Senior Times

60 Question Quiz, April 11, 2024 by Senior Times

The iNUA Collection is a select group of 4 & 5 Star hotels, in handpicked locations across the island of Ireland, each uniquely inspired by its team of passionate people, rich culture, and stunning surrounding landscapes. Cathy O'Connor talks to Berni Chambers, Sales Manager with Radisson Blu Sligo, part of the iNUA Collection.

Includes works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Rossini, Strauss and many more!

Mairead Robinson talks to Michelle Browne, mediator and author of Scars of Divorce: How to avoid them and achieve an amicable divorce in Ireland.

The Patient Advocacy Service is an independent, free and confidential service. PAS provides information and support to people who want to make a formal complaint through the relevant complaints policy about the care they have experienced in a Public Acute Hospital or Nursing Home. The PAS also supports people in the aftermath of a Patient Safety Incident. The Patient Advocacy Service is wholly funded by the Department of Health and therefore fully independent of the HSE and all other service providers.

In conversation with Gary Cooke, Irish rugby legend Tony Ward gives his verdict on the 2024 Guinness Six Nations Tournament.

John Low introduces the first Acts from Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and John Millington Synge's The Playboy of the Western World

Travel Department's Product and Operations Director Claire Doherty chats with Conor o Hagen about Travel Department’s new range of Unique Small Group Tours - offering a gateway to a collection of awe-inspiring destinations that promise unforgettable memories. Go to https://www.traveldepartment.com

Even though the club in the pub had lots to discuss, they wondered why the pub clock was stopped at 8:45.

Third Age is a national voluntary organisation celebrating the third age in life when people may no longer be in paid employment, but can remain healthy, fulfilled and continue to contribute to society. The longer people are encouraged to remain in this life stage, the better for older people themselves, their families, communities and society as a whole.

60 Question Quiz Feb 29 2024 by Senior Times

Cathy Kelly about her latest novel 'Sisterhood'

Travel Department's Product and Operations Director Claire Doherty chats with Conor o Hagen about the new 2024 brochure - offering a gateway to a collection of awe-inspiring destinations that promise unforgettable memories. Part 1. Go to https://www.traveldepartment.com

From goalkeeper to full forward, the whole team left; said goodbye outside their school; all left on the same day.

Gary Cooke talks to Johnny Moloney, former Ireland international who toured South Africa in 1974 with the British and Irish Lions and at the time played club rugby for St. Mary's College R.F.C.

MABS is the Irish money advice service. We have been supporting people with money advice, budgeting, and problem debt for 30 years. Our service is free of charge. We’re here for you if you’re struggling with debt and need help. You can get impartial advice from MABS to help you manage your money and take control of debt. We offer support online, over the phone and face to face.

The Noble Cello Music for the instrument by the masters, including works from Haydn, Schumann, Beethoven, Dvorak, Sant-Saen, Bruch and Stamitz Introduced by John Low. Produced by Conor O’Hagan

Mairead Robinson chats to Rhona Kelly who grew up in Killiney, Co. Dublin and went to St Joseph of Cluny school from the age of 3, until she did her leaving cert in 1970. Some years after she left school, she began to think about all the girls who had been in her class, and wondered what they were all doing now. She embarked on a two year search to track everybody down, and began to organize school reunions which have been incredibly popular and she is now an inspiration to many who would like to trace their childhood and teenage friends and see where life has brought them since.

More musical delights ! Includes works by Mozart, Mendelssohn. Handel, Ravel, Strauss, Rossini and Elgar

Gary Cooke's Trailblazers: Paul Harrington Part Two by Senior Times

Gary Cooke's Trailblazers: Paul Harrington Part One by Senior Times

SPRY Finance

Youghal native Linda Donoghue loved the blue flag beach in her East Cork hometown, and during lockdown she began to swim with friends. While socially-distancing, she discovered a real connection with those who shared her love of the sea and has built up a group of over 200 members. A recently published book, titled Saltwater Souls, has been a remarkable success and the sense of community and friendship that has resulted from this group has been phenomenal. www.youghalseaswimmers2020@gmail.com

The legend Tony Christie continues to entertain audiences around the world with incredible showmanship, an unmistakable powerful voice that has captivated generation after generation and a set list that packs a punch. From trademark mega hit and one of the biggest selling singles of the past two decades – ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo!,– to other classics including: ‘Avenues & Alleyways’, ‘Walk Like A Panther’, , ‘Las Vegas’, ‘I Did What I Did For Maria’, ‘Don’t Go Down To Reno’, and many more through to some show stopping covers from the late greats that helped shape Tony Christie’s career. Tony Christie is proud to announce his first new album in over 12 years - ‘We Still Shine’. To be released in January 2024, this album is from the heart and sees Tony go back to his love of country music, something he has been planning to do with long-time producer and close friend Graeme Pleeth for many years. ‘We Still Shine’ is his first new album since the critically acclaimed ‘Now’s The Time’ TONY CHRISTIE - The Legend Lives On Tour at CORK OPERA HOUSE on Thursday, 25th January 2024, THE HELIX, DUBLIN on Friday, 26th January 2024 and ULSTER HALL, BELFAST on Saturday, 27th January 2024.

Born in Sligo into a family of travelling entertainers, Sandy Kelly has become one of the top musical performers in Ireland. In the second of two episodes, Cathy O'Connor meets Sandy to chat about her remarkable life and career.

Born in Sligo into a family of travelling entertainers, Sandy Kelly has become one of the top musical performers in Ireland. In the first of two episodes, Cathy O'Connor meets Sandy to chat about her remarkable life and career.

Favourite Christmas Carols and Music A selection of popular festive carols and much-loved music

Liz Downes is a community activist who lives in Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. She admits to originally being afraid of technology, however has now become a High Digital champion and is passionate about how this has enriched her life at 74 years of age. She is an advocate for the national age-friendly Ireland program, active throughout towns and cities in Ireland to prepare for the rapid aging of our population. Having become a digital champion,she is dedicated to bridging the digital gap between generations.

Senior Times New podcast Series in association with Naxos. Listening Without Limits – The Naxos Spoken Word Library The newly enhanced Naxos Spoken Word Library offers many other catalogues in addition to Naxos AudioBooks (including audiobooks in German, Chinese and Portuguese). It boasts a strong search function making it easy for users to find an audiobook that suits them. New titles are added regularly and the iOS and Android apps allow subscribers to download and access audiobooks easily on to their mobile devices. NSWL is part of Naxos Online Libraries, a suite of resources that offers a wide range of recorded and printed music in addition to spoken word. You can further explore NSWL through this link and even sign up for a free trial. https://www.naxosspokenwordlibrary.com To access Naxos Audio Books Visit https://naxosaudiobooks.com/

Trevor Ringland, MBE made 31 competitive appearances for Ireland, scoring nine tries. The majority of his appearances came in the Five Nations, with the remainder coming in the 1987 Rugby World Cup.  He also represented Ulster and Ballymena. In 1983 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions. Since retirement, he has coached at Ballymena and been a committee member of the Irish Rugby Football Ringland is also active with Peace Players International, an organisation devoted to promote inter-religious unity in Belfast through sport. Ringland and David Cullen won the 2007 ESPY Arthur Ashe for Courage Award. Ringland was awarded an MBE for services to the community in Northern Ireland in the New Year Honours 2009.

Dromahair , north Leitrim, late 1950’s. It seemed busy, but it is changing. Going over there- to Birmingham- is a possibility for many. Look around first. Then…...

A household name since her early teens, she has just published her new memoir ‘Caution to the Wind’; an account of her early years becoming one of Ireland’s new young voices, her wonderful but deeply controversial marriage to Tom Savage, a priest in the Ireland of the 70s, and on through their later successes and her own extraordinary career.

Conor Faughnan chats to Clubs to Hire founder and CEO Tony Judge. Tony tells us about how the business has grown since it was founded in 2010. It provides a simple solution for golfers on holiday and means you don’t have to take your own clubs with you on your travels. ClubstoHire.com provides golf clubs from all of the top manufacturers, brought to you at your destination. A super service and a successful business

Conor talks to former rugby international Shane Byrne. They chat about his playing days and how he is very much enjoying his current life especially where there’s a bit of craic. They also talk about modern rugby and Ireland’s performance at the rugby world cup.

60 Question Quiz Oct 5 2023 by Senior Times

Gary Cooke's Trailblazers: Paul Harrington Part Two by Senior Times

Leitrim to Birmingham Ep12 - No Costa Coffee In Digbeth. By Tony Downey by Senior Times

More gems from the masters! An enjoyable mix of melodies for relaxing listening Includes works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Bach, Weber, and more. Introduced by John Low. Produced by Conor O’Hagan

Phyllis Foley led a very busy and active life before retiring, and while she ran her own businesses, she was always involved in voluntary work. When it came to her own retirement, it was no surprise that she chose to form an active retirement group that would benefit the whole community as well as finding the right niche for herself moving forward. Her experiences and expertise have helped to build YARA into one of the most vibrant and successful groups in the country. Together with Frank Down, they now have over 260 members in the group which has survived the Covid lockdown and continues to grow from strength to strength.

Our range of Garden Tours takes in visits to some of the most well-known and iconic gardens in the world, as well as private gardens that can be inaccessible when travelling independently. You don’t have to be a horticulturist or an expert gardener, people join our Garden Tours for all sorts of reasons; some to gain gardening tips and ideas, while others just enjoy admiring the gardens. https://www.traveldepartment.com/garden-holidays

Know Your Rights with Conor Faughnan: Colm Markey MEP. Conor meets the MEP for Midlands North West who has been very vocal about engagement with and support for older people and their families, especially since the pandemic. They chat about that and about his work in Europe.

60 Question Quiz Sept 1 2023 by Senior Times

Ciaran Fitzgerald captained Ireland to the Triple Crown in 1982 and 1985, and the Five Nations Championship in 1983. He also captained the Lions on their 1983 tour. Fitzgerald first played rugby while at Garbally College, and was chosen to play hooker by teacher and priest John Kirby. Fitzgerald played for University College Galway, and then went on to play senior rugby for St. Mary's College in Dublin. Fitzgerald rose to prominence in the game, and made his test debut for Ireland against Australia on 3 June 1979, during an Irish tour of Australia. He captained Ireland to the Triple Crown in 1982 and 1985, and the Five Nations Championship in 1983. Fitzgerald's last test came against Scotland on 15 March 1986 in that year's Five Nations Championship. In total, Fitzgerald received 22 competitive and three friendly caps for Ireland. He scored once, a try against Wales, in the 1980 Five Nations. Fitzgerald also captained the British and Irish Lions team on their 1983 tour, when the team travelled to New Zealand and were beaten in each test against the All Blacks. Though most widely remembered for playing rugby union, Fitzgerald was an accomplished sportsman, winning two All-Ireland boxing championships. He also played minor hurling for Galway the team he played with reached the minor final against Cork in 1970. Fitzgerald studied at University College Galway, gaining a Bachelor's degree in 1973. Playing in the amateur era, Fitzgerald also maintained a career in the Irish Army. Fitzgerald also served as aide-de-camp to the President, Dr Patrick Hillery.

Leitrim to Birmingham Episode 11: Eight Hand Reel Recall by Senior Times

Michelle Lawlor is a woman who has bypassed two stereotypical presumptions to achieve great success in the business of wine. Not only is she female, but also since she was in her 20s, she has travelled throughout the world holding very prestigious positions in International companies. She has been a wine educator in Ireland, a sommelier in the UK, a wine trader in Hong Kong and a cellar-hand in Italy and New Zealand. Five year ago she set up the popular Nude Wine Company, based in Co. Kildare.

Conor sits down with Minister Donohoe to discuss what brought a northside lad who used to sell nappies by the truck-load to the huge job that he has now at the heart of Irish public life. And of course, what he is proposing to do with the money…

Piano works from the great masters Including music from Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Mendelssohn Schubert, Schuman, Faure, Granados, Field and more Introduced by John low Produced by Conor O’Hagan

The Cathy O'Connor Podcast Cathy Kelly is a Irish former journalist and writer of women's fiction. In 2001, her novel Someone Like You won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association. She is popular around the world: a number one bestseller in Australia and New Zealand, and published in many different languages. Cathy is involved with many charities and has been an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland since 2005.

Join us for a very special podcast as Travel Departments expert guide Getie takes us on a tour of Cape Town, the Garden Route & Winelands. Listen in and find out why you need to tick this magnificent country off your bucket list. https://www.traveldepartment.com/holiday/cape-town-the-garden-route-safari https://www.traveldepartment.com/holiday/cape-town-the-garden-route-winelands-solo-traveller

Overture! Overtures, preludes, intermezzi and introductory music from the great masters. Including works by Mozart, Beethoven, Handel. Tchaikovsky, Wagner, Verdi, Berlioz, Elgar and more You’re going to love this music!

Tommie spent many years as one of our best known and best loved broadcasters. From the West of Ireland he became RTE’s Europe correspondent for 12 years, before spending a long time as Northern Editor. He’s had a great view of history and has been our witness to it. He spent a long time successfully battling cancer but it has never held him back; now’s he’s enjoying life to the full.

Select Hotels by Senior Times

Professor Brian Caulfield of TCD is a very active academic specialising in Transport and the carbon and climate impacts coming out of it. He’s published multiple papers on the topics, he provided advice to the Citizen’s Assembly on Climate Change and is also on the steering group reviewing the Greater Dublin Transport Strategy. He and Conor have met on the radio a few times but this is a chance for a longer chat.

He commutes long distance. He plays flute on the Birmingham trad scene. He retrains as a flute maker and moves to Sligo.

Join us for a very special podcast Travel Departments expert guide Dodi takes us on a tour of the highlights of Egypt. This virtual tour will take you through the main highlights of this unique holiday that combines the exotic beauty of Cairo and the vibrant resort of Hurghada with an unforgettable 7-night cruise. https://www.traveldepartment.com/holiday/egypt-nile-river-cruise-including-cairo-hurghada

A celebration of Gallic music Includes works by Debussy, Bizet, Berlioz,  Saint Saen, Gounod  and Chabrier

William Butler Yeats is widely considered to be one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. He was born in Dublin. His father was a lawyer and a well-known portrait painter. Yeats was educated in London and in Dublin, but he spent his summers in the west of Ireland in the family’s summer house at Connaught. The young Yeats was very much part of the fin de siècle in London; at the same time he was active in societies that attempted an Irish literary revival. His first volume of verse appeared in 1887, but in his earlier period his dramatic production outweighed his poetry both in bulk and in import. Together with Lady Gregory he founded the Irish Theatre, which was to become the Abbey Theatre, and served as its chief playwright until the movement was joined by John Synge. His plays usually treat Irish legends; they also reflect his fascination with mysticism and spiritualism. The Countess Cathleen (1892), The Land of Heart’s Desire (1894), Cathleen ni Houlihan (1902), The King’s Threshold (1904), and Deirdre (1907) are among the best known. After 1910, Yeats’s dramatic art took a sharp turn toward a highly poetical, static, and esoteric style. His later plays were written for small audiences; they experiment with masks, dance, and music, and were profoundly influenced by the Japanese Noh plays. Although a convinced patriot, Yeats deplored the hatred and the bigotry of the Nationalist movement, and his poetry is full of moving protests against it. He was appointed to the Irish Senate in 1922. Yeats is one of the few writers whose greatest works were written after the award of the Nobel Prize. Whereas he received the Prize chiefly for his dramatic works, his significance today rests on his lyric achievement. His poetry, especially the volumes The Wild Swans at Coole (1919), Michael Robartes and the Dancer (1921), The Tower (1928), The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1933), and Last Poems and Plays (1940), made him one of the outstanding and most influential twentieth-century poets writing in English. His recurrent themes are the contrast of art and life, masks, cyclical theories of life (the symbol of the winding stairs), and the ideal of beauty and ceremony contrasting with the hubbub of modern life. Dr Selina Guinness is a lecturer in English (Irish Literature) in the Department of Humanities and Arts Management at IADT. Her memoir about farming on the fringes of the city, The Crocodile by the Door, was published in 2012 by Penguin Ireland. It was shortlisted for the UK Costa Book Awards (Biography) and nominated for Best Newcomer at the Irish Book Awards. (Source: The Nobel Foundation)

Michael Lyster + John O Mahony Mixdown by Senior Times

How do you work side by side in your award winning restaurant with your husband of thirty years and stay sane, happy and successful? Sallyanne Clarke is proof that it can be done, indeed their partnership is inspiring and uplifting. She tells their story from Michelin Restaurant L'Ecrivain in Dublin to The Club at Goffs in Kildare, and shares their recipe for success.

Conor talks to Neil Briscoe, Irish Times motoring journalist car nut and all round expert, about why cars have got so big, and why car makers are insisting on selling us SUVs. This has cropped up for Conor on the Pat Kenny programme and elsewhere recently so here he takes a more detailed look at an unwelcome trend.

Driving Life with Conor Faughnan Ep 42: Professor Rose Anne Kenny of the TILDA study, Ireland’s world class Longitudinal Study on Aging. She tells Conor how it works, what its teaching us about life and health as we live longer and hopefully happier.

The Coopers is a pub, in a street in Burton on Trent, a brewing town. Tuesday night is folk night. Chris , the architect-now musician -plays Irish, Scandinavian and English tunes. The story traces his journey.

Serena Lawless Tallon has over 20+years working in sales leadership on a local and international level in the Technology and media sector. She has worked with companies such as Google, RealNetworks, Ericsson S3 and Logical CMG Together with her husband Niall, she founded www.respectingseniors.com and www.alittleandoften.com to assist those with the many practical needs of nursing and hospital care.

Gary Cooke chats with Cathy O'Connor about her recent trip to Slovenia with TD Active Holidays saying why everyone needs to experience a walking holiday. Situated in the heart of Eastern Europe against the backdrop of the Julian Alps, Slovenia is a country that offers unlimited opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. To find out more visit https://www.tdactiveholidays.com/holiday/slovenia-walking-holiday For all TD active Holidays Visit www.tdactiveholidays.com

60 Question Quiz :June 7 2023 by Senior Times

Back in the 1960s and 70s, thousands of students from African countries were studying at Irish universities. Some had children outside marriage, who were then placed in one of Ireland's notorious mother and baby homes. Today these children, now adults, are searching for their families. Oona Colin talks to Mairead Robinson about her experience.

Pt8: Salt and Pepper

Ruth Scott has been a successful DJ on national radio for years having begun as an early colleague of Conor’s in AA Roadwatch. She’s still on air but she is now also a humanist celebrant for weddings and funerals. She chats about her path in life, her humanism, and her happy marriage to Rob Morgan, son of the legendary Dermot Morgan.

Dr. Caitriona Jackman obtained a BSc in Applied Physics from the University of Limerick in 2003 and a PhD in Planetary Physics from the University of Leicester in 2006. She has held research positions at Imperial College London, and two consecutive fellowships (Leverhulme Trust and Royal Astronomical Society) at University College London. She moved to the University of Southampton in 2013, where she has held a Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Ernest Rutherford Fellowship to study planetary and stellar magnetospheres. She is a Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute, the UK’s National Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. At the heart of her research is Space Plasma Physics in our solar system and beyond. She is an expert in planetary magnetospheres, the magnetic bubbles which surround magnetised planets. She has worked with data from missions including NASA’s Cassini at Saturn, ESA’s Cluster mission in orbit around Earth, NASA’s Juno at Jupiter, and with data from the Hubble Space Telescope, and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Her research interests include understanding how the aurora works, and how machine learning and complexity science can be used to study huge volumes of data from space.

Prof . Derek Hand Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences DCU discusses the life of James Joyce with Gary Cooke.

Leitrim to Birmingham by Tony Downey. Episode 7: Neighbours' Childer by Senior Times

More gems from history’s greatest composers! Includes works by Beethoven, Mozart,  Haydn, Wagner, Schubert, Bach , Strauss and Dvorak Presented by John Low. Produced by Conor O’Hagan

What was it like growing up Irish in middle class south London in the 1960s? Gary talks to avowed dual national Conor O'Hagan.

Meet Alex; one of Travel Departments guides. Alex guides tours to Andalucia, Salamanca and Madrid for Travel Department. He talks about the experience customers get on guided holidays as well as all the superb places you get to visit. Check out the range of holidays he guides below. Highlights of Andalucia https://www.traveldepartment.com/holiday/highlights-of-andalucia Salamanca short break https://www.traveldepartment.com/holiday/salamanca-short-break Madrid City break https://www.traveldepartment.com/holiday/madrid-city-break

Conor has a long chat with Paul Reid. Recently CEO of the HSE and now Chairing the Citizen’s Assembly on Drug Use but that is just the latter part of an extraordinary career. From growing up in Finglas and leaving school at 16, to trade union activism in Eircom and then a senior management role. He’s been round the world working for Trocaire, lead operational reform in the civil service after the Financial Crisis, ran Fingal Co. Council for 5 years, then lead the HSE through Covid. Busy guy, but we managed to get a quiet hour for a long chat.

60 Question Quiz May 12 2023. by Senior Times

Prof . Derek Hand Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences DCU discusses the life of James Joyce with Gary Cooke.

Mairead Robinson + Derry Clarke May 2023 by Senior Times

In the first of a series of interviews with Britons living in Ireland, Gary meets John Low, who grew up in London's East End and is now a Dubliner.

60 Question Quiz: May 1 2023 by Senior Times

The Definitive Rat Pack The Rat Pack epitomised cool in the 1960’s. Their impromptu sell out shows caused a stir and attracted the rich and famous, it was a must have ticket to see these guys joke around and sing some of the finest songs ever written. The Definitive Rat Pack are best known as the original cast members of The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas who have now created their own and more personal show. They are undoubtedly some of the world’s finest interpreters of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. available. Other acts and shows have followed in their wake, often riding off their success, but simply lack the one necessary ingredient to make it special; which is the ‘tour de force’ that are Stephen Triffitt, Mark Adams and George Daniel Long. To call them a tribute act or impersonators would truly undervalue the years of experience and dedication they have put into their portrayals. These guys are ‘The Definitive Rat Pack’ as for more than 10 years they have faithfully re-created that era. https://thedefinitiveratpack.com/

Conor meets Brian MacNeice, who is both Chair of Cricket Ireland and an international rugby official, serving as TMO in the recent Six Nations. We cover the growth of Cricket in Ireland from grass roots to Test status, and on the rugby side how he got started as a referee and how the TMO process actually works in the modern game.

Driving Life Conor Faughnan. Episode 38, where Conor meets Senator Michael McDowell. Hello, I’m Conor Faughnan and this is Driving Life. They talk about the life & death of the PDs, Northern Ireland and why he now thinks the St Andrew’s agreement was a mistake, and Sinn Fein’s democratic credentials. Along the way we hear his thoughts on the Irish Left, the Planning System and his reflections on 30-plus years in public life.

Leitrim to Birmingham by Tony Downey. Episode 6: Patsy and Rosie Play the Spotted Dog by Senior Times

60 Question Quiz April 2023 by Senior Times

Driving Life Conor Faughnan. Episode 37, where Conor meets Eanna Ni Lamhna. She’s a biologist, environmental consultant, radio & TV presenter, author and educator – and that’s just for starters. They chat about her life & background, what we can all do about the great climate challenges, and how we can enjoy nature every day.

Violin magic - violin masterpieces from the world’s greatest composers. Includes works by Mendelssohn, Beethoven, Mozart, Elgar, Vivaldi, Haydn and Bruch. Presented by John Low. Produced by Conor O’Hagan

Spry Finance is Irish-owned and managed and is the only provider of lifetime loans – loans specifically for home-owning over-60s – in Ireland. Since 2021 Spry has enabled over 1,000 Irish customers to release value from their homes for purposes including home improvements, cash funds for emergencies, repaying a mortgage, or providing a living inheritance. Spry Finance is an Irish owned, customer-focused company, providing older people with options for living a greater life in later life. Spry CEO John Moriarty talks to Conor Faughnan about lifetime loans – who they’re for, what they are and how they’re arranged.

Meet Sean Crean; a tour guide for Travel Department and TD active Holidays. He talks about what its like being a guide and shares some interesting stories. River cruise holidays: https://www.traveldepartment.com/river-cruise-holidays Walking holidays: https://www.tdactiveholidays.com/walking-holidays

In this series we’re going to meet and chat to state agencies, experts and specialists to explain what your rights are, what services and entitlements exists and where you can go for help. Today I am meeting with Gwen Harris, who is North Dublin Regional Manager for MABS, the Money Advice & Budgeting Service. I thought I knew a little bit about it but there is a lot more. MABS provides clear advice and guidance for people who have hit financial difficulties or problems with debt. It is non-judgemental, practical and according to the many people who have used the service it is invaluable. The Abhaile service is specifically to help when people have mortgage arrears. Gwen will talk me through the detail of that one in a separate podcast because there is a lot in it. For today, she explains how the general MABS service works and why so many people find it so helpful.

Gary Cooke meets cricket international and rugby correspondent Peter O'Reilly: Part Two by Senior Times

Gary Cooke talks to Gina Hingerty a former employee of Travel Department on the diversity of Italy. Check out all of the tours mentioned here: www.traveldepartment.com/italy

Gary Cooke visits Peter O Reilly in his Dublin home to look back on his International Cricketing Career and his time in the professional game. Peter was educated in the city at Belvedere College and at aged 18, he made his debut in first-class cricket for Ireland against Scotland at Edinburgh in 1982. Peter spent 1983 and 1984 in England playing for Warwickshire Second XI, but was unable to force his way into the first eleven. He made a second first-class appearance for Ireland in 1984 against Scotland at Glasgow. A fast bowler, O'Reilly took 5 wickets across his two first-class matches, at an average of 16.20, with best figures of 3/43. After two seasons in England, Peter returned to Ireland to study art and history at University College Dublin. After graduating, he taught history at St. Andrew's College, Dublin. Peter briefly returned to the Irish side in 1990, playing minor matches against the touring New Zealanders, as well as touring Zimbabwe. Following the death of The Irish Times cricket correspondent Sean Pender, Peter left his teaching job to fill the vacant cricket correspondent job at the newspaper. Peter became their rugby correspondent in 1995, a position he also held at various times with the Sunday Tribune and the Irish Independent. He is the current Irish rugby correspondent for The Sunday Times. Peter has written books on Irish rugby, including the acclaimed Ireland and the Triple Crown, The Full Bag of Chips, released in 2004. His daughter, Lucy O'Reilly, was selected to play for the Irish women's cricket team in her early teens.

Gary Cooke talks to Gina Hingerty a former employee of Travel Department on the diversity of Italy. Check out all of the tours mentioned here: www.traveldepartment.com/italy

Driving Life Conor Faughnan. Episode 36, where Conor meets Charlie McGettigan. He’ll always be remembered for winning the Eurovision Song Contest with Paul Harrington in 1994, but there is lots more to him than that. He is full of life and the fun that he has with his family, and the joy of choosing to only the things that he enjoys. These days that includes gigging with Marty Morrissey in his Marty Parties, playing music and enjoying the world from his home in Drumshanbo.

This is Part 2 of an interview for which Jim Lockhart sat down with our very own Michael Lyster. Jim was a founder-member of Horslips, along with Barry Devlin, Eamon Carr and Charles O'Connor. The band was named from a spoonerism on The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse which became "The Four Poxmen of The Horslypse”. Regarded as 'founding fathers of Celtic rock for their fusion of traditional Irish music with rock music and went on to inspire many local and international acts. Now Horslips, in association with Senior Times have 33 CDs to give away to one lucky person More Than You Can Chew - a Limited edition box set. Fifty years after their debut on vinyl, Horslips take one more curtain call as they emerge with the release More Than You Can Chew – the ultimate collection of their recorded work, spanning more than 500 audio tracks on a staggering 33 CDs and 2 DVDs of filmed performances. In all, that’s over 20 hours of previously unreleased band-related content. • 33 CDs with 506 audio tracks – 252 of which (16 hours) are previously unreleased • 2 DVDs with 60 video tracks and 2 documentaries – 43 of which (4.5 hours) are previously unreleased • 2 books – On The Record (a lavish new recording history of Horslips) and Lyricography • 5 signed vintage 8 x 10 photos • A collection of fan club facsimiles from the ’70s and a National Stadium, Dublin 1972 poster To be in with a chance of winning the wonderful set of 33 CDs … Visit the Senior Times website and follow the instructions of how to enter. To order your box set now visit : https://www.celticnote.com/merch/horslipsboxset?rq=Horslips

Today I am meeting with Gwen Harris, who is North Dublin Regional Manager for MABS, the Money Advice & Budgeting Service. I thought I knew a little bit about it but there is a lot more. MABS provides clear advice and guidance for people who have hit financial difficulties or problems with debt. It is non-judgmental, practical and according to the many people who have used the service it is invaluable.

Tony retired and very slowly began to learn to play the flute.

Conor meets broadcaster Phil Cawley for a chat about his love of biking. These days he is the new host of the Breakfast Show on South East Radio and he’s on Ireland’s Classic Hits every Sunday but he still loves his bikes. If you have ever been tempted by thoughts of doing Route 66 on a Harley Davidson or just riding out in a group for a Sunday cruise, he’s done it all.