Three of Waterford’s finest festivals are being rolled into a 10-day event.

As holiday season kicks into gear, a number of broadcasters and authors tell Jonathan deBurca Butler which books they’ll be packing in their suitcase.

Where does the time go?

Two decades after the first Harry Potter book, the spell is unbroken, says Jonathan deBurca Butler.

At a loss for plans this week? Here’s a few ideas courtesy of Des O’Driscoll.

A beautiful autumnal evening on Lansdowne Road. A pitch that would put your living room carpet to shame and an opponent ranked over a hundred places below them on Fifa’s world rankings.

Women are pulling in the listeners on RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM is snapping at the heels of main rival Today FM, and Newstalk’s Pat Kenny has lost 8,000 listeners since last April.

RTÉ has once again seen significant falls in year-on-year audience figures, with tens of thousands of listeners tuning out in comparison to 12 months ago.

We’re all good at beating ourselves up when things go wrong. But maybe we shouldn’t says Sharon Ní Chonchúir as learning from blunders is one of life’s most valuable lessons.

DAVE LORDAN has always enjoyed fooling with words. When he was a kid growing up in Clonakilty, Co Cork, he was surrounded by people who enjoyed playing with words telling jokes, storytelling, singing funny songs and the likes.

The Foodie Forum incorporating the Gastronomy West Symposium (Tuesday, February 3) at GMIT, in Galway, may be just three years old but already comports itself with a swagger befitting its rapidly-growing status as one of the country’s premier food events.

Rick O’Shea tells Jonathan deBurca Butler that he jumped at the opportunity to present an arts programme of his own

How easy is it to ruin a date? Apparently it can be done in just five words.

No, it’s not a scientific question we are posing.

EXCITED.

“I am allowed to say I do know we are coming to Slane Castle"

It could be you. . .but this time around it’s 44 other lucky Lottery winners who have jetted off to San Francisco for a six-day luxury break.

If compartmentalising your life was an Olympic sport, then I’d be a gold medal winner.

Expensive clothes are not necessary for Confirmation. Nearly-new will do, or buy practical outfits, says Sue Leonard

The Irish Examiner has received a major award for its role in promoting road safety.

The aunt of a young man who died following an epileptic seizure has urged parents whose children have epilepsy to remain vigilant.

The country’s main radio stations are all celebrating an increase in listener numbers — but the latest JNLR figures still show people are switching off several of the most popular programmes.

It’s hard to imagine that just six years ago we were living in a world without Twitter. Pól Ó Conghaile asks top Irish tweeters for their favourite follows — and lists the 20 people everyone should be following.

A number of RTÉ radio’s biggest shows have once again experienced big losses in listenership figures with Today FM reaping the benefits.

2FM is facing a battle to hold on to listeners after suffering further drops in audiences for its prime time programmes.

The list of finalists has been announced for the Bord Gáis Energy Social Media Awards 2012, wher are taking place in the Mansion House, Dublin on Thursday, May 17.

SATURDAY

HANDS up everyone who is looking forward to Pat Kenny hosting another Late Late Show this autumn.

Westlife walked away with the Best Irish Pop Act for the eighth year in a row at tonight’s Meteor Irish Music Awards in Dublin.

The stars of Ireland’s music industry are expected to turn out in Dublin’s Point Theatre tonight for the Meteor Music Awards.

Snow Patrol have been announced as 6/4 favourites to scoop the Choice Music Prize by official bookmaker to the awards Paddy Power.

WHEN Ana Leddy takes up her new role as head of RTÉ Radio 1 on March 6, she will be all too conscious that the latest Joint National Listenership Research figures show that her job will not be the most enviable in Irish radio.

RTÉ had that sinking feeling yesterday with all its top broadcasters suffering audience losses in the latest radio listenership figures.

THE biggest change in the compilation of the Top 50 Singles chart in Irish music history takes place today when online sales will be counted for the first time.

RTÉ’S rising star Ryan Tubridy is switching from the breakfast show to mid-morning radio in a move which will see veteran broadcaster Marian Finucane presenting a weekend programme.