Chef Shane Smith is in studio with Alison on Weekend Breakfast to celebrate his fab first book!

And he doesn't arrive empty handed! IS IT CAKE!!!? Yes, it most certainly is! Droool.

Shane a tells us about his new book 'Loaf Tin Bakes' – a whole cookbook dedicated to what you can make in one tin, from simple lemon drizzle-style treats to savoury garlic dough balls, pizza bread swirls and easy brown bread! It's simple genius!

Plus: the behind-the-scenes reality of online baking edits, recipe testing and book signings!

Follow Shane here

Katie Kirby started writing her Lottie Brooks books in 2021 and she's already got nine in the series and two million copies sold!

Wow! It's truly a phenomenon. She is in Ireland on a sold out book tour and popped into Alison and Weekend Breakfast for a chat!

OMG!! Hope there's no awks moments but loads of Lottie chat, some superfans AND Katie tells us about the TENTH book in the series due out later this year!

The most recent instalment: 'THE SERIOUSLY EPIC HOLIDAY OF LOTTIE BROOKS!' is out now

Follow Katie @katiekirbyauthor on Insta

This week Conde Nast Traveler revealed it’s 7 Wonders Of Ireland for 2026 --- they have avoided all the tourist traps on this list for some truly magical locations.

Weekend Breakfast with Alison spoke to Irish Travel Blogger Chris Connolly – you may know him from his hugely successful Instagram @explorewithcriostoir --- where he showcases his stunning videos and soft Northern Irish lilt!!

Chris has been everywhere in our beautiful country and shared his thoughts on the 7 chosen locations.

Here is the full list https://www.cntraveller.com/article/7-wonders-of-ireland-for-2026

1. Waterford topped the list as the must see destination in Ireland by Condé Nast Traveller, --- they said: “A road trip along the Copper Coast of County Waterford takes in some of the most beautiful, empty and underrated beaches in Ireland” – and also cited the Waterford Greenway and the Comeragh mountains for hikes to waterfalls and along panoramic ridges.

2. The Burren in County Clare described on the list as “otherworldly and extraordinary” They offer the Ailwee Caves instead of the usual Cliffs Of Moher. And encourage people to walk the two-and-a-half-hour Lough Avalla Farm loop, which takes in woodland trails, bee-buzzing pastures and open landscape.

3. Ring of Beara – The lesser known loop often overshadowed by the Ring Of Kerry – This straddles the counties of Kerry and Cork, the Ring of Beara is a knockout and relatively hush-hush route that snakes through the paintbox-bright villages of Eyeries and Allihies, over the dramatic turns of the Healy Pass and even past Ireland’s first Tibetan Buddhist temple

4. Northwest Donegal - Donegal feels like a place apart. Glenveagh National Park is a spectacular wilderness to explore. Mount Errigal can be scaled in about two hours, leaving plenty of time to head to the long, sandy beaches of Dunfanaghy.

5. Fermanagh Lakelands - awe-inspiring hikes including the boardwalk trail known as the Stairway to Heaven; the food scene and pubs of Enniskillen town; Beleek Pottery, and water-based fun on Lough Erne.

6. The passage tombs of the Ancient East - In the Boyne Valley of County Meath. Older than Stonehenge and the pyramids of Egypt, Newgrange is Ireland’s neolithic headliner.

7. The City of Kilkenny for Culture – Cat Laughs, Kilkenomics and Jerpoint Abbey all ticked the list to make this their cultural pick!