min

Arthur Gourounlian Tells Us Why Being A GAA Cúl Camps Ambassador Means So Much To Him

Pirouetting on to Weekend Breakfast its Dancing With The Stars judge and owner of television’s greatest hair ---- Arthur Gourounlian! Arthur told Alison Curtis about a very special event recently called  'Cúl and Curious.'      He also told her about his brand new podcast with Donal Skehan called 'Let's Do This!'Over 100 children, including those from the International Protection Accommodation Service centre and those from local communities, took part in the event at St Breckan's GAA grounds and tried their hand at football, hurling and camogie.The 2025 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps promise to inspire a new generation of GAA stars and fostering a love for Gaelic Games that will last a lifetime.The Cúl and Curious camp's aim was to support diversity and inclusion, giving those who have arrived in Ireland a chance to fall in love with the game. The GAA is for everyone and the organisation recently hosted the event to try and introduce children from migrant families to the sport.
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Apr 26, 2025 • 8min

Discovering Weird Ireland With It's Creator Brinsley McNamara

He is an author, content creator, podcaster and adventurer! Creator of the social media phenomenon 'Weird Ireland' – his off the beaten track adventures of the strange and quirky side of this country have gained him a huge following. (see below) Alison Curtis spoke to Brinsley McNamara about the incredible success of his quirky content. HANDLES - Instagram: @weird.ireland  TikTok: @weirdirelandSTATS:    Instagram: 320K followers    TikTok:     85K Followers     1.2MLikesPODCAST: Weird Ireland on all platforms.BOOK: ‘Weird Ireland: An Unofficial Guide To The Island’ out nowBrinsley Facts:·        Every video starts with his famous phrase “Well, I’m Brinsley McNamara and welcome to Weird Ireland."·        He tackles every subject from Wren Boys to Wibbly Wobbly Wonders! From Ireland’s biggest 99 to Irish Crisp Folklore·        Brinsley McNamara is not his real name! Based on another famous Westmeath figure of folklore and banned writer. Brinsley is also from Westmeath·     He loves weird and fascinating topics, stories, places, and subcultures from across Ireland.·        Grew up loving the Horrible Histories books. He is a huge fan of Louis Theroux.·        His videos never feature his face – so people are very used to his voice but not his face – he says he is very shy.·        Topics covered in his podcast include: The unique Irish sports of Irish Stick Fighting and Sheaf Throwing, The Rhino in The River, Urbexing (urban exploring), Bog Iron, The Lough Ree Monster, Healing rocks, The Kilbroney Graveyard with a holy well and the grave of the Tallest Man In The World
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Apr 12, 2025 • 11min

Bressie Recalls The Most Impactful Moment From The Six years Of His Award Winning Podcast

Podcaster, bestselling author, musician, mental health advocate and kayaking conqueror Niall Breslin is in studio.  After six years of helping people better understand their minds - Bressie revealed that his award winning podcast 'Where is My Mind?' is coming to an end. What has he learned in that chapter of his life?He talks candidly to Alison Curtis about his podcast journey and it wasn't any of the big name celebs he has had on his show that made the most impact - it was a Men's Shed in Ballybrack, Dublin and it became the most listened to episode they ever made.Tickets for the last ever ‘Where Is My Mind’ Live Tour are on sale now and are available from Box Office and niallbreslin.comTour DatesMay 2nd -Tuar Ard Arts Centre, WestmeathMay 3rd -The Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-ShannonMay 9th - Lark Theatre, BalbrigganMay 10th - Arts & Minds Fes 
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Apr 6, 2025 • 7min

Hugely Popular Irish Travel Blogger Explore With Criostoir Reveals Ireland's Best Spots

There's a good chance you have seen him in your Instagram feed. With 165k followers and views well into the Millions @explorewithcriostoir  has showcased the very best that Ireland has to offer. Amazingly he only started his blogging only 2 years ago – he had an epiphany during Covid – travelling at home - made him realise just how much we had in Ireland. He wants to be an Ambassador for Ireland – “I just love showing off this beautiful part of the world and take so much pride in how lucky I am to enjoy this island!”165k followers from all over the world watch his incredible little videos.He says Causeway Cliffs in Antrim is possibly the Most Beautiful Spot in IrelandThe Top 5 are:1. Causeway Coast2. Mourne Mountains3. Donegal4. Aran Islands5. Achill IslandHis content includes:10 Best Places In Ireland If You Love The Outdoors10 Non Negotiable Drives For Road TripsBest Beaches in Ireland for 20256 Experiences In Ireland That DON’T Involve Drinking In The Pub
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Apr 5, 2025 • 8min

From Mayo To The Moon! Norah Patten Tells Us About New Documentary Celtic Cosmos

Norah is training for a mission scheduled for 2026 as part of an all-female crew on a spaceflight with IIAS and Virgin Galactic alongside American Kellie Gerardi and Canadian Dr. Shawna Pandya. She will become the first Irish person in space!Norah joined Alison Curtis to update us on the latest part of her adventure and to chat about a brand new documentary that reveals all about Ireland's involvement in space. Did you know: Ireland is a founding member of the European Space Agency when it was set up in 1975 and In 2024 alone 116 Irish companies worked with the European Space AgencyCeltic Cosmos is now available to watch now on Virgin Media PlayerGo To: virginmediatelevision.ie – search for “Celtic Cosmos”@spacenorah on Instagram and norahpatten.com for more on Norah
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Apr 5, 2025 • 6min

The Great Irish Bake: Brave Sarah Higgins Is A Real Life Superhero!

Sarah was born with a rare genetic condition that affects her skull's development, requiring multiple life-changing surgeries from the age of six months. She is six now and thanks to expert care, she continues to thrive.She called in to chat to Alison Curtis alongside her Mum Diane who told us all about Sarah's journey and her courageous attitude to life and her brilliant baking skills!!The Great Irish Bake is happening on Friday 11th April. Get involved and help raise urgently needed funds for sick children in Children’s Health Ireland at Crumlin, Temple Street, Tallaght and Connolly.You can also follow on Instagram:   @childrens_health_foundation 
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Mar 30, 2025 • 7min

Jess Redden Says Baby Bobby Is A Blessing And She Is Cherishing Every Moment

Author, Pharmacist and holistic Influencer Jess Redden is a new Mum and is cherishing the moments with her 19th month old baby boy Bobby and Daddy Rob Kearney.From Babies to Bone Health: Jess popped in for a chat with her lovely Mum Linda on Mother's Day about a new campaign from the Irish Osteoporosis Society asking women over 65 to prioritise their bone health. It’s called the Make or Break campaign and Linda knows all about it as she herself broke her arm.
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Mar 29, 2025 • 8min

Sophie Ellis-Bextor Says There Is Real Magic In Playing Live to An Irish Audience

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has announced a second show in Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre on Wednesday 21st May 2025.Her show on Thursday 22nd May 2025 is completely sold out. She tells Alison Curtis on Weekend Breakfast how the Irish date was added at her insistence after Manager only had UK dates. And her gut was correct it was the first date to sell out straight away! ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ has now reached over 11 billion global streams across all platforms. Her 7th studio album ‘HANA’ is out now. 
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Mar 23, 2025 • 7min

From Rugby To Recipes: Jonny Murphy AKA The Hungry Hooker Reveals How Baking Has Reshaped His Life

@the_hungryhooker on Instagram‘Bakes and Wee Treats’ is OUT NOWSTATS: 615k followers:  243k followers on Facebook, 262k on Instagram, and 110k on TikTok.Jonny Murphy is a former professional rugby union player from Northern Ireland, who played hooker for Ulster (2015-17), Rotherham Titans (2017-18) and Connacht (2018-22).After a career-ending injury, turned to his other passion, baking.Jonny speaks very movingly about his own personal journey, and how the support of his close-knit family community was invaluable when he found himself losing the only identity he had ever known. This fabulous cookbook features over 100 recipes that cater to all baking skills, making it perfect for:Sunday morning brunchCelebrating birthdays or anniversariesTreating colleaguesBaking with kids for school fairsEnjoying by yourself with a cuppa
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Feb 28, 2025 • 7min

Celebrating Neurodiversity: Dav Pilkey's Inspirational Journey to Become Beloved Best Selling Author

The brains behind 'Captain Underpants' and 'Dog Man' to more. Dav Pilkey joined Alison Curtis to talk about his journey from a back of the class doodler to a multi-million best selling author and illustrator. Dav told Alison his inspirational story. He is very open about his ADHD diagnosis and wants to celebrate neurodivergency and inspire. He spent many hours placed in the corridor by Teachers who didn't understand. But with the help of his supportive parents and school friends he went from goofing around in class to getting Hollywood movies made of his creations.

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