First up today we spoke to Brian Iredale, founder and CEO of the A to Z Children's Charity. Brian told us how he fell for Uganda - and his future wife - while cycling 3,000 miles around the region. Returning to Ireland, Brian decided to set up a charity to support Ugandan children affected by HIV.

A to Z has a range of programmes from sponsoring a child's education, to helping build a HIV clinic. 50% of children born with HIV will be dead by their second birthday.

Irish Olympic boxer Kenny Egan is taking part in an exciting trek and home-building project for a fornight this June and July. There are still spaces available so if you fancy trekking around the amazing UNESCO World Heritage site the Mountains of the Moon in Uganda, check out the details here.

We had the beautiful Nadia Ford on the show talking to us about what it is like being Irelands most wanted model. She was funny, friendly and works extremely hard at what she does (could we be any more jealous). She told Girls Talk Back that modelling was never a huge dream of hers and puts all her success down to having a pushy granny who wanted the best for her!!! Her plans for 2010 are to continue on with modelling, continuing to work hard and maybe if she is lucky get to Vegas at some point (although she admitted to not being much of a party girl and prefers to sit in with her boyfriend and friends)!!! GTB wish Nadia all the best for 2010 and look forward to hearing more from her in the near future.GTB sense maybe she might ditch the blonde and go dark brown soon......you heard it here first people :-)

GTB had the pleasure of speaking to owner Sinead Deegan from http://www.muttugly.com/

Muttugly is every pet and owners dream shop!!It is 'a little piece of heaven for cats, dogs and owners of all shapes, sizes & peculiarities'. They offer grooming; day care and home stay services and stock a range of fun, fashionable products that also serve a real functional need for your pet. They also provide a grooming school service which offers a range of training courses from professional grooming qualifications to just for fun courses.
If there is anything you need for your beloved four legged friend Muttugly are bound to have it!! There are two Muttugly branches one in Ringsend and one in Ranelagh and make sure to stop in and say hi to Murphy when you get there...he is the local celeb!!!

If you would like to find out even more about MuttUgly just visit http://www.muttugly.com/


Showbiz News
It was none stop awards over the weekend and amazing Glamour!! The RDS held the tenth annual Meteor Awards hosted by the beautiful Amanda Byram.

Guests on GTB ‘The Coronas’ won an award on the night much to their surprise (but not ours!!) beating none other than U2 and Snow Patrol. Westlife won best Irish pop act for the tenth year in a row…no stopping these guys!!

A surprise appearance from Castleknock-out Colin Farrell made GTBs night (no doubt every other women in Ireland also). The list of performing artists on the night included Dizzee Rascal, Pixie Lott, Paolo Nutini, The Script, The Temper Trap and Westlife and how could anyone forget the amazing Florence and the Machines who opened the show!! The night was a huge success and judging by the fact that it sold out by early February this year you would probably want to start trying to get your tickets for next year ASAP!!!

Saturday night at the Burlington Hotel the Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) welcomed Ireland’s creative talent from the world of film and television. They proudly celebrated the Irish industry’s achievements both at home and abroad. Nominees included Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Saoirse Ronan, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Aidan Quinn, Ciarán Hinds, Amy Huberman, Sarah Bolger to name but a few.

The Winners on the night were

Best Film

The Eclipse - Robert Walpole, Rebecca O'Flanagan (Treasure Entertainment)
Director Film

Jim Sheridan - Brothers (Lionsgate)
Script Film

Billy Roche, Conor McPherson - The Eclipse (Treasure Entertainment)
Actor in a Lead Role - Film

Colin Farrell - Ondine (Octagon Films)
Actress in a Lead Role - Film

Saoirse Ronan - The Lovely Bones (Paramount)
Actor in a Supporting Role - Film

Aidan Quinn - The Eclipse (Treasure Entertainment)
Actress in a Supporting Role - Film

Dervla Kirwan - Ondine (Octagon Films)
Best International Film

The Hurt Locker
Pantene Best International Actress Award - People's Choice *

Meryl Streep - It's Complicated

GTB best dressed goes to Ms Saoirse Ronan who looked beautiful in Burberry!!! Saoirse also choose to wear Burberry to the Bafta awards which took place on Sunday night!! Celebrity ad campaign in the future perhaps anyone..........

A YouTube Sensation On GTB This Week!

First up on GTB this week we had the pleasure of chatting to Amy Dillon in the GTB studio. Amy is an Irish YouTube sensation, a self taught make-up artist, a talented painter and now has her own amazing website www.makeupandbeauty.ie. Check it out ppl! How did this all come about?? Well she first began by uploading her make-up lessons onto YouTube after being inspired by an aticle she read. She posted her first video onto YouTube when she got so annoyed over how badly her skin reacted to a certain product.

She began regularly uploading videos to YouTube in 2009 which have been hit over 700,000 times and she now has well over 13,000 subscribers. Sensational or what. YouTube then approached Amy to make her a YouTube partner, dazzledust25 where she now has her own channel. You could litrelly spend the whole day on her website www.makeupandbeauty.ie it’s that amazing.

GTB love her laid back approach and her videos are so honest, real, genuine and personal. Girls with all types of issues can relate to the things that Amy talks about. GTB have learnt so much from watching her videos and we think she is amazing for filling such a much needed niche. There are also clever, inexpensive and natural ideas on her website. All you need to do is raid your fridge and kitchen presses for ingredients. Get out the porridge ppl!!!

DUBLIN EVENTS

FANCY A FLICK?

There are some cracking events coming up in Dublin city centre over the next week or so - and here's our selection:

The annual Jameson Dublin Film Festival gets under way on silver screens across the city this week, running from this Thursday, the 18th, until the 28th of February.

You'd want to move really quickly if you're hoping to get tickets at this stage and some of the higher-profile films have long been sold out. Colin Farrell will be attending the screening of Ondine, along with director Neil Jordan on Thursday night at the Savoy on O'Connell St. Unfortunately, that's one of the sold-out shows! But if you linger outside, you might catch a glimpse of the lads as they makes their way in. (Here's hoping...)

MORE LOVE!!!

And if you didn't get enough romance over Valentine's weekend, the Science Gallery at Trinity College has an interesting exhibition for the next few weeks called LOVE LAB: THE SCIENCE OF DESIRE

Some of the activities sound really bizarre, such as Scentsational. In this experiment you can smell a worn T-shirt and take a sniff test to see if you find the hormone scents pleasant, odourless or repulsive. Hmmm.... We're not so sure we'd enjoy that one, sounds like a bit of a risk!
There's also another experiment called Average Face. Right... Well this involves stepping into a special photo booth and having your picture taken. Then you can look through the gallery's collection of photos and see which features you find most attractive, and you can add your own photo to the collection. The experiment is questioning if good looking is really attractive or if average is the new aspiration.

Opening hours and other details for visitors here.

WITNESS TO WAR: the War of Independence and Civil War through the lens of WD Hogan

The latest exhibition at the National Photographic Archive, Meeting House Sq, Temple Bar from 16 January 2010 until May 2010, is well worth a visit.

Taken by photographer WD Hogan, this exhibition has some really fabulous shots, particular of Black n Tan officers posted around Dublin.


Hogan had the official sanction of Sinn Féin during the War of Independence, and the official sanction of the national army during the Civil War and so had excellent access to places and people between 1920 and 1923.

'The Minutes' on Girls Talk Back Monday the 15th of Feb ....103.2fm

Make sure to tune in next Monday from 1pm to 2pm on 103.2fm...were going to be talking to lead singer Mark from  Irish band 'THE MINUTES' about their new album and what we can expect from the guys in 2010!!

Dublin trio The Minutes have gigged extensively in Ireland and the UK. Touring with the likes of Albert Hammond Jnr (The Strokes), The Pigeon Detectives, The Von Bondies & Supergrass and also played at some festivals like CMJ (New York), CMW (Toronto), HWCH (Dublin) & Electric Picnic (Ireland). Previously released singles include 'Black Keys' 'Harmonic' and 'Ukraine'. Ukraine was one of the first songs released by The Minutes which helped the band establish themselves in the Dublin music scene and was constantly played on local indie stations.

After a year long residence in 2009 at Dublin live staple, Whelan's, The Minutes developed a true rock n' roll sound to call their own.

After becoming one of Dublin's must see live acts, it came time to record their debut record and in October of 2009 the three piece headed to Marcata Recordings in upstate New York. Together with producer Kevin McMahon the band have crafted a ten track album that bottles the energy of their live sets. The record blasts though one foot stomping song after another, from the 2 minute undiluted rawness of Secret History, to the crashing drum solos of Believer, right up to live favourite In My Time Of Dying. Due for release mid 2010, 'Marcata' is a record you'll come back to time and time again.

With a trip stateside again in March to attend the SXSW festival in Texas, this year promises to be an exciting year for the Dublin three-piece.

To find out more about 'The Minutes' visit:www.myspace.com/theminutesireland
www.facebook.com/theminutes
www.twitter.com/theminutes

It was Singletons V Relationshipers on GTB today!

First up on GTB today we discussed a more serious issue of Mental Health in Ireland. We spoke with Jane Arigho, Media Project Coordinator with Headline. Headline is Ireland's national media monitoring programme, woking to promote responsible and accurate coverage of mental health and suicide related issues within the Irish media. Jane filled us in on how mental health issues are reported in the media and what ways in which the reporting of mental health issues can be improved. If any listeners were affected by the issues which were discussed then they can contact Headline if they want any further information on mental health issues http://www.headline.ie/.

Love was then certainly in the air when we had battle of the GTB Valentine's girls. Singleton Jennifer Bannon and not so single Sandy Hazel fought their corner to explain who would have the best Valentines Day. Jennifer informed us that she was perefectly happy to remain single this Valentines Day and the only memories she can recall of Valentines Day is fighting with her ex boyfriend. She is a firm believer that Valentines Day is a bit of a money making racket. She defo won't be giving you her last rolo! On the other side of the ring, relationship content Sandy informed us how she believes in love at first sight and does not believe that you have to spend lots of money to be romantic. GTB aimed to find out who has more fun on Valentines Day, all the single ladies?? Or all the not so single ladies?? GTB will leave this one in your hands! Happy Valentine's Day for Sunday to all our GTB listeners! 

 

All you need to know.....

Rock Star music, Bodies made for sin, burlesque dancing and all for a good cause!! The Wrights Venue held the ‘Fashion Rocks’ event on Sunday night which was hosted by top Irish model Jenny Lee Masterson all in aid of Irish Autism Action and Haiti. The event was fantastic, the Assets models were out in full force including Una Gibney, Aoife Cogan, Vouge Wilson and Yomiko Chen to support both their friend Jenny Lee and these important charities.

Up and Coming rock bands 'The Red Labels' and 'Von Shakes' performed live on the night and really got the crowd into the party mood. The 'Von Shakes' are up for a meteor this February for 'promising new artist' while 'The Red Labels new single 'The silence Breaks' is taking them from strength to strength. These two bands are definitely ones to watch..you heard it here first people!!! So much fun was had while raising money for both ‘Irish Autism Action & Haiti’… I’d say that equals a very successful night!!!

Rapper Snoop Doggy Doggy has spoken out about his want to appear in Coronations Street!!! Yes you heard correctly ...reports are stating he has been to Manchester plenty of times and has seen the show and would love to have a guest role in the British Soap!! Last night GTB just got over the excitement of our very own Keith Duffy walking back on the cobbles to cause some mayhem...could you just imagine if Snoop Dogg joined the cast!!! Where could he work....The Knicker Factory or Roy’s Roles?? Maybe he could be Liz MacDonald new love interest..she never stays single for too long!!!

Finally we can't say ciao for now until we speak about this amazing artist and women!!! Kanye West will be delighted that this lady is getting recognised finally... Beyonce dominated the 52nd Annual Grammy's on Sunday night by taking home six awards, the most won by a female artist in the one year at the one event!!! Big Congrats to B ....she just keeps getting Better and Better!!


 
 
Talk soon xx

A Little Bit of Rehab on Today's GTB

This weeks GTB was full to the brim with guests!. First up we spoke with Amy Winehouse tribute act, Mainly Winehouse. Front women, Tamara Nolan who is a producer by day and Amy Winehouse by night told us about how Mainly Winehouse rock it out at venues around Dublin. Tribute acts are on the increase around Dublin but Mainly Winehouse certainly stand out above the rest.
Tamara informed us that she does not have any Amy tattoos and does not lead an Amy Winehouse lifestyle (Phew!) however her voice has those distinctive Amy Winehouse undertones. Tamara is not solo in her act as there are another six members of this tribute act. These guys will give you more than a bit of rehab as they are prone to throw in a bit of funk, motown and soul. These guys are playing at venues all around the province so if you want to see the next best think to Amy Winehouse, check these guys out. GTB are major fans and you can become a fan too by adding these guys on facebook.

Next up we spoke to up and coming fashion designer Emma Manley who at the impressive age of 23 is launching her own debut collection, Manley. Emma's love for fashion began at an early age, perhaps even birth, as her mum was also a fashion designer. After her school years Emma did a foundation in Fashion and Textile Design. From there she went to the Grafton Academy and from there to the bright lights of New York at the tender age of 21 where she got an internship with a luxury sportswear company called VPL. On completion of her intern Emma then found herself in London working with renowned fashion designer Alexander McQueen. Emma described how the fashion in New York is a million miles away from the fashion in London but interestingly found New York a much calmer place to work.

Emma's debut collection includes alternative evening wear and contemporary separates. Her current collection includes all types of fabrics such as silk, pigskin, silk chiffon and jersey. Emma constantly strives to create pieces of 'timeless beauty'. GTB really love all of the Manley pieces and have no doubt that Emma Manley is one to watch in 2010.

Emma Manley's collection is available from The Loft in The Powerscourt Centre or you can contact her directly, emma.kate.manley@googlemail.com. You can also become a fan of Manley on facebook to see the debut collection.

GTB then had a chat with Peter Mannion, the president of The Union of Students in Ireland as the USI is calling for full transparency on how third- level registration fees are being spent by the universities of Ireland. Peter informed us that more and more students are coming to the USI for advice on financial aid. Many students are financial difficulties securing bank loans to finish their students and as a result have no choice but to drop out.