The Nine O'Clock Show

'Preparing for Life' is a programme to help build parents' confidence and help prepare children from infancy to school. Sue Cullen joined us to speak about the organisation along with Sharyn Ward, who was a beneficiary of the programme.

The former England striker Michael Owen and his son James talk about his diagnosis with Stargardt disease. "Football is for Everyone" is a new documentary on TNT Sports on January 30th. It looks into the world of sight loss and football.

"Breakdown" is Cathy Sweeney's debut novel. It follows a middle-aged woman who on the surface has everything though decides to leave home. Mostly she's fed up with being nice to her family and everyone else she meets.

Martin Glynn is the man behind the DIY Academy. He is a carpenter by trade and believes everyone can learn the basics of DIY. Further information on thediyacademy.ie

Park HIIT, high intensity training in Dublin offers free workouts in local parks. It's a social enterprise set up by Brian Crooke to offer resistance training outside of the gym. Also see parkhiit on instagram and workwellireland.ie

Fionnula Flanagan ahead of performing in John B Keane’s “Sive”, 2FM presenter Tracy Clifford previews must-see music festivals, former model and presenter Michelle Doherty talks openly about infertility, London Irish woman, Jacqui O'Donovan on heading the family business at 19 and a Dublin firefighter on saving his fellow GAA player.

2FM presenter Tracy Clifford previews the must-see festivals at home and abroad for the year ahead.

Hollie Service-Thorpe and Erin Hayes are fifth year students at Roscommon Community College. Their project was one of the 550 on display at the RDS for the BT Young Scientist. "Tagged Wall and Teenage Tales" looks at bathroom graffiti and how they changed it in their school.

Michelle Doherty talks honestly and openly about infertility and the decision to go to rehab. The former model and Xposé presenter now lives in Australia.

Fionnula Flanagan has appeared in everything from Ulysses to the Others, from the Guard to Star Trek. She's currently in rehearsals for John B. Keane's "Sive" at the Gaiety, running from January 27th - March 16th.

Terri spoke to Shay on Friday's show about her husband Diarmuid losing his wallet. She tells Shay what happened since.

Jacqui O'Donovan became managing director of the family business at 19 years of age. Her family roots are very much in West Cork. The business was set-up by her father when her parents moved to London, now the UK's largest independent waste management company.

Firefighter Paul Moore was on hand to help a fellow GAA player, Derek O'Connor when he had a sudden cardiac arrest last September in Fairview Park.

Terri talks to Shay about an unexpected event and the kindness of others.

On this week's show Shay was joined by, Jackie Lynam on her 50 at 50 list, the inventor of a sensory hub, Matt Zarb-Cousin, a recovering problem gambler and director of Clean Up Gambling in the UK, the boss of Nebraska University Volleyball talks women's sports here and Paul Murphy who found a passion for antique restoration, later in life.

Shay brought us on a trip down memory lane on yesterday's show with the mention of phone boxes. Paul Murphy is a former engineer, with a passion for repurposing phone boxes. While Eimear still has a phone card collection.

Volleyball is big business at the University of Nebraska. 92,003 Nebraska fans set the world attendance record for a female sporting event last year. Director of Operations, Lindsay Peterson discusses the latest research which found despite support of Irish women's sports, the attendance figures are low in comparison.

Ireland's oldest city continues to charm. Both, the New York Times and Conde Nast magazine named Waterford as a must-see destination for 2024. Former director of The Waterford Treasures museums, Eamon McEneaney talks to Shay.

Matt Zarb-Cousin is a recovering problem gambler. He is the Director of Clean Up Gambling in the UK and co-founder of the "Gamban App", which blocks gambling apps and sites on your phone.

David McIntyre inventor of the "Cubbie" was on yesterday's show. Kate Healy of the Mayo library service talks to Shay about the benefits of having a "Cubbie" sensory hub for library users.

Mayo man David McIntyre came up with an idea that would make the school day easier for countless children, including his own children. Cubbie is a self-contained hub which is adapted for the sensory needs of each user.

Jackie Lynam turned 50 at the end of last year. Her 50 at 50 list sees her making it a year to remember, with a nod to the significant milestone, whether it's a walk at the Blessington Basin or theatre visit with friends. "Traces" is Jackie's essay and poetry collection.

On this week's show, Shay Byrne was joined by a Limerick woman who found her dream job as a screenwriter, Mark Wogan, the former chef and now broadcaster talks about his foodie podcast "Spooning" and a woman who discovered that her family history connected her to a nineteenth century shipwreck off the coast of Cork.

Rowena Riley's family research brought her to the nineteenth century and the Joseph Sprott shipwreck off the West Cork coast.

As the son of a famous broadcaster, Mark Wogan initially shied away from broadcasting. Now the former chef has made a foodie podcast. "Spooning" challenges guests food likes and dislikes in novel ways.

Niteline is a confidential student support line. The student-led service provides a listening service to many universities and colleges on issues from mental health to loneliness. Further information available from niteline.ie

Robyn Byrne led the Irish Women's team to victory at the the World Darts Federation World Cup in October. The darts captain tells us what to expect from Luke Littler ahead of the World Championship final at the Ally Pally tonight.

The "Hometown Architect" puts the spotlight on local towns and villages having their own architect. Mark Ruddy's project was granted €10,000 for his hometown of Belmullett. Further details from reimagineplace.ie/open-call/

Sinéad Collopy found her dream job. She swapped a career as a social worker for screenwriting. Hidden Assets and Smother are amongst her writing credits. While "Every Five Miles" looks at trafficking and is available on the RTÉ player.

Randel Hodkinson is a third-generation ecclesiastical decorator. His great great grandfather James Hodkinson set up the business in 1852. Meticulous archiving of his restoration designs have ensured the tradition lives on to this day with Randel and his sons.

Brendan Courtney was joined by Paddy O’Brien who helps the homeless, harpist Marina Cassidy and music therapy, Fiona O'Regan on helping others at Christmas time, pilot Laura Russell became the first Irish female to take part in the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships and Jacqui Smith of Tusla talks about how to become a foster carer.

Brendan is feeling the Christmas cheer as he tests Matthew and Laura on their Christmas knowledge to win €100 of Just Eat vouchers.

Jacqui Smith is the National Fostering Lead for Tusla. She talks to Brendan about how to become a foster carer. Further information from Tusla.ie or call 1800 226 771.

Laura Russell became the first Irish female to take part in the World Advanced Aerobatic Championships last month in Las Vegas.

Jamie Farrell is the owner of Costcutter in Tyrellspass and a staff nurse in Jame's Hospital. Despite a busy workload, he will deliver free cooked Christmas dinners to 221 families in Westmeath and Offally this Christmas.

Alfie shares his mother's letter to his aunt, dated 6th of November 1948. He chats to Brendan about bygone times when turkeys, geese and bacon were posted to family living abroad.

"The Art of the Stitch" exhibition honours Maude Kearney, one of the driving forces behind Limerick lace. Grania McElligott has now donated hundreds of her grandmother's pieces to Limerick Museum. The exhibition runs until 31st January 2024.

On Monday's show Brendan spoke to Paddy O'Brien in Cork about older people and loneliness. Fiona O'Regan was inspired to get in touch with her local nursing home ahead of the Christmas period.

Marina Cassidy is a renowned Irish harpist, a vocalist and music therapist. Her lifelong love of music led to helping patients through the profound effect of music therapy.

Sara tells Brendan about her family's Christmas tradition. The "Pineapple Sweepstake" is a Christmas Day tradition passed down from generation to generation.

Paddy O'Brien has been advocating for the elderly for over 60 years. He spoke to Brendan about this work and how everyone can help their neighbours this Christmas.

Founded in 1892, Jackie Leonard and Sons is one of the country's oldest fruit and veg wholesalers. Justin Leonard is the fourth generation of the family to run the business and he joined Brendan to talk about produce, the old markets and the best way to prepare sprouts.

Dr Marion McGarry, a lecturer at the Atlantic Technological University in Galway and author of “Irish Customs and Rituals”, explains the Irish traditions we turn to in the dark winter months.

Valerie called in to to celebrate her recently retired postman Michael

On this week's show: A Facebook group designed to keep women safe while dating in New York; Dearbháil Lawless on the role education has played in her life; Ali Wheeler told us how her knicker designs ended up in a Jean Paul Gaultier ad; Oscar longlisted short film director Lochlainn McKenna and Dr Marion McGarry on Christmas traditions and customs.