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What do potholes, bucking asses and Elvis Presley all have in common? They have all appeared in novelty songs by the man responsible for the massive hit Aon Focal Eile: Richie Kavanagh!

Now he is back with a new song, to be played for the first time on national radio on Mooney today...

To find out more about Richie, visit www.richiekavanagh.ie.

Richie Kavanagh & Derek Mooney following today's interview!

One of our listeners from County Cork contacted the programme with some beautiful pictures of her unusually large Cotoneaster plant.

The high roads and byroads of Donegal have been well documented on this programme by our intrepid reporter Katriona McFadden. So, when Alice Leggett’s email arrived, Mooney researcher Michele Browne insisted on going down to find out whether the largest cotoneaster in Ireland was in her own parish of origin – Ballinhassig!

For some expert advice, she brought David O’Regan - who’s Head Gardener at Fota - with her.

Mooney Tunes 8 takes place next Sunday, March 24, at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. Doors open at 7pm, and the show begins at 8pm. And what a show we have lined up for you!

Classical music has always been a staple of Mooney Tunes programmes, but this time round, we have excelled ourselves!

We will be joined by one of Ireland's premier sopranos, Claudia Boyle, and top British tenor Lawrence Thackeray. And they will be doing some of the best loved duets from the operatic repertoire.

And if you have never heard an orchestra in full flight with a 60 piece choir, you are in for a real treat on Sunday night. Two of Verdi's most famous choruses will form part of our program, performed by over sixty male and female voices, with the full backing of the RTE concert orchestra.

Mary Byrne will be with us once again. Oliver Callan will be on hand to keep you rolling in the aisles of laughter. We have a very special Elvis Presley tribute lined up, as well. And a few surprises along the way!

Now, some good news!

The Gibson Hotel, over at the Point Village, has offered us an overnight stay on Sunday night, with breakfast the following morning, for two people attending the Mooney Tunes concert.

The Gibson hotel is walking distance from the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. It's on the LUAS line, so it has brilliant access to the city centre as well. AND, they have included dinner for two on Sunday evening as well!

So how about that? Have a nice early evening meal. Stroll across to the theatre. Have a relaxing drink. Enjoy the show. And stroll back along the river for a relaxing night at the Gibson hotel!

Here's what you have to do to win this prize:

First of all, the competition is open to ANYBODY who has already bought tickets for Mooney Tunes, this Sunday. And to anybody who buys tickets up to midnight tonight.

Just write to us at our e-mail address, mooney@rte.ie . And tell us why you deserve this prize. It's that simple. You have until midnight tonight! We will read all the entries first thing tomorrow morning and announce the winner at the beginning of tomorrow's show.

But this part is very important. You must include your booking reference, or ticket number, on your entry. Okay? Don't forget that. It is very important.

And if you want to enter, and are buying tickets this evening, you can do so by logging onto www.ticketmaster.ie.

You can also call 0818-719377. That's the the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre dedicated line at TICKETMASTER. Or you can buy tickets in person, from the theatre box office, without a booking fee. Tickets start at €14.50, and go up to €39.50.

We’ve been enjoying our Table Topics game here on Mooney over the past number of weeks and months. It’s a sort of occasional feature on the show, where we ask contestants to speak on a given topic for 90 seconds. And there’s always a nice prize up for grabs for the winner.

Previous judges have included author Cathy Kelly, and celebrity lawyer Gerald Kean.  Today our judge is the suave and sophisticated broadcaster and royal watcher Noel Cunningham!

How to take part:

If you think you can talk for 90 seconds on any given subject, and want to take part in Table Topics, then e-mail mooney@rte.ie, tweet @MooneyShow, or from 3pm call 1850 715 900 or text 51551.

What do potholes, bucking asses and Elvis Presley all have in common? They have all appeared in novelty songs by the man responsible for the massive hit Aon Focal Eile: Richie Kavanagh! Now he is back with a new song, to be played for the first time on national radio on Mooney today...

Listener Alice Leggett contacted us from Ballinhassig, Co. Cork, curious if her cotoneaster was the largest in Ireland? We dispatched researcher Michele Browne back to Cork, along with David O'Regan, Head Gardener at Fota, to see the tree...

We've been enjoying our Table Topics game here on Mooney over the past number of weeks and months. It's a sort of occasional feature on the show, where we ask contestants to speak on a given topic for 90 seconds. And there's always a nice prize up for grabs for the winner. Previous judges have included author Cathy Kelly, and celebrity lawyer Gerald Kean. Today our judge is the suave and sophisticated broadcaster and royal watcher Noel Cunningham!