Lunchtime Live

Businesswoman Sharon Bannerton was close to death after getting sepsis from a mosquito bite.The PR boss described how she was ‘an hour from dying’ when she caught double pneumonia and blood poisoning, taking 12 months to recover from the health scare…Sharon joins Andrea to tell the whole story.

Rural pubs have fallen in the past 20 years with more than 2,000 pubs closing their doors. It is believed that a further 1,000 are due to face the same fate in the next decade, with little to no government intervention to help them stay open…Have local pubs in your area closed down, and what can be done to help them stay open?Joining Andrea to discuss is Offaly TD, Cllr John Clendennen, Co-owner of Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen, Una Burns, Owner of JJ Hough's, Ger Hough Conor O’Neill from The Glyde Inn and CEO of Irish Rural Link, Seamus Boldan.

Following Donegal’s spectacular win over Meath yesterday, the hunt is now on to find tickets for the final, especially for Andrea!But, how easy (or difficult) is it to nab a ticket?Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Eoin Sheahan, Katie Gallagher, Daniel Hussey, Freelance Sports Journalist and Cathal Minogue, Today FM Presenter.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea to review ‘Persuadable’!Image: CNN

The HSE have said they don’t have the funding to help people stop vaping.There are calls now to make it a priority as the health service sees an increase in people looking for help for vaping, and the use of nicotine pouches.So, should there be a bigger focus on it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Labour TD Conor Sheehan, Columnist with the Irish Independent JJ Clarke, as well as listeners.

It’s time for some summer memories!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Writer and Broadcaster Maia Dunphy joins Andrea to reminisce!

Did you know you could get a grant to live on one of the Irish islands?There are grants of up to €84,000 available, and you can live in some gorgeous spots, if you’re able to!So, what does it entail?Joining Andrea to discuss is listeners living the island life to discuss!

Research suggests that involving chores in a child's routine from as young as three years old has massive benefits.A 20-year study by the University of Minnesota found that doing chores from a young age is the best predictor for having a good education, a solid career and healthy relationships with family and friends in adulthood.It has been shown that having set chores helps improve a child's responsibility, self-reliance and a sense of accomplishment. It has also been proven that it boosts self-esteem, teaches valuable life skills, and contributes to a child's overall positive mental health.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Dr Anne Keogh, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland, Siobhan O'Neill White from mams.ie, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) and listeners.

With this heatwave, temperatures around Europe are regularly reaching 40°C…People are being warned not to holiday in some areas, but what is it like to live in them?Andrea is joined by Irish living in some of the continent’s hottest spots to discuss.

From funny seniors to Ugandan GAA, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Should you get a ‘fit note’ instead of a ‘sick note’?GPs in the UK have been ordered to send people to the gym instead of automatically giving them a sick note for time off work. The new pilot scheme will help to encourage people to get back to work and reduce the number of illnesses across the country.Is this something Ireland should consider and if so, how would we go about it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic, Chairperson of the IPAA Darina Dunne and listeners.

First impressions are important, so, when you have guests over, how can you leave the best one once they step into the door?Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about making an entrance!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) & Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty Design House.

Are weddings in Ireland becoming bigger affairs?We’re hearing more about these huge parties, lasting days and costing enormous sums of money.Only a few weeks ago, a wedding in Adare manor had TikTok gripped when an American couple put on an enormous extravaganza.So, are they getting bigger, and should we return to a more humble gathering?Joining Andrea to discuss is Olivia Buckley from Olivia Buckley International and Zoe King from We Deux.

If you’ve attended a concert or match recently, then the likelihood is you’ve spent a couple of hours travelling to and from, especially if you live outside of the city centres...So, do we need better public transport to concerts and matches?Joining Andrea to discuss is Thomas Gould- Sinn Féin TD for Cork North-Central, as well as listeners.

The Irish Immigration Service has denied the visa applications for a group of GAA Palestinian players and mentors ahead of a summer tour.A team of 33 children and 14 mentors were due to travel to Ireland, arriving here next week.So, what happened?Joining Andrea to discuss is Stephen Redmond, Founder of Palestinian GAA and Cathal Ó Gaillín, Liaison Officer with the Moataz Sarsour Club in Al Am'ari refugee camp in Ramallah.

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 Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’!

A bonfire in Co Tyrone has sparked controversy ahead of the twelfth of July celebrations. It comes after a boat containing more than a dozen life-sized mannequins wearing life jackets was erected on top of the bonfire in Moygashel on the outskirts of Dungannon.The display is believed to resemble the scandal of ‘mass illegal immigration’.Many people are horrified by this display saying, “it resembles sickening racist and far-right attitudes” while others say it is a form of "artistic protest".Should freedom of expression play a part here, or should topics like immigration be kept to a minimum?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sinn Féin's Assembly member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone, Colm Gildernew, as well as Phoenix Editor, Paddy Prendiville, Executive Editor of Daily Mail, John Lee and listeners.Image: @GildernewColm on Twitter

Adult education teachers will protest at the Dáil today over cuts to their teaching hours and growing job insecurity. Many have been told they won’t be guaranteed hours in September and are classified as unemployed during the holidays.The Adult Education Teachers’ Organisation (AETO) says these cuts undermine both teachers’ livelihoods and the future of adult education. They are calling for secure contracts, guaranteed hours, and recognition of their year-round contribution to the education system.Andrea is joined by some of the teachers impacted by these cuts to discuss.

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 Big Breakfast Co-Host Rebecca Shekleton joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Long school holidays widen the gap between those enjoying trips, camps and excursions, and those left with nothing to do, according to Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent.So, is three months off school too long?Mary McCarthy and listeners join Andrea to discuss.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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 talk all things fetal movement.

Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team, has been sacked. What led up to this, and what does the future look like for the team and its star driver Max Verstappen?Joining Andrea to discuss is Elaine Power, Host of ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast and Ali Ryan, Founder of Goss.ie.Image: PA / Wire

The Irish Cancer Society has voiced deep concern over alarming delays in access to life-saving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.Patients urgently referred for breast and prostate cancer assessments are facing some of the longest wait times, despite the critical nature of their conditions.Under current healthcare guidelines, chemotherapy should commence within 15 working days of being prescribed. However, many patients were forced to wait up to eight weeks, delays that could lead to serious complications or even reduce their chances of survival.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Ziva Cussen, Patient Ambassador for Breast Cancer Ireland, Patricia McKeever, Head services at ARC Cancer Support and listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Trevor Grant, Chairperson of the Association of Irish Mortgage Advisors to answer any of your questions when it comes to getting a mortgage!

With the cost of living constantly rising, financial independence is more important than ever. But, when you're sharing groceries, bills, and a mortgage with a partner, what does that actually look like? Should you pool all your money, or keep some separate in case the relationship doesn’t work out?Joining Andrea to discuss is Claire Auchmuty, Divorce and Relationship Coach, Rebecca Reid, Author & Columnist and Content Editor with Evoke, Sinead Dalton.

Almost €19 million was raised last year from discretionary parking fees at hospitals.So, should parking charges at hospitals be abolished?Joining Andrea to discuss is Suzanne Dowd, Advocacy Officer at The Irish Cancer Society as well as listeners.

Milan’s La Scala theater has warned that they will ban anyone who shows up wearing shorts, tank tops and flip flops. Has fashion gone out the window nowadays, and are people dressing too casually for day-to-day life?Do we need to bring back suits and heels to the office or should people wear what they feel comfortable in?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk Breakfast Presenter Shane Coleman, Stylist from Style Savvy Laura Jordan and Nathalie Lennon, Content Creator & Personal Trainer.

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 Mental Fitness Expert for Elite Performance, Martha Donnelly, to talk about the benefits you can get from mental strength training!

Garda recruitment numbers this year are down.They had a target of about 1,000, but numbers are looking closer to 650…So, what would make you want to become a Guard?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tara McManus, Assistant General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association, as well as listeners.

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

Last Friday, the topic of issues facing people in wheelchairs when they travel was discussed.One listener, Carmel, got in touch with her frustrations when it comes to those limitations. She, along with Tom Randles from Randles Hotel Killarney, joins Andrea to discuss…

Housing Minister James Brown has proposed changes to building guidelines that would allow for smaller, more affordable apartments.Sinn Féin has strongly criticised the move, calling it “utter madness” and accusing Fine Gael of failing to tackle the housing crisis effectively.We want to know, what do you think? Could reducing apartment size be the answer for housing?Joining Andrea to discuss is Eddie Phelan, Chartered Engineer and Managing Director of VCL Consultants in Drogheda, Architect, Artist and Lecturer in Griffith College Roisin Murphy and Ray Cooke, CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers.

A heatwave is coming for Ireland this week, but it’s still nice to get away – spend some time by the beach or exploring a foreign city.But apparently 72% of us haven’t booked our holiday yet for this year.A huge number of us are leaving it very late.So, are you looking for some inspiration?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ciara Mooney, Managing Director of Freedom Travel and Solo Travel and Travel Writer Megan Virgo.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Ciaran Bradley from Newstalk’s Digital team and Ellen Butler from the Newstalk Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘Stick to Football’!Image: Acast

The GAA has issued a statement clarifying the final score of Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final, revising the official score to: Tipperary 4-20 Kilkenny 0-30. The final score was initially given as 4-21 to 0-30 but has been amended...But, did this mistake change the course of the game?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tommy Rooney, Off the Ball’s GAA Correspondent, Eddie Keher from the Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club, Cathal Minogue from Today FM and listeners.

Architect and Home of the Year judge Hugh Wallace joins Lunchtime Live to share his summer memories.From travels to Zimbabwe to his favourite holiday song.Listen here for all this brilliant conversation.

Pat Carty, freelance arts journalist, joins Lunchtime Live to discuss the return of Oasis — what’s real, what’s rumour, and whether Liam and Noel Gallagher will keep it together long enough for a world tour.Listen here.

Dr Ann-Marie Creaven, psychologist at University of Limerick, joins Lunchtime Live to explore why making new friendships gets harder with age — and how to open yourself up to connection. Listeners also share how they’ve built friendships later in life, and the challenges they faced.Listen here.

Edel Carey, school liaison officer with the Irish Wheelchair Association, and Joan Carthy, National Advocacy Manager with the IWA, join Lunchtime Live to discuss the challenges of travelling as a wheelchair user. Travel agent John Galligan also joins to explain how accessibility is improving (and where it’s not).Listen here.

In this week’s Regional Roundup, Shane Beatty checks in with stories and voices from across the country.From #lovedonegal day reaching 99 million people to Bruce Springsteen's ancestral Kildare home becoming a tourist Mecca.Listen here.

Independent Senator Michael McDowell joins Lunchtime Live to argue that banning bedsits may have made housing less accessible. He’s joined by listeners who share their views on whether small, single-occupancy units should return to ease the housing crisis — or if those conditions are a step backwards.Listen here.

Pat Keville from Plantstore.ie joins Lunchtime Live to help listeners with their summer planting dilemmas, from wilting herbs to container vegetables.He’s joined by Peter Dowdall, better known as The Irish Gardener, to offer more advice on minding your indoor and outdoor plants,Listen here.

With the summer holiday season in full swing and temperatures climbing across Europe, many of us are reaching for insect repellent to avoid those pesky, itchy bites. But what exactly causes these bites, and is there anything we can do to stop them? To help us understand more, Andrea is joined by Collie Ennis, Zoology Research Associate and Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin, and Catriona O'Riordan, Pharmacist in Cork.Listen here.

Earlier this week tickets went on sale for the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals in Croke Park, with stand tickets for either day costing €60 each.  Many people have been complaining about the cost of tickets, which have increased in recent years. So, have GAA tickets become too expensive? Andrea speaks to listeners impacted by the rising prices.Listen here.

Joyce, June and Paula Kavanagh are three sisters born into a large family of ten children in the late 1950’s-early 1960’s in a disadvantaged area of Dublin, where their father sexually abused them daily from age three or four right up to their late teens.In 1989, they made the decision to bring charges against their father and, in 1990; the Irish State took a successful case against him.The sisters joined Andrea earlier to tell their story and speak about their new audiobook The Grip of Childhood Sexual Abuse to help others going through or dealing with childhood trauma.Listen here.This episode discusses topics related to sexual abuse and trauma, which some listeners may find distressing. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, support is available. You can contact One in Four for professional, confidential help.

In this week's The Making of, we do a deep dive into The Beetles' iconic, influential and incredible Abbey RoadJoining Andrea today is Head tour guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience Alan Buckley.Alan talks us through the road to Abbey Road and the ever-lasting impact this album has.Listen here.

With fast fashion increasingly under fire for its environmental impact, online retailer ASOS has taken a firm stance against 'serial returners’ This growing trend has prompted ASOS to tighten its return policies, identifying repeat offenders and warning them that their accounts could be permanently closed.  What does this mean for online shoppers who depend on these sites to find clothes that best suit them? Andrea speaks to listeners and more, listen here.

Andrea speaks to Mary Fogarty and Leoni Maher from The Cottage café in Loughmore, Co. Tipperary, who were in Leinster House campaigning for long-term government support for Ireland’s community cafés. They’re joined by café managers Louise Lawlor from the community café in Portland Row and Amy from the Priory Café and The Edge Community Café, who share how important a role these cafés play.Listen here.

98FM's Cathal O’Sullivan joins Andrea for a look at some of the good news stories of the week, including Luas 2050 plans, a crisp festival, the Devil Wears Prada sequel and where is the most popular spot to get down on one knee.Listen here.

RTE have confirmed that they won’t be broadcasting any of Electric Picnic this year. They used to have live coverage and highlights from it for several years but stopped in 2017. It's Ireland’s largest music festival -- so, should they? Listen here.