Lunchtime Live

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.

Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, joins Andrea in studio to answer listeners’ questions about pregnancy, fertility and maternal care in Ireland.Listen here.

Simon Calder, Travel Editor at The Independent (UK), joins Lunchtime Live to make the case for abolishing traditional airline check-ins—and what it would mean for future travel.Listen here.

Andrea speaks to consultant allergist Dr Ranbir Kaulsay about changing food habits in Ireland and the possible links to increasing allergy rates.The rising trend of mediterranean diets and other seed focused diets may lead to a rise in allergies, and potentially serious health impacts.For more listen here.

Andrea hears from listeners across the country on whether reintroducing water charges would help cut down on waste. Colin O’Byrne from VOICE Ireland joins to highlight the urgent need to fix Ireland’s water infrastructure.We also hear listener opinions, as temperatures increase and data centres contribute to overconsumption.Listen here.

Michelle Browne, divorce consultant, mediator, and author of Scars of Divorce, joins Lunchtime Live to answer listener questions about separation, legal planning, and financial issues arising from divorce.Listen here

Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, joins Lunchtime Live to break down the science of being cool.Things like comfortability in oneself, style and sense of humour are top of the list, find out what else by listening here.

Dr Akshay Deoras, research scientist at the University of Reading, joins Lunchtime Live to explain what’s behind Europe’s latest heatwave and what, exactly, is a 'heatdome.'We also hear from listeners and travellers across the continent to hear if the heat is putting people off their Summer holidays.Listen here.

Blake Boland from Dublin Bus joins Lunchtime Live to explain the nature of this antisocial abuse and behaviour across the Dublin Bus network. Suzanne O’Connor from SIPTU’s Respect Transport Workers programme also discusses the toll it’s taking on drivers and staff.Listen here.

Elaine Snowden and Melissa “Argie Bargie” join Andrea to talk about the culture, community and sport of roller derby.Listen here to hear all about the make-up of the game, where it's at in Ireland and how to play.

Seamus Mulconry from the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association speaks to Lunchtime Live about rising “voluntary” school contributions as inflation hits budgets. Listeners share their experience on the rising impact of school costs.From technology costs to school meals; are schools putting the squeeze on parents with voluntary contributions?Listen here.

Dr Louise Fitzgerald of Grafton Medical joins Lunchtime Live to answer listeners’ medical queries — from Summer allergies to prescription side effects and general health advice.Listen here

A recent study has shown that only 10% of the country is left-handed. But are Ciotog’s really smarter and more creative?  Margaret Leahy from Fable Tours joins Andrea to discuss her experience growing up left-handed and to dispel some of those myths around ciotogs.Listen here.

The BBC has said it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set, during which a band member shouted "death to the IDF" - as Ofcom said the broadcaster has "questions to answer". A spokesperson for the corporation said the remarks by frontman Bobby Vylan were antisemetic and "utterly unacceptable", and the performance should have been taken off air. Andrea is joined by guests and attendees for Bob Vylan's set to discuss if this statement has gone too far.

Imagine what it would be like to sing Ironic, on stage, with Alanis Morissette.Well, Andrea is joined by one woman who had such a privelege Grainne Gillespie from Donegal.Listen to what that experience was like here.

Brian Burke, Naturalist and Founder of the Micro Wild biodiversity project in Blessington and Fiann Ó Nualláin, The Holistic Gardener, join Lunchtime Live to debate whether the tidy lawn is falling out of favour. Is a bit of wildness better for biodiversity — or does it just look lazy?Listen here.

Today FM's Cathal Minogue and Elaine Burke from the For Tech's Sake Podcast join Lunchtime Live to review the podcast Stalked, how a relentless campaign of online abuse derailed one woman’s life.Listen here.

Parts of the country are at risk of becoming GP blackspots as family doctors retire, according to a new report for the Department of Health.The report calls for better succession planning and more incentives for GPs in areas under most pressure.Andrea takes calls from listeners impacted by the rural decline of GP practivies.Listen here.

Designer Helen Steele joins Andrea in studio to reflect on her favourite summer memories — from holidays and music to summer jobs and more.Listen here

Mary D’Arcy, Financial Crime Lead with FraudSMART, joins Lunchtime Live following comedian Joanne McNally’s revelation that she lost thousands in a Glastonbury ticket scam. Mary shares all the best practical advice on how to avoid getting conned while buying tickets for gigs and festivals.Listen here

Stella O’Malley, psychotherapist and parenting author, joins Andrea alongside Irish Times journalist and mother of seven Jen Hogan, and Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney, to discuss how and when to start talking to your kids about sex — and why it should be an ongoing conversation, not a one-time lecture.Listen here

Chef Holly Dalton and Machaela O’Leary of the app Too Good To Go join Lunchtime Live to unpack why the average Irish household throws away €660 worth of food each year — and what simple steps we can take to cut down on waste, save money, and even shop smarter.Listen here

From Palestinian GAA clubs touring the country, to all the great gigs across the island.Shane Beaty joins Lunchtime Live to go through the regional round-up.Listen here.

Long Covid continues to impact the lives of many across the country.It was recently announced that those eligible for the Long COVID Support Scheme will now have until the end of the year to access this benefit.Originally set to end this month, the scheme has been extended by six months. While this extension is welcome, it raises important questions about the future of support for those affected. Andrea speaks to those still suffering and with Professor Jack Lambert from the UCD School of Medicine.Listen here.

For The Home Squad this week we look at some of the biggest trends in interior design with Jenny Sheahan, former Home of the Year winner and creator of the ‘workers cottage’ Instagram account, and Sarah Twigg Doyle, interior stylist and design colour consultant.From 'intentional clutter' to a brighter home, get all the best tips here.

Sleep expert, Erica Hargaden, joins Andrea to offer advice on how to sleep well during summer heat — from managing body temperature with warm showers to choosing breathable bedding and even keeping the room well aired all day.Listen here for more.

Tadgh Kennedy, owner of Ballinapark and Jack Whites Pub in Brittas Bay, joins Lunchtime Live to discuss why he added motorhome facilities to his venue.He’s joined by Peter Kavanagh from Motorhome Enthusiasts Ireland, Aaron Birchill from the ‘Charlie and Me’ YouTube channel, and Jason Carmody, chair of the Irish Motorhome Working Group, to explore whether Ireland is doing enough to support domestic and international campervan tourism.Listen here

Monica and Daniela Venturi — better known as The Two Nonnas — join Lunchtime Live in studio to share their kitchen wisdom, family recipes, and tips for how to bring authentic Italian flavour to your home cooking.Listen here

Alan Buckley, head tour guide at the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience, joins Lunchtime Live to explain how U2 created the ever legendary The Joshua Tree, why it remains iconic, and how the album's legacy lives on in Dublin’s music scene.Listen here

Andrea is joined by guests to discuss the state of Ireland's roads.This comes after there has been a massive jump in complaints about potholes right across the country in the past three years, according to figures obtained by Newstalk.Listen here.

A cancer diagnosis is terrifying for the person who gets it.But it’s also a huge shock for that person’s loved ones – and knowing what to do or say can be really hard.So, how do you get it right?Joining Andrea to discuss is Founder of the Good Glow and Podcaster, Georgie Crawford, Founder of Olivia’s Gift Olivia Carpenter and Therapeutic Lead in Arc Cancer Support, Helen Hughes.

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…

A TikTok posted by car dealer David Tobin has amassed almost 90k views.He claims that no one wants to drive a car with a Donegal reg. Would you? Andrea is joined by David Tobin of David Tobin Cars, Joey Donnelly, owner of Crofton Motors and Nadia Adan, owner of Ashford Motors 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 answer all of your questions!

Irish farmers have welcomed a proposed restriction on using terms like “sausage” and “burger” for vegan products, arguing that such labels can mislead consumers and unfairly borrow from traditional meat branding. They see this as a “cynical” marketing tactic by plant-based producers.However, vegan advocates argue these terms simply describe the product’s shape or style, not its ingredients, and help consumers understand how to use them. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the meat industry and the growing plant-based sector.Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy President of the Irish Creamery Association and Milk Supplier Association and Chair of the National Dairy Council, Eamon Carroll, Chef at vegan and vegetarian restaurant Glas in Dublin, Malte, Political Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Pat O’Toole and more.Image: Beyond Meat

Do you live near a busy road? Or a loud trainline?More than 1 million of us are apparently exposed to high levels of transport noise.The noise exceeds the thresholds set under EU reporting rules around harming health.So, how is it affecting you?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Eoin King, a Noise Specialist based at the University of Galway, Cathal Crowe TD & Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Aviation and Logistics and listeners.

With today being the end of the Leaving Cert exams, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Laura Walshe, Career Guidance Counsellor with FindYourPath to discuss students’ next steps, including the CAO Change of Mind.

Irish-grown wool has now been a loss maker for farmers for many years.That's despite it being such an iconic feature of the country’s craft heritage and traditional clothing.So stakeholders across the country are trying to establish an Irish wool brand mark to protect it.President of the Wool Council, Barrister and Farmer, Brian McInerney and Pat Kane, Sustainability Advocate and Strategist join Andrea to discuss.

Speed cameras can be a help and a hindrance on our roads, with many people slowing down when they see a camera up ahead, only to increase again when they pass it.One in four admit to speeding: so how do we police speeding on smaller roads?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

The Irish language has taken the world by storm in recent years. Films like An Cailín Ciúin and bands as big as Kneecap have launched Gaeilge to a whole new demographic. The new TG4 Irish crime series Crá has become a global phenomenon, reaching 68 countries worldwide.What has caused this spike in interest? Andrea is joined by Ciaran Charles, Producer of Crá, as well as Screen Ireland Spokesperson Louise Ryan and Entertainment Journalist Brian Lloyd to discuss.Image: TG4