Lunchtime Live

From free repairs to therapy dogs, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Being called for jury duty means making significant adjustments to daily life, taking time off work, arranging childcare, covering travel and meal costs all to carry out an important civic responsibility. But, for many people, these disruptions come at a personal and financial cost.Sinn Féin’s Spokesperson on Justice, Home and Current Affairs, and Chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Matt Carthy is calling for jurors’ expenses to be fully covered.He joins Andrea, along with listeners, to discuss.

When you need a bit of work done to your home, how can you guess how much a job should cost?Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about estimating costs!Joining Andrea to discuss is Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power and Sarah Carroll from @sand.and.deliver on instagram.

Despite widespread efforts to discourage the use of sunbeds for achieving a bronzed tan, tanning salons continue to emerge nationwide, with many people still choosing to use their services.What are the reasons behind the ongoing popularity of sunbeds, and what draws people to them?Joining Andrea to discuss is Professor Niki Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatologists and listeners.

Parents at a school in Clontarf have been given some unsettling news: starting in September, their senior infants' classes will be merged from three into two. The Department of Education has informed the school that this change is necessary due to a reduction in teaching resources available to them.What does this mean for the young students at this school, and how will it impact them?Joining Andrea to discuss is one of the parents at Belgrove Infant Girls School in Clontarf, Eamonn Broderick, Noel Loftus, Principal, St. Attracta's National School in Roscommon and Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas.

Being gay is really the last taboo in the GAA…That’s according to footballer Kevin Penrose, who joins Andrea, along with Hannah Tyrrell, Dublin footballer and former rugby player, 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 ABBA’s ‘Super Trouper’!

The owners of dodgy boxes are coming under new threats from Sky Ireland.They’re warning there’ll be “consequences” if people are caught streaming sport or films using the illegal devices.It’s estimated about one in four people in Ireland use dodgy boxes.So, would this put you off?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, Producer at Tri Moon Films Sam Atwell, Dr TJ McIntyre, Associate Professor of Law in UCD and Chair of Digital Rights Ireland, as well as listeners.

Andrea hits the ocean to sail on the coast out to Sligo Bay with local sailor Colm O'Flaherty.Get all the sights and sounds here.

Andrea speaks to the people behind Sligo’s adventure and heritage tourism: Seamus McGoldrick of Sligo Surf Experience and Adventure Sligo, Barry Mottershead of Sligo Kayak Tours, and Pamela Cassidy of Lissadell House.Hear all about Sligo's history and great activities here.

Andrea speaks with some of Sligo’s greatest success stories: Finbarr Filan, newly appointed national chair of ISME and head of Sligo BID; Andrew Darmody, Managing Director of Voya Skincare; Viola McSharry, mother of Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry; and David McGowan of McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Ballina all join the show to tell their story.Listen here

Shirley Foley, who lives with MS and is part of the international sailing initiative Oceans of Hope; and Pam Scanlon, a retiring school accounts worker from Calry who helped fundraise and build a school in rural Tanzania both speak to Andrea on their inspiring stories.Listen here

Andrea meets the people behind Sligo’s thriving food and drink scene: Aisling Kelly Hunter of Sligo Oyster Experience, Paul Mullin, co-founder of The White Hag Brewing Company, Aine Mullan of Fish and Bean, and Shane Meehan of Stoked restaurant in Strandhill.Listen here

A conversation about the joys and virtues of life in the northwest with former TD Marc MacSharry, travel content creator Kevin Dooher of Wild Atlantic Traveller, and Jane Chambers, owner of Shells Café in Strandhill -- all live from The Fish and Bean Restaurant in Sligo.Listen here

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Cliona Cosgrove to answer any of your questions when it comes to dealing with a child’s emotions.

Thatching is a time honoured Irish Tradition that is at risk of dying out., according to the Donegal Thatching School.They have called for more funding to protect this dying art…Andrea is joined by Conail Shovlin, Co-Founder of the Donegal Thatching School and Richard O'Lidain to discuss.

“There really is no excuse” these are the words of an animal rights organisation following a litter of five-week old collie puppies that were found abandoned by a Galway roadside. MADRA (Mutts Anonymous Dogs Rescue) say that thankfully the pups were in “surprisingly good shape” despite being found in a rain soaked box.What can be done to stop this type of behaviour in future? Should there be tougher laws on owners, and should there be more done to protect our dogs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dawn Divilly, Director of Operations Mutts Anonymous Dogs Rescue and Adoption, Suzi Walsh, Dog Behaviourist with DogBehviour.ie, Orla Murray, one of the Directors of the Irish Kennel Club and more.Image: @madradogrescue on Instagram

Would you be brave enough to ask Chat GPT… am I hot?That’s what one 47 year old woman did, and the advice was not that pleasing…Newstalk’s Sarah Madden tested it out, and joins Andrea and Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd to discuss.

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 Brian Lee, Owner and Founder of Tryka to discuss what exactly this hybrid fitness race league is all about.Image: tryka.fit

Ireland is facing a “national emergency” in infrastructure.That’s according to the Chair of the The Economic and Social Research Institute Sean O’Driscoll.Our transport, housing and water systems are all in dire need of help, and not enough action is being taken apparently.So, is it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Town Planner Derek Whyte, Barry Kenny, Corporate Comms Manager at Irish Rail, Chair of the National Water Forum Dr Matt Crowe, Architect and Environmentalist Duncan Stewart and listeners.

Dr John Flanagan, GP at Suffolk Street Surgery joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

With the price of coffee going up, have you considered getting your own fancy machine at home?There are so many to choose from, how do you know what’s worth the money?Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist Glenn Kelly, who has put the best to the test!

In a landmark legal victory, Irish entrepreneur Neil Sands and his wife Donna were awarded £300,000 in damages after successfully suing the operators of the controversial gossip website Tattle Life.The couple endured years of online harassment and defamation, prompting a two-year legal battle that culminated in the High Court of Northern Ireland unmasking the site's founder, Sebastian Bond, also known as Bastian Durward.Neil joins Andrea to discuss.

John is an Irishman who was part of a delegation who attempted to join thousands of others on a global 'March to Gaza'.He was among thousands of people who were stopped by Egyptian authorities.The group were travelling through the country to reach Rafah on a Gaza peace march.John joins Andrea to discuss.

Anti-mass tourism protests have erupted across Italy, Spain and Portugal as campaigners call for a curb in tourist numbers.The rising cost of living and lack of available housing is among their grievances but will these protests stop you from travelling abroad this summer?Joining Andrea to discuss is Stephen Burgen, Freelance Journalist in Barcelona, Yvonne Reddin, Freelance Writer and Content Creator and more.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Journalist and Stylist Laura Mullet join Andrea to review ‘The Reserve Drivers’!Image: Acast

Our summer memories series is back!We chat to some well known faces and reminisce over those long summer days.This week, Architect and Presenter Dermot Bannon joins Andrea to reminisce!

Winning the lotto sounds like a dream come true, but what happens next can be overwhelming. With millions suddenly in your account, how do you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of it?Joining Andrea to share the key steps you should take if you strike it lucky in the Euro Millions tonight is Paul Merriman from Ask Paul.

If you’ve been anywhere on TikTok or Instagram, you might have seen the uproar related to a new Sabrina Carpenter album cover.The cover sees Sabrina’s hair being pulled while crawling on all fours.For fans, this is nothing new, but many people are shocked online and wondering if Sabrina has more responsibility to be a role model…Joining Andrea to discuss is Ruth Breslin, Director at The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute, Nadia Adan, Owner of Ashford Motors, Journalist Brenda Power and more.

Do we let kids quit hobbies too quickly? Is walking away a sign of giving up - or just part of figuring out what they love?Joining Andrea to discuss is Karen Beckett, Chartered Psychologist, Steve Cummins, Father and Comedian and more.

From Tidy Towns to dirty dentures, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

As property prices get further out of reach, people are committing to longer commutes to get houses.You can get much more for your money if you leave the cities, but is the commute worth it?Andrea is joined by Professor in Transportation at Trinity College Dublin, Brian Caulfield, as well as listeners.

If you’re looking to sell your home, you want to make sure it looks perfect when potential buyers come to give it a look. So, what are the best things to do?The Home Squad are here to talk about staging your home!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan former ‘Home of the Year’ winners who is on Instagram as @workerscottage and Kate O’Driscoll, who you might know on Instagram as @victorianrathmines.

Sarah Jessica Parker has said she really doesn’t like taking pictures with fans, preferring to have conversations over selfies.What do you think about this?Joining Andrea to discuss is Owen McQuail, owner of Some Neck Guitars, Broadcaster Meghann Scully and more.

A new ad campaign by the Road Safety Authority shows blood on the hands of those who drink and drive, as well as those who don’t call it out.But, is it too gruesome? Or do we need this shock factor to call out those who drink to drive?Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA, Dominic Brophy, Director of Professional Driving Instructors Association, Mairead McDonnell Teacher and Psychotherapist, as well as listeners.Image: RSA

As work becomes increasingly sedentary, the need to prioritise physical activity and wellbeing in the workplace has never been more important. Integrating movement into the workday isn’t just good for health — it boosts productivity, morale, and long-term performance.Joining Andrea to discuss is Darina Dunne, Chair of the The Irish Physical Activity Alliance, Behaviour Change Consultant Marianna Costello and Colin Ryan from the HR Buddy.

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 1992’s ‘A Woman’s Heart’!

Have you had to deal with a disruptive or unruly passenger while aboard a flight? Well, in a bid to tackle what they call an “industry-wide” issue - low fares airline Ryanair are set to introduce a €500 fine for passengers who have been removed from the plane due to unruly behaviour. But, is this a fair measure - will it act as enough of a deterrent, and have you had a flying experience ruined by a rude and disruptive passenger?Joining Andrea to discuss is Travel Writer Joan Scales, as well as listeners.

The average cost for health insurance has gone up €480 in the past two years.Insurers are saying it's down to an increase in medical claims, the higher costs of medicine and a big increase in people having procedures done in private hospitals.So, is there anything we can actually do about it?Andrea is joined by Dermot Goode, Health Insurance expert with Totalhealthcover.ie to discuss.

Music festival Beyond the Pale has a new backer and is all set for this weekend.But, there were rumours during the week that it was going to be shut down.So, what’s going on with the event?Joining Andrea to give the latest update is Beyond the Pale Festival Organiser, Declan Forde.

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…

This week is National Carer’s week.We have spoken to carers many times on this show – about the impact they make, and the supports they need.Last year we campaigned on it, asking: who cares for the carers?So, has anything changed in the past year?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 all things inducing labour.

How hard is it for students to get a summer job?Are there part time summer roles out there, or have they all dried up?One listener got in touch because this is an issue his daughter is having…He joins Andrea, along with the CV Doctor Seanie Clifford to discuss.

Over 4,500 people have signed a petition that says public transport options for Irish pet owners are "severely limited".As more people treat pets like family, there’s growing interest in letting them travel by bus, train, or tram.Today we’re asking: Should public transport in Ireland be more pet friendly?Joining Andrea to discuss is Laoise Downes, Owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, Lynsey of FitDog.ie, 98fm’s Russell Alford and more.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Estate Agent for Hunters MD Rowena Quinn to answer any of your property-related questions!

A school in Galway is offering €2,000 to new pupils who join the school in an attempt to prevent the loss of its second teacher.Scoil Naomh Pádraig in Connemara is set to lose three of its seven pupils next September, and therefore, its second teacher.The Parents Committee’s fundraiser has brought in €14,000 to potentially share with seven families that choose to educate their children at the Gaelscoil, which is located between loughs Corrib and Mask in north Connemara.Joining Andrea to discuss is Ruaidhrí Kineavy, Treasurer for the Parents Committee for the school.

Almost half of people getting married are willing to go into debt to fund their wedding celebrations, according to a survey from online savings platform Raisin Bank.With the average cost of an Irish wedding currently between €10,000 and €20,000 – have things gotten too expensive?Joining Andrea to discuss is Lyndsey Moynagh, Wedding Planner, Social Media Content Creator Holly Carpenter, Broadcaster and Sustainability Influencer Fionnula Moran and Senior Newstalk Producer Helena O’Toole.

Recent figures from Cars Ireland reveal manual car sales have dropped by over 50% in the last ten years, while automatic sales have skyrocketed by more than 500%.So, will automatics soon take over completely, or do drivers still hold on to the thrill of changing gears themselves?Joining Andrea to discuss is Brenda Bolger, Driving Instructor from the Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny, Nadia Adan, owner of Ashford Motors, as well as listeners.

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 Marie McDonald and Carmel Reidy from Greystones Scrabble Club to discuss the benefits behind this timeless board game!