New Talent in Dublin

Here at Girlstalkback we are all for supporting our own home grown talent and this week we were very lucky to be joined by up and coming Dublin singer/songwriter Emy Onyesoh. Emy has spent the last three years on a talent visa in Los Angeles and has worked with some big names including Snoop Dogg and Multi Platinum producer Mr. Dalvin from Jodeci.


Emy seems to be taking the country by storm with his urban electro sounds. He released his first sing ‘FML’ last month and we'll see the release of his second single 'IFNOTWHYNOT' on the 9th of this month. Girlstalkback are big fans so if you haven’t heard his singles we highly recommend checking him out. This Dublin lad is one to watch out for!

We also spoke to Valerie O'Brien, author of In the Shadow of Men.  Valerie O’ Brien was born in Cork where she lived with her mother, father and four sisters before embarking on a career in the Irish Defence Forces in 1996.  Both her father and grandfather served in the army so it was inevitable that she herself would join up. She went on to become one of the first female combat soldiers in Ireland. Valerie served in both Lebanon and Eritrea with the Irish Defence Forces which motivated her to write her first book, "In the Shadow of Men - Is the Army any place for women"  Valerie served terms abroad, including the Lebanon, and found these times away from her family to taxing on her marriage and her family life.  While abroad, she found the behaviour of some of the army to be unacceptable, paying for prostitutes or sometimes having sex with women and refusing to pay them.  She says that she has no regrets about her time in the army and would do it all again.  She now works as a beautician and lives with her children in Co. Kildare.

GirlsTalkBack spoke with Anita James the women behind Ireland’s newest beauty directory - http://www.beautypage.webs.com/  

The website was set up to bring clients the best beauty and hair professionals in the country. Anita wanted to make life as easy as possible for her clients and also promote the best businesses around Ireland. Anita also makes sure that each business that advertises on her website is fully qualified in the industry they work in.

Every beauty page on the website acts as a micro site for a business. On each page you will find everything you need to know about that business including where they are based, the services they offer and their prices. All your questions can be answered straight away on this website.

With the websites ‘matchmaking service’ clients can contact Beautypage with what treatment they require, their budget and the area they live in. The website will then contact up to five professionals for you and let you know which best suits your needs. They can then book them for client if they wish. It is like your very own PA but not nearly as expensive!!!!

For all enquiries, Anita James can be reached at beautypages@ymail.com

The Relationship Special

This has been one of our favourite programmes to present and we hope to present more like this in the future!  Don't forget we are now live on Sunday from 12pm to 1pm and the show is now repeated from 1pm to 2 pm on Monday.

While chatting in the studio the day Laura started with us, we discussed how relationships are changing in Ireland.  Keeping this in mind, we asked 3 different people to speak to us about issues facing modern couples and the situations they now find themselves in.

Firstly, we spoke to Lisa O'Hara from Marriage and Relationship Counselling Services, which offers therapy and counselling for couples.  We had so many questions for Lisa, but instead ended up discussing most of the main issues that couples face, mainly problems with communication and lack of understanding.  We also spoke about changing perceptions to divorce and separation in this country and how the expectation level for men to talk about their feelings has risen dramatically.  Log onto their website to find out more information about their services on http://www.mrcs.ie/  or by contacting the service on 1890 380 380.  We hope to have Lisa back on the show again in the future to maybe interact with the listeners more about relationship issues so keep an eye out for her!!

For the second interview we spoke with Rory O'Neill, better know to everyone as Panti about the important issue of the Civil Partnership bill.  As you all may know, the bill to provide social welfare and tax breaks for those living together as partners was passed by the Dail and by the Senate.  Unfortunately, the bill has now been referred to the Supreme Court to check its constitutionality and will hopefully be passed.  However, as far as gay and lesbian rights go, Panti pointed that the bill has not gone far enough, not making any provisions for children resulting from gay relationships and not going far enough on the issue of recognising the rights for gay people to marry.  We also discussed the pickets outside the Dail and impact religion has had on the politics of this country.  Panti runs the infamous bar on Capel Street, call in for a drink!!!

Last but not least, we spoke to Stephen Nolan from Kama Lifestyles about Relationship Coaching.  It was never going to be easy going up against 4 women to discuss relationships but Stephen took us on!  He spoke a little about how the coaching works, the workshops and how to perfect the technique of dating.  People who are interested will go through a dating consultation initially and if required a fashion consultation.  Stephen also spoke about changes in dating and relationships in Ireland and something that Lisa also spoke to us about previously, the pressure on men to make the first move.  If you are interested, log onto the website on http://www.kamalifestyles.com/

During the showbiz section, we spoke with Niamh Sherlock about becoming this years Dublin Rose (big congrats!!). Niamh will be competing for the Rose of Tralee the weekend of the 23rd and 24th of August.  We hope to speak to Niamh again after the event to find out what it is really like behind the  and scenes and we of course wish her the best of luck.

Live on Sunday and repeated on Monday no excuse not to tune into GirlsTalkBack on 103.2FM

The live show on Sunday from 12pm - 1pm went really well for the GTB team and thanks so much to all the guests who joined us on the show and in the studio. If you didn't manage to catch the show or the repeat today from 1pm then we are giving you the chance to read everything you missed....We know we are far too good to you...ENJOY

 For all you ladies out there who love to shop but are not to sure what to buy to make that perfect outfit... Girls Talk Back have found the answer. We were lucky to be joined by Julie Cobbe professional Style Coach and genious behind Stylefish.ie. What i stylefish.ie??? I hear you say... Stylefish.ie is every girls dream. Stylefish.ie is a seven week Fashion School that teaches us how to find that perfect look. The course is catered to meet each individuals needs by offering fashion advice like how to dress to suit your shape and fill your closets with clothes perfect for you, to makeup and hair tips. It is a fun seven week course and each student will leave with their own folder jam packed with tips and advice. Courses will start running in September on both the north and southiside of the city. For more information check out http://www.stylefish.ie/ or email julie@stylefish.ie.

GTB got to speak with Irish jewellery designer David Robinson who specialises in Diamond Jewellery and provides unique individual jewellery which is also made to order. Since the age of 17 David became involved with creating jewellery and works very closely with each client to create exquisite jewellery as desired. His designs reflect the romance of authentic handcrafted jewellery and David uses a wide range of materials from platinum, white gold, gold, silver, and diamonds to name but a few.

Although David has seen the effects of the recession when it comes to jewellery he mentioned how women tend to want something that holds its value and that can be passed down from generation to generation not current trends like in fashion so people are still willing to invest in his pieces. So GTB think if you are looking for that special piece, a one of a kind which will bring you fond memories then David is your guy!!!

David spoke to GTB about how he set up his company around 5 years ago and that it is going from strength to strength. Any young entrepreneurs who want to follow in David’s footsteps and open there own business should look into ‘feasibility grants’ which the government are offering and also get in contact with the crafts council http://www.ccoi.ie/  for advice on any questions you might need answered.

If you would like to check out any of the amazing work from David just check out his website http://www.davidrobinsonjewls.com/  or check out his facebook page on www.facebook.com/davidrobinsonjewles

Big thank you to David for taking part in the interview and GTB look forward to hearing more from the designer in the future. Make sure to call David Robinson Design Jeweller, and make an appointment to experience their unique, personal service in jewellery design.

We also spoke to the wonderful Patricia McKenna in studio about the Know Your Neighbour weekend on the 24th and 25th of July.  This is a fantastic event set up by Macra na Feirme and sponsered by ESB.  The programme is in its 5th year and the purpose is to literally get to know your own neighbour.  You can do this by starting off with your own organiser pack and can go on to organise any event to get your neighbours involved from tea parties to bbq.  Please do get involved as this is a wonderful cause.  In the modern era we are losing this wonderful sense of community that used to be so evident in Ireland.

You can find out more about the event on http://www.knowyourneighbour.ie/  and if you have any questions regarding the weekend contact info@knowyourneighbour.ie   There is also a text number in order to get an organiser pack, simply text KYN to 51444 and be directed from there. 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!! And make sure to tune in again next Sunday from 12pm on 103.2 Dublin City Fm

Monday 5th of July

If you didn't tune in yesterday, this is what you missed!!

We were very excited to have Rachel Solon in studio to discuss the WOW programme, which is basically trying to get more women involved in Watersports.  She spoke to us about the event which will run on the 11th of July.  The National Yacht Club in partnership with the Irish Sailing Association would like to invite women of all ages and all levels of sailing and other water sports to come sailing on Sunday 11th July from 13.00 - 17.00 hrs. This is a great opportunity to join fellow female sailors for an enjoyable afternoon of sailing... in the Irish Sailing Association's fleet of eight J80s, beautiful 8 metre long one-design racing sailboats. They hope to get as many women as possible out sailing on 11th July, followed by a few drinks up in the bar afterwards. Each J80 will have 4 or 5 crew on board of whom 2 will be experienced crew who will explain all to those guests on board.  Lifejackets or buoyancy aids will be supplied and are mandatory for all participants on the water.  Rachel told us that you do not have to be experienced to be on the water and they welcome all levels.  The ISA also runs several training programmes which are detailed on their website www.sailing.ie which you can undertake if you are interested.  So come along and get involved!!  You can also join their facebook page which will have details of the event...
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=ts&gid=118648197643


We also spoke to the wonderful Jennifer Rothwell about the upcoming Norway's Next Top Model event happening in Dublin.  All proceeds go to the Baby Max Fund which is run by Darina Ni Chuinngain who we spoke with last week.  Jennifer is going to be judging at the event and the lucky winner will get to wear some of Jennifer's collection down the catwalk on the night.  Jennifer explained how important this event is for exposure in Ireland.  She also spoke to us about how women in these tough times are buying clothes that they are investing in and will last.  Jennifer also has a children's line.  She has also explained to us that her clothes are now price adjusted to the times we live in and are extrememly reasonable..  The event takes place on the 16th of July in the Guinness Storehouse.  Log onto their facebook page to get more ticket details!!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/jennifer-Rothwell/93193237152?ref=ts&v=wall#!/pages/jennifer-Rothwell/93193237152

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114142051965663&ref=mf

We were also joined by Christina Riordan, General Manager at Down Syndrome Ireland. Down Syndrome Ireland is made up of people with Down syndrome and their parents and families. It has over 3000 member families and 25 branches nationwide. With the help of donations and fundraising Down Syndrom Ireland work hard to support both people with Down Syndrome and their families, by offering councelling, support and an understanding of Down Syndrome and much more. Down Syndrome Ireland is always looking for volunteers and people to organise funraisers such as the HP icecream fun day which is currenlty running at the moment. For mor information on how to get involved check out http://www.downsyndrome.ie/ or or low call  1890 374 374.

Don't forget we will now be on Sunday's from 12pm-1pm and also mondays at the usual time of 1pm-2pm so tune in guys :) xxxx