‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by Gerry and the Pacemakers has beaten Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ to the top spot on a funeral music request chart. Henry McKean spoke to Mary Cunniffe, branch manager Massy Brothers Funeral Directors in Templeogue Village and singer and musician Simon Morgan.   Pic: Living Pat Green 94, on board her pink casket at her jazz funeral in New Orleans.

Henry McKean on the Hard Shoulder

"Music is so important at a funeral." You'll Never Walk Alone tops funeral request chart

A video of a Wicklow GAA fight at the end of an Under 15 final between Carnew and Kilcoole played at Wicklow GAA Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill went viral. In the video we see teens, adult men and women, and officials brawling. Henry McKean has visited Wicklow for us. 

"If you hit a child you should be looking at a lifetime ban." Under 15 Wicklow GAA Brawl

It's World Animal Day, the international day of action for animal rights and welfare. The DSPCA are busier than ever as people start to give up their lockdown pets. Henry McKean visited the DSPCA in the Dublin Mountains and met animals looking for a new home and sent us this report. With Suzanne McGovern from the DSPCA on World Animal Day, to find out more about the animals mentioned in that report log onto DSPCA.ie

"Meet Pikachu who likes to look at herself in the coffee machine mirror." #WorldAnimalDay

It's James Bond Week on Newstalk and to celebrate No Time to Die hitting the cinemas tonight we sent Henry McKean to stunt school. The Condren family, brothers Patrick and Joe and 20 of their relatives run Total Stunts, Ireland's longest running stunt team. They have worked with Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. Henry McKean met them at Hogan's Farm Shop and Cafe near Kells County Meath, which was turned into a live action film set, with punch ups and people being set alight. Totalstunts.com

"The audience has to believe it." Joining Stuntman School #JamesBond

According to a new survey by Royal London 85% of Irish people would expect the average salary of a stay-at-home parent to come in at around €28,000, if they were to be paid. However, the real figure is €49,000, this is how much it would cost someone to replace the “duties” these mothers and fathers perform on a daily basis. Henry McKean has been out and about for us meeting stay at home parents in their gardens across Dublin.

"I'm not sure you can put a value on what stay at home parents do." €50K if paid

Today is World Alzheimer's Day, a global awareness 24 hour hours around Dementia and the stigma which still persists. Carebright in Bruff county Limerick are Ireland’s first purpose-built community for people living with dementia. Where residents are given dignity, respect and space. Henry McKean visited this afternoon and met Kevin Quaid who has Lewy Body Dementia and Ken Greaney whose dad Dave lives at Carebright. Henry sent us this report.

"It gives them dignity, respect & space." #WorldAlzheimersDay

The Ploughing is back but not as we know it. Instead of crowds of 250,000 the 90th National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska County Laois is limited to 1,000 people per day, because of uncertainty over Covid Restrictions.   The event has no trade exhibitions just back to basics ploughing in the fields for plough men and women. However there was a hint of glamour as Freddie Flintoff, Patrice Evra, Romesh Ranganathan and Jamie Redknapp showed up to film an episode of 'A League of their Own'. Henry McKean was there to see if it still has the Ploughing Atmosphere and he sent us this report.

"It's been a lot of Ploughing." Jamie Redknapp & Ploughmen & Women 

A newspaper column which criticised the appearance of a number of Fianna Fáil politicians has been described as 'deplorable' by a party member. Senator Erin McGreehan, who was named in the article, told Newstalk Breakfast it served no purpose but to put people down. The Irish Mail On Sunday article, was also described as "nasty" by Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Did the article over step the mark and cross a line or is it fair game? If a politician is in the public eye is it ok to have a go at them? Henry McKean has been speaking to the public and fashion experts including David O’Connor Group General Manager of Louis Copeland who dresses many politicians including ministers and different taoisigh over the years.

"It's style over substance." FF hit back over Mail on Sunday column, Henry McKean gets makeover

As restrictions continue to be eased today why is it that people are still using the capital as an open urinal? Does the capital smell of a dirty public toilet? Henry McKean has been out and about with Dublin City Council Waste Management washing the streets 24/7. DCC have a Night team, 2 wash teams 7 nights a week, a graffiti removal team and 400 staff keeping the city clean, they are on twitter @DubCityEnviro where you can watch them working away. 

"There is a fierce smell of urine in Dublin." Dublin City Council work 24/7 to keep the streets clean

Across Dublin City Centre this afternoon you’ll find Chuggers - or Charity Muggers - out on the streets Yes, ‘Direct Charity Fundraisers’ are on the public paths asking for your donations. Is the public ready for them after the Pandemic, is this a sign of a return to normality? And why do charities use them? Henry McKean has been out and about.

The chuggers are back. Is this a return to normality?

The Master of the Rotunda Professor Fergal Malone has said maternity restrictions will be relaxed if expecting mums and their partners get vaccinated. At the moment vaccine uptake stands at about 40%, way below the national average of 78%. Henry McKean met dads having to wait in the car and mums to-be outside the Rotunda to hear their story.

"When Sofia was born I had just 30 mins when she was coming out." Rotunda patients & partners react

Climate change is “widespread, rapid and intensifying”, according to a major UN report. And “A Code Red for Humanity.” Sustained reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide are required urgently to limit the damage to the world. Henry McKean has been speaking to people in Portrane and Donabate about how climate change is affecting them and what they are doing about it.

"A few more storms could take our house." #ClimateEmergency affecting Irish families now

Skibbereen is beginning to come to terms with Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy winning gold in the lightweight double sculls final. Henry McKean met Olympic Gold medalist Paul O'Donovan's mum Trish and Bronze Medalist Emily Hegarty's mum Mary. Henry asked does it take a village to raise Olympians?

"We are so proud of them." Families of Skibb Rowers Olympic Gold & Bronze

Indoor dining is back for the first time since before Christmas. And Wet pubs can reopen their doors for the first time since March 2020. Fully vaccinated or those who have recovered from Covid in the last 6 months were allowed inside today with accompanied children. Henry McKean has visited Naas, Drogheda and Drimnagh to take in the atmosphere. Visiting the Black Forge Inn opening for the first time under new ownership under Conor McGregor.   

"Customers are just happy to be indoors." Indoor Dining is back.

It’s a status Orange High Temperature Weather Warning for Cavan, Monaghan, South Leitrim, Roscommon and Longford. And Status Yellow for the rest of the country.  Henry McKean visited Virginia County Cavan for us find out how hot it got. 