Newstalk Weekend

Whether you loved it or hated it, the TV series Neighbours found its way into the hearts of many Irish viewers, and gave a number of A-listers the start to their career. The landmark show came to an end this week after nearly 40 years on air and so Newstalk reporter Henry McKean got the thoughts of Irish-Australians and Ramsay Street fans to discuss the impact of its legacy.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Maeve Binchy’s passing. From her columns in the Irish Times to her beloved bestselling books to the blockbuster Hollywood adaptions of her novels, Maeve was one of the most astounding literary chroniclers of 20th century Ireland. To pay tribute to Maeve, Tom is joined by authors Patricia Scanlon and Henrietta McKervey.

For this week's installment of Kickstart Your Weekend, Tom is joined by Joey Kavanagh, organizer of 'The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever' - an event held at locations around the world each July, where participants gather en masse to recreate the music video for musician Kate Bush's 1978 song 'Wuthering Heights'.

Joining Tom Dunne to go through some of the main stories that were making the headlines throughout the week is Richard Chambers, News Correspondent with Virgin Media News & author and playwright Amanda Brunker.

Joining Stefanie Preissner for this week's episode of Ask the Expert is Dr. Mary O’Kane, Lecturer in Psychology and author of 'Perfectly Imperfect Parenting: Connection Not Perfection' who answered your questions on parenting and child development.

Speaking to a delegation from the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday, Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, appealed to the Irish diaspora to return and “be part of a new Ireland that we must build”. To discuss the reception the Sinn Fein leader has received in Australia as part of a tour of Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Andrew Tillett, Vice President of the National Press Club of Australia & journalist for the Australian Financial Review.

Joining Stefanie Preissner to Kickstart Your Weekend is Michael Moloney, Chief Executive of Galway Races.

This week Brad Pitt caused quite the stir as he arrived at the Berlin premiere of his upcoming film, Bullet Train, sporting a knee-length skirt. But why is it that men wearing certain pieces of clothing attract such attention anyway and where do these ideas of who-wears-what come from? To discuss, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Dr. Ashley Morgan, Senior Lecturer in the School of Art and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University & Newstalk's Simon Tierney.

Galway and Kerry fans are taking the bus, train, and plane to Dublin this weekend ahead of the All-Ireland Football Final. But it seems the costly hotel prices recorded in the capital has discouraged some fans from staying the night as Newstalk’s Aoife Kearns found out.

Joining Stefanie Preissner to run through the top news stories from the week is Geraldine Herbert, Sunday Independent Motoring Editor & author, Dave Rudden. Also joining Stefanie to discuss a shake-up of Ireland’s pension system is Cliff Tayor, Managing editor of The Irish Times.

Joining Stefanie Preissner is comedian and creator of the Irishman Abroad Podcast, Jarlath Regan. Together they discuss what it's like performing for Irish audiences, the role of comedy and how it has changed, and some of Jarlath's most challenging interviews over the years.

With Ireland securing a historic first series win in New Zealand in the rugby, the All-Ireland Men's Senior Hurling Final, the semi-finals for the ladies football, quarters in the camogie, plus the Open in full swing - there's a lot of sport to watch this weekend. OTB's Will O'Callaghan stopped by to chat through it all with Stefanie Preissner.

Joining Stefanie for this week's episode of Ask the Expert is Dr. Eleanor Galvin. Together they discuss staying safe in the summer sun, iron deficiencies, IBS, and more.

Charles Martinet who is the man responsible for the iconic voice of Mario and Luigi has been part of popular culture for decades and is even a Guinness World Record holder for his performance as Mario. He joins Stefanie Preissner ahead of his visit to Ireland for Dublin Comic Con.

Dr. Catherine Smallwood, World Health Organisation Senior Emergency Officer in charge of coordinating monkeypox response joins Stefanie Preissner to discuss the upcoming decision on whether the outbreak constitutes a global health emergency.

With hot weather forecast over the course of the next week, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Tomas Conefrey, Pharmacist at Care Plus on Pearse St Dublin to discuss how to stay safe while still enjoying the sun.

Joining Stefanie Preissner to run through some of their favourite summer flicks is Ali Ryan, Founder of Goss Media & Deirdre Molumby, Reviewer & Senior Content Executive at Entertainment.ie.

For this week's episode of Kickstart Your Weekend, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Mairead Dewar to talk about the Life Line project which involves local Galway volunteers taking to tightropes and walking high above sections of the River Corrib.

Joining Stefanie Preissner to run through the biggest stories hitting the headlines this week is Ailbhe Smyth, LGBT Activist & Journalist and author, Jen Hogan.

Joining Anton for another episode of Ask the Expert is Gary O'Hanlon. Together they discuss the incalculable impact of French cooking on the culinary industry.

Trevor Jacob is a former Olympian whose YouTube video called ‘I crashed my plane’, allegedly by accident, has garnered him two million views since the incident. But the online aviation community says their suspicions were raised from the get-go that the stunt was faked for views. Petter Hornfeldt is a pilot and host of the ‘Mentour Pilot ‘YouTube Channel - he joins Anton to discuss.

It’s been almost four months since Alan Kelly stepped down as leader of the Labour party and just three months since Ivana Bacik took up that mantle. Joining Anton to talk through her career in politics and becoming Labour leader is Ivana Bacik.

Just how hard is it to make the transition from being a pop or rock star to the silver screen? Screentime's John Fardy joins Anton to run through some of the biggest success stories and some of the more forgettable attempts in recent memory.

Joining Anton is Chanelle Dunne, President of Donnybrook Lawn Tennis Club. Together they discuss the sport of Tennis, building up the skills for kids who want to progress through the ranks, and how to get stuck in and started in the sport regardless of what age you are.

Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Conor Pope & Screenwriter, and Columnist, Stefanie Preissner join Anton to go through some of their favourite summer memories and discuss what makes those special moments so special.

Paul Flynn, Irish beloved TV chef is hitting the road this summer to discover the best and most outstanding food trucks and the street food they have to offer. His show, Food Truck Favourites is kicking off next week on RTE One. What food recipes can we expect to see that will make our mouths water? Paul joins Anton to chat through it all.

Steve and Joe Wall of rock group, 'The Stunning' stopped by to chat with Anton where among other things they discussed dealing with the challenges of the pandemic, the joys of getting back onstage, and go through some of their favourite performers of all time.

Joining Anton for another episode of 'Ask the Expert' is gardening guru, Diarmuid Gavin. Together they chat about using nettles as a natural fertiliser, making the most of your summer garden, and more!

The Paddy Power Comedy Festival is set to make its long-awaited return to the Iveagh Gardens here in Dublin and will feature tonnes of homegrown Irish talent Two of whom make up comedy duo 'Dirtbirds' - Sue Collins and Sinead Culbert. They joined Anton to chat about their creative process and getting back out on stage.

Joining Anton to go through the biggest stories from the week is Gina London, former CNN Correspondent, and Sunday Independent Columnist & John Lee, Executive Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland.

For this week's 'Kickstart Your Weekend' Anton is joined by Steve Wickham, Irish musician and violinist, formerly with ‘The Waterboys’. He is performing at The Clonmel Junction Arts Festival starring in 'Breath' a music play in which he acts and combines classic, folk, and rock on fiddle, concertina, and didgeridoo!

To kickstart your weekend, Anton chats to Cathriona Ní Scanaill, Senior Ranger of Primates at Fota Wildlife Park.

After 3 years, music fans are ecstatic this weekend as Glastonbury returns, and it’s on till Sunday. Billie Eilish, Sir Paul McCartney and Kendrick Lamar may be the headliners, but there is much more going on. Anton is joined by music journalist Pat Carty.

As the Irish government marks two years in power, Anton is joined by Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent for Bauer Media, and Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs Consultant, Political Commentator, and Former Senior Government Advisor.

Holly Cairns, Social Democrats TD for Cork South West joined Anton today to discuss her first term in the Dáil.

Anton is joined now by a man who is a bit of a legend around Cork, for Ask The Expert: Pat O’Connell, fishmonger and chair of the English Market Traders Association.

June is Pride Month and there are plenty of festivities taking part in the capital today including the Pride March. But Cork also has a fascinating LGBTQI history, and will mark its connection with its first in-person Pride Festival in July for the first time in two years. Clive Davis, Chairperson of Cork Pride, has been closely involved with the LGBTQI community for many years and he joins Anton.

The supreme court has ruled there is no constitutional right to abortion in the United States, upending the landmark Roe v Wade case from nearly 50 years ago in a rare reversal of long-settled law that will fracture reproductive rights in America. Darina Murray, from the Abortion Rights Campaign, spoke to Anton.

For this week's episode of 'Ask the Expert' - from being diagnosed with glaucoma to coloured patches on your chest, Dr Eleanor Galvin joined Anton to address some of the concerns listeners had for themselves and their loved ones.

The Irish College of General Practitioners convened for a major international conference in Limerick today. An important topic they highlight is the future of general practice in rural areas. To discus, Anton was joined by Dr Deirdra Collins, a Kilkullen family doctor in Co Kildare and a member of the ICGP board.

Today is the birthday of Beatles icon Paul McCartney as he turns 80! To celebrate, 'Lost Lane' in Dublin will be hosting a “Macca Fest” in his honour at which Howie Casey, Liverpudlian and former saxophone player with Wings' & Jon Ward, Musician will be performing. Professor Luke O’Neill, TCD Immunologist, and huge Beatles fan also joined in on the conversation.

Campaigners and opposition politicians have urged people to take to the streets today in rallies taking place across the country protesting the cost-of-living crisis. TD Richard Boyd Barrett and convenor of the Cost-of-Living Coalition joined Anton to discuss what he thinks could be done to mitigate the impact of global inflation and the spiraling cost-of-living crisis being experienced.

There has been widespread condemnation of the UK’s recent attempts to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda – and with good reason. But the UK is not alone in implementing policies like this. So, to look at this and how cases of forced repatriation and deportation often end up, Anton is joined by Liza Schuster, Reader in Sociology at the School of Policy and Global Affairs at City University London.

The hospitality sector has been dealing with staff shortages for some time now, and with the current state of inflation and the cost of living crisis only growing, the pressure only seems to be mounting. To discuss, Anton speaks to Allen O'Shaughnessy, owner of 'Taihu' restaurant in Limerick & Angela Ruttledge, owner of 'Olives Tearoom' in Saint Anne’s Park Clontarf & Monck’s Green Phibsborough.

Joining Anton to Kickstart Your Weekend is comedian and impressionist, Al Foran. Al is currently somewhere in the country taking part in the Bumblebee 1000 - a supercar road trip that is taking place this weekend. The three-day supercar spectacular will make its way to Dublin via the Wild Atlantic Way where they will finish off in Merrion Square. All proceeds from this latest Bumblebee 1000 event will once again go to the Little Blue Heroes charity.

Novelist and journalist, Amanda Brunker & Assistant News Editor at theJournal.ie, Aoife Barry, joined Anton to run through some of the most talked-about stories hitting the headlines this week.

Joining Anton to discuss the lead-up to this weekend's cost-of-living protests is Michael Dooley, reporting from the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin.

Joining Anton to answer all of your parenting questions for this week's episode of 'Ask the Expert' is Dr. Mary O’Kane, Lecturer in Psychology and Early Childhood Education at the Open University and author of 'Perfectly Imperfect Parenting: Connection Not Perfection'.

Roisin Shortall, co-leader of the Social Democrats, will head her Party’s National Conference in the Gresham Hotel for the first time since 2019. Later today she and Catherine Murphy will get the chance to show the nation the party’s vision in a televised address.

Anton Speaks to Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and Chief Executive of ISME, Neil McDonnell about the cost of living and remote working. The Minister also responds to questions about the letter sent to grieving mother, Tracy McGinnis by her department.