Musical musings.

Hands up who was at the Editors gig last week in the Savoy? Well, I thought they were fab, even if my friend was convinced that the singer has been studying tapes of Joy Division's Ian Curtis for all the erratic movements! It's really exciting music - and so well played. Yes, you can hear their influences - but I don't let it spoil my enjoyment of their music. They are good influences obviously - and they're still putting their own stamp on things.

What a shame that there will be no concert at Slane this year.... and what a terrible reason - that there are no acts big enough or of the quality to suit the venue at this moment in time. What a sad state of affairs. There had been rumours circulating of Green Day being the headline act... but I always thought that would be unlikely seeing as their American Idiot tour has long since wrapped up at this stage. Hopefully, the extravaganza will be back next year...

I know I'm a bit late... but I've only just started listening to the Arctic Monkeys album - and I'm loving it. Great lyrics... so impressive for a bunch of teeneagers - and I don't mean that in a condescending way... they've just got a better insight than people twice their age and seem so well capable of turning their thoughts into super songs. A refreshing antidote to pappy conveyor belt pop....

Yummy Noodles - and Welcome Home Munster!

What a lovely evening it was yesterday at the launch of Ways With Noodles, a new cookbook from the Wagamama restaurant group, written by Hugo Arnold. Relaxed with friends as we were treated to lovely finger food in a great atmosphere. Later we proceeded to climb the stairs to Suas to continue the party. I got a copy of the book too - signed by the writer - so I'm looking forward to trying to re-create some of the goodies in my own kitchen!

So, the victorious Munster rugby team are having their homecoming in Cork this evening. Entertainment begins on South Mall at 7pm while the team are expected on the stage at the Parnell Place end of South Mall at 8pm. So get out there and wave your flags for the lads. Bear in mind the traffic restrictions too... maybe best off leaving the car at home, as the clampers will no doubt be seizing the opportunity to get their greedy paws on your money....

Wined and Dined.

What a fab 5-star day I had yesterday!! Took the day off from RedFM to MC a fashion show at Hayfield Monor in aid of the Hope Foundation which works with street children in Calcutta. The fashion was from Beth and Fran and Jane, with shoes from Cocoon and jewellery from Mona's Antiques. I'd say the combined jewellery would pay off my mortgage! At one stage, while I was perusing the jewels, I had $32,000 dangling on my wrist - a first for me, I can assure you! We had a scrumptious lunch there as well and by the time the whole thing was wrapped up, I had to think about getting to my next destination.. the new 5-star Sheraton Fota Island Golf Resort and Spa. The hotel was having its Hard Hat and High Heels party and it was a lovely evening. Got shown around the hotel first and then got to sample the delicious food at a buffet later. Was very well taken care of indeed... I wish all days could be like that!! Alas, back to reality today...

A lorra laughs


Why do the weekends zip by so quickly?! Another busy one just gone by. Went to see Deirdre O'Kane at City Limits Comedy Club on Saturday night. It was just what the doctor ordered! So funny! As was support act Jarlath Regan. I'm not a huge fan of Irish comedians so I was delighted to have such an entertaining evening in their hilarious company. Next weekend at the same venue, there's a double header of Ardal O'Hanlon and Karl Spain. Might be a good way to celebrate Munster's victory... fingers crossed on that one, by the way!

On Friday Ballincollig got a new bar - Treacy's in the new town centre. Very impressive. There never really was anywhere to go in that town before so it's well needed. One woman was overheard to say "I'll be here seven nights a week!" Now that may not be quite what the doctor ordered...

Congratulations to Yvonne O'Mahony from Ballincollig who scooped €2,000 today on the first day of Codename Cash, our brand new station giveaway. Be listening tomorrow from 8am for a chance to win your share in €25,000. Crack the code to win the cash!

Cork Girls Rule!

I had the great honour of being guest speaker at North Pres secondary school last night for their annual awards night.
I wish we had an event like this when I was at school. It's great to see students being rewarded, not just for academic achievements, but also for commitment to sport, talent in visual and performing arts, contribution to school social life and a whole host of other categories. Often people don't stop to concentrate on the positives - and that's what a night like that was all about. Student of the Year was awarded to sixth year pupil Charlotte Kearney, who is a huge participant in the sports life of the school. She gave a great speech too, indicating that her years had flown by at the school and that she had thoroughly enjoyed her time there.
Well done to everyone who was involved in organising the event and indeed to everyone who took part - and thanks to everyone for giving me such a warm welcome!

Last Saturday at Mahon Point was a success for the Model Search in asociation with Gillette Venus Vibrance. I was there along with a rep from First Option Model Agency, Jakki from KISS magazine and also Ann-Marie and Morwenna from the PR firm which was handling the event. The best news was that my companions had already had the Dublin leg of the model search and said that while there was more quantity queueing up in Dublin, the quality was better in Cork! You go Cork Girls!

Model Search at Mahon Point tomorrow!

Went to a great show at The Opera House last night - The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas. I know it's not the kind of music we play on RedFM but those songs are such classics. In case you don't know, the show features the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr. They even manage to look rather like the stars too (espec the Dean Martin impersonator). It's got so much more than the music going on too though... lots of humourous little quips - go and see it if you like a bit of swing.

Well, this week on the show we teamed up with Gilette Venus Vibrance and tomorrow is D-Day for all the gorgeous girls in Cork for the model search at Mahon Point Shopping Centre between 11 - 4am. Reps will be there from First Option Model agency and I'll be dropping in too to meet everyone. There's a year-long modelling contract to be won, as well as a photo shoot with KISS magazine and a €500 shopping spree. I was at it last year as well and was struck by the natural beauty amongst the young Cork girls (wouldn't normally be looking out for it, you see!) and also the vast amount of people with blue eyes (Mine are green, btw). So good luck to everyone... Looking forward to seeing you all!

Locked out!

It seems my caution about the weather was justified. Absolutely bucketing earlier today! May weather indeed....

The inevitable happened yesterday... locked myself out of my house! Having one of those doors that locks as you close it behind you, I guess I always knew it would happen one day. My one saving grace was that I had my mobile phone in my pocket, enabling me to phone someone who happens to have a spare key to my place. It could have been a whole lot worse I suppose... I could have been dressed only in a towel, having come out to pick up the milk bottles (that ol' cliche) or I could have found no-one answering the phone in the household that keeps my spare. It could have been lashing rain the way it has been today....So let's concentrate on the positives, shall we....