Lunchtime Live

Have you noticed an increase in vaping indoors in Ireland?Vaping in pubs, restaurants, cinemas – has it become normalised?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Professor Luke Clancy, Consultant Respiratory Physician and founder of the Tobacco Free Research Institute, as well as listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and Off The Ball’s Colm Boohig joined Andrea to review ‘The Louis Theroux Podcast’!Image: Spotify

Many of us strive to be better and do better in life.But, are we putting too much pressure on ourselves?Should we be celebrating being ordinary?Andrea is joined by Dr Claire Hayes, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lecturer, and author of ‘Finding Hope in the Age of Anxiety: Recognize It, Acknowledge It and Take Your Power Back’ as well as Mark Fennell, Life Coach, to discuss.

Figures this morning reveal that road deaths in Donegal have risen by a staggering 70% last year – just as road policing numbers were slashed by a third.Tomorrow is National Slow Down Day, and Gardaí have announced that they are going to have an increased number of speed checkpoints around the country – but wouldn't we send a stronger message by properly policing our roads year-round?What do you think?Andrea is joined by Dakota Nic Mheanman, Sinn Féin Councillor in Donegal, Mairead Forsythe, Spokesperson for the LOVE30 Campaign as well as listeners to discuss.

This week is Eating Disorder Awareness week. One eating disorder that you may hear a lot less about is ‘addictive eating’. Two members of Addictive Eaters Anonymous, Ruth and Isabelle as well as Lynda Duffy, Eating Disorders Therapist, join Andrea to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Leona McDonnell, Mindfulness and Wellness Coach, who advocates for stepping outside barefoot!

The redevelopment of Dublin’s Victorian fruit and vegetable market is finally happening - to the tune of €26 million.Work will start in June, and will take about two years to finish.By the time it’s done, the plan is to have new shops and restaurants with at least 80 stalls inside.So, what needs to happen?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Food Writer and Editor of Scoop magazine Dee Laffan, Chef and owner of Wildflower restaurant in Blackrock Market Adrian Martin, Green Party Councillor for the North Inner City Janet Horner, Joseph Duffy, fourth generation florist who used to work in the market and Tom Durcan from Durcan Meats in Cork's English Market.

Dr Sumi Dunne, GP in Laois, joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Parental separation and marital breakdown can be an extremely challenging time for children…A new book called ‘It's Not Fair’ helps kids to adjust when mum and dad separate.Deirdre McCarthy, a Social Worker and Lecturer in Trauma-Informed Care at University College Cork and author of ‘It’s Not Fair – Parental Separation Hurts’ joins Andrea to discuss.

Over €54 million worth of plastic bottles and cans have gone unclaimed in a year…So, why are some people refusing to buy into the Deposit Return Scheme?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

The costs associated with weddings can be great, so any financial reprieve for the bridal party would be nice; but would you have your bridesmaids get their dresses from a supermarket?A budget range of bridesmaid gowns are becoming available in ASDA in the UK, can a certain stylish quality be upheld with a cheaper option? Or, is dress rental a sounder financial choice?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Newstalk’s Helena O’Toole, Stylist Laura Mullet and Sarah Kennedy from ‘The Aisle’ blog and Wedding Expert.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments, Holly Dalton to learn about her recipes for overnight oats, granola and dumplings!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Canadians travelling to Ireland have been given a warning by their government that if they’re arriving here to forge a romance that they struck up online, they may in fact be the victim of a scam…Other travel advice such as to avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery as well as carrying large sums of cash as pickpockets may be targeting tourists.Is Ireland particularly unsafe for tourists, or is this just general advice for all tourists?On top of this, the Irish Hotel Federation have stated that they are €100 million down for bookings year-on-year. So: has Ireland become unappealing to tourists?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Professor Ciaran Bolger, Consultant Neurosurgeon with Beaumont Hospital joins Andrea to answer any of your brain surgery questions!

For people who can’t sleep, you’ll try anything…There are tons of new “trends” to try, all under the name of ‘sleepmaxxing’.But, what is it, and do any of them work?Dr. Neil Stanley, co-author of ‘A Sleep Divorce: How to Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart’ joins Andrea to discuss.

Labour TD Eoghan Kenny has questioned the changes to leaving cert claiming that continuous assessment projects disproportionately favour children from affluent families.Andrea is joined by Labour TD and Party Spokesperson for Education, Eoghan Kenny, Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of Teachers Union of Ireland, Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Columnist and Eric Nelligan, Teacher and member of Aontú to discuss.

Pets are very much part of the family, but how much are you willing to spend on your furry friend?From private jets and salon treatments to dog yoga and luxury hotel stays, Ireland’s luxury pet industry is booming.Andrea is joined by Laoise Downes, owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service, Adam Golder, founder of K9 Jets and more to explore the lengths people can go to.

From an Irish paramedic saving lives abroad to a dog eating teddy bears, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Thousands of families are living in rental properties that are too cold, and too damp.According to a new report today, hundreds of thousands of rented homes have poor energy ratings - meaning people are living in cold homes.So, should landlords be forced to do something about it?Andrea is joined by Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West Peter Finn, AKA Pete the Builder as well as listeners to discuss.

If you have noisy neighbours or live by a busy road, you’ll want to listen to this…The Home Squad are here to talk about all things soundproofing!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former ‘Home of the Year’ winner and Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty, to discuss.

On the show yesterday, Shane Gleeson was discussing how the five Spar shops he owns around Limerick City are being hit again and again by shoplifters…So, how big of a problem is crime in the retail sector?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Shane’s brother Michael Gleeson, Eric Matthews, owner of Kicky’s Restaurant on South Great George’s Street in Dublin and Frayank Nunez, owner of 'It’s A Trap’ micro-bakery and coffee shop on Aungier Street in Dublin…

Senator Anne Rabbitte was first elected to the Dáil in 2016 when she was elected in Galway East, and has served in public office ever since.Anne recently lost her seat in the Dáil, but has since been appointed to the Seanad by Taoiseach Michéal Martin.Anne joins Andrea to discuss.

Every Thursday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea will be joined by followers of different religions in Ireland to learn more about them.This week, Andrea is joined by Nick Park to learn about the Evangelical Christians.

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year 2000!

2.1 billion euro has been collected in tolls on Irish roads since 2008…The Newstalk exclusive found that the port tunnel alone collected €32 million in 2024, up from €28.8m the previous year.So, are we paying too much in toll charges?Andrea is joined by listeners, including Shane O’Donoghue, Editor with Completecar.ie.

Breast reduction is fast becoming one of the most sought-after plastic surgery procedures in Ireland.But, just how safe is it, and what is involved?For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Éilís Fitzgerald - Consultant Plastic Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeon at Beacon Hospital to answer any of your questions!

The popularity of shows such as ‘The White Lotus’, which is in its third season set in Thailand, may be contributing to an increase in travel to Asia.Or, is it simply that travel in Europe has become too expensive?Andrea is joined by Ciara Mooney, Managing Director of Freedom Travel & Solo Travel to discuss.

International students are being offered rent-free accommodation in exchange for sex and bed-shares with strangers.One in seven people have been offered rentals where they share a room – and sleep in the same bed – with people they do not know. One in 20 have been offered sex-for-rent arrangements.That’s according to a new report from the Irish Council for International students…To discuss, Andrea is joined by Senator and CEO of the Irish Council for International Students, Laura Harmon as well as one student, Darling.

Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh has called for cancer survivors to be treated fairly when accessing financial products such as mortgages, health insurance, and travel insurance.But, do all of us, regardless of the type of illness, have the right to be forgotten?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.Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said that we shouldn’t jail shoplifters and other non-violent offenders – and should use community sanctions to ease prison overcrowding…So, should we consider community service over prison?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss, including John Lonergan, former Mountjoy Governor.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.Today FM’s Shelly Grey and Host of the ‘No Encore Music’ Podcast Dave Hanratty joined Andrea to review ‘Peak Danger’!Image: BBC

If you have an EV charger at home and you’re looking for a little side hustle – this could be good news for you. Homeowners will be able to rent out their EV chargers through an app, for people who don’t have one.It also means that if you’re thinking of getting an EV, but don’t have a charger – you might now be able to use your neighbours.So, is this good news?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

A tourist tax is being explored by the Government as a method to raise tax for local councils.Venice and Lisbon are just a few of the European cities which already impose such a levy.Would you be in support?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Niall O’Callaghan, Independent Councillor in Killarney and Hotelier, Micheal Lennon, Director of the Skylon Hotel in Dublin, Melanie May, Solo Travel Blogger and more.

Would you support the idea of health warning labels on alcohol bottles, like those on cigarettes?From May next year, Ireland will be the first country in the world to make cancer warnings on alcohol bottles mandatory.Joining Andrea to discuss is Cathal McHugh, Chair of the National Off-Licence Association, Cathal O’Donoghue from Rascals Brewery, Dean McGuinness, Managing Director of Premier International Beers, Shane Boyce, from wine distributor Liberty Wines and Dr Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.This week, Andrea is joined by Gut Health Dietician and operator of the Gut Health Clinic in Blackrock Clinic, Lorraine Cooney, to learn all about maintaining a healthy gut!

Is there a baptism barrier for admission into schools in Ireland?Dublin listener Natalia got in touch with the show as she says her two boys are at the bottom of a secondary school’s waiting list - because they are not baptised…She joins Andrea to discuss.

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

You probably heard the shocking news over the weekend that 34 year old Quham Babatunde was fatally stabbed in Dublin City Centre…It begs the question: is Dublin a violent city?Andrea is joined by Ellen Fitzpatrick, News Reporter with The Sun, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean was at the Baftas last night - where Kneecap won 1 award out of its 6 nominations and Warwick Davis recieved a Fellowship award! But, there was surprise when Mikey Madison beat Demi Moore for Leading Actress...He joins Andrea to discuss!

Are people ignorant of Ireland’s national anthem? Listener Claire was watching the Dublin-Kerry match on Saturday, and noticed that many of the players seemingly didn’t know the words to Amrhán na bhFiann!She joins Andrea, along with other listeners, to discuss…

There was a time that you would pop to the corner shop for some essential items.However, small retailers are now being decimated by bigger chains and are struggling to compete…Andrea is joined by Martin Mulligan, President of the Federation of Independent Retailers as well as shop owners to discuss.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Paul Knapp, aka @official_firefightingchef on Instagram, joins Andrea to discuss some protein-rich vegetarian recipes!

The Government is planning a new crackdown on Airbnbs to help with housing.They’re saying it could bring roughly 12,000 short-term lets back on to the long-term rental market.The new laws would mean that landlords will have to register their short stay accommodation or face being fined up to €5,000.What do you think? Would you want a crackdown on Airbnbs?Andrea is joined by Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast as well as listeners to discuss.

Last night a brand new Irish dark comedy drama on Sky called 'Small Town Big Story' by Chris O'Dowd premiered at the IFI. Henry McKean was there and met the star of the new series, actress Christina Hendricks, best known for Mad Men.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Michael McQuillan, CEO & Founder of Pulse Security joins Andrea in studio to answer you questions about being a professional bodyguard

Our listener Siobhan got in touch because the Fairer Fares that had been promised for travel in 2024 still haven't been implemented. She wants to know when the Government are going to act!

You may not have it, but wall cladding is something that can add a lot to your home during a revamp.From paneling to soundproofing and heat, the Home Squad are here to talk about all things walls!Andrea is joined by Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty and Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY to discuss.

Earlier this week, Andrea spoke to parents who were impacted by the lack of public health nurses, and it really hit home with a lot of listeners.It seems there are a lot of babies in the country not getting enough health checks…Joining Andrea to discuss further is People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett, as well as more listeners.

The new Bridget Jones movie is set to break box office records.The fourth instalment, ‘Mad About the Boy’, is on course to become the biggest hits of the year - the pre-sales are apparently even bigger than Barbie!So, what is it we love so much about romantic comedies, and how have they stood the test of time?Andrea is joined by Bella Finn from Newstalk’s Newsroom and Entertainment Journalist Brian Lloyd to discuss.