Tubridy

Tubridy Thursday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 31, 2011 11:32 AM

Niamh called to say she was two weeks into her new job. Niamh had her first child 8 years ago and really took to the role of being a stay at home mum but she is positive about her new job.

Dublin Zoo welcomed a brand new addition to the Gorilla family. The baby Western Lowland gorilla was born on Sunday to her 28-year-old mother Lena, just in time for Mother's Day. Keepers at Dublin Zoo are engrossed in a guessing game about the sex of the zoo's latest arrival, a baby western lowland gorilla. But because Lena -- an experienced mum who has now given birth five times -- has been keeping her precious bundle close to her chest since its arrival, keepers so far can't tell if it's a boy or a girl. Dublin Zoo's Gerry Creighton gave Ryan an update on the new (as yet nameless) arrival.

Ryan spoke to Bernie Mack who told us about her job as an embalmer. She sees her job as making the deceased person look as much like the person that they were prior to their death, though this can be tough if a relative wants someone to look like their photo taken 20 years previously.

Joining Ryan in studio today, Kevin Keogh told us how his grand-dad Michael Keogh fought for the British and the German in World War 1. Incredibly, both the German and British army rewarded him for gallantry and bravery. He is the subject of an RTE Radio 1 documentary called 'Did Michael Keogh Save Hitler?'. The documentary is available to listen/podcast from rte.ie/doconone now. It will also be broadcast this Saturday evening at 6.05pm on RTE Radio1.

It's the worrisome day of the banking stress tests and Finance Minister Michael Noonan feels the stress himself on today's Nob Nation...

Helena called in to tell her story of the "Message in a Balloon". A year ago Helena and her husband were walking on Brittas Bay Beach when they spotted a helium balloon. Her husband said they should check if there was a message on it. They found a letter attached that had been written by a 6 year old boy in Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. His parents had taken him to the roof of the hospital before a heart operation. There was a little picture too. Helena wrote back and the parents then replied with the story on the front of local newspapers. They kept in touch with them since and thankfully the boy survived the operation.

Tubridy Wednesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 30, 2011 11:28 AM

Happy Birthday To You Rolf Harris, Celine Dion, Tracy Chapman and Eric Clapton!

Eimear and David called in to tell Ryan why they have such a love for Celine Dion.

A mysterious man's romantic poster appeal to track down a girl he was with at the weekend has become an instant online sensation. The guy called 'Johnny' stuck up a poster trying to find a girl named Maria - and it became an instant hit on Twitter when a passer-by spotted it and posted it to the social networking site. Ryan spoke to Stephen O'Leary who posted the photo on Twitter where it became a hot topic within hours.

Ryan spoke to John who text us in remembering his father's 4th anniversary yesterday. His father lost his battle with cancer. John told Ryan the story of how he gave up his social life and decided to take care of his father in the final months of his life. He tells of the wonderful relationship they shared.

Nob Nation brings us a "News at One" special on the continuing fall-out from the Moriarty Report...

It seems these days that we're faced with a never-ending supply of bad news. Just open up your newspaper, turn on your radio or TV and you're bombarded by tragedy, horror and heartache. Luckily, as adults, we have the ability to process and rationalise the sensationalism. Unfortunately, kids cannot, which begs the question - as parents how do we explain some of the cruel things that happen in the world without scaring the life out of our little ones? David Coleman joins Ryan in studio to offer his advice.

Eucharia Donnery got in touch from Japan to tell us about her life there and how she was convinced she saw Ryan in a Tokyo hotel the other night...

Tubridy Tuesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 29, 2011 11:16 AM

Today, Ryan is still on the case of the "Message in the Bottle"! We had a few contenders but we haven't found our young Caitlin from Dublin whose message was found on Newcastle Beach, Co. Wicklow.

Anne who is a distant relative of Princess Grace called to tell us how she met the Princess on her initial visit to Ireland with Prince Rainier in 1961.

Following yesterday's chat with father and daughter Peter and Natasha, Ryan spoke to Katie who is doing the Camino with her 2 best friends in September.

On Nob Nation today, Taoiseach Enda has spent a lot of time out of the office lately, so this morning we hear some of the voicemails left on his phone while he was away.

Kirstie McDermott from www.beaut.ie joined Ryan in studio to give teenagers of Ireland tips on avoiding the Oompa Loompa look when it comes to make up and tanning. Typical mistakes are getting foundation completely wrong shade-wise and the related problem of using way too much foundation.

Ryan spoke to Marion who visited Dublin last weekend and had a fab time until Sunday night when she took the Luas out to the O2. Four teenage girls started to pull her hair which is a very sensitive topic for her at the moment because she is wearing a wig due to treatment for cancer.

Actress and entrepreneur Rachel Kavanagh spoke to Ryan about her own Rockstar Tan company. She suffers from polymorphic light eruption, a skin condition triggered by sunlight which is why she wears fake tan. She was obsessed with getting the perfect tan. Rachel was on holidays in America for three weeks and she was so pale that she got a spray tan on her way to the airport. She tried a few different tans over time but none of them suited her which is why she created her own.

Rockstar Tan will be available in 28 Boots stores across Ireland in the coming weeks.

For more info go to: www.rockstartan.ie

Tubridy Monday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 28, 2011 11:48 AM

Ryan is back in studio today!

Ryan spoke to Joan who is a counsellor with Spinal injuries Ireland at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. She got in touch with the show to explain that the group are very concerned about the current storyline in Emmerdale in which a character who has a spinal injury is contemplating suicide. Joan can understand the storyline but is worried that if it is carried through to its logical conclusion, it will do nothing for real people in this situation.

June called us today to tell us the story about how her 6 year old son Scott who found a message in a bottle on Newcastle Beach, Co. Wicklow.The message read:

"To ??... If you receive this please get in touch with me. My name is Caitlin - I am a girl and I'm age 6 and I am from Dublin Ireland."

Mary got in touch to tell us about her message in a bottle. She threw a message in a bottle off the ferry between France and Ireland in 1979. It was found eighteen years later in turkey! She was 12 years and on her way home from summer holidays.

The Nobs delve into the commercials department for the latest wackiest adverts from Nob Nation...

Ryan spoke to Rory who called into the show to tell us about a few of his friends who ran the mini marathon dressed as nuns on the run. They did it for the Tony Parker Memorial Fund to raise money to buy defibrillators. They raised great funds and had great craic along the way.

For most students just finished their Leaving Cert, an 800km pilgrimage with dad might not seem like the most exciting prospect. But for Natasha Murtagh this is exactly what she chose to do. Along with her father Peter Murtagh, they co-wrote a book about their experience along the Camino de Santiago. Peter and Natasha joined Ryan in studio to chat about the book and their five week trek.

Buen Camino is published by Gill & MacMillan and is available to buy from http://www.gillmacmillan.ie/ireland-today/ireland-today/buen-camino

Peter and Natasha are hosting an evening in the Cervantes Institute on Lincoln Place (back gate to Trinity College) in Dublin from 5.30 to 7pm on Tuesday April 5^th where Natasha and Peter will be reading extracts from the book and showing some of their photos from the Camino. Anyone interested can indicate they would like to come by going to our Buen Camino page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=186536671390765

Tubridy Friday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 25, 2011 1:05 PM

Dave Fanning is in for Ryan this week - get in touch by calling 1850 715 922 or text 51552 from 9am - 11am. You can email us anytime on tubs@rte.ie.

Ireland are taking to the pitch in the Aviva Stadium tomorrow to take on Macedonia in a Euro 2012 qualifier. After the heartbreak of our World Cup campaign, the European Championships will give Ireland the chance to get back onto the international stage. Damien O'Meara joined Dave in studio to talk footy...

Nob Nation: Tonight Ireland gets a new chat show on TV3 after the Late Late. But as Vincent Browne takes over the new slot, how different will it be from his usual show?

Dave was joined in studio this morning by courtroom artist Mike O'Donnell. Mike usually has only a minute or so to sketch a defendant in a trial. The trick, he says, is to read the body language and look closely at the eyes. He says those moments are enough to pick up subtleties not always evident in photos, such as presence.

Here's a quick sketch Mike did of the studio...

Musician Oliver Cole joins Dave in studio to celebrate some of the most infamous guitar riffs and solos.

Tubridy Thursday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 24, 2011 1:53 PM

Dave Fanning is in for Ryan this week - get in touch by calling 1850 715 922 or text 51552 from 9am - 11am. You can email us anytime on tubs@rte.ie.

Ó THOLG GO TOLG (From Couch to Couch) is a new and unique TV series that follows the adventures of presenter Áine Goggins and camera woman Maeve Hackett as they travel around Europe in a highly unconventional way. Maeve and Aine dropped in to studio to chat to Dave about their new adventure. You can sign up for couch surfing www.couchsurfing.org and www.hospitality.com

Patricia Scanlan joined Dave in studio for a chat about how she started to write and now has a full-time career as a bestselling author. Her previous bestsellers include: City Girl, Finishing Touches, Francesca's Party, Two for Joy, Double Wedding, Divided Loyalties, Forgive and Forget and Happy Ever After. She is the Series Editor and contributing author to the Open Door series, published by New Island. Furthermore, she teaches creative writing and is involved in adult literacy programmes. Patricia has just published her latest novel... 'Love and Marriage'. Patricia will be signing copies of her new book in Dubray books in Bray on Saturday 2nd April at 12 noon.

Tubridy Wednesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 23, 2011 12:52 PM

Dave Fanning is in for Ryan this week - get in touch by calling 1850 715 922 or text 51552 from 9am - 11am. You can email us anytime on tubs@rte.ie.

Tony's two year old son Liam will become the youngest child in the world to undergo pioneering brain surgery to combat a fatal disease. Liam sufferes from "Battens Disease" and has been invited to participate in a second generation human medical trial, which recently commenced at the prestigious Weill Cornell University Hospital, New York. The potentially life-saving invitation has come nine weeks after his five-year-old sister, Saoirse, died from the disease at the Heffernan family home, in Keel, Castlemaine. The family, who returned from the New York facility last week, welcomed the news that Liam had successfully met the strict criteria for the trial.

Last March, the Heffernans founded the All Ireland Battens Disease charity, "Bee For Battens", which is active in raising awareness of Battens Disease both here and abroad.

The charity's website is www.beeforbattens.org and accepts donations and works to increase awareness of the disease.

In case you missed it Nob Nation has all the highights from Ben Dunne's tour-de-force on Liveline in the wake of the Moriarty Report....

Counselling Psychologist Dr. Allison Connolly recently gave a talk on sexuality and cancer - Allison joins Dave in studio to tell why people may have reluctance to talk about sexual intimacy and how you should approach the subject.

The next lecture in St Luke's Hospital is on the 12th April- "Cancer and Poor Sleep"

Also today, Emer called in to tell us about her online dating experience and how she ended up paying for the meal.

Tubridy Tuesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 22, 2011 12:20 PM

Dave Fanning is in for Ryan this week - get in touch by calling 1850 715 922 or text 51552 from 9am - 11am. You can email us anytime on tubs@rte.ie.

Killing Bono

The world is littered with failed rock stars but not all of them have the wherewithal to make a movie about their failures... but one man who has is Neil McCormick... the other member of U2... Killing Bono is based on his book 'I was Bono's Doppelganger'. It's the story of his life as a failed rock star, which he says is a very strange thing to see unfold on a movie screen. Killing Bono is in cinemas on April 1^ststarring Ben Barnes, Robert Sheehan and Krysten Ritter.

Elaine called in to tell us how delighted she is that her husband is recovering from a gambling addiction for 2 years now. Poker machines in pubs, football, horses, he gambled on them all. Elaine tells Dave the story of his gambling addiction.

Cooking the old fashioned way with Imelda Byrne

Imelda grew up in war time Ireland and thinks that surviving back then was a harder than it is today. Imelda has some vivid memories of food when growing up. When she was young they lived on vegetables and potatoes. There was hardly any bread and very little meat. When Imelda was rearing her two children she came up with inventive ways of making food last longer. She can get two days out of a chicken and she is a big fan of oxtail. For more information go to www.ICA.ie

An Grianán will be hosting it's first ever "LOVE IRISH FOOD FAIR" on Saturday 23rd April 2011, 12pm - 6pm. Crafts, Food, Easter Egg Hunt for the children & lots more. Everyone welcome. FREE ADMISSION!

Joe was a gambler up to four years ago and called in to tell us the story of his gambling addiction. He was out of work for a year with an injured back, so when he was bored he would gamble. He lost the deposit of his house and spent 26,000 euro gambling. He was lucky to have such a caring wife that stuck by him.

Tubridy Monday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 21, 2011 1:20 PM

Dave Fanning is in for Ryan this week - get in touch by calling 1850 715 922 or text 51552 from 9am - 11am. You can email us anytime on tubs@rte.ie.

Five years ago today, the first 'tweet' was sent by its founder Jack Dorsey in which he tweeted 'inviting coworkers'. But not even he could have foreseen how powerful his method of communication would be - in just five years Twitter has gone from spreading the message of trivia to toppling tyrants and all at just 140 characters at a time. Twitter fan Philip Nolan tells Dave about the phenomenon.

'Ten Fingers and Ten Toes' is the moving story of how Yvonne and her husband Niall and their family coped with the death of their youngest child. Yvonne Joye documents her deepest thoughts during the most difficult period of her life in this book. Caught up with the outward trappings of wealth and the pressures of modern life, Yvonne was determined to have it all: the perfect marriage, the perfect house, and the perfect family. She tells Dave the heart-wrenching story of how she and her husband struggled to retain their dream while coping with the unexpected death of their new baby.

This morning Nob Nation takes stock of Ireland's recent run of good fortune in the world of sport at the expense of our misfortunate near neighbours.

Known to many from his longstanding role as team captain on Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Phill Jupitus' self-confessed low boredom threshold has led him into a wide and varied career. Over more than 20 years, he has immersed himself in performance poetry, stand-up, improvisation, TV work, script and book writing and now, musical theatre. Ahead of his forthcoming appearance as king Arthur in Spamalot - the musical 'lovingly ripped off' from Monty Python's Holy Grail - at Dublin's Grand Canal Theatre this May - Phill joined Dave in studio to talk about making a living from being a (very talented) messer! For more information on Spamalot visit www.grandcanaltheatre.ie

Mary got in touch to say she's delighted that Cheltenham is over. Her husband was a gambler but thankfully he hasn't gambled in 4 years. She wanted to highlight the misery gambling causes to families. Her husband was gambling from the time they got married although she didn't know the full extent until he lost his job 12 years ago - in fact he lost two jobs due to his gambling. Mary has gone to GamAnon meetings where support is offered to spouses and family members of those with gambling addictions.

Tubridy Friday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 18, 2011 11:54 AM

Catherine O'Halloran joined Ryan on the line live from Washington to discuss US President Barack Obama's visit to Ireland in May.

Ryan spoke to a very excited Monegal man Henry Healy who is delighted that US President Barack Obama is visiting Ireland in May. He said that locals gathered yesterday for the six o'clock news to cheer the long-awaited confirmation that US president Barack Obama would visit the place from which his ancestor Fulmuth Kearney left for New York in the mid-19th century.

Church of Ireland rector's Canon Stephen Neill told Ryan that people are walking around with great big smiles on their faces. It is expected that Obama will visit Templeharry Church, where his ancestors worshipped, and the local schoolhouse where they were educated. "The whole family left in the 1840s and 1850s," Canon Neill said. "They were shoemakers, which was a reasonable trade so they weren't driven into emigration but had the opportunity to go and took it."

Tune That Name (It's a Copyright thing!) - Jim Sheridan and Shay Byrne are back in studio for our monthly music mayhem - our contestants battle it out to win luxury weekend breaks - all they have to do is - TUNE...THAT...NAME!!!

Ryan spoke to the blushing bride in the Denny ad, Leanne Cannon who is just back from her honeymoon in Vegas and New York. Leanne ended up being the bride in the Denny ad when the lady who she bought the bridesmaid dresses from called her before the wedding to say that a film crew were looking for a bride. The camera crew and people from Denny came down to meet her and then came back on the morning of the wedding. They started filming at 6am on Friday 27th November 2009. They filmed her in her parent's house in Bullaun Co. Galway. Her dad Philip is the man making the breakfast. The children in the ad are her nephews and nieces. She says she was starving on the morning of the wedding and wasn't nervous at all!

On today's Nob Nation, he brings us through the highlights of his St. Patrick's Day with Obama...

Craig Doyle chatted to Ryan about the UPC TV ad he appears in with his folks - yes, they are his REAL parents!

Last Tuesday week we spoke to 28 year old Avril Mulcahy from Cashel, Co Tipperary who was embarking on 40 Dates in Days for Lent. It's Avril's quest to gain as much knowledge as possible about the singles scene in Ireland and maybe even find Mr. Right. Avril chats about her date 1, date 2, date 3, date 4 etc.. You can email her at info@singlelisa.ie to suggest places to go on dates and follow her blog on www.singelista.ie.

Tubridy Wednesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 16, 2011 12:46 PM

Dave Sherry joins Ryan in studio to talk about an alternative way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day - sober!

Ryan read out an email that was sent into the show from a listener who was shocked and apalled at the reaction of a mother to her 4 year old son who gave her a St. Patrick's Day present he had made. It was a green and sparkly hat and clearly the little beaming boy was proud as punch of his creation. Her reply was 'That thing is NOT coming into my house - it's full of glitter and will ruin my house!'. The little boy was devastated and cried but was shouted at again. The hat was flung across the room by the mother and the scene continued for a half an hour - the other mothers around were horrified and biting their collective tongues. Our listener contacted the show as she was so dumbstruck by the scenario. She hates to think where that poor little boy will be in 10 years' time and what effect will this have on him. As a mother herself who praised her (now grown) children, she is happy with how confident they are now and is glad she raised them as she did.

After hearing the email Ryan read out, Beth got in touch to say she thinks glitter is great and she can't help but smile when she sees 'stray' glitter in peculiar places on people after they've done arts and crafts. Life would be a lot less dull if people used more glitter! Beth has three teens and a ten year old who were most welcome to cover the house in all kinds of glitter and face paints in the name of fun and creativity!

Ahead of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, Joe Duffy finds out how the Nobs will mark what it means to be Irish....

Ryan spoke to Sinead who was listening to Aviva yesterday talking about her husband Stephen. Sinead's husband had a stroke 3 years ago at the age of 41. She wants to highlight that age does not matter. Sinead's husband is back working part-time and uses a crutch but thankfully is in good health.

Tommy Smyth and Treasa Goodwin-Smyth spoke to Ryan live from New York City this morning. The 250^th St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York takes place tomorrow and NBC Commentators Tommy and Treasa will have the best view on the route. Tommy is an International Soccer Analyst for ESPN and a sports commentator. In 1969 Tommy started a small radio show on a local station in New York called 'Ireland Calls' which is now the longest running Irish radio show in the US. His wife Treasa now presents the show. Every year they commentate on NBS's coverage of the parade which is watched by millions of people all over America and the world.

Tubridy Tuesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 15, 2011 12:33 PM

Journalist and presenter of Channel 4 News Jon Snow reports live from Japan.

With only 500 days to go until the London Olympics in 2012, today marks the opening of the six week window for buying tickets to the greatest show on earth. Ryan spoke to Irish Times Athletics Correspondent Ian O'Riordan who has come up with a 12 Step Guide to buying tickets. You can register now at www.tickets.london2012.com

The Cheltenham Race Festival gets underway this afternoon and looking ahead to the action for Nob Nation is Des Cahill...

Dolores Keaveney thinks the City of One Hundred Thousand Welcomes is a fantastic idea. As a blow-in that came from Galway to Claremorris 30 years ago, she hated it at first. But she eventually got to know the community and the town and now she loves it. If she was to welcome a tourist to Claremorris, the first thing she would do is go to the pub, bring them for a meal, then on to the Equestrian Centre in Claremorris, play a game of golf and lastly she'd bring them to her own house to meet her children and friends and maybe do "Come Dine With Me".

Ryan spoke to Aviva Cohen whose husband Steve suffered a devastating stroke five years ago in June 2006. Steve was just 50 at the time and was very active and full of life. He was a karate instructor and Aviva had met him through his class and fell in love with him. On the day it happened Steve was chasing their six year old daughter, Gina, round the garden with super-soakers while their baby Tanya giggled away. In the afternoon the girls and Aviva came down with a vomiting bug and that evening Steve became violently ill. Steve fell asleep on the sofa and when he woke up he was just sitting there staring at his hand. Steve was unable to speak and was paralysed down the right side of his body. She called an ambulance, but doctors at the hospital couldn't say he would survive. After a stay in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, Steve spent four months in the Rehabilitation Centre in Dun Laoghaire and when he came home, he could walk about the house with a stick. Aviva started doing her own research into stroke treatments. She used her research skills to look into alternative treatments for stroke victims. Aviva has made the research information that she discovered available to the public, free of charge, to help other people in similar situations. Visit www.researchandhope.com for more information.

Tubridy Monday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 14, 2011 12:21 PM

RTÉ's European Correspondent Paul Cunningham is in Japan and gives a first-hand account of how people are coping with the aftermath of Friday's devastating tsunami.

Ryan spoke to Shane MacThomais, the Resident Historian with the Glasnevin Museum who have been presented with a prestigious international Thea award at a glittering ceremony in Los Angeles. Deemed the "the Oscars" for outstanding themed entertainment and attractions, recipients in the past have included Madame Tussauds in London, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois, Disney World in Orlando, and the Shuttle Launch Experience at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Glasnevin is the first cemetery to receive the award for excellence in creating a compelling educational, historical and entertainment project.

Joining Ryan in the studio today, Majella O'Donnell, the wife of entertainer Daniel O'Donnell chatted about her career, her divorce, depression and life coaching.

Stranded at an airport in Japan, model Heather O'Brien spoke to Ryan about the fears she faced when the earthquake struck on Friday. Heather took part in model scouts TV show and went to Japan with four other girls to work. She was in her house when the quake happened - a dark cloud came over and a big wind and she didn't know what was happening. Thankfully she's safe and eager to get back home to Ireland.

Ryan also spoke to Heather's father Laurence who was listening to her on air. He can't wait until she comes home to give her a big hug.

Tubridy Friday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 11, 2011 11:50 AM

Ryan chatted with Michael Flatley who is in London this morning having attended last night's premiere of his new movie Lord of the Dance 3D, which is released all over Ireland today. Michael is thrilled that Enda Kenny is our new Taoiseach. He has met Enda and thinks people have to work really hard to get this country back on it its feet. Michael reckons that Enda is the man for this.

One of the big surprises of the new Government era was Moan Burton's failure to land an economic Cabinet post. The Minister today gives her thoughts to Nob Nation's diary corner.

Martina called in to say it's great to hear Thin Lizzy on the radio this morning but nevermind Lizzy being for auld lads - her 5 year old son Eric loves them. He has a DVD he plays constantly. It's not like it was played by his mum or dad - he discovered it in the DVD press and decided he liked it. Because of it he wants to learn how to play bass guitar - his favourite song is the Boys are Back in Town and Martina has caught him a few times singing along to Killer on the Loose (doesn't really sound right from a 5 year old!!!). Eric even picked it up on the news that Gary Moore had passed away and asked about it. He just loves a bitta Lizzy!

Former Irish Rugby player Shane Byrne chats to Ryan about Ireland V England legends rugby match. Also Shane shares his comments on Irish Rugby players and the current Twitter-ban for the Irish team.

Ryan spoke to Tanya who grew up across the road from Phil Lynott in Crumlin. She says his surname should really be pronounced ''LIE-nott''. Tanya went to school with his nieces and spent half her life over in the house where Phil lived with his brother. She says Thin Lizzy played a gig in her garden for her Aunt's 21st!

Tubridy Thursday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 10, 2011 3:02 PM

Ryan spoke to Elaine who was at the Justin Bieber gig last night with her 3 daughters. Her youngest, Lucy, got the tickets off Santa and as a special treat they stayed over in the The Shelbourne Hotel. Lucy is 7 and she had a ball! She spent hours making Justin Bieber banners but unfortunately she was not allowed to bring them in to The O2. However, her older sister was the one who really succumbed to Bieber Fever!

Robert met a girl called Greta in 1980 in Fermoy when he was 14 and she was 13. Their sisters were friends and that's how they met. They were together for 6 years - but then they broke up and went their separate ways. Robert went to America for six years and when he returned back home to be best man at a wedding, he met up with Greta again. He went back to the States but stayed 28 days and came home to be with the love of his life! Everybody say 'aaaaaaahhhhh!'

It was a monumental day at Leinster House yesterday and while everyone on the Tubridy team were there, so too was the Nob Nation crew gathering some exclusive interviews on the plinth.

Karen Denning is not sure to this day whether it is better to know before or after birth that your baby has a serious heart defect. For her and her husband, the devastating news came at the 20-week scan of her first pregnancy. It showed the baby she was carrying had a hypoplastic heart defect - only three of the four chambers in the heart had developed; he was missing a left ventricle. Christian was well at birth in Mount Carmel Hospital, so the first surgery, which is normally done within a matter of weeks, was not carried out until he was four months old. As we speak, four-year-old Christian is at playschool today.

Cian O'Daly last spoke to Ryan on the 27^th August about his little son Henry. Henry also suffers from the rare heart condition Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Henry is progressing great and getting bigger and cuter every day.

For more information on Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, visit the Heart Children Ireland website www.heartchildren.ie or call 1850 217 017.

Tubridy Wednesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 9, 2011 12:14 PM

Today's show came live from the front of Leinster House on the first day of the 31st Dáil.

Tubridy Tuesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 8, 2011 11:45 AM

Ryan spoke to Avril Mulcahy from Cashel who is going on 40 Dates in 40 Days this Lent. She'll be going speed dating, internet dating and even getting her mammy to arrange a date. Avril also appeared in the Australian version of Take me Out called 'Taken Out'. Avril will have a daily blog chronicling her 40 dates on www.singlelista.ie starting tomorrow, 9th March. Listeners can email her at info@singlelista.ie to suggest places to go on dates.

James heard Avril urging guys to follow up on an instant attraction and approach a girl if they think there could be a spark, be it in a café or on a bus. Well 2 weeks ago, James passed a note to a girl on the Rathmines bus and hastily got off. He wrote his name and number on the note and asked her to call him. Just yesterday he got a text back from her! Perhaps a bit late but it does work. This girl is American, James isn't really sure if Irish girls would be as forthcoming.

Ryan was joined in studio by Professor Tim Lynch today. Professor Lynch is a Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Director with Dublin Neurological Institute based in the Mater and Beaumont Hospital. He discusses neurological diseases and the early signs of Alzheimer's Disease.

Cancer Public Lecture

We recently spoke to Dr. Niamh Coleman from St. Luke's Hospital in Dublin on the show about coping with cancer in the family. Well, we wanted to let you know that there is another public lecture tonight, Tuesday 8th March.

The talk is presented by the Psycho-Oncology Department of St. Luke's Hospital and tonight's talk is about issues surrounding Sexuality and Cancer. It's on tonight from 7pm to 8pm in The Education Centre, St. Luke's Hospital, Rathgar, Dublin 6.

To register in advance, please phone (01) 406 5163 or email psychooncology@slh.ie. The lecture is free of charge.

Atila called us to say that he and his wife Mary have been sitting at home at night (in Tipperary), drinking tea and watching Brazilian TV and all the Mardi Gras celebrations. Atila is from Brazil and is missing the Rio festival as it's a time of big celebrations and parties in all the towns and villages all over the country. But he does love St. Patrick's Day too and thinks that makes up for it a bit.

Tubridy Monday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 7, 2011 11:51 AM

Ryan spoke to author Liz Ryan who has lived in Normandy for ten years. Last week she decided to let her Facebook followers decide if she should stay in France or move back to Ireland permanently. Her new novel is called 'French Leave: An Irishwoman's Adventure in Normandy'. Liz says she misses Eamon Dunphy, Croke Park, Galway Oysters, Grafton Street and the Irish humour! She comes back about 3 times a year but if her Facebook followers suggest she comes home for good, she will. You can visit Liz's Facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/lizryanfrenchleave

We spoke to Ann on Friday about her little dog who was accidentally killed that morning. It was a tough weekend for the family. They told their little girls that their dog was very sick and went to sleep forever. They're broken hearted. Her 9 year old locked herself in her bedroom all weekend. Her birthday is on Wednesday but she doesn't want to know about it. Her 6 year old is very sad but a little easier to cheer up. Ann wanted to thank listeners for their advice.

Saechtain na Gaeilge kicked off at the weekend and runs until St. Patrick's Day. Only in Ireland could a week last more than 7 days! We received an email from a listener who is currently hoping to sit the Honours Leaving Cert Irish this year - it's been 15 years since she sat her original Leaving Cert Irish but she hopes to go into Primary School teaching and needs a minimum of a C3 before applying for the Hibernia course. She's preparing for her orals and is finding it extremely difficult to source any information on how 'mature students' can prepare answers to certain questions, as most of the revision notes or books are geared towards Leaving Cert students only! Enter Gaeilgeoir Daithi O Se to offer some advice...

Ryan spoke to Mileen who is glad her kids are growing up in a recession and not the silliness of the last ten years. She said we were living a lie - corrupt church, politicians, no sense of reality etc. - and that we should be positive and looking forward to the future. Dublin looks much better than it did twenty years ago. Mileen said she wouldn't want to go back there for any money. Of course, there are the negatives but more positives if we stop complaining!

Mary got in touch with the show looking for advice. She is obsessed with head lice and is terrified that her three kids will get them again. Sometimes she lies awake at night and really wants to get the kids up out of bed and check their hair. She's always checking for head lice and if she does find them, the poor kids are subjected to hours and hours of her going through their hair, even though she treats them and is very thorough. She uses tea tree shampoo and sprays their hair with tea tree ointment every day, but they still manage to catch them and she just feels sick about the whole thing. Mary's kids have never had a bad infestation but that's probably because she checks so much. She wants to know if there is a foolproof method of avoiding head lice?

Moya got in touch after listening to Mary and she herself has to desperate measures to get rid of head lice - she's even used vodka on her poor kid's heads to kill the lice! She spends about 30 euro a month on remedies. She has three daughters who keep getting head lice - just yesterday she cut her youngest daughter's hair into a bob to try to prevent her getting lice again.

Tubridy Friday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 4, 2011 8:48 AM

***The lines for this competition are now closed***

TUBRIDY IRELAND V ENGLAND RUGBY COMPETITION

Today on the show, we are giving you the chance to win a super two to see Ireland take on England in the RBS 6 Nations on March 19^th in the Aviva Stadium. This great prize includes match tickets, pre-match hospitality and €1000 in spending money.

For your chance to win this great prize, simply tune in to Tubridy on 2fm Mar 4 2011. If you know the answer to the question revealed during the show, text the competition line and you could be our winner!

HOW TO ENTER:

Text RUGBY along with your answer and name to 57111

Lines open at 8am on 4/3/11 and close at 10.50am on 4/3/11

Please do not enter outside the advertised competition window as you will be charged for your entry, but your entry will NOT be included in the draw. You musto take our call at the end of the show in order to win the prize.

The winner will be announced live on the show on 4/3/11

ClickHere for Terms & Conditions.

***The lines for this competition are now closed***

Ryan read out an email we received from a lady looking for suggestions on where to bring her family on holidays. This year has been a tough year for them financially and they just can't afford to spend too much. Callers and texters got imaginative and offered all sorts of affordable holiday ideas.

Sara called in to say she's having a great start to her weekend - she's on her second day off from work and her twins Abbie and Donal turned 11 yesterday. All's good with life and Sara's getting stuck into the baking now for tomorrow's birthday party.

Ryan chatted to Carina about when she went camping in all parts of Ireland for her holidays with her family. She told us there are a huge amount of caravan camping sites around Kerry and it can be done cheaply. Carina said her kids are grown up now so she doesn't go anymore but the best memories she had were camping with her family.

Rosie told Ryan she hadn't gone on a holiday in about 10 years but last year herself and her two kids hopped into the car with the theme of 'sharks and fish' and drove to Dingle for an overnight stay. They went to see Fungi there and drove back up to Dublin for a few nights in a hotel where they went to the aquarium in Bray and Dublin Zoo. They also camped beside a river in Wicklow. All done on the cheap but they had a ball!

While all eyes are on the Fine Gael- Labour talks on a coalition this morning, Nob Nation focuses on the motley crew that make up the new Opposition benches.

A very distressed Ann got in touch looking for advice - she had a devastating accident this morning and doesn't know how she is going to tell her little girls when they come home from school. Her husband reversed the car over their new dog and killed him. Their hearts are broken over it but it's made worse by the fact that they only have him 3 weeks and got him as a replacement for another dog who went missing. They're dreading telling the kids and asked Ryan and the listener's for any advice. Should they tell them the truth or will a little white lie be more sensitive?

After hearing Ann's story, Suzanne called in to say that when she was young, her brother had a cat that was killed on the road while he was at school. Without wanting to upset her brother, who was only 8 at the time, they told him that the cat ran away. Her brother still talks about his cat who ran away - he's now 35! She still can't tell him the truth - it was best to keep the gorey details to a minimum. She thinks something along those lines might be the best thing to tell Ann's girls.

Jackie thought Ann should tell her little girls the truth. It will be hard, but if the truth ever came out, it would be ten times worse.

Ryan chatted with Mandy who said she wouldn't tell the kids the truth under any circumstances. It happened to her years ago when she was 10 and she was devastated. Her parents told her the dog was a little bit sick and went to doggy heaven.

Debbie said that when she was 7 she had a rabbit and her cousin let the rabbit slip and it broke its neck. Her dad told her the rabbit was in the vets getting better. About 6 months later her dad came with a new rabbit and told her the rabbit was all better. She believed this for 31 years!

Tubridy Thursday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 3, 2011 2:26 PM

Guess who's got Bieber Fever?! George Lee, that's who! George went to see the Justin Bieber movie last weekend with his son Harry. Ryan quizzes him on how he succumbed to the buzz of the screaming teen sensation.

Psychologist Emma Murphy has tips and advice on how to achieve a positive outlook in life.

On today's Nob Nation News at One, Sean O'Rourke focuses on Ireland's cricket win and a racist designer.

Ryan chats to Amanda who got in touch to say her little 6 year old son has a problem with the 'F' word. He gets upset if anyone says the word in front of him.

It's World Book Day today and many schools are getting involved and have asked their pupils to come to school dressed as a character from their favourite book. Niamh called in to say she shaved her 5 year old nephew's head last night so he could be the boy in the striped pyjamas! Niamh is a hairdresser and her sister-in-law asked her to do his hair for the bizarre occasion.

On March 3rd and 4th, Trocaire is challenging people to give up something they can't live without and raise sponsorship to change lives in poor communities. Ryan is joined in studio by Paddy McKenna who has just returned from Mozambique as part of Trocaire's Give It Up Campaign. Paddy tells Ryan of the great work being done by Trocaire to fight poverty in Mozambique and the people he met along the way. Visit http://2fm.rte.ie/pages/trocaire for more details. To donate simply Text 2FMGIVE to 57080.

Tubridy Wednesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 2, 2011 12:15 PM

AA Roadwatch's Arwen Foley made the papers today because of the inspiration behind her unusual name. Her Dad is responsible for naming her after a character in his favourite book, The Lord of the Rings. Arwen - played by Liv Tyler in the movies, is the elfin princess.

Karen called in to say her daughter's name is Arwen also. Little Arwen is just 10 days old and is named after Arwen Foley because the day Karen and her husband found out they were having a girl, they were driving home from the hospital and Arwen came on the radio to do the traffic report. They knew from that moment what the baby was to be called!

Ryan spoke to Pamela who named her daughter Kiara (pronounced 'kee-ara') after Simba's daughter in The Lion King.

On this morning's Liveline Joe has all the latest on the coalition talks and the transition of power from Brian Cowen...

Gay Byrne joins Ryan in studio to discuss The Road Safety Authority and his new series of The Meaning of Life (starting Sunday 6^th March 10.30pm on RTE). People featuring in the new series include Sir Michael Parkinson, Brendan O'Carroll, Mark Patrick Hederman, Brian Cody, Martin Sheen and Ben Dunne.

Joining Ryan on the line fashion insider Nicky Harris discusses Christian Dior's chief designer John Galliano who has been sacked for allegedly making 'particularly odious' anti-Semitic remarks.

Tubridy Tuesday

By Ryan Tubridy on March 1, 2011 11:35 AM

Two weeks ago, Nuala got in touch with the show to make a plea for her missing engagement ring which she lost on St. Valentine's Day. She looked everywhere, put up posters and re-traced her steps from her busy day in town. Many of our listeners were lighting candles to St. Anthony for her. Well, Nuala got in touch to say she was baking last night and was down on her hands and knees to find her tin of golden syrup in the base of the kitchen corner press. She reached out for it and lo and behold, there was her ring just sitting there, on top of the syrup tin! She couldn't believe it. Needless to say there was a lot of shrieking and jumping around. How it ended up there, she has no idea. Many thanks to all our listeners for their positive vibes!

Ryan spoke to Tony Heffernan whose little son Liam will undergo an intensive baseline assessment of his present condition to establish his suitability for a life-saving gene vector transfer operation later this year. He would become the first Irish child to receive this experimental treatment, which has been provided to just over a handful of children since this trial began in August 2010. Liam's five-year-old sister Saoirse died from Battens disease on January 18th last. She narrowly missed out on receiving treatment last October following a rapid worsening of her condition. Tony and his wife Mary decided to set up the Saoirse Foundation to provide parents, families and all those affected by Battens Disease on the island of Ireland with a support, networking, and a credible source of information. Visit www.beeforbattens.org for more information.

Melanie got in touch to tell us about her own adoption. She was adopted when she was only a few months old and contacted her birth mother about 5 years ago who had absolutely no interest in her at all. Melanie doesn't have any hang-ups about it. Her sister was adopted also and she tracked down her mother - they get on like a house on fire.

On this morning's Nob Nation, Enda Kenny tries to show Phil Hogan who's boss when he makes the first calls towards forming a coalition...

Following yesterday's call with Katrina who told us about her (unsuccessful) blind date with Breifne, we've lined up a more suitable bachelor, Stephen, to whisk her away for a romantic meal - on us of course! Watch this space...

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