Madge Irene Connor (nee McCarthy) was a Waterford-born Australian police officer. After the death of her husband, an English-born laborer named Edward Connor in 1916, she began working with the Victoria police.

Her undercover role investigating illegal gambling combined with a campaign for women to be appointed as police members saw Madge being one of two woman appointed as 'police agents.'

They were later sworn in as police officers with equal pay and powers of arrest in 1924.

A cracking story from Cian Manning this week looks at an inspirational woman who left home and paved the way forward for equal pay for women in the Australian police force.

Madge Irene Connor (nee McCarthy) was a Waterford-born Australian police officer. After the death of her husband, an English-born laborer named Edward Connor in 1916, she began working with the Victoria police.
Her undercover role investigating illegal gambling combined with a campaign for women to be appointed as police members saw Madge being one of two woman appointed as 'police agents.'
They were later sworn in as police officers with equal pay and powers of arrest in 1924.
A cracking story from Cian Manning this week looks at an inspirational woman who left home and paved the way forward for equal pay for women in the Australian police force.

Start your day with Ollie Carroll, Dymphna Nugent and the WLR News team on The Big Breakfast Blaa, who will bring you plenty of on-air banter, laughter, great music, fantastic competitions, features and much, much more… And as well as being entertained you’ll also be kept well informed with all the very latest news, sport and traffic updates from our team. It's as much a part of Waterford life as the Blaa itself! The Big Breakfast Blaa is brought to you in association with <a href="https://coffeehouselane.ie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coffee House Lane</a> <a href="https://www.wlrfm.com/listenback">Listen back to The Big Breakfast Blaa here</a>.

Start your day with Ollie Carroll, Dymphna Nugent and the WLR News team on The Big Breakfast Blaa, who will bring you plenty of on-air banter, laughter, great music, fantastic competitions, features and much, much more… And as well as being entertained you’ll also be kept well informed with all the very latest news, sport and traffic updates from our team. It's as much a part of Waterford life as the Blaa itself! The Big Breakfast Blaa is brought to you in association with&nbsp;&lt;a href="<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://coffeehouselane.ie/">https://coffeehouselane.ie/</a>" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Coffee House Lane&lt;/a&gt;&nbsp;&lt;a href="<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wlrfm.com/listenback&quot;>Listen">https://www.wlrfm.com/listenback"&gt;Listen</a> back to The Big Breakfast Blaa here&lt;/a&gt;.

The Big Breakfast Blaa

Waterford's first policewoman in Australia

Waterford will host its first Wild Bee Festival on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August at Waterford Education Support Centre.

The Wild Bee Festival is an annual event run by the National Biodiversity Data Centre as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. It is a weekend of walks, talks and workshops for community groups, raising awareness of Ireland’s pollinators and how to help them in our communities.

The 2026 Festival is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in collaboration with B Corridor, a biodiversity action group based in Waterford City.

What to Expect

The festival will take place in the Waterford Education Support Centre, featuring a series of talks led by biodiversity experts and community groups on pollinators and the simple , evidence-based actions we can take to help them. Talks will include: ‘How Communities can Help Pollinators’, an introduction to Community Biodiversity Action Plans led by FERs ecologist Ciarán Byrne, and a guided walk of the Maypark Nature Trail led by B Corridor. Other speakers include Waterford Trees for Life, ecologist Dr Fiona MacGowan, the Three Sisters Women’s Shed and the Déise Men’s Shed. Saturday afternoon will also feature the ‘Cross Pollination station’ led by artist Siobhán Clancy - a creative drop in space to process new information about wild bees, swap ideas and learn about bees in the arts, health, folk tradition, and mythology.

Kate Chandler, Communities Pollinator Officer for the National Biodiversity Data Centre joined Ollie and Dymphna on air. She said:

“This is the fifth annual Wild Bee Festival, and the first one to be held in Waterford. Every year the festival is a chance for community groups to come together and learn how to help biodiversity in their towns and villages. We’re delighted to be partnering with B Corridor to hold this year’s festival, a group who have done exceptional work for pollinators and biodiversity here in Waterford. If you have ever wanted to find out more about wild bees and how to help them in your community, this is the event for you!”

Admission is free but booking is required.

More information, including a full programme and booking link, can be found on the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan website: https://pollinators.ie/wildbeefestival/

Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.

Waterford will host its first Wild Bee Festival on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd August at Waterford Education Support Centre.
The Wild Bee Festival is an annual event run by the National Biodiversity Data Centre as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. It is a weekend of walks, talks and workshops for community groups, raising awareness of Ireland&rsquo;s pollinators and how to help them in our communities.
The 2026 Festival is coordinated by the National Biodiversity Data Centre in collaboration with B Corridor, a biodiversity action group based in Waterford City.
What to Expect
The festival will take place in the Waterford Education Support Centre, featuring a series of talks led by biodiversity experts and community groups on pollinators and the simple , evidence-based actions we can take to help them. Talks will include: &lsquo;How Communities can Help Pollinators&rsquo;, an introduction to Community Biodiversity Action Plans led by FERs ecologist Ciar&aacute;n Byrne, and a guided walk of the Maypark Nature Trail led by B Corridor. Other speakers include Waterford Trees for Life, ecologist Dr Fiona MacGowan, the Three Sisters Women&rsquo;s Shed and the D&eacute;ise Men&rsquo;s Shed. Saturday afternoon will also feature the &lsquo;Cross Pollination station&rsquo; led by artist Siobh&aacute;n Clancy - a creative drop in space to process new information about wild bees, swap ideas and learn about bees in the arts, health, folk tradition, and mythology.
Kate Chandler, Communities Pollinator Officer for the National Biodiversity Data Centre joined Ollie and Dymphna on air. She said:
&ldquo;This is the fifth annual Wild Bee Festival, and the first one to be held in Waterford. Every year the festival is a chance for community groups to come together and learn how to help biodiversity in their towns and villages. We&rsquo;re delighted to be partnering with B Corridor to hold this year&rsquo;s festival, a group who have done exceptional work for pollinators and biodiversity here in Waterford. If you have ever wanted to find out more about wild bees and how to help them in your community, this is the event for you!&rdquo;
Admission is free but booking is required.
More information, including a full programme and booking link, can be found on the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan website: <a href="https://pollinators.ie/wildbeefestival/">https://pollinators.ie/wildbeefestival/</a>
<a href="https://wlrfm.com/podcasts/the-big-breakfast-blaa">Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.</a>

Waterford to host first Wild Bee Festival

The Family Fun Day returns to Abbeyside FC in Dogleaf Park for its third consecutive year.

Following enormous success, year on year, the club continues to expand.

Ollie and Dymphna were joined on air by committee member, Liam Sheehan.

He outlined the joy with which he sees new faces coming to see the club every single week.

These are people new to the area, families looking to help their child expand their social circle a little, or to be brave and try something new.

Catering for all ages, the club is beautifully situated near the boardwalk and near some award-winning coffee (Liam reliably informed us!)

Taking place Sunday of next week, August 23rd in Dogleaf Park, entry is just 5 euro per head.

Liam outlined the wealth of options available on the day, including face painting, bouncy castles, tug of war, penalty shoot-outs, foodie options, and games for all ages.

Families do not need to be members of the club, they are welcome on the day to soak up the fun of the fair in Abbeyside.

Play to listen back in full.

Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.

The Family Fun Day returns to Abbeyside FC in Dogleaf Park for its third consecutive year.
Following enormous success, year on year, the club continues to expand.
Ollie and Dymphna were joined on air by committee member, Liam Sheehan.
He outlined the joy with which he sees new faces coming to see the club every single week.
These are people new to the area, families looking to help their child expand their social circle a little, or to be brave and try something new.
Catering for all ages, the club is beautifully situated near the boardwalk and near some award-winning coffee (Liam reliably informed us!)
Taking place Sunday of next week, August 23rd in Dogleaf Park, entry is just 5 euro per head.
Liam outlined the wealth of options available on the day, including face painting, bouncy castles, tug of war, penalty shoot-outs, foodie options, and games for all ages.
Families do not need to be members of the club, they are welcome on the day to soak up the fun of the fair in Abbeyside.
Play to listen back in full.
<a href="https://wlrfm.com/podcasts/the-big-breakfast-blaa">Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.</a>

Roaring Success Sees Family Fun Day Return to Abbeyside FC 

Annual costs for the Solas Cancer Support Centre hit €1.2million last year.

This comes as a record number 1,433 clients accessed the services and therapies provided by the centre last year.

This number includes individuals affected by a cancer diagnosis, including clients themselves, their friends, families, and those who have experienced a bereavement.

The annual Run and Walk for Solas (rebranded this year from the Run and Walk for Life) raised €230,000 last year.

The registration for this year's two day event is now open for both the Dungarvan and Waterford City dates on October 10th and 11th respectively.

Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre spoke on The Big Breakfast Blaa ahead of the event.

Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.

Annual costs for the Solas Cancer Support Centre hit &euro;1.2million last year.
This comes as a record number 1,433 clients accessed the services and therapies provided by the centre last year.
This number includes individuals affected by a cancer diagnosis, including clients themselves, their friends, families, and those who have experienced a bereavement.
The annual Run and Walk for Solas (rebranded this year from the Run and Walk for Life) raised &euro;230,000 last year.
The registration for this year's two day event is now open for both the Dungarvan and Waterford City dates on October 10th and 11th respectively.
Manager of the Solas Cancer Support Centre spoke on The Big Breakfast Blaa ahead of the event.
<a href="https://wlrfm.com/podcasts/the-big-breakfast-blaa">Keep up to date on all the latest from The Big Breakfast Blaa with Ollie and Dymphna from 6am until 10am daily.</a>

Waterford's first policewoman in Australia

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