Lunchtime Live

Now, it’s time to chat about duvet days - taking a day off, even if you aren’t strictly under the weather, whether that be from work or school.Is offering children the occasional day off a restorative act that could benefit their mental health or a big no no?This is the question posed by Freelance Journalist and mother Niamh O’Reilly, who joins guest host Anna Daly, alongside Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry in TCD, Siobhan O’Neill White of Mams.ie and more to discuss.

It’s an exciting day for Harry Styles fans today, as his new single ‘Aperture’ was released at midnight last night.Not only that, he also announced his 2026 tour, ‘Together Together’, last night - with shows in Amsterdam, New York, Mexico City and London.Guest host Anna Daly is joined by three of his enthusiasts, Newstalk’s own Niamh Dunne, Cathal Minogue of Today FM and Jane Cowan, Irish Examiner Columnist to share in the excitement!

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins guest host Anna Daly with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Irish dancing is known for its high kicks, intricate footwork, and iconic curly hair, but at its core it demands years of training and dedication. As competitions become more frequent, some believe the growing focus on appearance and glamour may be overshadowing true talent.Registered Orthopedic and Strength and Conditioning Specialist Peter O’Grady warns that the modern image of an Irish dancer is becoming increasingly costly for families, and may shift attention away from skill and technique…What do you think? Should we focus more on dancing and less on the dancer's appearance?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Peter O'Grady, Registered Orthopedic and Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Irish Dance Professional. World Champion & Teacher, Ciara Sexton, Patrick O'Mahony, Designer and Digitizer for dresses, CEO of Riverdance Patrick Moyles and more.

You spend a lot of your life on one, so how do you know if you’re sleeping on the right mattress for you?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all things mattresses!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Kate O’Driscoll, @victorianrathmines on Instagram.

Collagen banking is the newest anti-aging skincare trend, but what exactly is it, and how does it work?Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at Institute of Dermatologists and Blackrock Clinic joins Andrea to discuss.

Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, alongside the National Transport Authority, has announced that contactless ticketing on public transport will come into effect in 2028.This will allow passengers to pay using bank cards, phones and other smart devices, yet we are one of the last major European cities to introduce the technology.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Feljin Jose, Spokesperson for Transport for the Green Party, CEO of the National Transport Authority, Anne Shaw and more.

As Ireland gear up for their World Cup qualifiers this March, excitement is building among supporters eager to back the team in green. That enthusiasm, however, may be tested by the price of the newly released Ireland jersey, which goes on sale today.Fans looking to kit themselves out will have to dig deep. The adult jersey costs €145 for the player-fit version, while the regular fit is priced at €105. The women’s jersey also comes in at €105, and the children’s jersey will cost a steep €85.So, is this simply the price of supporting your national team in modern football, or are fans being priced out while the team’s success is being capitalised on?Andrea is joined by Freelance Sports Journalist Daniel Hussey, as well as listeners, to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through The Saw Doctors’ ‘If This Is Rock and Roll, I Want My Old Job Back’!

There have been several calls over the past few months about removing counselling notes from victims of sexual assault and rape from trials and court cases.Paula Doyle is a rape survivor and activist who has been protesting around Dublin in aid of this. She joins Andrea to discuss.Helplines:DRCC.ieNational 24-Hour Helpline - 1 800 77 8888

It seems that every day, when we look at social media, a new person is emigrating. Typically, they’re heading off to Australia, Canada or America, with thousands of Irish people now calling those countries home. Something we see less often is people heading off to places like China, but that’s not to say there’s no Irish community out there.Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan has taken a trip to China, and she’s spoken to some of the Irish people living there to see what life is like for them.

Commuting in Ireland is no longer working.That’s the claim from the Labour party today as they say the country is in crisis.Are they right?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kildare South TD Mark Wall, Jamie Groom, CEO and Co-Founder of Rent a Recruiter and more.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has reiterated his position that his airline will not be purchased by Elon Musk - after the X owner continued to say he would on social media.What do you think? Should Elon Musk be allowed to buy Ryanair?Joining Andrea to discuss is Editor of Travel Extra.ie, Eoghan Corry, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by a professional to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, as a special treat, Andrea is joined by Assistant Director of Midwifery and Nursing for the National Maternity Hospital, Teresa McCreery, to discuss and answer any questions you might have on midwifery.

Tradfest kicks off today!It’s a celebration of Irish music and culture that runs until Sunday.To celebrate and discuss, Andrea is joined by Shay Casserley, who’s part of the festival…

Legislation has been approved to allow Gardaí increased capacity to intercept digital communications.However, the Irish Council of Civil Liberties has criticised the move as “profoundly intrusive.”So, what could this legislation mean for Gardaí, and more importantly what can it mean for the general public?Joining Andrea to discuss is former Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Expert with Totalhealthcover.ie to answer any of your health insurance questions!

Many of us have been unfortunate enough to walk in dog poo when walking on Irish roads. Even with a fining system in place and poo bags available in some public areas, some people could not be bothered to clean up after their dog.Cllrs in South Dublin have called for a new way to fine culprits. By introducing a DNA swab, we will be able to track the dog back to their owners and prevent further littering.Do you think this would be a good solution, or is it a waste of time?

Grief is tough under any circumstance, but losing a baby before they were born, and then having to fight for their right to be recognised, would really compound that pain.Niamh Murphy has had to go through just that, and joins Andrea to discuss.

The 2026 National Football Leagues launches in Croke Park today, but how far have we come with closing the gap between coverage of men’s and women’s sport?Joining Andrea to discuss is Corporate Affairs Director with Lidl Eimear O’Sullivan, Footballer for Armagh Aimee Mackin and former Ireland International rugby player Andrew Trimble.

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life...This week Andrea is joined by Nutritionist Aileen Cox Blundell (@babyledfeeding on Instagram) to discuss how food can impact your mood!

Brooklyn Beckham has taken to Instagram to open up a feud with parents David and Victoria Beckham.Brooklyn said on his social media, his parents tried to ruin his relationship with his wife; they care more about endorsement and public image above all, and not to mention that infamous dance. Allegedly, Posh Spice overtook his first dance with his new wife to dance "inappropriately” with her own son.All this said, are you team Brooklyn or team Beckham?Joining Andrea to discuss is Broadcaster Glenda Gilson, Fashion Expert for RSVP Magazine and TV Stylist, Laura Mullet, Trevor Twamley, CEO & Co-founder of Sport Endorse, Rosalyne Lipsett, fashion broadcaster with Ireland AM and listeners.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

In January 2023, Northern Irish MP Alex Easton got a call which would change his life forever: his parents had tragically been killed in a house fire.He joins Andrea to discuss the trauma of losing his parents, and how he has dealt with the grief since then…

Are phones dumbing down films?Speaking on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Matt Damon said that phones distract a lot of people at home, and that filmmakers now have to work around that to keep them interested, sometimes to the detriment of the movie…So, have you noticed a shift in how films on services like Netflix are telling their stories, do you put the phone away when watching a movie?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarina Bellisimo, Broadcaster and Entertainment Journalist, Anthony Muldoon, Director of Strategic Policy with Screen Producers Ireland & President of the European Producers Association CEPI and Baz Black, Actor, Writer, Director and Producer.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke & Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Mad, Sad and Bad with Paloma Faith’!Image: Jampot Productions

As the trend for “Baby Botox” continues to rise, unregulated black-market injections are putting teenagers at serious risk, including blindness and permanent tissue damage.Increasing numbers of young people, some as young as 16, are turning to these illegal treatments in an attempt to improve their skin and appear “younger.”Health experts are now calling for stronger legislation to protect vulnerable young people, curb this growing epidemic, and prevent further harm to children and teenagers.So, do we need more regulation around this?Joining Andrea to discuss is Jack Kelly, Professor with Galway University Hospital and founder of the Kelly Clinic, Kerry Hanaphy, Clinic Owner for Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic, Irish Independent Columnist Mary McCarthy and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Declan Finnegan, Funeral Director and Embalmer, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Misdiagnosed as bipolar, 32-year-old Katie Watson spent years seeking answers to why every month, just before her period, she’d suffer crippling depression and anxiety.Katie joins Andrea to discuss Pre-Menstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

Have the markings on Irish roads gotten too bad?Apparently people are failing driving tests because of faded white lines and stop signs.Is this something you’ve noticed?Joining Andrea to discuss is Clodagh Branagan, Director of Ladybird Driving School, Driving Instructor Brendan Tierney and listeners.

From good news for Harry Styles fans to ‘The Only Girl in the World’ making a comeback- a lot is going on in the entertainment world.SPIN 1038’s Katie Gallagher and Bauer’s Entertainment Reporter Shannon Keenan join Andrea to run through the biggest entertainment stories of the week!

Newstalk News Anchor Eamonn Torsney joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup are just two games away. The boys in green will play Czechia in late March, with the winner of that match facing either North Macedonia or Denmark to secure a place in the finals.If Ireland are successful in making it to the World Cup, they will be heading to the US in the summer.Independent TD Barry Heneghan has called for Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to temporarily extend pub licensing hours to provide a place for fans to safely watch the matches together.So, would you like to see the pubs open late to watch the World Cup?Joining Andrea to discuss is Cameron Hill from Off the Ball, as well as listeners.

In a very January way to make an impact, how do you make your home look good without buying new things?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss restyling without buying!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Interior Stylist Sarah Doyle.

Google is apparently emailing thirteen year olds to tell them how to turn off parental controls on their accounts...Joining Andrea to explain more is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly…

When it comes to healthcare, half of the population pays twice – surely it’s time for a rethink? So writes Suzanne Crowe, Consultant in Pediatric Intensive Care.What needs to change in the system?Joining Andrea to discuss is Suzanne Crowe, Dr Brian Turner, Health Economist in Cork University Business School in UCC and listeners.

Men under 35 are now the most worried generation about hair loss, fuelling a £6 billion hair treatment global market.But how do men feel about going bald? Is there still a stigma about it, or getting hair transplants?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ciaran Bradley from the Newstalk Digital Team, Dr Maurice Collins, Medical Director & Founder of HRBR, as well as listeners.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Thin Lizzy’s album ‘Jailbreak’!

As the Irish Open is set to take place in The Trump Hotel in Doonbeg later this year, many people will flock to West Clare to see the sport in action.Donald Trump however has caused a lot of tension over recent years with many people strongly disagreeing with some of his actions.Can we put our personal feelings for Trump aside in the name of sport?Joining Andrea to discuss is Fionn Davenport, Journalist and presenter of the ‘Golf Weekly’ podcast, Professional Golfer Damien McGrane and listeners.

Listener Clíodhna emailed the show with an issue she is dealing with.She joins Andrea to discuss the difficulty she is facing with getting Power of Attorney. Just how hard is it? Also joining to discuss is Áine Hynes, Senior Counsel Solicitor at St. John Solicitors and Chair of the Law Society Task Force for Mental Health Law and Capacity Law.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

North-Cork Councillors are calling for those convicted of illegal dumping to complete community service litter clean-ups.Could this effectively tackle the problem?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ian Doyle, Fianna Fáil Councillor for North Cork, Noel McCarthy, TD for Cork East and Chairman of Fermoy Tidy Towns and listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and how you can manage it if you come across it during your pregnancy.

Dan McDermott got in touch with the show because of his daughter Eve. Eve has had Cerebral Palsy since she was 9 weeks old, and her family are fighting to give her the treatment to help her walk.Dan joins Andrea to discuss Eve’s life, and the fundraising effort they are making.If you would like to donate, you can visit https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/SupportEvesDreamtoWalk

The Irish dental scheme is currently facing a serious crisis, with many medical card holders unable to access dental treatment. Fewer than 600 dentists nationwide are now operating under the scheme, leaving thousands of people struggling to secure appointments. As a result, many are going for years without seeing a dentist, leading to worsening oral health.Have you been affected by this?Andrea is joined by Irish Dental Association President Will Ryme, as well as listeners, to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Managing Director ofInsuremyhouse.ie, Jonathan Hehir, to answer any of your questions around home insurance!

Research carried out by HelloFresh has shown that more than a third of people move their dinner time later into the evening due to busy days and commitments, yet almost half prioritise eating meals with their loved ones.The research found that 6.28pm is the perfect time to sit down for dinner, yet only about 40% of people achieve this.So, when do you sit down for dinner?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dietician Orla Walsh, Columnist Mary McCarthy and Andrew Rudd, Chef & Director of Medley Private Dining Venue.

Former TV Presenter and Model Michelle Doherty has had a tough few years, and has spoken so eloquently in the Irish Independent about her struggles with grief, separation and infertility.Michelle joins Andrea to discuss…

As the shock of what Grok can do sinks in - we have all gotten too comfortable with what AI can do…We’ve understood it could impact us, but we’ve almost come to terms with it.So, should we be deleting everything online to protect ourselves from a future we can't predict?Joining Andrea to discuss is Host of ‘Health Me’ Podcast Lisa Brady as well as listener Erika.