Muireann O'Connell

Has Fungie the dolphin settled in at new shores in the heart of Galway Bay? Or is this West Coast dolphin the new Fungie? Watching marine life that Ireland has grown in popularity over the years following the popularity of Fungie the dolphin, but Ireland is full of opportunities to see marine life, from a safe distance. Zoologist and member of Whale Watch West Cork Nic Slocum spoke to Andrea on the programme about marine life in Ireland, and of course to tell us, has Fungie moved to Galway...

It may have been a GAA hall disco, Irish college in the summer, the back of the school, on the edge of a pitch, a house party but wherever you got one did you ever consider where it all started? Today, Muireann O'Connell spoke to Darach Ó Séaghdha who is on the hunt for 'the shift' and is desperately in need of your assistance. He is a journalist, author of Motherfocloir : Dispatches from a not so dead language and curator of the hugely popular Twitter page @theirishfor and he wants to find the origin of the word "shift" Ireland has a well documented list of slang terms in our everyday language, but the one for kissing is one of the most celebrated. Does it come from an Irish word? The Irish word ‘sioft’ meaning a trick or a move. Darach has a few theories from his digging but needs more help. Just press the play icon to listen back      

Fancy a Line of O’Kane? From twirling around the ballroom floor to providing belly laughs on stage and TV, it seems there's nothing Deirdre O'Kane can't do! The Drogheda born comedian has made quite the come back to comedy with her sell-out A Line Of O'Kane show. Now she's bringing the show to the Vodafone Comedy Festival on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th July. Deirdre joined Muireann in studio to talk about watching Love Island with her son and daughter, what is was like to work with Curtis on Dancing With The Stars and her love of the Vodafone Comedy Festival. Muireann also challenged her to a game of Deirdre's Deals! If you'd like to see Deirdre at the Vodafone Comedy Festival in Iveagh Gardens you can find ticket information here. To listen to the full chat click the Listen button above.   View this post on Instagram   That is a serious nights comedy @vodafonecomedy You CANT miss that !! 💃🏻 A post shared by Deirdre O'Kane (@deirdreokane123) on Jun 21, 2019 at 12:38pm PDT

Freya Ridings has entered the music scene with a bang. 2018 was a huge year for the London-based singer-songwriter with her single Lost Without You putting her on the map. She was nominated for The Times Breakthrough Award and even had her songs featured in Love Island! Freya's soulful vocal tone soon had listeners hooked. With two live albums and a studio EP already under her belt, plus a Glastonbury performance, fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of her debut studio album. Muireann got to catch up with the 25-year-old on the day of her very special debut studio album release. Freya told Muireann all about the album, how it felt to have Taylor Swift compliment her vocals and how much of a massive Hozier fan she is! Freya Ridings self-titled debut album is available today, July 19th, and has already entered the Irish and UK iTunes chart at number 1! You can listen to the full chat by clicking the Listen button above.     View this post on Instagram   I can't believe I finally get to say this... My debut album is OUT NOW! Thank you to every single person who has supported me over the years. You made this happen ❤❤❤ A post shared by Freya Ridings (@freyaridings) on Jul 19, 2019 at 12:07am PDT

Poor Val got in contact with the show: So, obviously we called her back and got her on air today. Nobody on The Muireann O'Connell show had any idea what the story involved. Boy, are we glad we called her back!! Wow. It's grim. She is STILL not over it and it haunts her to this day. This story involves dressing up to the nines at a new job, a baby elephant, bin bags and a very embarrassed young woman. Just press on the play icon to hear Val's story

Her brother has been parachuted into the Love Island villa and we wil get to meet him tonight, but who is Greg O'Shea? We know that he's 24, he's from Corbally in Limerick, plays sevens rugby professionally for Ireland, studied Law and likes a bit of Pilates. Laura is his older sister and says he's a clean freak like his Mammy! He's also just out of a 4 year relationship and is not afraid to put himself out there especially with the other girls in the Villa. Here he is in action:   View this post on Instagram   Good weekends work ☝🏽 A post shared by Greg O’Shea (@gregoshea) on Jul 25, 2018 at 12:01pm PDT He also loves a pair of budgie smugglers:   View this post on Instagram   Smugglin’ 🏄🏽‍♂️ A post shared by Greg O’Shea (@gregoshea) on Jun 25, 2018 at 11:21am PDT But, we need to know more and who better to chat to than his lovely sister Laura. She spoke to Muireann O'Connell about how the family knew absolutely NOTHING about Greg going on the show and they found out like the rest of us when they sat down to watch the show last night. Just press the play icon to hear the chat    

[audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/07/10123205/PJ-GALLAGHER-YOUNG-OFFENDERS-KIERAN-EXTRA-USE1.mp3"][/audio] The stand up superhero who is also known as the ray off sunshine  Barry Walsh in The Young Offenders told Muireann about filming series two and the hunt for extras to take part. The lads are currently filming the new season and were only recently hanging out in the hallowed turf of Turner's Cross: That's some mic biy!!   The action is underway at Turner's Cross. pic.twitter.com/erf0zO8ocu — Andrew Horgan (@AndrewHorgan) July 8, 2019 Here's some classic Barry cock blocking! dump your idiot boyfriend this father's day #TheYoungOffenders pic.twitter.com/2H5O0uAXFR — BBC Three (@bbcthree) June 16, 2019 If you're a feen or a beour and fancy being a part of season two...Just send your name, address and phone number to extrastyo@gmail.com Muireann also spoke to Kieran who was an extra in a movie directed by RON HOWARD. However, he nearly got thrown off set for continually singing the 'Happy Day's theme at Ron while he was directing...it only added to the weirdness that a big-bearded Kieran was dressed like Jesus at the time! Click the play button above to hear the whole chat.

Irish girl Hayley Ryan is blowing up Twitter with her uncanny impressions of this year's Love Island contestants. The 21-year-old from Cork has already hit over 1 millions views on the videos, and has brought much joy to fans. Muireann got to go live to Maura, Curtis, Amber, Anton and Molly-Mae through the amazing talents of Hayley. She is brilliant! We were particularly blown away by her take on Molly-Mae. You can listen to the full chat by clicking the Listen button above. Over on Twitter people were quick to point out just how accurate she gets them, especially fellow Irish girl Maura. Maura is spot on! — Maz C (@Maz_569086) July 7, 2019 Hayley also gave us a great laugh with her takes on Lucie, Amber, Molly-Mae and Amy. The mannerisms and voices are unmistakable. She even managed to nail Curtis and the Scottish twang of Anton. I had to watch your lips with the Maura one to see if it was actually you and not Maura — Shy.ovo (@ShyonGredley) July 8, 2019 We're hoping she'll keep the impressions coming with the rest of the Islanders. You can check out the videos below. Love Island 2019 Impressions ❤️ (Part 2/2) #LoveIslandpic.twitter.com/NtQEWplkuL — Hayley Ryan (@hayls_ryan) July 7, 2019

It’s lunchtime so what better time to chat about food! Mairead Ronan is in for Muireann all this week and today she spoke to a woman who is a professional 'Competitive Eater.' Her name is Leah 'Shuteater' Shutkever who is 29. Not only has she the Official Guinness World Record for the fastest burrito eaten, she also holds the record for fastest Chocolate Orange! Leah is also a fitness freak and sems to be able to burn off the calories pretty fast. She says, "I have very little fat so nothing is pressing down on my stomach so it can expand for these challenges. It takes lots of practice and I'm good at it so I just want to get better." Here she details how to approach a challenge and then proceeds to inhale A DOZEN KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS. She has also cained a 40z burger called 'The Beast' Tonight on Channel 4 is a film called ‘Battle of the Super Eaters: 3000 Calories a Minute’ which follows three competitive eaters.  

Kevin O'Brien is from Cork and had his bike stolen a few weeks back. He spotted it online for sale and then concocted an intricate sting operation to get it back. It included false names, emails and a team of crack individuals to pull off this mission! Here he is with the spoils of his sting operation.

There was room for about 400 people. Would Wee Daniel have got in? The TV show 'Chernobyl' recently got voted as the highest rated series on IMDB. At at the time there was literally a worldwide fallout of fear after the explosion and it stretched as far as the North West Of Ireland. This week back in 1986 'Jackson’s Hotel' in Ballybofey, Donegal offered to turn their underground disco into a nuclear shelter! There was one catch... it was £250 a head for the privilege! The current General Manager, Philip Lee told Muireann O'Connell they never sold a ticket but are now sticking to Spa weekends instead!  

If you spotted the trail of crumbs left on social media, then you may have guessed that this week is all about celebrating the biscuit. It's National Biscuit Week or Day or something along those lines. So, in this spirit The Muireann O'Connell Show was chatting all about Ireland's love affair with the crunchy treats. Little did we know it would inspire the greatest text we've ever received. This led to us calling them back. Behold, Eileen in Wexford and her hilarious Hob-Nob story. Just press play and make sure you're not operating any machinery, believe us you'll be in stitches. In other biscuit related news. Here is our Official Biscuit Map Of Ireland as voted by you guys:   This is The Official Biscuit Map Of Ireland according to listeners to @MuireannO_C show. We asked people to tell us their County and their favourite biscuit. Do you agree? Help us finish it! #NationalBiscuitDay pic.twitter.com/BPkrsumfV5 — Today FM (@TodayFM) May 29, 2019

It's here guys. The watch has ended. What did you make of it all? There is no further information to put in this post because I haven't watched it yet so I haven't even listened (I'm watching it tonight...Monday) but Muireann O'Connell and her very special guest and super-fan Roisin O'Reilly stayed up Sunday night and have all the goss. "This podcast is dark and full of reaction."    

***SPOILER ALERT*** This podcasts contains spoilers for Game of Thrones, Season 8 Episode 5, if you haven't caught up yet, bookmark this podcast and come back to us when you've watched it! Every week, when our watch has ended, Muireann O'Connell brings you all things Game of Thrones Season 8. Lads, we're down to the final episode, there's only one more left! What does a Game of Throne-less world even look like? Join Muireann and the panel as they chat through this week's penultimate episode, 'The Bells.' [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/05/14124208/THE-NIGHTS-WATCH-EPISODE-5.mp3"][/audio]

Ellen spoke to us on Friday about her romantic weekend away in the West which turned into a mountain challenge! Her boyfriend Peter aka Ray 'Maybe' Mears fancied getting up on Mayo's finest hump, Croagh Patrick so she said, "feck it i'm up for the challenge!" She was told she needed to be "sure footed as a goat" and now she's proven she really is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) by getting up and down in one piece. Ellen says she couldn't have done it without her trusty stick. How did she get on? "It's the most Catholic thing I've ever done in my life! You need to be harbouring a lot of guilt to be doing that of a Sunday!" Muireann checked in with her today. Loved every minute 🙃 pic.twitter.com/UhKydqD87f — Ellen Coyne (@ellenmcoyne) May 12, 2019 And there's always a creamy reward at the bottom! Creamy angel 👼 pic.twitter.com/HNwVqnEN4K — Ellen Coyne (@ellenmcoyne) May 12, 2019

He got his first ride when he was only ten and has since been addicted to roller-coasters. Since then he's had 1,200 rides (not all naked!) David Ellis is an Accountant by day but a Nude Rollercoaster Rider at night! Unlike Superman he takes his clothes off and there's nothing underneath. It's been up and down and side to side but he is a five-time Guinness World Record Holder for his naked exploits and he told Muireann all about it. He's even featured in The Guardian: The most important question of course being, "What's the craic with bum sweat!?" [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/05/13133233/ROLLERCOASTER-NUDE-GUY.mp3"][/audio] Here's David and the rest of his naked crew breaking the record for most naked people on a roller-coaster. They recently shivered their way into the Guinness Book Of Records by getting 195 naked bodies on to the Grand National wooden roller coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in England.

Ellen and her boyfriend are heading to Westport this weekend for a romantic getaway – but she's swapping roses for rocks...the granite type. Discussing their trip West it was her partner Peter who suggested, "ah yeah let’s climb Croagh Patrick for the craic – and isn’t there a pub at the bottom for creamy pints” He seems to think it'll be a breeze. She wasn’t convinced. So, utilising her skills as an award winning journalist she took to the Internet to find out more... Is Croagh Patrick .... hard? I thought little children and old people with no shoes on did it but then I read this TripAdvisor review and now I’m very afraid of what the weekend has in store for me pic.twitter.com/cnPdJWkQQB — Ellen Coyne (@ellenmcoyne) May 8, 2019 She’s got lots of conflicting advice from “you have to be as sure footed as a goat” to “ah yeah no bother” And what the hell is “The Cone!” She is off to buy a high-vis and proper hiking boots – Peter her boyfriend is very blasé about the whole thing. Ellen is still bringing the glam to Croagh Patrick as she's just got the nails done! Hopefully there won't be any heavy impact rock ascending! She is doing all the research – he is very laid back – this could be a romantic comedy set on Croagh Patrick! As she tells Muireann on TodayFM she may have to document her expedition to ensure her survival! Watch this space we will be checking in with Ellen next week to see how she got on.

There's something fishy about this. Dingle's Oceanworld Aquarium has been receiving quite a lot of attention this week all because of their gay penguins. Headlines have been squawking about how over half of their Gentoo penguins have chosen same-sex partners. It's even become an international matter, with the aquarium receiving a call from The New York Post no less!   View this post on Instagram   Did you know that when a male Penguin falls in love he searches for the perfect pebble to present to his true love. . . . . Who will you be giving your perfect pebble to this Valentine's Day? A post shared by Oceanworld aquarium (@dingleaquarium) on Feb 10, 2019 at 11:59am PST However, we've been carrying out some hard-nosed journalism. It turns out the story has gotten totally out of flipper. Speaking to Maura from the aquarium, we found out the aquarium has 2 couples which are same sex. So 4 penguins out of 14. Missy and Bubbles, two females, are living very happily together. While two males, Uisce and Oisin, have also paired up. Whatever the mix up, we absolutely love this story. We hope Missy, Bubbles, Uisce and Oisin have many more happy-feet years together!

***SPOILER ALERT*** This podcasts contains spoilers for Game of Thrones, Season 8 Episode 3, if you haven't caught up yet, bookmark this podcast and come back to us when you've watched it! Every week, when our watch has ended, Muireann O'Connell and guests will be bringing you all the Game of Thrones Season 8 chats.  

Described as the “jewel in the crown of Irish rallying” the Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes 2019 takes place in Killarney this Bank Holiday weekend. The event is celebrating its 40th anniversary and they have a very special guest this year. So, who better to chat to about it than local man and this year's Rally Ambassador Michael Fassbender. The star of Hunger, Shame, Inglorious Basterds, 12 Years A Slave, Dark Phoenix, and the X-Men movies plus many more has another passion and that's cars. He loves a good ride!  (he can't help dropping in driving puns as you'll hear in this interview!)   The Hollywood A-Lister and Acting superstar has a real love of his Kingdom and in particular Killarney. He was asked to be the Ambassador of this year's rally and jumped at the chance. It comes with perks especially for a petrol head like Fass. As Ambassador he gets to test drive the cars taking part in the race – including a Porsche 911, a Mk 2 Ford Escort and a Ford Puma S1600. Proud as punch perched on a Porsche with his beloved Killarney in the background! Pic courtesy of Valerie O'Sullivan. Twitter: @valphoto After driving for Ferrari at the Canadian Grand Prix, he was so good Ferrari’s Scuderia Corsa Team offered him a place to be a driver and you compete professionally! He told Muireann about how much he loves being home, his car obsession, meeting his hero Michael Schumacher (would he play him in a movie?) and loads more. You can take the man out of Kerry but you'll never take the Kerry out of the man. Fassbender is officially one of the soundest people ever! Picture courtesy of motorsportmagazine.com                

Avril sent us this very cute little boomerang of her twins. Johnny and Harry are inseparable brothers/superheroes and wanted to do their bit to help Dare To Care. Listening to the Muireann O'Connell show Harry turned to his Mum and said,  "Mam I'd like to give my €11 to the dancers if it would help them out" Hey @MuireannO_C @TodayFM #DareToCare Harry is 6 and is kicking Lymphomas ass here in Waterford. We have €11 in the piggy bank to give you if you play Shotgun by George Ezra pic.twitter.com/vV5HNPCCoH — Avril Bowe (@abowe) April 30, 2019   It is all the money in his piggy bank. Thinking of other people at such a young age. In October of last year their world was turned up side down when Harry was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Mam Avril had only herself beaten cancer so this was a real kick in the teeth. But they haven't looked down only up and only forward. Harry has been an inspiration and has bounced back and started in Avril's own words to "kick Lymphoma's ass" The lads are both HUGE superhero fans and recently went to see Avengers: Endgame and dressed up as Captain America and Thor you can see! (they don't mess about these fellas) We know Harry is going to hammer Lymphoma!   ⚡ Harry's our REAL-LIFE SUPERHERO! ⚡ Harry, who is 6-years old and battling lymphoma, gave up his €11 from his piggy bank to help fight cancer! 🐷 💶#DareToCare @IrishCancerSoc #AvengersEndgame @chrishemsworth @marvel @marvelstudios ♥️❤️♥️ pic.twitter.com/6TQisUb7nZ — Today FM (@TodayFM) April 30, 2019 How Do I Donate? Text donation At any time at all, you can pick up your phone and text the word DARE to 50300 to donate €4 to the Irish Cancer Society. Text costs €4. Irish Cancer Society will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278 Or head to Cancer.ie/Dance to donate online. Where does my money go? €60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life €75 will provide in-depth consultations on our Cancer Nurseline for three people €120 pays for five Spill Kits for Volunteer Drivers in the event a patient is ill in their car Irish Cancer Society Night Nurses ensure that families of patients and their loved ones remain in the comfort and dignity of their own home. €306 provides one night of care for a patient during the last days of their life. If you've set up a fundraiser and you want to donate you can also call the fundraising team on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 and donate/lodge your funds by debit or credit card. If you have any questions you can get in touch with the fundraising team at the Irish Cancer Society on CallSave 1850 60 60 60 or by emailing fundraising@irishcancer.ie You can also drop a cheque or bank draft in the post with your name, address and supporter number to the Irish Cancer Society at: 43/45 Northumberland Road, Dublin 4. All cheques must be made out to Irish Cancer Society.

THE CRANBERRIES Muireann O'Connell was joined in the studio by the remaining members of The Cranberries, Noel, Mike and Fergal. They chatted about what it was like finishing their final album without Dolores, their music featuring in smash hit TV show Derry Girls and they shared their special memories of Dolores. On the day they release #InTheEnd the remaining members of @The_Cranberries are in studio chatting to @MuireannO_C as part of a very special show. 🎶❤️ Noel, Mike and Fergal tell what it was like finishing their final album without Dolores. #CranberriesTodayFM pic.twitter.com/W2pwXgNwrN — Today FM (@TodayFM) April 26, 2019 IN THE END The Cranberries are one of the few bands to remain timeless, or have a sound that transcends the whims of musical fashion. Play one of the Irish rock group’s early anthems such as “Linger” or “Dreams”, and they sound as fresh and emotive as when they captured a generation’s hearts in the 1990's. And now they've found a whole new audience thanks to Derry Girls: As part of a very special show the remaining members of @The_Cranberries were in studio chatting to @MuireannO_C 🎶❤️ Noel, Mike & Fergal tell Muireann what it's like hearing their music play such a big part of #DerryGirls 🎶❤️#CranberriesTodayFM @nicolacoughlan #InTheEnd pic.twitter.com/W5xtcPi7Sz — Today FM (@TodayFM) April 26, 2019 Now, nearly 30 years after the quartet of singer/songwriter and musician Dolores O’Riordan, co-songwriter and lead guitarist Noel Hogan, bassist Mike Hogan and drummer Fergal Lawler first appeared, they are returning with their eighth and final studio album 'In the End' After the sad and unexpected passing of Dolores on January 15th 2018, it will be their last - and is among the most complete works they have ever produced. 30 years after forming in Limerick, The Cranberries are set to release their 8th and final album ‘In The End’. The eleven-track record brings a remarkable career to a fitting and powerful closure. Announcing the album, the band has shared the first single ‘All Over Now’ that blends rock, alternative and catchy almost pop-sounding melodies to deliver a classic Cranberries sound. “I can’t think of a more fitting way to commemorate the first anniversary of Dolores’ passing and to celebrate her life than to announce to the world the release of her final album with the band.”  Eileen O’Riordan, Dolores O’Riordan’s mother. Click play to listen to the full podcast.

ALL THE FEELS There was an audible "Awwwww!" around the Today FM office today when we heard the kids of Ladybird preschool in Nenagh, Co.Tipperary giving a cheer in anticipation of their excitement for their big event on Tuesday. The kids and staff have been making banners to decorate the creche for their day of dancing on Tuesday April 30th as part of our Dare to Care campaign. Due to the fact that parents and children come in at different times throughout the day they will have music in the front for the whole day so everyone can take part. Many of the families have been touched by cancer at some point in their lives and this is a cause all staff and families can get behind. Click play to list to Ladybird preschool owner Stephanie Kennedy chatting to Muireann on air today. Here's their Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ladybirds-preschool2019 If you'd like to get involved with our Dare to Care campaign, you can find all the details here.

WEDDING DANCERS FOR CANCER Muireann spoke to Josephine Fogarty today on the show about her plans for involving our 'Dare To Care' campaign with their wedding! Josephine and her fiance Tom, both from Thurles and have been together for 14 years, are getting married tomorrow in a small ceremony with family present. They'll take Friday to recover and rest their dancing feet. Then on Saturday, they’re having their “Happy Ever After party” for their friends and work colleagues in Younge’s in The Ragg. At their ‘Happy Ever After’ party they are asking their friends and family to be a ‘Dancer for Cancer’ and will have a playlist of dance songs ready to go. One of Josephine’s friends, Donna Moore, is a member of the Sea of Change Choir (a group of women who are cancer survivors and supporters from Ireland’s Got Talent) and will be there on the night. We wish them a very happy ever after! Click play to hear Josephine chatting to Muireann all about it. If you'd like to get involved you can find all the details here.  

STARVIN' MARVIN' Muireann played a clip on the show today of this gas little character, Dublin girl Harlow Rose aged 2, who went viral in a video telling her parents she was so hungry she was "leppin'". It sparked Muireann to ask listeners to tell her their favourite Irish ways to say their hungry and the responses were hilarious... I'd eat a dirty nappy through a letterbox. Matt Ryan, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny. I'm that hungry I'd ate the balls of a low flying crow. Larry in Newport Co. Mayo I’m so hungry I’d ate the decorations off a hearse. - John, Kildare I’m so hungry I’d ate the backside off a poodle through a tennis racket. - Keira, Mayo I'd eat the belly out of a low flying pigeon. Shaun, Laois I’m so hungry I could eat a cow between two bread vans. - Mary, Cork I’m so hungry I could eat a dirty nappy through a park bench - Lily, Waterford "I'd eat the Lamb of God without a conscience "  - Ger in Cork. I’m so hungry I ate the back door buttered - Kate, Donegal I'm so hungry we could ate the hand of God! Sonya, Monaghan I’m so hungry I could eat the back leg of the lamb of God - Pajo, Dublin My stomach thinks my throat's been cut. Annette in Tipp I'd eat a picture of the last supper -  Laura from Roscommon living in Dublin Click on the play button to hear the what's app voice messages that came in from listeners with their favourite phrases about their hunger pangs.

All the staff and members of Cannon Hayes Sports Complex in Tipperary will be out in force for their Dare To Care event on April 30th at 11am. Caroline Duffy spoke to Muireann today on the show to tell her all about their plans to raise money for the campaign. Even rugby star Alan 'Quinny' Quinlan, who uses the the complex, got roped into dancing! Caroline told Muireann that they hear or someone getting diagnosed with cancer and two of their own staff members said had to leave this year due to cancer so it's hit them hard and they want to help. Listen to their chat by clicking the play button. Here's the link to their facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/802044753501614/ And this is the Just Giving page: If you want to be a Dancer for Cancer all the details about our Dare To Care campaign are here.

***SPOILER ALERT*** This podcasts contains spoilers for Game of Thrones, Season 8 Episode 2, if you haven't caught up yet, bookmark this podcast and come back to us when you've watched it! Every week, when our watch has ended, Muireann O'Connell and guests will be bringing you all the Game of Thrones Season 8 chats. As we inch closer every week to the end of the biggest show in the world, join Muireann as she runs through that week's episode. We're all in this together lads! [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/04/23140311/NIGHTS-WATCH-EP-2.mp3"][/audio]

BOWLING BALL-ROOM DANCING If you like dancing this will be right up your alley! Muireann spoke to King Pin Shane Murphy from KBowl in Kilkenny who's organising a dancing event for Today FM's Dare To Care campaign. To listen to Shane and Muireann having the chats all about the exciting event and how you can take part click the play button. (We were going to add in another bowling pun, but we thought we'd spare you!) Kilkenny KBowl will #DareToCare this April!! Will you?? Register your own fundraising event here:https://t.co/eNejkfhkuv pic.twitter.com/3qvpHxVn16 — Today FM (@TodayFM) April 18, 2019 For more information about how you can get involved with Dare To Care click here 

***SPOILER ALERT*** This podcasts contains spoilers for Game of Thrones, Season 8 Episode 1, if you haven't caught up yet, bookmark this podcast and come back to us when you've watched it! Every week, when our watch has ended, Muireann O'Connell and guests will be bringing you all the Game of Thrones Season 8 chats. As we inch closer every week to the end of the biggest show in the world, join Muireann as she runs through that week's episode. Muireann and guests will be analysing the best plot liens, the biggest shocks and all of the twists and turns that will be sure to keep us on the edge of our seats. We're all in this together lads! [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/04/15105609/THE-NIGHTS-WATCH-EPISODE-1.mp3"][/audio]    

She is THE 'Leoness'    There's a wave of incredible black RnB artists in Ireland right now. Soulé, Jafaris, Rejjie Snow to name a few and thankfully it doesn't look like crashing any time soon. Surfing on this welcome sea of amazing new music is Erica Cody. Muireann didn't touch her hair! ;-) The Dubliner has supported En Vogue and Jessie J and speaks to Muireann about how she found writing songs was a real therapy (her Mother had cancer when she was ten), her plans and D.T.MH. ! Erica's debut EP 'Leoness' is out today and features  'Where U Really From' . The song is inspired by growing up in Ireland as a mixed race female where she gets asked that question almost on a daily basis. "Where are you from?" "Dublin" "No, but really!?" It can get pretty tiring Erica wants people to own their identity, being it gender, race or sexuality. “I’m black. I’m Irish. I am me.” Listen to her perform 'Where U Really From' live on The Muireann O'Connell show: [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/04/12133907/ERICA-CODY-WHERE-YOU-REALY-FROM.mp3"][/audio] Listen to her perform one of her heroes. This is her cover of 'Say My Name' by Destiny's Child: [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/04/12123956/ERICA-CODY-SAY-MY-NAME.mp3"][/audio] Socials: @ItsMeEricaCody

Eileen Rushe was diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer in December. The diagnosis hit even harder than normal, as she had received treatment for abnormal cervix cells over the previous 18 months. Eileen says, 'I went from doing my Christmas shopping to organising cancer treatments.' However, the 33-year-old mum of one is determined to 'own' her tumour and be positive, while helping to raise funds for the Irish Cancer Society, 'We have such a generous country and every cent will go towards helping someone in your community with cancer.' She has a 12 yr old son, Seamus, who is the light of her life – she is very grateful to have him as her treatment means she’s now infertile and heading into menopause.   View this post on Instagram   This is my blog. I am not a writer so please hold off on the grammar and spelling corrections (my Mam will be on to me about it anyway ) LINK IS IN MY BIO . . #blog #getyoursmear #cervicalcancerawareness #cervicalcancer #Louth #Dublin #mammy #son #sister #daughter A post shared by Eileen Rushe (@eileenrushe) on Jan 16, 2019 at 10:10am PST Now just finished her gruelling treatment (31 radiotherapy sessions and 5 rounds of chemo), Eileen doesn't want to waste energy in wondering how the cancer wasn't picked up earlier but rather concentrate on beating it. Eileen has also has started a blog - 'Cervical Cancer is a B*tch' — to encourage women to get an updated smear test and for any parent to research the HPV vaccine for their daughters. Stories like Eileen's are the reason why we Dare To Care. DONATE €4 TO #DARETOCARE BY TEXTING THE WORD ‘DARE’ TO 50300 Text costs €4. Irish Cancer Society will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY OR YOU CAN SET UP YOUR OWN ‘BE A DANCER FOR CANCER’ FUNDRAISING EVENT – HEAD OVER TO TODAYFM.COM/DARETOCARE FOR ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW! Let's Dance this April and help raise vital funds for our loved ones who need it most.           

All week on the Muireann O'Connell show we've been playing a feature called 'Send Your Mammy Down The Swammy' Hey! We're not just getting people to morto their old pair just for our amusement. Well, okay there is that but the best ones also win an amazing prize for said Mortified Mammy so it's a win-win. Today was Ruth in Limerick. She got a very serious sounding voicemail from her Mam asking her to come home for a "chat" after finding what she thought was hard drugs paraphernalia. It wasn't... Basically Ruth had brought home coffee beans from a grinder and stored them alongside a straw. Ruth's mammy discovered the items and immediately thought the equipment meant that Ruth was using Class A drugs and it resulted in one of the funniest stories we've ever had on the show. To hear the full story, hit that play button!

Dublin man Steve O'Rourke and his partner don't have sides of the bed. Steve recently shared with his co-workers that he and his other half just sleep on random sides of the bed. As a result his friends could not get their heads around the revelation. And we can understand.   We were just chatting in work and apparently it's weird that Amy and I don't sleep on the same side of the bed every night. Some nights I like to sleep by the window, some nights the door. It's not really that unusual, is it? — Steve O'Rourke (@steveohrourke) March 22, 2019 Needless to say we were utterly confused so Muireann caught up with Steve to find out just what the hell was going on.   To listen back click the play button at the top of the page. 

Best known for playing Asbjorn in Vikings he's now lowered his axe and exchanged it for a Mad Max style ride in brand new show Curfew on Sky One. He popped in to tell the Muireann O'Connell Show about how he prepared for the role he got in Vikings by taking ice showers so in the scenes when it rained (there was a lot of wetness!) he didn't freeze to death! Elijah as Asbjorn in Vikings The rising Irish star had a different preparation for his newest role in Curfew but it did involve ice in the veins. The new show is described as a cross between The Walking Dead, Fast and The Furious and Mad Max! Elijah had to learn to drive for his new role so who better than the original Stig from Top Gear to show him the ropes and it was a terrifying experience but prepared him for the real driving test. Curfew stars his childhood hero Sean Bean who he said is a legend and the set was amazing. Curfew is on Sky One every Friday at 9pm

Jasmine Guinness, heir to the brewing dynasty, joined Muireann in the studio today. Jasmine grew up rounds of a 12th-century castle where her grandparents and parents entertained rock'n'roll royalty, including The Rolling Stones. The Boomtown Rats once played in her back garden in Leixlip Castle: Jasmine - Leixlip Castle - 1980's - Rocking out to The Boomtown Rats concert! She made her name as a catwalk model in Paris and New York and modeled for the late Karl Lagerfeld. Jasmine popped in to tell Muireann about teaming up with TK Maxx for their 'Give Up Clothes For Good' campaign. TK MAXX ‘GIVE UP CLOTHES FOR GOOD' • Pack up your pre-loved quality clothes and homeware and drop it off at your closest TK Maxx store.   • TK Maxx will pass on the clothes to Enable Ireland who in turn will sell items in their stores across Ireland to help raise funds for services.   • TK Maxx have been doing this for the last 11 years and have helped thousands of children and young people with disabilities. • With the ‘Marie Kondo clear-out’ craze sweeping the country…it's the perfect time to help Enable Ireland in the process!  

Have a good think about the pro's and con's of this one... For this weeks 'Up The Poll' Muireann asked listeners if they'd do a house swap with someone from another country for a few months? So you'd pack your bags, up and leave and sleep in someone else's bed. What if it was a house of horrors? But what if it was a dream mansion?! Got plans for the summer? An option for some is to head off for the few months and HOUSE SWAP with someone from another country. For todays #UpThePoll - @MuireannO_C is asking you: Would you House Swap and let strangers live in your house? — Today FM (@TodayFM) March 12, 2019 Today FM listener Karen got in touch to give Muireann to tell her all about her plans to house swap with a house in Alicante and another house in Skerries in Dublin! We know where you live! LISTEN BACK HERE OR CLICK ABOVE:

It's just a beautiful story of two strangers, their Mams and a friendship formed in a storm. This time last year Ireland was in the grips of the worst storm in it's history. However, the very bad weather brought out the very best in it's people. There was so many stories of people looking out for neighbours, helping the elderly, moving stuck cars, saving animals, getting essentials to those that needed it most. The list goes on. One of those stories involved Aoife and Emma. This is how it all started: A complete stranger contacted me on Twitter and offered to go and visit my Mam in #Naashospital. She rang me just now to tell me Mam is fine and brought her some things. Sorry for sobbing like a child on the phone @EmmaHayes25 but you’re my hero #sneachtageddon — aoife (@LittleMissAoife) March 3, 2018 Unfortunately, both of their Mums passed away in the last year but they have become firm friends. The Muireann O Connell Show had a surprise for them. No more deserving people.   Ok now I am crying. Thank you @MuireannO_C @PamelaABlake @TodayFM for such a lovely surprise. This is when I miss Mam the most, when I have great news to tell her when she asked me “Any strange?” #RingYourMammies https://t.co/XDOVHCMxxL — aoife (@LittleMissAoife) March 5, 2019 Your faith in humanity and in particular Irish people will be restored when you listen to this... Listen back here or click above: [audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/03/05150928/AOIFE-AND-EMMA-STORM-FRIENDS.mp3"][/audio]

Not a dry eye in the house. Who better to surprise our happy couple with a pre-wedding serenade than music's biggest rising star. She has performed on James Corden, Sports Personality of the Year, Stand Up To Cancer, The Greatest Dancer but nothing could have prepared her for today. Her debut single ‘Lost Without You’ just turned platinum and has reached close to 11 million views on YouTube and the number one Shazamed song in over 100 cities. She has 3 Million Monthly listens on Spotify. She has even managed to bring together the houses of Stark and Lannister by getting Maisie Williams and Lena Headey AKA Arya Stark and Cersei Lannister to star in the video for her latest song  'You Mean the World to Me' released on March 1st. Freya surprised our couple Jimmy and Michelle with a traffic stopping version of her song 'Lost Without You' Turn it up. This is special. (get the tissues! Even Freya was in bits!) “I think I’m lost without you” Ok now we’re all crying!! 😭😛 Stunning performance from @FreyaRidings! From James Corden to #YourDayFM - @inchydoneylodge @MuireannO_C pic.twitter.com/5UgfeAOy3C — Your Day FM (@TodayFM) February 28, 2019

We all have a way of beckoning our animals and it doesn't always just involve a name call or a swear word. Accompanying the name is usually a noise of some sort,  and with a cat it's a very specific one. It's a kind of  "wishy wishy pishy wish" type thing...or a series of puckering kisses. Gerry McBride asked about this on Twitter recently and it BLEW UP. So, the Muireann O 'Connell show invited him on to find out more about his obsession with cat calling!   Is it only Irish people that call their cats with Pish-Wish? Is Pish-Wish just an Irish cat thing? — Gerry McBride (@GerryMcBride) February 8, 2019 And it was while we were discussing the pish wish phenomenon cats were coming to the speakers at home! It's not just #pishwish for cats or that "kikikikiki" thing we do for dogs. 😺🐶📢 Nancy in Mayo sent @MuireannO_C a video of her German Shepherd 'Murphy' who only responds to his little pig!!! 🐷😊 #MuireannInAction pic.twitter.com/3dnPqmZqbT — Today FM (@TodayFM) February 12, 2019

[audio mp3="https://media.radiocms.net/uploads/2019/02/06160643/FIRST-CONFESSION-JEN-HOGAN-MUM.mp3"][/audio] Jen Hogan is a very busy Irish Mammy. She has SEVEN kids so she is always on the go. She told Muireann about the time she took her eight-year-old son for his first confession recently. He earnestly asked her where he could get some sins from because he genuinely couldn't find any and THEN she overheard him implicating all his other siblings in his own confession!   About to head to my 8 year old's first confession. "Can you think of anything at all I've ever done wrong?" he asks earnestly before adding "I don't want to have to make something up"... — Jen Hogan (@mama_tude) February 5, 2019 David also got in touch to tell us about his Tom from Father Ted inspired Confession. He ended up running out of the Church!  

Thanks heavens for 'Thanks Brother', the magnificent musical project from Róisín O and John Broe at the helm and featuring Dec and Riggs. The guys popped in for a chat and two live tracks that genuinely blow away the Muireann O'Connell show today. The guys told Muireann how, in true irish fashion they blagged their  way in to the Google Christmas party and ended up using the footage for a video for the new single, 'We Caught It' (check it out below) They also absolutely sent us into the stratosphere with a cover of a stone cold 'sing in the shower' anthem from Maria McKee that featured on the soundtrack to Days Of Thunder (Top Gun in cars) Muireann is always on the blag for free band merch! Huge Thanks to @ThanksBrother_ who lit up our lunchtime with two stunning live tracks on @MuireannO_C show today (Also Muireann is delira cos she got merched up with a band tee!) pic.twitter.com/iEBmUULLmh — Today FM (@TodayFM) February 4, 2019 Here is the Google HQ inspired video for their latest single:

If you're on the streets of Galway this weekend keep an eye out for bride to be Clare McCarthy who's celebrating her hen night 90's style. UPDATE: Our Geri Hen survived and got spotted by Danny from The Coronas who heard about it on the show! On Friday @MuireannO_C spoke to Clare McCarthy who bravely sported a Union Jack Geri dress for her Hen in Galway this weekend! 🙌 She also got spotted by Danny from @TheCoronas who heard about her on the show! (Her Mammy went as Scary Spice! 😁)#MuireannInAction pic.twitter.com/Xzwh96Ta01 — Today FM (@TodayFM) February 4, 2019 Spice Up The Night Eyre Clare Squared Bridesmaid in chief, who's also named Clare, spoke to Muireann on the show today and told her of their wild plans for the hen weekend. Clare and her brew crew are hitting the tiles dressed as their favourite 90's girl band icons. The bride to be is transforming into Geri Halliwell from The Spice Girls complete with ginger spice's infamous union jack dress... hang on, what weekend is it? Oh yeah, it's Ireland v England in the Six Nations... Is it gonna be a spice dress FAIL? Viva forever! Watch out Galway! To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen

In her WhatsApp group a friend of Muireann's showed everyone a photo of her big pirate style eye patch bandage after her baby gave her such a belt she scratched her cornea!!! OUCH!!! So Muireann asked her listeners if they had any baby battle scar stories to share and the results are both horrifying and hilarious! There's hurtling iPhones, a headbutt that caused a broken nose, a black eye from a baby box in the face and a broken coccyx when the chair disappeared! The poor parents of Ireland are in the wars! To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen

If you're a sole man or woman you need to hear about this... Eimear who works in TodayFM says she owns over 120 pairs of shoes: Eimear from the @lstwrd team likes shoes... she REALLY likes shoes 👇 She gave @MuireannO_C epic evidence of her shoe love. She reckons there's over 120 pairs! It started when she worked in a shop. Have you a similar shoe fetish!? 👟👢👡👠🥿#EimearLovesShoes #MuireannInAction pic.twitter.com/AMy1hCvkN6 — Today FM (@TodayFM) January 23, 2019   Then we heard from Ashley who owns Ireland's biggest Adidas collection. Over 220 pairs! Wow. He gets the latest news from Shoe Forums He has been called the Adidas Imelda Marcos! (after the notorious former Philippines Dictator who owned thousands of shoes) They sometimes meet up and go on 'Shoe Benders' ! He has travelled to the UK and queued up for his runner fetish! Biggest nightmare was when they got a puppy a few years back and Ash came home to find him ripping apart a pair of Adidas Slovenia Universals!   When he's not drumming with the @frankandws he is also a SHOE FETISHIST!! 🥁👟😍 Ash Keating told @MuireannO_C he has over 220 pairs of runners mainly #Adidas He often goes on #shoebenders and his prized possession are his 1970 Adidas West Germany Roms! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1bHt8bVDZa — Today FM (@TodayFM) January 23, 2019   To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen

Within minutes of him getting his nomination, The Muireann O'Connell show spoke to Robbie Ryan about his nomination for Best Cinematography for The Favourite. Robbie told Muireann he is "delira and excited" as his Mam would say! Question is, who is he bringing? And does he have a tux ready!? Here is the trailer for the flick. It has been getting incredible reviews. To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen

Johnno thought he was the only Irishman in Sigrid's hometown of Alesund but guess what ...HE'S NOT! Remember when Jono spoke to Sigrid when she popped into The Muireann O'Connell show: . @thisissigrid: "This is honestly the greatest thing that could ever happen in an interview" 👌🏼@MuireannO_C called up Johnno, an Irish lad from Ballybrack, who lives in Sigrid's tiny hometown of #Ålesund (#Norway). 🇳🇴🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/pNR4W697n5 — Today FM (@TodayFM) January 22, 2019 Poor Jono thought he was the only Paddy in the village...well he was wrong! Mark is a carpenter who also found love with a Norwegian and lives in Sigrid's hometown too! Muireann made the introductions! To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen  

She is one of the most seriously talented singers in music right now. Sigrid also happens to be one of the soundest and the coolest! There's a reason she says she is the "boss of her projects." It's a Sigrid Special on The Muireann O'Connell show. We had a ball and at one point surprised her with a call from her tiny hometown of Ålesund with Johnno from Ballybrack, Dublin who is now living in Norway! (They got chatting about Dirty Nelly's the Irish bar!) . @thisissigrid: "This is honestly the greatest thing that could ever happen in an interview" 👌🏼@MuireannO_C called up Johnno, an Irish lad from Ballybrack, who lives in Sigrid's tiny hometown of #Ålesund (#Norway). 🇳🇴🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/DcoKJWCXwi — Today FM (@TodayFM) January 21, 2019 The Norwegian singer/songwriter popped in for a chat and session that included why she has fallen in love with her Irish fans, how she has only taken three weeks off in three years, what conditioner she uses! and why she's looking forward to her 3Arena gig. "I don't think I've felt that welcome in another country before, Ireland feels like a home away from home" 🇮🇪â¤ï¸@thisissigrid on her @EPfestival memories which led her to write a song inspired by Ireland @MuireannO_C #MuireannInAction pic.twitter.com/TTcp1kIZ1m — Today FM (@TodayFM) January 21, 2019 We also get her to play Sigrid's Soundboard! Grab a cuppa, and sit back - The Muireann O'Connell show had a ball with Sigrid. Enjoy! To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen

It’s Friday thank God!! And a lot of you will be planning a night out – hitting the bars and a club but what if you don’t fancy a drink, maybe you’re driving or doing dry January or just don't fancy getting pinned in by crowds on the sauce.  Whatever it is – you have very little alternative…until now. It's called 'The Virgin Mary' and opens in February. Muireann spoke to co-owner Oisin Davis about why Ireland needs this now. Oisin is opening it because there’s very little alternative for non-drinkers or people who just don’t fancy an alcoholic pint just cafés lacking atmosphere He himself drinks but he spoke to friends who don’t and they inspired him and this stat: according to the World Health Organization (WHO) alcohol consumption in Ireland has fallen by 25% since 2005. You'll find it on Capel Street in Dublin 1.  It even has it's own signature cocktail...         View this post on Instagram Behold The Virgin Mary - our house version is created using freshly pressed tomato juice, a Dublin made hot sauce, lime, celery pickle and a secret spice mix! 📷: @whitecloudphotographic #thevirginmarybar #tvm #drinkdifferent A post shared by The Virgin Mary Bar (@thevirginmarybar) on Jan 17, 2019 at 2:14am PST To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen  

We spotted a poster in Dublin city centre and we loved it! Remember Jimmy Rabbite from The Commitments? He had a dream and it was to make the greatest soul band Ireland had ever seen. Well, Seirid Gleason is like a 13-year-old Jimmy Rabbite except his dream is the best Death Metal Band in Ireland. It's not easy making that dream come true. First you have to let people know you need band members. But, instead of the social network route he did something REAL old school and that was put his plea on a poster. Legend. If you've ever dreamed of starting your own band listen up! 🥁🎸🔥@MuireannO_C is chatting to 13-year-old Seirid who went old school and put posters up to make a band! He said new members need to be "generally chill" 😎#DeathMetalKid 🤘#MuireannInAction pic.twitter.com/ycK0PvNPQ3 — Today FM (@TodayFM) January 16, 2019   So, Muireann thought how can she help and gave the number a call.    To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen  

Muireann spoke to Jacqueline and Emma her daughter from Lucan who recently got a lovely video message from The Greatest Showman himself! He really is The Soundest Showman.

As part of our #UpThePoll feature we asked if you would be shocked at a braless woman opening the door!   On #UpThePoll today @MuireannO_C wants to know. Would you be embarrassed if you were greeted at the front door of someone’s house by a BRALESS woman? 🚪👀🤔 — Today FM (@TodayFM) January 8, 2019   Clive the Milkman in Westmeath revealed it's one of those things that always pop up! If it's cold he tries not to mention the weather.   To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen