Newstalk Weekend

Whether you loved it or hated it, the TV series Neighbours found its way into the hearts of many Irish viewers, and gave a number of A-listers the start to their career. The landmark show came to an end this week after nearly 40 years on air and so Newstalk reporter Henry McKean got the thoughts of Irish-Australians and Ramsay Street fans to discuss the impact of its legacy.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of Maeve Binchy’s passing. From her columns in the Irish Times to her beloved bestselling books to the blockbuster Hollywood adaptions of her novels, Maeve was one of the most astounding literary chroniclers of 20th century Ireland. To pay tribute to Maeve, Tom is joined by authors Patricia Scanlon and Henrietta McKervey.

For this week's installment of Kickstart Your Weekend, Tom is joined by Joey Kavanagh, organizer of 'The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever' - an event held at locations around the world each July, where participants gather en masse to recreate the music video for musician Kate Bush's 1978 song 'Wuthering Heights'.

Joining Tom Dunne to go through some of the main stories that were making the headlines throughout the week is Richard Chambers, News Correspondent with Virgin Media News & author and playwright Amanda Brunker.

Joining Stefanie Preissner for this week's episode of Ask the Expert is Dr. Mary O’Kane, Lecturer in Psychology and author of  'Perfectly Imperfect Parenting: Connection Not Perfection' who answered your questions on parenting and child development.

Speaking to a delegation from the National Press Club of Australia on Wednesday, Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, appealed to the Irish diaspora to return and “be part of a new Ireland that we must build”. To discuss the reception the Sinn Fein leader has received in Australia as part of a tour of Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Andrew Tillett, Vice President of the National Press Club of Australia & journalist for the Australian Financial Review.

Galway and Kerry fans are taking the bus, train, and plane to Dublin this weekend ahead of the All-Ireland Football Final. But it seems the costly hotel prices recorded in the capital has discouraged some fans from staying the night as Newstalk’s Aoife Kearns found out.

Joining Stefanie Preissner to Kickstart Your Weekend is Michael Moloney, Chief Executive of Galway Races.

This week Brad Pitt caused quite the stir as he arrived at the Berlin premiere of his upcoming film, Bullet Train, sporting a knee-length skirt. But why is it that men wearing certain pieces of clothing attract such attention anyway and where do these ideas of who-wears-what come from? To discuss, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Dr. Ashley Morgan, Senior Lecturer in the School of Art and Design at Cardiff Metropolitan University & Newstalk's Simon Tierney.

Joining Stefanie Preissner to run through the top news stories from the week is Geraldine Herbert, Sunday Independent Motoring Editor & author, Dave Rudden. Also joining Stefanie to discuss a shake-up of Ireland’s pension system is Cliff Tayor, Managing editor of The Irish Times.