I am OUTTA here!

This picture is of a bed. It's not MY bed, but it will give you an indication of where I plan to spend my next seven days.

That's right... I'm on leave for a week, so Leigh Doyle will be sitting in with Vinny and Mary on Beat Breakfast next week.

We told you all about Beat's Runaway Bride this morning. We're looking for two brides to take on a fun challenge - they have to get as far as they can in 24 hours with just 50 euro! Whoever gets the furthest wins the wedding of their dreams at the Lismore House Hotel!

We'll be taking online applications from Monday, so if you know anyone who would be up for this challenge, you need to talk to them over the weekend!

Random video of the day is a piece from the excellent BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge. There's a new album out featuring this track....



Other stuff from today's show....

• The ultimate example of marrying a younger woman
• Who owns all the feet?
• Who hasn't eaten the odd spoon or fork?

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: What can run at any speed, but never walk?
Ans: Water

Going For a Song
Clue: The bosses of German Emperors with a red gemstone
The answer is here.

Enjoy Halloween!
N.

Thursday's show

This picture is of Greenland. Lady GaGa is not from Greenland, as poor old Thomas discovered this morning when he failed to win tickets to her concert. She's from New York of course.

Well done to Lorna and Sarah who got their questions right, and are off to see GaGa in the O2 in February.

We'll be giving away the Pink tickets tomorrow morning - when we play two rounds of Beat the Bomb. We'll be looking for callers from Waterford and Kilkenny!

We also have our Portovino competition tomorrow - so get thinking!

We had a bit of a heated debate on this morning's show over this story. Basically, a guy tragically died after too much alcohol, and the men who served him in a Tipperary bar have been charged in connection with his death. There were strong feelings on this, with people arguing both sides. It will be interesting to see how it ends in court.

Other stuff from today's show....

• Would you keep working if you won the Lotto?
• What's the scariest movie of all time?
• Worst disguise ever.

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: My first is in fish, but not in snail, My second is in rabbit, but not in tail. My third is in up, but not in down, My fourth is in tiara but not in crown. My fifth is in tree you plainly see, My whole a food for you and me. What am I?
Ans: I am a fruit!

Going For A Song
Clue: Arab country creates flash of electricity to get attention in emergency
The answer is here

Back tomorrow at 6.50am
N.

Memories of Oxegen 2009

The Next Big Thing....

The Beat Breakfast had their after school music lessons this week at Flying Fingers Music school. Luckily, Trevor and the team there were ultra patient as Niall tackled the drums, Vinny strummed the guitar and Mary took some singing lessons. You can hear how all three got on in the coming days on Beat Breakfast!

Next Week on Beat Breakfast....

They're back after a long holiday and Ireland's most successful pop act ever will be talking to us about what they got upto on their break on Tuesday morning's Beat Breakfast!

Also next week, it's the final part of Back to School as the Beat Breakfast Crew head for some after school music lessons with Flying Fingers music school. AND... we have Pink tickets to give away on Beat the Bomb!

Join us Tuesday morning from ten to seven.

P.S. If you missed Alexandra Burke on Friday, you can listen to it again on the Beat Breakfast podcast section of http://www.beat102103.com

On Friday's Beat Breakfast......

Reigning X Factor champion Alexandra Burke talks to Niall, Vinny and Mary about her new album, what she thinks of John and Edward.... and what Simon and Cheryl are really like!

Stuff

On the left is an edible plate. Why did nobody think of this earlier?! An Italian man has invented this to save on dishwashing time! It's made of dough and is like those chicken in a basket things. Brilliant!

Vinny was back with us today after his school galavanting and Green Day galavanting. The concert was fantastic he says. If you missed any of the back to school coverage, you can check it out the podcast on the Beat website.

Other stuff from today's show.....

• Policeman spots blonde-haired aliens
• No singing at work!
• Goodbye to the checkout girl

Our random video of the day is a little sing song by Kylie. There has been so much talk of artists miming on X Factor and the likes - it's nice to hear that Kylie can actually sing!




Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: In a game of chess, how many different choices do you have for your first move?
Ans: 20. There are 16 possible pawn moves, and four possible knight moves.

Going For A Song
Clue: Viral theatrical production will mend sheep
The answer is here

Crazy busy on tomorrow's show... Join us from ten to seven.
N.

Vinny B Goes Back To School! Day 2

My school days are over! Again!

Day two of my Back To School experience was every bit as enjoyable as the first...if you forget the first class! Can you believe I got sent to the principle's office?! Scary stuff! Here's the deal...

So there I was in Home Economics learning about nutrients (protein, fibre, carbs etc...) when I was caught chewing gum. Ms Sutton, as lovely as she is, had to abide by the rules and so I was sent to the principle to confess. I remember being afraid of getting into trouble with Mr Lillis when he was just my history teacher but as he's now in charge of the entire show, I knew this wouldn't be good. So I got detention for Friday! Haha. You can hear me getting given out to on tomorrow's Beat Breakfast.

After the ill-fated Home Ec class, it was music...this time practical. I got to show off my recorder skills and didn't do badly at all for someone who hasn't played in ten years. If it weren't for those tricky quavers on the second line! Grrrr...

I also had a look at the school gym for the first time. It's situated across the road from the school in Adamstown Hall, and I have to say I was mightily impressed. There's lots of equipment and I had a go on some of it, as you'll see in the photos, even getting to grips with the punchbag with Mr Lillis! I used the opportunity to take out my frustration at having been given detention!

At the end of it all, I must say I thoroughly enjoyed my couple of days back in school. I have to thank all of the staff who were as friendly as I remember. A special thank you to Mr Lillis, the principle, without whose permission this social experiment couldn't have happened, and to the teachers who allowed me and my producer Jennifer (who recorded and edited everything together) to sit in with their classes.

Talk to you soon!

VB

Getting closer to the long weekend!

This morning, we dealt with annoying workmates. We heard lots of stories of over familiar workmates, bitchy girls done up to the nines, and a workmate who spits at you when they speak.

An official study by careerbuilder.com has revealed that there are four main workmate personalities who are disliked by everyone. They are:-
1) The Suck-Up
2) The Naysayer who is pessimistic about everything
3) The Drama Queen
4) The Star of the Show - who wants to make everything about them.

Vinny was in school for Day 2, and we had the opportunity to hear how he got on in his first classes. He gave some wrong answers in Irish which made everyone laugh. His history teacher did an interesting rap about Christopher Columbus. He won a French quiz meaning he had no homework last night (I call shenanigans!), and his music teacher told us he had never heard Vinny speak until he was on the radio! You can catch a repeat of all this on Saturday morning's show. Tomorrow morning, we'll find out what happened when he was sent to the Principal's office!

Random video of the day is one of those videos you really shouldn't laugh at, but you can't help it. My question is.... why did nobody help this woman?!




The Big Hard One
Clue: A one word answer, Remove all the rest. Three you can keep, Gold kind is best. Match you can too, not one to spare. Nail with a hammer, a pose if you dare.
Ans: Strike

Going For a Song
Clue: Clever humour, a leg joint and NASA's mission control - female rules over dark time of day.
The answer is here.

Back tomorrow from ten to seven!
N.

Vinny B Goes Back To School! Day One

Dia duit! Bonjour!

These are just some of the languages I spoke today as part of my first day Back To School! It was a strange day, sitting in a classroom environment once again after all these years but, given it was with all of my old teachers, there was something instantly familiar about it. Just a short time sat in one of those chairs is enough to bring back a lot of memories. I was half expecting my chair to get foot-nudged from behind by a mate, or to look down and see my schoolbag being whipped away...all of the things you did as you messed around in the classroom years ago. So, overall, there was a definite air of nostalgia.

I started day one in a classroom of first year students and my old Irish teacher Mr O'Connell. I thought it would be a nice easy start to the whole experience but not so! It turns out I don't remember as many Irish words as I used to! And I learned some new ones...like teach leathscoite, which means semi-detached house, and árasán whch is apartment! As you can see, there was a theme to today's lesson!

After Irish, I sat in history with the school principal, Mr Lillis and we learned about Christopher Columbus and his voyage west! We all know what happened when Columbus went west but if you don't, then you should listen to tomorrow's Beat Breakfast when Mr Lillis explains all in his rap! I kid you not! You'll also get to hear how Vinny B fared in his exams way back as his old history teacher dishes the dirt on yours truly.

Next it was music with Mr Glynn and a class of giddy first years! We listened to, and identified, instruments of the orchestra such as the oboe, clarinet, bassoon and flute. If you tune in to the show tomorrow, you'll also hear proof from my music teacher just how gifted I was on the recorder!

Oh, I won the French lotto! I kick serious derriere in french class! I scored maximum points in the aural exercise but, for some reason, I couldn't name the basic colours! I'll have to brush up on my rouge et noir (I can't believe I couldn't remember the french word for black!) But the highlight of the day was when we played Lotto (which was really bingo) where Ms Wall called out numbers in french and we crossed them off our cards. The promise was the winner would get no homework and guess what! I won! I was the first to cover all my numbers and shout "LOTTO!" in a french accent! Success. So that's the reason I've no homework to do. And I won't hear any complaints from Power or O'Neill! Rules is rules!

I have one more day to go, of course, and I think I'm starting tomorrow with Home Economics! I don't think it's a cookery class, though, so you'll just have to believe men when I tell you I'm as good in the kitchen as I am at speaking French. Also, I may get the chance to justify Mr Glynn's claims that I was a recorder prodigy when I visit the music room again. For now, though I say au revoir agus slán!

VB

P.S. There will be pics uploaded in due course...I forgot to bring the right cable for my camera to Adamstown. That's right...Im back in the big city for the night. Gotta go! Have to spend some quality time! Byeeeeeee!

Tuesday's show

First things first.... the pic today is supposedly Jesus pictured on a toilet door in the Glasgow branch of Ikea. You can make out the bearded face, and the long flowing hair.

There has been huge debate about whether it is the Son of God, or whether in fact it's Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, or even Benny from Abba! You can decide yourself.

Today was Vinny's first day back at school. We spoke to him as he waited outside for his first class. He was quite surprised that many students were having early morning coffees as they waited for school to start. It's all very Summer Bay.

Vinny will be updating here later on how he got on today in his first school classes since 1999. We will have all the audio from his first day on tomorrow's Beat Breakfast. I'm hoping they still give wedgies in school :P

Today's random video of the day is pretty cool. Make sure you watch it if you haven't seen it. Although I'm getting slightly sick of "I Got A Feeling" from the Black Eyed Peas (who is still buying this record?!), they did a special performance of it for Oprah's first show of the season.


Some other stuff from today's show...

• How much would Madonna need to pay you to go out with her?
• Expect more balloons this weekend!
• Who should present RTE's new Saturday night show?

Our big competition all this week is with Party World in Tramore. We're looking for you to tell us your Halloween horror stories, particularly when it comes to costumes. Deirdre from Kilkenny had a great story this morning. She wins a 50 quid voucher, and at the end of the week, we'll be giving away a Halloween party pack worth 450 euro. It's huge - I took a picture of it in reception this morning.....
Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: I can jump from the highest to the lowest place, But the bottom is what I chase. Do not fear me, for what I am is yours to take, Just don't jump with me, for your sake. What am I?
Ans: A waterfall!

Back tomorrow at 6.50am!
N.

Hey it's VB!

So, it's the night before I go back to school which is weird because, as I recall, I usually went back to school on my birthday. I also used to have to plan more than two days ahead. Anyhoo...tomorrow I return to my old secondary school - Coláiste Abbain in Adamstown, Co. Wexford. I'm a little nervous about it but also excited. It will be very strange to sit in a classroom again with my old teachers and have to listen as they talk about stuff that I used to know but feel certain I've completely forgotten. I've just had a look at my timetable and I think it's Irish first with English, Maths, French and Music also on the agenda over the course of my visit. I might even get some metalwork under my belt but maybe it's safer I stay out of the workshop if I'm as bad as I remember with power-tools. Maybe Home Ec would be safer! :)

I'll be talking to Niall and Mary on the show tomorrow so tune in early to hear how I get on as I prepare for my first day back! I'll also be updating here again so check back soon! Now, where's my pencil case?

Talk y'ya!

VB

X Factor Mania

So much to talk about after the X Factor this week! We'll start with Whitney... poor old Whitney. Aside from the wardrobe malfunction halfway through, she seemed... how can I put it without being sued... exuberant. Poor Dermot didn't know how to handle her.

I'd love to know what's on offer in the X Factor green room, what with Robbie last week, and Whitney this week. Some listeners were angry at the message these displays are sending out to young viewers.

Myself and Mary are still arguing over Danyl. She wants him to win, but I'd happily see him out next week. Me, I'm backing Joe and Stacey who I really enjoy. Most people thought Cheryl did pretty well, but there was one act that shone brightly this week... Jedward! Say what you like about them, but they've got balls.
In case you missed their performance...



We also talked about the internet - and the most annoying things about it. Stuff like buffering, pop up ads.. and those annoying log-ins where you have to enter an indecipherable word. Check out the full Top 50 here.

Some other stuff from today's show....

• Liverpool aren't winning because the players aren't kissing!
• What's your comfort food?
• Long legs are on the way out!

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: Soldiers lined up spaced with pride, Two long rows lined side by side. One sole unit can decide, If the rows will unite or divide. Tell me, tell me, scream it out. What's the thing I talk about?
Ans: A zipper.

Going For A Song
Clue: Tender loving care without the clothing to perform surgery.
The answer is here.

Back tomorrow at 6.50am!
N.

The weekend has landed

We spoke of the ouija board on the show this morning - following on from the news that a theme park in the UK has had problems since the staff used one.

Many Beat Breakfast listeners swear that they have had scary experiences after doing the ouija board. Although, my favourite comment of the morning was the listener who once used a "Luigi Board". It conjures up images of a small Italian man answering yes or no to certain questions. We might explore this topic more near Halloween.

We also announced the winner of our Beautyteam.ie pamper package. It was a really tough decision, but in the end, we chose an email from Anne Marie who nominated her workmate, Pat. Pat has had a tough year following the death of her daughter, and she has taken on the task of raising her little daughter, so everyone is in agreement that she deserves a little pampering!

Other stuff from today's show...

• Pointless study of the week
• Something for everyone in this story
• A sad day for the music industry

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: To rich and poor we useful are; And yet for our reward, By both at last we're thrown away, Without the least regard.
Ans: Shoes

Going For a Song
Clue: Plane recording equipment travels upon chronological concept
The answer is here.

Next week on the show, Vinny goes back to school - and we play "My costume is sheeeet"
N.

Back To School - Day 2

A pretty good day at school today. It began with school mass, held in St. John's Church. This was a chance to get off the school campus for a while. I had good craic with the 1st year lads on the walk down, although I had my singular most depressing moment of the whole back to school experience. One of the lads asked me what year I left Waterpark, and when I told him 1996, he fell around the place laughing and told me that was the year he was born in.

After mass, I spent some time with the careers guidance counsellor, Mr. O'Reilly. We had a chat about all the options available to young people nowadays. I was expecting him to tell me I should be an accountant (I think I was born to be an accountant), but he said that radio was a good career as it was obvious that I loved it, and everyone should strive to find a career they love.

Next up was my geography test based on what I had learned in class yesterday. Miss Walsh gave me the test, which I thought was really easy. However, I hadn't counted on Miss Walsh being such a tough marker, so I didn't get the 100% I was expecting. Instead I got a B which I suppose is decent enough. There is a pic of my test paper above.

Next up was the dreaded P.E. I was told to report to Mr. Byrne at 11.48, but I hadn't brought any P.E. gear so I knew I had to think of some way out of it. I asked some of the lads for good excuses, and unfortunately, the best I could come up with was that I was "allergic to grass". I forged a note (which is pictured above), but it didn't go down too well with Mr. Byrne. You can hear his reaction on tomorrow's Beat Breakfast.

After that, I sat in on the Rugby Development Committee meeting to find out about the work that they do, I explored the catering section, and I had a final review with the Principal, Mr Beecher.

Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Waterpark. Far from being the terrifying place I thought it would be, it was a pleasure to sit in and work with some of the students. They are a great bunch of lads, and were friendly, helpful and respectful. I have a new found respect for the teachers aswell. Whilst I have been critical of teachers in the past for the wonderful holidays they have, these guys do a tough job and when you see all the extra activities they are involved in outside teaching hours, you understand that they really are trying to get the best out of the young men that attend Waterpark.

Finally, a huge thanks to Mr Beecher and Mr Carberry for their hospitality and hard work. Thanks to Miss Walsh for letting me play an active role in her Geography class, to Florian for the loan of the book, and to Mr. Keegan for making it clear to the South East that I could be an X Factor winner if I just applied myself!

Back in studio with all the reports tomorrow at 6.50am.

N

Back To School - Day 1

What a day! I had forgotten how busy school is - you always have to be somewhere, or be going somewhere. I wasn't particularly nervous this morning. I had visited the school twice last week to meet the Principal and the teachers, so I think I got the nerves out of the way then.

First thing today, I met the senior rugby team. They were getting on a bus to go to Bandon to play. I will be honest - I seriously considered hopping on the bus and heading off for a day to watch the rugby. However, the fear of actually being asked to play put me off the idea. What if they didn't have enough subs, and I was asked to tog out? I personally believe that people who look like Josh Hartnett/Keanu Reeves/Kevin Bacon shouldn't be at the bottom of a maul getting their head stood on.

So reluctantly, I hit off to my first class - Geography. Today, we were dealing with metamorphic rocks. My ignorance of rocks was displayed earlier in the morning on the breakfast show when I told the others that I thought igneous rocks was the man who founded the Christian Brothers. Anyway, I sat in silence for the first ten minutes trying desperately to remember anything about marble and quartzite. The teacher told us that quartzite is often found in crucibels - which are things that you would use in a science lab, not what you might see on the wall of the church, as I discovered later. Eventually Miss Walsh asked me to read aloud - which is something I'm good at. It all ended on a sour note though when she revealed there would be a test tomorrow, so I have to study tonight.

I went to first year assembly, where I discovered more about the mentor system, the student council, and the cinema trip next week! I also spent some time with the Special Needs Assistants to find out about the work that they do. This type of support wasn't available when I attended school. And I had a lovely chat with Francis Xavier Keegan who has been in Waterpark for many, many years. He taught me, my brother and my father - and I used to be in his choir. Anyway, there is a school mass in the morning, and I have been asked to rejoin the choir for one last hurrah! And to think people scoff at my singing voice....

So, that's day one. Wish me well with the Geography test tomorrow!
N.

Howya!

I hope you enjoy today's Pic of the Day. It's one of those separated-at- birth pictures comparing Vinny with Postman Pat. What do you think?!

Today's show featured a lot of discussion on X Factor. Is Danyl too cocky? Is Stacey playing up the gombeen-ness? How crap was Robbie? Should Alexandra have sung live?

The only thing most people agreed on was that Stacey and Joe were very strong based on the first week's performance. Next week, Cheryl and Whitney Houston perform. I can't wait!

Today was also International Moment of Frustration Scream Day! So, we looked at those moments that make you scream with frustration. Mine is waiting - waiting on people and things to happen. I can't stand it. Vinny mentioned slow walkers, particularly those with buggies. And Mary hated trying to get a key on or off a keyring.

Random Video of the Day!
Today's video of the day is an optical illusion to keep you entertained!




Other stuff from today's show....

• Want bigger boobs? Meet Dave 'The Mind Persuader" Knight!
• Greatest alien movie ever made?
• What not to do the night before your wedding.

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: What day would tomorrow be if yesterday was five days before the day after Sunday's tomorrow?
Ans: Saturday!

Going For a Song
Clue: Reddish brown quintet with a particular emotion
The answer is here

Talk to you in the morning for Back to School Day!
N.

Life's Modern Mysteries

It seems there are two types of women - those that think Russell Brand is the absolute bees knees, and those who wouldn't spit on him.

We had fun on this morning's show talking about life's modern mysteries - and number 3 on the list was "what women see in Russell Brand". I don't get it either. Also in the top five was "why Cheryl Cole is still with Ashley" and the top answer was foreign call centres.

My own personal choice would be "why people still watch Lost". A listener suggested "why people leave a used teabag on the sink when there's a bin within five feet".

We also talked about sexy hobbies. A new survey has revealed that if you want a date, you need to get on your bike as many women think cycling is a more romantic hobby than most other sports. I wonder if the girls want you to wear the lycra aswell.

Mary was back with us this morning after her two day spell in St Brendan's National School in Muckalee. Her story is below, and you can hear all the audio from it on the podcasting section of the Beat website.

Some other stuff from today's show....

• Who is vainer? Blondes or brunettes?
• Malteser.... Hearing Aid....... Mmmm!
• If this is all a stunt, they should both be burned at stakes.

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: I am a pet that is always found lying flat on the ground. What am I?
Ans: A carpet.

Going For A Song
Clue: Daily restaurant offers, spirit settlement.
The answer is here.

Back tomorrow with all the Friday stuff!
N.

Mary's thoughts after her back-to-school experience

Well what a fun couple of days I have had. Following on from yesterday's Maths quiz extravaganza, our brains were tested again today, this time on the metric system. I've come to the realisation that my 'spatial awareness' is not the best, as Mr Cummins asked us to gauge various measurements, including the length and width of the classroom, and the distance between Kilkenny and Mayo. My answers were way off to say the least, so I'm glad I didn't opt for a career in Engineering or the likes. We also had our homework corrected, which led to a bit of confusion as I had actually completed the wrong Irish exercise. However I redeemed myself at the last minute and manage to get the actual assignment done before Mr Cummins came round to correct it. The highlight of the school day was definitely when the kids of 5th and 6th class sang 'The Court of King Caractacus' for Gail and me. Tune into Beat Breakfast in the morning to catch a recording of it.

All in all, I had a really lovely experience in Muckalee, and am glad to note that kids today are just like we were and treated Gail and me with the utmost respect and good manners. Thanks again also to Principal and 5th and 6th class teacher Kevin Cummins and all the lovely staff at St Brendans NS.

Holiday flings and skinny jeans

This is a frog. Mary doesn't like big frogs.. as we discovered on Beat Breakfast this morning.

It seems a frog managed to get into the staff room at St Brendan's in Muckalee, and Mary wasn't much use in getting it out. Instead, some little girls dealt with it.

Mary has been having lots of fun back at school. You can read more about it here, and hear all the bits from this morning's show on our podcast session on the Beat website.

Mary is back with us in studio tomorrow sharing her thoughts on the school experience!

Some other stuff from today's show...

• No holiday is complete without a fling!
• Strangest request ever.
• Good Luck Road leads to awfully bad luck.

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: I can be written, I can be spoken, I can be exposed, I can be broken. What am I?
Ans: News

Going For A Song
Clue: Fourth letter and master of ceremonies proceed quickly by steps in a particular style.
The answer is here.

Talk tomorrow,
N.

Mary's first day in school

Despite feeling like a giant, today went really well out in Muckalee NS. Our first subject of the day was Irish so I was thrown into the thick of things pretty quickly. I was put amongst fifth class at a table with Helena and Denis on either side of me, and we were tested on Irish verbs by adding them into sentences... that was ok but I was glad of the prompter words in the notebook!

Mr Cummins then moved onto English, where we were doing the 'ough' and 'augh' words, like 'enough', 'laugh', 'plough' and 'though', which all, confusingly, have different sounds. Our task was to put as many of the words into a sentence as we could. Our sentence at the table was 'I thought my mother was distraught, as I was naughty and coughed on the cookie dough, just for the laugh' - so that's six of those words altogether when you count them up.

Maths next, we had a tables test, where the girls were pitted against the boys. I got to the final, but was beaten by Maths whizz Sophie who is a pretty keen multiplier. She got 50 points for her table so I missed out there.

We had an incident which involved a wild creature finding his way into the school... some of the girls were heroic in dealing with it - listen to Beat Breakfast tomorrow morning to hear all!

All in all I enjoyed my day, but the highlight for me was history, after the little break, when we learned the story of how the Normans came to Ireland and then we were divided into groups of four to act it out in a play. I played the part of one of the defeated Irish in the army who was slain by a ruthless Norman. Mel Gibson eat your heart out!

Check out the pics from today's classroom, and a big thanks to Mr Cummins and all the pupils and staff at St Brendans NS Muckalee for making us feel so welcome.

Right, I'm off to do my homework....

Mary's thoughts ahead of going back to school

So tomorrow I will don the closest things I could find in my wardrobe to school uniform attire, pack a lunch, put a copy book and pencil case into my little bag, and as though I were 10 again, head to school for the day. I honestly don't really know what to expect because my memories of the typical day in fifth and sixth class are pretty scant at this stage - as Niall frequently likes to point out, 'tis neither today nor yesterday that I was a primary school child. I'm probably most nervous about sitting amongst a group of school kids and feeling self-conscious as hell. Although it will be good to feel tall for a change! I also hope I don't make a holy show of myself by failing to answer some of the most basic English, Irish and Maths questions. Music and Art should be fun though. Tune into Beat Breakfast tomorrow morning to hear how it's all going, and I'll update again.. If I've survived the school yard that is ;-)

Monday's show

So, today we had all the details of our Back to School plan! Basically, we often wondered what it would be like to be back in lessons at our old school. And from this week, we're going to find out!

Mary is first - tomorrow and Wednesday she'll be attending St. Brendan's National School in Muckalee - and she'll be finding out what it's like to be in primary school. Mary will be keeping us updated on the show, and also updating here - so keep your eyes peeled!

We'll also be attending after school music lessons in the coming weeks - with the guys at Flying Fingers music school in Waterford. Find out more about them here.

We also had a visit from the Coronas to the Beat Breakfast studio. The lads' new album went to Number Three in the Album Charts this weekend. You can see a pic of the lads with us below. In the meantime, here is their new video....


Some other stuff from today's show:-

• The phrase "money can't buy you class" was never truer
  
• The last thing you want in your bunch of bananas!
• This would scare you a little at 30,000 feet!

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: What has four legs but only one foot?
Ans: A bed!

Going For A Song
Clue: Stone celebrity with reverse of five cent coin
The answer is here.

Back tomorrow at 6.50am
N.

The Coronas pay a visit to Beat Breakfast!

Beat Breakfast - PPI National Radio Award Winner 2009

FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's Friday. That is a good thing. Was it just me, or did this week seem like a LOOOONG week?

We had all the usual Friday stuff today. Cheese or No Cheese was won by No Cheese this week... Manic Street Preachers with "Design For Life."

Beat the Bomb was won by Simon from Carlow who got 8 this morning, and won the stack of cds. Next week, we have prizes from Ella's Beauty Salon for everyone who plays Beat the Bomb!

Today was also Name Your Car Day. As we know, Mary currently drives a car called Oskar. Niall from Tipp wanted help from the Beat Breakfast Crew in naming his VW van, and we have christened it Wolfgang!

Other stuff from today's show....

• Be wary of dating a Paul or a Catherine!
• Celebrity couple of the year?
• You'd never know what you might get out of the Minister's Hole!

Back Monday with the Coronas in studio, and all the news on us going back to school!
N.

Things that go bump in the night....

Somehow today we got onto the topic of ghost stories. With Halloween approaching, it seemed that everybody had a story to tell - and quite frankly, some of the stories were spine chilling.

Today's pic of the day is recognised as one of the best ghost pictures ever taken. There's an amazing story behind this picture and you can read all about it here.

Anyway, we've decided to do some very special shows in the lead up to Halloween this year. There is obviously a lot of interest out there, so we're going to look into spending some time at the haunted Carlow Shopping Centre, and also find out more about the history of the very scary Loftus Hall.

Speaking of Loftus Hall, here's our random video of the day....


Other stuff from today's show....

• A girl gets dumped by a telegraph pole
• Kevin Webster ain't happy!
• Another Top Gear disaster story

Vinny's Big Hard One
Clue: I run a dozen times faster than him. He runs all day, twice around the place.
Ans: The hands of a clock (I am the minute hand, he is the hour hand)

Going For a Song
Clue: Divide every bit of fossil fuel and defend particular emotion
The answer is here.

All the usual Friday stuff tomorrow, with loadsa stuff to be won!
N.