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!

WARNING: this podcast episode contains talk of mouth watering meals and may cause you to run immediatley to your local haunt because of your hunger!

Alison chats to Food and Travel journalist Ali Dunworth - who compiled a list of the best places in the country to grab a sitdown Sunday Roast!

Follow Ali here: https://www.instagram.com/alidunworth/

Her full list is here - bear in mind it has a paywall - https://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/19-of-the-best-pubs-in-ireland-for-a-sunday-roast-from-an-old-school-thatched-bar-to-a-city-centre-favourite/a620042085.html

This Easter weekend we wanted to welcome back one of our favourite guests on to Weekend Breakfast Lou Robbie chats to Alison a Sunday Times bestselling author – number 1 in Ireland and the UK with her debut cookbook - Make & Freeze

Lou has captured a huge and dedicated online audience – and recently celebrated getting to 1 MILLION FOLLOWERS on Instagram!!

She tells us all bout that amazing milestone and also some Easter recipes! Slow roast Leg of Lamb!! (160 degrees!)

Born in Tipp and based in Galway she told us that most of her videos are filmed while listening to Weekend Breakfast!

She’s a big fan of ours and we are big fans of her! https://www.instagram.com/littleloucooks/

✨ Sticky & Spicy Slow Cooked Irish Lamb ✨

INGREDIENTS
• 1 bone-in Irish lamb leg (~2.4kg)
Spice rub:
• 2 tbsp cumin
• 2 tbsp oregano
• 2 tsp paprika
• 4 garlic cloves (finely grated)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 100g Specially Selected red pesto or harissa
Tray:
• 500ml beef stock + 250ml water
• 2 onion (sliced)
• sprig rosemary
• 2 tbsp Organic Squeezy honey

Serve with: buttery mash, roast cherry tomatoes & asparagus or roast carrots and parsnips.

METHOD
Take lamb out 20 mins before cooking. Score the fat in a diamond pattern.
Mix spice rub ingredients + massage all over lamb. Marinate 1 hr (or overnight).

Preheat oven to 160°C (fan). Add onion + rosemary to tray, place lamb on top, pour in stock + water. Cover tightly.
Cook 3.5–4.5 hrs until tender & falling apart.
Drizzle honey over, uncover, roast 30 mins more.
Rest 20 mins before shredding/carving.

💡 Use the tray juices + onions for gravy—thicken with cornflour, strain & serve!
Makes for a delicious meal!

Niamh Fahey has won it all - 4 WSL titles, 5 FA Cups, an FAI Women’s Cup, an All-Ireland for Galway and 115 caps for the Republic of Ireland! -- She has played for Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - the former Ireland Captain spoke to Alison all about her new role at Liverpool Football Club, women in sport, and of course her insane competitive streak and much more

Dearbhla Mescal Joins Us For A Very Special Mother's Day Podcast

In a specially extended chat, Dearbhla Mescal reveals some of the magical moments of being a Mother.

This engaging, warm and revealing interview - Mother of Paul, Donnacha and Nell she speaks lovingly about their incredible bond growing up together, how having a "sweary house" allowed them their self expression, along with the slamming doors as teens! Her own journey from the freeing joy of showing vulnerability, her own cancer journey, her son Paul's current Beatles journey and much more

Dearbhla’s book ‘Finding Joy’ — a beautiful collection of poems, musings and reflections to help you find joy in everyday life is out now

Sky Sports and BBC Match Of The Day Anchor – Kelly Cates is an award winning presenter, podcaster, and all round icon!

Kelly joined Weekend Breakfast and Alison to chat about the excitement of live shows, parenting teenagers, young women in sport and creaking doors and much more!! This is a special uncut extended interview.

Stars of the Overlap – featuring Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Wayne Rooney and hosted by Kelly Cates – Audiences can expect honest conversations, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of friendly banter as these football greats take the stage to share their journeys from the pitch to punditry and beyond.

LIVE @ The 3 Arena - 25th March ticketmaster.ie

Follow Kelly on social: @kellycates_