Lunchtime Live

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged, and the internet can’t get enough.As the worlds of pop and pro sports collide, we’re diving into the magic of power couples: what makes them iconic, why we’re so obsessed, and how two people can become even more influential together than apart?Joining Andrea to discuss is Mikie O'Loughlin, Showbiz Editor of RSVP and Holli Breslin, Entertainment TikTok Reporter.Image: @taylorswift on Instagram

Why does there seem to be such a struggle for parents to get their children into a Special Education Needs (SEN) school?Listener Rachel Lowry got in touch with the show with her struggles, and joins Andrea to discuss, along with other listeners with similar problems.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Wedding Planner Lyndsey Moynagh to answer all of your wedding-related questions! 

Newstalk reporter Laura Donnelly joins Andrea to discuss Electric Picnic’s lineup and weather forecast ahead of events kicking off this weekend. 

Wexford mother Laura Molloy joins Andrea to discuss how a local school bus crisis is impacting her family. 

A cleaning company recently targeted by extortionists was bombarded with one-star reviews on Google three weeks ago. Livia Andoreanu from Happy Clean, a domestic cleaning service in Blanchardstown, Dublin, joins Andrea to discuss her situation. Lily Store in Limerick’s Elaine Clogan and food writer Dee Laffan also join the show to discuss the impact of bad reviews on a business. 

Following on from an earlier discussion about animal welfare, listener Sophie Murray joins Andrea to discuss the theft of her mother's dog from her Dublin home.

Waterford pet shop owner Tara O’Connor recently came across a litter of pups found at a puppy farm in Wexford.  Animal welfare rescued the dogs, but their condition was so bad they all died from illness or had to be euthanized. Tara joins Andrea to discuss the need for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws, alongside Co-founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue, Martina Kenny.

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 Lisette Krol, Owner of Tribe Fitness Dance Studio to discuss the benefits of aerial hooping. 

While many enjoy rolling out of bed and ‘clocking in’, Gen Z is calling for remote working to be scrapped.   It comes as they feel they are losing out on forming work relationships with colleagues as well as gaining valuable skills.   Has the novelty of remote working worn off?   Listeners join Andrea to discuss. 

Dr. Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea to answer listener questions. 

Former Irish dancers and parents of Irish dancers have criticised the industry's focus on appearance and the expense involved for those participating. This has led many to question whether Irish dancing is more of a beauty pageant with some dance sprinkled in. Joining Andrea to discuss is Riverdance Director Padraic Moyles, Irish dancing teacher and adjudicator Kevin Lyster, Former Sports Director of the Irish Dance Board Federation and Member of the International Olympic Committee Tommy Shaughnessy and listener Antoinette. 

A Dublin family are facing homelessness because the house they’ve been living in for seven years is being sold.  The Kavanaghs and their three young daughters are facing eviction from their three-bedroom house on September 6. Evan Kavanagh joined Andrea to explain his family’s situation. 

From puppuccino to doggy daycare, many people cherish their furry friends so much that they are considered family – and what is a wedding without family.But is taking your dog to a wedding party a step too far? Broadcaster and Sustainability Influencer Fionnuala Moran, Owner of PetSitters Ireland Kate McQuillan, One Fab Day’s Rebecca Dore and listener James Fagan, who had his dog at his wedding, joined Andrea to discuss. 

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 Newstalk Newsroom’s Laura Donnelly join Andrea to review ‘How to Fail’.   

The HSE’s BreastCheck national screening service has missed its screening targets yet again.  Figures revealed that the service target last year aimed for 195,000 screenings, but only 137,134 were performed. Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín, Fine Gael Senator and founder of Breast Friends Senator Teresa Costello, and listeners joined Andrea to discuss. 

It’s time for some summer memories!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Presenter Katja Mia joins Andrea to reminisce!

Did you know AI can write books?Not very good ones, mind you, but you wouldn’t know that before you bought them.But, what happens when they start writing them in the name of a well known author? And what happens if that author is you?Author Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, whose pen name is Sam Blake, joins Andrea to discuss what happened.

A recent discussion on smartphone use for children and adolescence has sparked criticism against beauty influencers. It is believed that social media is the root cause for eating disorders as well as the increase in steroid use.Should beauty influencers be blamed for these issues, or do we simply need to clamp down on children’s access to social media?Andrea is joined by Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatologists Professor Catriona Ryan, Program Director of PR and Media in SETU Carlow, Greg Murphy and Mrs Make Up AKA Michelle Ragazzoli to discuss.

This weekend sees Ireland welcome back the Aer Lingus College Football Classic for the first U.S College Football game of the 2025 season.The highly anticipated match between Kansas State University’s ‘Wildcats’ and Iowa State University’s ‘Cyclones’ - the game will be broadcast live on ESPN to an estimated U.S. audience of 4.5 million people.Up to 22,000 American tourists are set to travel to Ireland for this game.Will you be watching?Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Cian Fahey, Kevin Ryan, Head of Sales and Business Development for EI Travel and more.

From a Meath church being converted into a nightclub to a ‘nose’ of Tralee winner, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

An English tourist is in critical condition following an assault in Dublin City Centre yesterday morning.With this most recent attack it brought up a lot of questions about our capital city.Has Dublin gotten too rough? Do you feel safe in Dublin?Andrea is joined by listeners 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 Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Children who vape are three times more likely to become smokers, that’s according to new research from the University of York and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.With this in mind, do we need to fast track the ban of disposable vapes?Andrea is joined by listeners 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 discuss a baby’s movement in the womb.

Listener Seán got in touch with the show due to a frustrating experience with the Gardaí - where an apparent glitch on their end led to his car getting impounded…He joins Andrea, along with Motoring Journalist Dave Humphries, to discuss what happened.

Kneecap’s Mo Chara is back before Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning, accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London gig last November.The case has sparked a major show of support. Fans and campaigners have gathered outside the court, filling the streets with music, chants, and live performances in solidarity with the Belfast rapper.Andrea is joined by some of the voices who will be outside the court today to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr. Mary O’ Kane, Lecturer in Psychology and author of ’Perfectly Imperfect Parenting: Connection Not Perfection’ to answer all of your parenting questions!

Do disposable BBQs pose a danger to the environment?Listener Declan got in touch with the show after finding some left on the beach and joins Andrea, along with Dave O’Reilly, Chair of Tidy Towns, to discuss.

A London bar has come under fire for adding an automatic 4% service charge to all drinks ordered at the bar.This adds around 30 pence to all pints ordered at the Well & Boot in Waterloo station.As the cost of living continues to spiral, is tipping culture out of control?Joining Andrea to discuss is Caolán Barron, owner of the Sky and The Ground Pub, Oliver from Wall & Keogh Teas and more.

In July, Megan Slough Royal and her family were completely shocked to find that mother Maureen Slough had undergone an assisted suicide at a clinic in Switzerland. How did they find out? Through a message on Whatsapp…The Pegasos Clinic has since changed their policies following this situation, and Andrea is joined by Megan to discuss what changed, and her reaction to it.If any of these issues have affected you, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123.

The Rose of Tralee kicked off yesterday, bringing with it a full swing of festivities across Kerry.The event has endured since its first iteration in 1959, but need it go on any longer? Is it outdated?Joining Andrea to discuss is Cathal O’Sullivan, 98FM Producer, Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom on Instagram) Regional Judge for Kilkenny & Meath and Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast.

With the Leaving Cert results around the corner, there is an annual debate on whether or not it is the correct way to set students up for life. Many people think it is a great set up, while others feel it should be totally scrapped.Joining Andrea to discuss is singer-songwriter Mary Coughlan, Principal at Alexandra College Dublin, Barbara Ennis and more.

Drumcondra GP Dr Brian King joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Can we learn from Paris to become slightly more car free?The French city has recently become ‘congestion free’, and apparently it has worked wonders.Andrea is joined by Sunday Independent Motoring Editor, Geraldine Herbert, to discuss.

As everyone will know, Oasis played in Dublin over the weekend.The Gallagher brothers’ performance has been widely praised by attendees, but complaints have since rolled in about a lack of organisation from the venue.What went wrong, or could have been better?Andrea is joined by listeners, including Gareth Dunleavy. Curator of Oasis WTS fan page and Caoimhseach Connolly from the Newstalk Newsroom to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Presenter of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Flesh and Code’!Image: Wondery

This summer, you have probably been surrounded by ice creams and barbecues. For those of us trying to make healthier food choices, temptation is everywhere, especially when it's often easier, and cheaper, to eat ultra processed foods.Joining Andrea to discuss why we find it so hard to eat healthily is Dietician and TodayFM Presenter Shelly Gray, Editor at DMG Media Sarah-Jayne Tobin and Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly.

When travelling, whether it is by bus, train or plane, there is nothing more annoying than listening to someone else's music or podcast.Last week, Irish Rail announced that they would fine €100 to anyone playing loud music in a new campaign to highlight poor travel etiquette.How do you feel about people playing music out loud on public transport?Joining Andrea to discuss is Communications Manager with Irish Rail, Barry Kenny, Managing Director, Freedom Travel & Solo Travel, Ciara Mooney and listeners.

It’s time for some summer memories!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Journalist Bryan Dobson joins Andrea to reminisce!

After news broke of the death of nine-year-old Harvey Morrison Sherratt, who had spina bifida and scoliosis, but waited nearly three years for surgery, parents of children with scoliosis have been speaking out about long waiting times and the devastation they have brought to their families…With waiting lists for scoliosis surgeries having grown, and Tánaiste Simon Harris coming under increased pressure to deal with the crisis - Andrea hears from some of these parents.Joining to discuss is Maureen Nolan, whose daughter has several conditions including scoliosis and Bernier Kelleher, who was forced to bring her daughter to the UK for surgery in 2007…

Oasis are back for their first gigs on Irish soil since 2009, with the Oasis Live '25 reunion tour arriving in Dublin for two sold out performances at Croke Park on Saturday and Sunday.Are you excited for the shows? Were you lucky enough to get a ticket?Andrea is joined by Oasis superfans to share in the excitement!

It’s rare that we get such good weather in the summer, but that has been happening recently!But, do we get the chance to make the most of them?Should we get time off work when it’s sunny so that we can go out and enjoy it?Joining Andrea to discuss this is Laura Bambrick, Social Policy Officer with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Sinead Dalton, Content Editor of Evoke.ie and Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather.

From brown bread making to wedding rollercoaster taking, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Independent brewers are facing challenges due to “astronomical” input cost increasing. It comes as some brewers have had to shut their doors due to high running and production costs…High water charges and “archaic and arcane alcohol licensing laws” are some of the other reasons for these closures and the loss of multiple jobs.What needs to be done to keep these breweries in business?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tom Cronin, Founder and Chief Executive of the Rye River Brewing Company, Joe Donnelly from Rascals Brewery, Dean Mcguinness, Managing Director of Primary International Beers and others.

Should pets be allowed in public dining spaces? Do you mind having dogs around while you’re drinking a coffee – or to take it one step further – would you eat a sandwich with a cat climbing all over you?What do you think? Is there a hygiene concern?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ronan Flood, Co-Owner PYE Dundrum and The Barbers Bar in Grangegorman, Michael Moynihan, Columnist with the Irish Examiner and more.

Rather than calling in a professional, what are the jobs that you can do yourself, without worrying about breaking the bank?Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about simple DIY fixes!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Martin Glynn, Founder and CEO of The DIY Academy.

More than 100 organisations have signed a joint letter calling on Israel to stop the "weaponisation of aid" into Gaza, as "starvation deepens".Humanitarian groups, including Oxfam and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), say they are increasingly being told they are "not authorised" to deliver aid, unless they comply with the stricter Israeli regulations.Joining Andrea to discuss this with his unique insight is former Israeli Hostage Negotiator, Gershon Baskin.Image: Reuters

Are you guilty of doing things or going places, just to take photos of them?If you don’t post about it online, were you even really there?Feature Writer Chrissie Russell explores this in a piece in the Independent today, and joins Andrea, along with Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet and Journalist Saoirse Hanley 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 Oasis’ ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’!