Lunchtime Live

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 Patrick Dawson to learn about the Baha’i Faith!

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year that was 1981!

The housing crisis is “delaying marriage and children” for 84% of adults, according to a new study.48% of couples planning to tie the knot and 60% of couples planning to have children said they would have done so before now if it wasn’t for the housing crisis…Are you in a similar situation? Has it delayed marriage or starting a family for you?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Fertility Coach and Trauma Therapist Helena Tubridy, Frances Kelleher, Life Coach and Dating Expert as well as listeners.

For those of you that got engaged over Christmas but have yet to buy the ring... Or are planning a proposal in the coming months and need to start saving, this is for you...For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Jeweller David Wilson to answer any of your ring-related questions!

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris will take part in an emergency meeting of EU trade ministers later about US trade tariffs.US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on European steel and aluminium imports.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has condemned the tariffs and promised "firm and proportionate" countermeasures, although the commission has yet to confirm any retaliatory measures.Image: Reuters

A survey released by the INMO today has revealed that eight in ten nurses claim that patients are being treated in “inappropriate settings”.This includes places such as hospital corridors…To discuss, Andrea is joined by Dr John Gilmore, Assistant Professor and Head of General Nursing at UCD, as well as listeners.

Once you reach a certain age, your weekends become filled with hen parties, weddings and baby showers.These events can be all-consuming, and extremely expensive.Andrea’s guest knows all about this…Comedian Anna Clifford joins to discuss, along with Rebecca Dore, Content Editor with One Fab Day as well as listeners.

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…

Some residents of Dublin’s north inner city have “no sense of pride for their community” and “dump their waste daily” in the street, according to a report from Dublin City Council’s Head of Waste Management, Barry Woods.Janet Horner, Green Party representative for the North-Inner City on Dublin City Council, was critical of these remarks chatting to Newstalk earlier today...What do you think?Is a lack of pride in our local areas contributing to our issues with litter?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill joined Andrea to review ‘What Did You Do Yesterday?’.Image: Keep It Light Media

One in four people believe there is full pay transparency in their workplace, and more than half think discussing salaries is taboo, according to new research from hiring platform Indeed.What do you think? Should we be more open about talking about our salaries?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Mothers in parts of Dublin have been informed that their babies' developmental checks will be delayed or postponed due to a lack of nurses.Instead, they have been told to scan a QR code and check their baby’s developmental milestones online…Andrea is joined by mums to hear their experiences, as well as Dr Krysia Lynch, Chairperson for the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services in Ireland and Kerry TD Michael Cahill.

The landscape for the hospitality industry has changed majorly.Restaurants seemingly close down each day, and yet some seem to thrive…So, what sets the successful apart from the rest, is it a Michelin star?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Declan Ryan, former owner of the Arbutus Lodge Hotel, Ireland’s first Michelin Star, Dee Laffan, Food Writer and Host of the ‘Beár Bia’ podcast, James Moore, Executive Chef and co-owner of D’Olier Street Restaurant and Shane Smith from ‘YesChef’ 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 Dr Shane O'Hanlon Consultant at the Mater Private Hospital and Specialist in Healthy Ageing to learn about how we can ‘age well’!

Early this morning, several schools in Clare were sent a threatening email – claiming a plan to attack schools…Many of the schools closed as a precaution, and texted parents to have them pick up their kids.The schools are now reopening, and Andrea is joined by some of those affected, as well as Páraic McMahon, Head of News for the Clare Echo and Clare TD for Fianna Fáil Cathal Crowe, to discuss what exactly happened.

Dr Afif El Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, joins Andrea for a special segment of 'Ask the GP': to talk about the weird things babies do!

Beauty and Health Editor Bethan King has braved the latest celebrity trends to be frozen, heated up and pummeled by machines in the hope of speed­ing up her meta­bol­ism, redu­cing inflam­ma­tion – and even defy­ing the age­ing pro­cess…She joins Andrea to discuss what she’s found from the experience.

Micheál Martin has come under fire for confirming he will visit Washington on Paddy’s Day if invited.Many members of the opposition have called for him not to attend following President Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.What do you think? Should the Taoiseach visit Washington DC on St Patrick’s Day?Daniel Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to the United States, Patti Shields from Democrats Abroad as well as listeners join Andrea to discuss.Image: Reuters

Samantha Mumba has called the Eurovision panel that decided against her entry ‘“rude and vile”.Writing on Instagram, she reckons they “didn’t have the credentials, experience or professionalism required”...Does she have a point?Andrea is joined by Frank Dermody, President of Ireland’s Eurovision Fan Club, Charlie McGettigan, former Eurovision winner and more.Image: RTÉ

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!Adrian Martin, owner of Luigi Malones Temple Bar and the Wildflower Restaurant in Dublin joins Andrea this week to discuss viral foods, and how you can make them at home!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

You may have heard of the horrific scenes over the weekend in Stoneybatter.On Sunday afternoon, three men were stabbed in a series of apparently random attacks.A man has been arrested in connection…Joining Andrea to discuss what happened is Sorcha Pollak, Irish Times Journalist, Mary Kennedy, local resident and Director of Atomic Stage School.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Jason Reilly, Chairman of the Irish Strength Association and 3-time winner of the Republic of Ireland Strongest Man Competition joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Stepping into some big shoes can be daunting, but Andrea’s guest seems to take it in her stride...Rebecca O’Connor, who will be gracing Dublin stages as Tina Turner very soon, joins the show to discuss!

Alcohol addiction has been covered on the show before, but it is important to remember that people of any age could find themselves having issues with drinking…A convention is being held in Ennistymon, Co. Clare in the coming weeks which will focus on young people in Alcoholics Anonymous.Andrea is joined by organiser Niamh as well as some young people who have had problems with alcohol to discuss.The Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous - International Convention is being held in the Falls Hotel Ennistymon, Co. Clare on Friday February 28th to March 2nd.If you think you may have an issue with alcohol you can contact Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland on 01 842 0700.Or, you can find your local branch on: www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie.

We all have to drag ourselves through the drudgery of unloading a dishwasher, cleaning out a wardrobe, a press, cooking a meal and then clearing up the resulting mess! In other words: housework, which when viewed through the lens of capitalism is deemed as ‘economic inactivity’. But, we all know it is work, so should it be paid?These are some of the themes explored in the new book ‘Wages for Housework’ from Academic and Historian Emily Callaci.She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as Siobhán O’Neill White from mams.ie and listeners.

From Fota Park to the best work-life balance, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

You probably know someone who has appeared on a jury – it's a civic duty that you may be asked to fulfill.However, with the graphic nature of some cases, hearing details of a murder or a sexual assault, for days, even weeks on end – it must surely take its toll.So, should there be an element of after-care offered to jurors?Andrea is joined by Ann Murphy, Reporter with Irish Examiner, Dr Conor Hanly, Lecturer in Law in the University of Galway and more to discuss.

Do you think your kitchen needs a bit of a renovation and refresh? Well, look no further! The Home Squad are here to discuss doing a kitchen refresh on a budget.Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY.

What does it take for a video to go viral?Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie, accidentally made her son viral at the start of lockdown, playing football against the wall as both the striker and goalkeeper!She joins Andrea to tell the story!

If you were listening to Lunchtime Live yesterday you would have heard caller Emmet Kelleher who joined Andrea to discuss his experience of homelessness in Ireland...A lot of people got in touch with the show following Emmet’s story, including listener Mal who said that he is facing losing his rented accommodation this weekend…Today, listener Jane joins Andrea to discuss her own experience of homelessness, and Fr Peter McVerry from the Peter McVerry Trust joins to discuss the landscape of homelessness in Ireland today.

Every Thursday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea will be joined by followers of different religions in Ireland to learn more about them.This week, Martin ‘Manu’ Krishna joins Andrea to discuss his faith: Hare Krishna.

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year 1980!

Two weeks after Storm Éowyn, there’s still thousands of people across the country without power. Local communities have started to set up hubs in parish halls and centres to allow people to charge their phones, get a hot meal and, where possible, take a hot shower.Andrea is joined by some of those affected to discuss what their experience has been.

GP Dr Máire Finn from Ennis Centric Health joins Andrea for this week’s Ask the Expert to discuss how you can recognise the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and answer your questions!

Following Andrea’s conversation with Emmet Kelleher, who finds himself homeless at 59 - there is clearly a problem in this country with homelessness. But, what solutions are there, and what kind of supports exist?Andrea is joined by Senator Aubrey McCarthy from the Lighthouse Café and more to discuss.

January 2026 will see popular TV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale return as 30-minute episodes in a bid to retain audiences and to make shows more “streamer-friendly”...The decision is a reversal on a 2022 schedule change which saw Coronation Street move to three one-hour episodes midweek. Now, the soap will play as part of a special ‘Soap Power Hour’ weekday evenings from 8pm.ITV Boss, Kevin Lygo, has said it is viewer-led, but will it be enough to save ratings?Andrea is joined by Mikie O'Loughlin, RSVP Magazine’s Showbiz Editor, as well as listeners, to discuss.

It might be hard to believe that it is that time of the year again, as Ireland gets ready to choose an act to represent the country at this year's Eurovision! Among the six artists competing is a very well known Irish popstar: Samantha Mumba.She joins Andrea 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…

Emmet Kelleher is part of Ireland’s hidden homeless that you may sometimes hear about.At 59 years of age, he joins Andrea to discuss his story and current situation…

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet and Newstalk's Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly join Andrea to review ‘Stakeknife’!Image: BBC

Today is World Cancer Day. It’s something nobody really wants to think about, but it's something you will probably have to deal with in one way or another, if you haven’t already…Andrea is joined by Claire Butler Jones to discuss what it was like to be diagnosed with cancer at 29.

Many homes throughout the country are still without power.People are facing day 12 without heating, working fridges and power to even make a cup of tea…Andrea is joined by those affected to discuss their experiences.

‘Boyzone: No Matter What’ was released on February 2nd on Sky and NowTV.  However, reviews of the documentary have been mixed…Andrea is joined by Jack Keating, son of Ronan Keating, to discuss the documentary, and what it was like to grow up during that time.

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 Registered Dietician Shelly Gray to discuss her unique method of keeping fit!

A recent study by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has found that nearly 70% of 25-year-olds still live at home.This shift brings up some big questions for families like if young adults living at home should contribute financially? And if so, how much?What do you think? Should parents charge rent?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Ever dreamed of running away with the circus? David Duffy, Ring Master with Tom Duffy’s Circus gave Andrea some insight into what life on the road with the circus is like.

The Department of Social Protection has told staff that from February, personnel will have to spend a minimum of two days per week in the workplace.  Up to now staff in the department had to work a minimum of one day per week in the office. Is it fair to insist people can only work from home 2 to 3 days a week? Andrea hears from callers.

Parents have gathered outside Rainbow Community Playgroup in Stoneybatter to protest a significant reduction in childcare services. Andrea speaks to some of the parents involved.

Starting tomorrow fines of up to 2,500 euro will come into play for owners of the XL bully type breed. This follows a ban that came into play last October regarding, the breeding and rehoming of the dog breed. Now owners who don’t hold a certificate of exemption could face fines, seeing their dog euthanised or even find themselves in jail for three months. Some animal welfare groups have taken to the high court to appeal the ban – stating that the Minister for Rural and Community Development had failed to publish the reasons why the breed is a danger to the public. Andrea hears the thoughts of callers on the ban.

Our experts answer all your questions this week on laundry rooms.