Latest news with #RTÉ2fm
RTÉ News
14 hours ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Is your beard a hygiene risk?
Analysis: Stylish or unsanitary? Here's what the evidence shows about beards and bacteria Human skin is home to billions of microorganisms – mainly bacteria, but also fungi and viruses – and facial hair provides a unique environment for them to thrive. Research shows that beards, in particular, support a dense and diverse microbial population, which has fuelled a persistent belief that they are inherently unhygienic. The Washington Post recently reported that some toilets contain fewer germs than the average beard. But are beards truly a hygiene risk? A closer look at the evidence reveals a nuanced picture. The microbial population on skin varies by location and is influenced by factors such as temperature, pH, humidity and nutrient availability. Beards create a warm, often moist environment where food debris and oils can accumulate – ideal conditions for microbial growth. From RTÉ Brainstorm, the hairy history of beards These microbes thrive not just because of the warm, moist conditions beards provide, but also because of constant exposure to new contaminants and microbes, especially from hands that frequently touch surfaces and the face. Concerns among scientists about beard hygiene date back over 50 years. Early studies showed that facial hair could retain bacteria and bacterial toxins even after washing. This led to the enduring idea that beards act as bacterial reservoirs and could pose an infection risk to others. For healthcare workers, this has made beards a point of controversy, especially in hospitals where pathogen transmission is a concern. However, hospital-based research has shown mixed results. One study found that bearded healthcare workers had higher bacterial loads on their faces than clean-shaven colleagues. Another investigation, looking at whether it would be hygienic to evaluate dogs and humans in the same MRI scanner, found that most men's beards contained significantly more microbes than dog fur, including a greater presence of harmful bacteria. The researchers concluded: "Dogs are no risk to humans if they use the same MRI." However, other studies have challenged the idea that beards increase infection risk. For example, one investigation found no significant difference in bacterial colonisation between bearded and clean-shaven healthcare workers. The same study also reported that bearded doctors were less likely to carry Staphylococcus aureus, a major cause of hospital infections, and that there was no increase in infection rates among patients treated by bearded surgeons wearing surgical masks. From RTÉ 2fm, beards may be trendy, but are they hygienic? Advice from the Grafton Barbers' Conor McAllister on keeping your facial hair on point Beards can sometimes spread skin infections, such as impetigo — a contagious rash often caused by S aureus, which is commonly found in facial hair. In rare cases, parasites like pubic lice – which usually live in the groin area – can also show up in beards, eyebrows or eyelashes, particularly in cases of poor hygiene or close contact with an infected person. The case for good beard hygiene Neglected beards can foster irritation, inflammation and infection. The skin beneath a beard – rich in blood vessels, nerve endings and immune cells – is highly sensitive to microbial and environmental stressors. When sebum, dead skin, food debris and pollutants accumulate, they can irritate the skin and provide fuel for fungal and bacterial growth. Experts strongly recommend washing your beard and face every day. Doing so removes dirt, oils, allergens and dead skin, helping prevent microbial buildup. Dermatologists also advise moisturising to prevent dryness, using a beard comb to clear debris, and trimming to control loose hairs and reduce shedding. These steps help maintain not only hygiene but also beard health and appearance. So, are beards dirty? Like most things, it depends on how well you care for them. With daily hygiene and proper grooming, beards pose little risk and may even be healthier than we once thought.
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Beyond the Pale festival organisers say it's going ahead, amid cancellation reports
Organisers of next weekend's Beyond the Pale festival taking place in Co Wicklow have insisted that it is going ahead, after reports circulated that it was to be cancelled due to financial concerns. It is understood that some booking agents had received a call last night telling them that it could not go ahead. The festival is run by promotor Declan Forde from Cupola Events Ltd with an address on Trinity Street in Dublin city centre. It is understood he spent today trying to ensure the festival could go ahead as planned. More than 12,500 people, as well as 1,000 staff and artists are due to attend, with many due to camp at the festival. Structures including fencing and marquees for the festival are set to be built on the Glendalough Estate, with Wicklow County Council having signed off on the final event management plan on 29 May. DJ Dave Clarke, who presents RTÉ 2fm's White Noise post-techno and electro show, is due to fly to Ireland from Amsterdam for the event. He said he had been reading the mounting speculation about the festival online but would make the journey anyway. "I'll be travelling to Ireland. I love it too much but it's very confusing. I have seen this news coming from serious sources but the information changes all the time." He says his after-show party will definitely be going ahead in Dublin and he still hopes to play at the festival. Organisers had promised a more detailed statement about what is happening this afternoon but so far no further clarity has been received.
RTÉ News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Aoife Wafer revels in 'crazy' Six Nations Player of the Tournament gong as Ireland's World Cup adventure looms large
In a sign that being named Women's Six Nations Player of the Year is still sinking in, Aoife Wafer reached for the adjective "crazy" more than once as she reflected on the honour on Wednesday evening. The Ireland flanker was announced as the winner on Monday, earning 41% of the fan poll, and ultimately seeing off competition from the other nominees, England winger Abby Dow, France second row Manaé Feleu and Scotland back row Evie Gallagher. Coming out on top in a shortlist alongside that trio was something the 22-year-old was not expecting. "It's a bit crazy to be honest. They're all phenomenal athletes and there's so many people that could have and should have been nominated as well," she told RTÉ 2fm's Game On. "We've so many superstars on our team as well, so to be nominated is class and then to get the fan support and to be voted as the best player in Six Nations is pretty undescribable to be honest." The Wexford native topped a host of statistical tables during the 2025 tournament, making 70 carries - the most of any player - for a staggering 424.7 metres, beating 17 defenders in the process, the second highest of any forward in the championship. And that's not mentioning her four-try haul. "Thankfully I've been able to put out a couple of good performances but I still have so much to learn," she said. "At the end of the day I'm only 22 and I'm really excited for even what's to come at the end of the year in the World Cup, so it's a bit crazy to be honest." Ireland finished third in the tournament and while Wafer sees areas for improvement, she felt that Scott Bemand's team have made clear strides with the World Cup looming in August when they will share a pool with New Zealand, Spain and Japan. "Personally, I'd look at it as probably some of those games got away from us and it could have potentially been a tournament that we finished second instead of third in the likes of if we'd beat France and if we'd beat Scotland and then put a bit more competition in England," she said. "But there are so many positives to take from it as well. We've come such a long way in the two years that Scott's been over us and it's a completely changed side to what was pre Scott's era. "The end of this year is going to be incredibly exciting but we'll definitely have to take some learnings from this year's Six Nations and kind of be a bit more... like taking chances in those scoring zones because we want to beat Tier One nations and it's not every often that you get those chances when you're in their '22 so you have to take every one of them." And amid reports in the Irish Indepedent about a potential move to English club Harlequins after the World Cup being on the verge of fruition, Wafer was coy about the prospect and switched the spotlight onto her recovery from injury. "I'm just trying to get back from my knee (injury). I haven't seen anything yet," she said. "I picked up an injury there against Wales so I'm just doing everything I can to get back from it and try to put my hand up for selection again for the World Cup."
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Climate
- RTÉ News
Why is the Child of Prague statue associated with Irish weddings and weather?
Analysis: The general belief was that you should leave the statue outside under a bush the night before the wedding to ensure good weather I've written elsewhere of old Irish weather lore and our ancestors' preoccupation with forecasting the weather in an age before modern meteorology. I have also written of traditional Irish wedding customs and how certain rituals ensured good luck for the future married couple. The Child of Prague statue brings both wedding and weather customs together. It's a plaster icon depicting Jesus as a young child, bestowing blessings, crowned and draped in regal robes. This is a distinct departure from the common portrayals of Jesus as a baby, or as an adult during the crucifixion. From RTÉ 2fm's Jennifer Zamparelli Show, Cormac Battle on the nostalgic appeal of a Child of Prague statue The general belief in Ireland was that one should leave the Child of Prague statue outside under a bush the night before the wedding to ensure good weather on the day. While other wedding traditions such as lucky horseshoes, the 'drag' and mummers no longer feature as much as they used to, this ritual endures in many Irish wedding traditions still. So why does this odd little statue still hold sway in modern Ireland? Ireland is an island in the middle of the Atlantic, prone to changeable weather systems, and we as a people have not lost our concern with the weather. On a wedding day, when good weather is desirable to bring additional joy to a celebratory day, some will resort to prayer. In the past, some times of the year were deemed unlucky to marry (Catholics did not marry during certain periods such as Lent, for example, and the month of June became very popular for weddings. One would expect June in Ireland to be mild and relatively dry with long, bright days but it can be changeable, with the expected sunny so-called "exam weather" of early June often giving way to cooler conditions and showers. The Child of Prague being placed outside was often a last-minute plea against a bleak forecast, anything being worth a try for such an important day. When it did work, it was attributed to the statue and the tradition took hold and continued. There are regional variations to the ritual. Some put the statue in the front window of the house overnight, while others place it in a hallway or even bury it outside. In Ireland, the burial of holy objects (such as medals, for example) was not unknown, a survival perhaps of an ancient pre-Christian practice of depositing offerings to the land gods or spirits. The true history of the statue has very little to do with Irish weather lore, and it seems these rituals were accrued in Ireland. Child of Prague statues are plaster copies of a wooden sculpture dating from the 16th century known as the Infant Jesus of Prague. The original was brought to Bohemia (now the Czech Republic) by a female Spanish royal who married a local nobleman. Eventually, it found its home in the Church of Our Lady Victorious in Prague and became an object of veneration as it was believed to have miraculous properties. The popularity of Child of Prague statues in Ireland largely occurred from the late 19th century, a period marked by a surge in Catholic piety and the mass production of religious artifacts. Icons such as statues, pictures and medals became affordable, and some were considered essential wedding gifts to bring luck and blessings to a new union. Irish Catholic homes had a proliferation of holy objects, places and altars. There might be a holy water font in the hall, crucifixes in bedroom or a holy shelf with pictures of particular saints, miraculous medals and small relics. The most prominence was given to framed prints of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady or the Holy Family. When rural electrification came in, these were often illuminated by electric lamps fitted on the wall: the Sacred Heart would be given a red bulb, while Our Lady was given blue. Plaster statues of these holy figures were commonly displayed in the home and the Child of Prague was firmly established as an essential part of the collection by the 20th century. Unfortunately, these widely available and often cheaply made imports were prone to damage. The neck, supporting the large child's head, was the narrowest part of the statue and this inherent weakness meant it often broke off. Indeed, some believed that the statue would be more powerful in delivering positive answers to prayers if this beheading occured by accident. From Hat Trick Comedy, the Child of Prague is kidnapped on Derry Girls A particular statue was also deemed more powerful if it was old and in continuous generational use. The Child of Prague statue, along with the weather traditions associated with him, garnered a strong devotional following in Ireland, alongside other popular figures like St. Padre Pio and St. Anthony. So why and when did the belief take hold that the statue could bring about good weather for weddings? It may be to do with the fact that it was frequently bequeathed as a wedding gift by mothers to daughters, aunts or female cousins. Given their more significant roles in wedding rituals, the women of the house were more likely to place the Child of Prague in a prominent position on the wedding day, as part of the hustle, bustle and excitement the night before. Anecdotal evidence suggested it was effective often enough that the tradition became an important tick-box in the preparation of Irish weddings with even some Protestant families following the ritual in the hope for fine weather, It's a fascinating blend of historical circumstance, religious devotion and shared-island cultural practices. Despite being of foreign origin, the traditions surrounding it here are from a parallel folk tradition, appropriated in our own way, so that it has become a truly Irish cultural icon.
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Lottie Ryan: `dad was my best friend, my everything'
Lottie Ryan has recalled the morning she learnt that her father Gerry had died, saying "I tried to ring him, and he would never not answer the phone to me, and he didn't answer the phone." Mr Ryan died unexpectedly from cardiac arrhythmia in 2010 and speaking on Friday's Late Late Show to mark the 15th anniversary of his death, an emotional Ms Ryan, who hosts her own show on RTÉ 2fm, opened up about her memories of her dad and how her family dealt with the pain of his passing. "I was actually at home that day," she said. "I don't know if I was skipping college on purpose or what I was doing, but I was at home with my brother," "He didn't go on air that morning and I was listening and I tried to ring him, and he would never not answer the phone to me, and he didn't answer the phone. "So, I kind of thought, oh, maybe he's not well. And I left it for about 20 minutes, and when he didn't call me back, I went to call him again, and I was like, that's really weird that he wouldn't answer a second time. "So, I started texting him and wasn't getting anything. And then I think a couple of hours later, maybe around midday, the doorbell rang. And I think a lot of people say this when they have somebody really close to them that's passed away, there's something in you that just knows something's happened. We're sure he'd be proud Lottie ❤️ #latelate — The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) May 2, 2025 "You just, I don't know what it is, but I just knew something. And then I walked downstairs, and our GP was at the front door, and I opened the door, and I just instantly, I was like, Where is he? "You know, obviously it took me a while to process. I thought maybe he was in hospital where I knew he was under a lot of stress, and I thought maybe he had just had a heart attack. But obviously it was worse than that, but something in you just knows. I mean so many people who lose someone, the pain and the intensity of that is something so hard." Mr Ryan's fame meant that Ms Ryan and her siblings and mother Morah had to process their grief while under constant media and public scrutiny. "I feel we were kind of locked up in the house for quite a while," she told host Patrick Kielty. "You couldn't really go out for a walk to get some fresh air, or you kind of felt like everyone was staring at you all the time and expecting you to be crying constantly. "So, you know, one of the big things with grief is the first morning you wake up and they're not the first thing on your mind you feel guilty about. So, it kind of felt like that constantly. "It was like people were watching you, waiting to see you get upset. And that's really difficult. So, it prolonged the process, I think, and I think it's probably deeply affected all of us, but we are a really tight knit family. "I think the eldest in every family kind of assumes that pseudo mother role, and we've kind of banded together, and I definitely was, and still am, really overprotective of them all. "My little sister Bab's was only eight years old at the time, you know, and there's people rummaging through the bins at the side of the house trying to find something for a story." Ms Ryan also spoke about how she felt when she learnt that her father had been using cocaine on the night he died. "It didn't matter then and it doesn't matter now to me," she said. "And that's not me excusing any bad behaviour. That's me saying it's my dad, like my dad is gone. I don't know what you're looking for. It's, it's pretty black and white. I can't get them back. And that's kind of all that matters," Speaking about how the family mark the anniversary of his passing, she said, "We kind of do the same thing every year. We get together and we reminisce and watch old family videos. "We have a very dark sense of humour when it comes to grief and death at this point so we get out the old cardboard cut-out that used to be in the radio studio and mess around with it and I know everyone's going to think that's really weird haha. "Fifteen years is a long time and it's probably taken me this length of time to be comfortable talking about him because I think there was always a fear of drawing attention to us. There was so much attention on us when he passed away and that was really, really difficult to navigate and process. "I felt for a long time that if I didn't talk about it and we didn't address it, it would help the family to process things. Now I think I am a t a point in my life where a lot of people do talk about him and it's nice when it's own family members doing the talking." She added, "Also, I am a mum now and it has changed my whole perception of him as a dad. That changed me as well. I am feeling much more strong and comfortable in my own skin they I am able to talk about him without being worried by what people think." Asked what he was like as a father, she said, "He was just so much fun. He was a child himself. He always wanted to go to Disneyworld and play games, he was front row at all the school plays. He videoed everything. There is not a minute of my childhood that hasn't been recorded. "He was a real messer. He was my best friend, my counsellor, he was my everything." "I was bullied really badly in school when I was 13 and he used to drive me up the door of the school and give me this big pep talk about I'd go in but the consequence was that he was always late to go on air. He did it because we were always first for him." Asked how she would like her das to be remembered, she said, "I'd like people to remember him as somebody who deeply cared about sharing people's stories and deeply cared about people like that's what mattered to him. "He loved learning about people's stories and genuinely really cared, and that he was the most incredible dad, like he was a family man, and I think he should be remembered for that and for the good and all the wonderful things he did."
