Lunchtime Live

‘I have finally found my first best friend – aged 30’ Pravina Rudra wrote in the i Newspaper recently. Are you ever too old for a best friend?Photo by Rachel Claire

All this month, Lunchtime Live is doing Christmas specials to give you plenty of time to prepare for the big day, and hopefully batch cook some bits in advance to make Christmas a lot easier!Food Creator Sinead Delahunty joins Anna Daly to talk Christmas themed desserts!

A plan to introduce “speed awareness” courses in lieu of penalty points is to be put forward to government by the Road Safety Authority.  Would courses like this help to reduce road deaths? Photo by JESHOOTS.com

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Monica Loughman, Ballerina, Ballet Director and founder of Monica Loughman Elite Ballet joins Andrea to answer any of your ballet-related questions!

For anybody that suffers with IBS – you know how much a scourge it can be. But, what foods can help it, and what should you avoid?Registered Dietitian Orla Walsh joins Andrea to discuss.

‘And there’s one for everyone in the audience!’ is the line that will be heard through houses across the country this evening as the Late Late Toy Show returns for another year of festive fun.But, is the Toy Show really for kids anymore? Or is it just a chance for adults to indulge in nostalgia?Andrea is joined by Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer, Maura Connolly, Gay Byrne’s Right-Hand Woman, Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo and Hugh Carr, Freelance Journalist to discuss.

Life as a cancer ‘wingman’ – is it talked about enough?Writing in the Irish Times, Clíodna O’Carolan reflects on her husband Enda’s fight against cancer - and her efforts to support him.But, do cancer ‘Wingmen’ get enough support?Clíodna joins Andrea to discuss.

From stick libraries to snooker prodigies - Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney has the stories from around the country that you might have missed this week.

Children who attend mixed schools have more friends, according to the latest results from a landmark study, Children’s School Lives, from UCD’s School of Education.Should all of our education be mixed?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

How can you spruce up your bathroom on a budget? Our home squad are here to help. Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year & Roisin Lafferty - Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty is here too. Photo by Christa Grover

New mothers with mental health needs are apparently being “failed” by the State. Maternity care services typically end six weeks after having a baby and it's assumed that health concerns are all looked after by then. But some mental health worries can actually increase several months after labour according to a new study. Photo by Pixabay

The family home of Kildare county councillor, Bill Clear, was targeted when vandals through a rock through one of his windows while his family were asleep upstairs. He tells Andrea that the problem lies with candidates running in elections having to declare their address. Should candidates have to share their home address when running for election?

While Christmas can be a magical time – creating memories with family and friends – it can come at a pretty hefty financial cost.  How do you make the most of Christmas on a budget? Photo by Brett Sayles

From the PlayStation to the Irish Free State, 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins Andrea with plenty to chat about on this week’s throwback Thursday!Photo By: Kaboompics.com

Leaving Cert students will be permitted to use AI tools when preparing research projects next year.  This has prompted an angry response from some teachers who say it will undermine the integrity of the Leaving Cert. What do you think about students being allowed to use Artificial Intelligence for some school work?  Photo by Matheus Bertelli

Andrea is joined by John and Edward Grimes, better known as Jedward, to discuss life and their new Christmas single: ‘LOVEmas’!

Christmas ads are almost as big a part of Christmas as Santa Claus these days!And now, Irish pubs are getting in on the action... From drunk Santas to heartbreak, they’re covering it all.Joining Andrea to discuss why they made their own Christmas advertisements is Ger Hough, owner of Hough's Pub in Bangher, Co. Offaly and Una Burns, co-owner of Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen.

Is there a magic to living with friends, and is it something that the younger generation are going to miss out on?Writing in today’s Irish Independent, Saoirse Hanly is getting set to leave a share-home with her friends, and take the plunge into living with her partner.Saoirse, along with Ciara Treacy, Newstalk Digital Content Creator and Barrister Aileen Hickie join Andrea to discuss.

What is it like to find out that you were conceived from a sperm donor?Anne Crossey joins Andrea to share her story.

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…

The Irish Parking Association say that they have been excluded from the Mobility and Public Realm Committee - formed to shape transport policy for Dublin City.They believe the committee is excluding motorists’ views.What do you think? Are cars being pushed out of cities?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.This week, Today FM’s Shelly Grey and 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea to review ‘Who Killed the Video Star: The Story of MTV’.Image: Audacy

The face of rural farming is changing – and it’s down to ‘Girls Who Farm’.That’s the hashtag used on TikTok and Instagram to show what the farming life is like for young women.So, what’s it all about?Andrea is joined by some of the people using that hashtag to discuss, as well as Rachel Donovan, News Correspondent at the Irish Farmers Journal.

Mary Regan passed away on November 29th at the Hillview Nursing Home in Carlow.A statement on Death Notices Carlow said that after Mr Lang passed away, Ms Regan did not have many visitors to her nursing home and has no next of kin. An appeal from the Funeral Director said “Let’s not send Mary off from Carlow alone”.Rory Healy, Funeral Director for Healy Funeral Directors joins Andrea to discuss why he made the appeal, and what the result was like.

The Transition Year has garnered the interest of the international media, as a formative experience for young students. With Oscar winner Cillian Murphy giving his support also to the programme, offering an oasis between junior and senior exam cycles.But, particularly where expense is concerned, has it become too much?Is the cost of another school year worth it? Or should the programme be centrally funded before it properly earns the nickname of a ‘doss year’?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kevin Shortall, Principal of St. Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght, Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College Dublin and more to discuss.

Over the next few weeks Andrea will be talking to Irish producers across the country about the wonderful things they have on offer, and why it’s important to buy Irish for Christmas!Today, she is joined by Ruth Cahill from Duck Blue, Jill Duggan from Fiesta Designs and Nicola McGuinness from Rowan Beg Designs to talk all things decorations.

It’s How I Live Well time: where we learn how to live a little better from someone who has mastered it!Paddy Joe Burke, Age Friendly Roscommon Ambassador joins Andrea to discuss why exercise is vital as we get older.

Fifth of Irish people think women make up or exaggerate claims of abuse or rape.That is according to a study published by the European Commission on attitudes towards violence against women.It also found that one in seven Irish people believe women are partially responsible for sexual violence if influenced by drugs or alcohol.Why do so many people hold these beliefs?Andrea is joined by Dr Michelle Walsh, CEO of MOVE Ireland, Vera O'Leary, Manager of the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and more to discuss.

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

A new survey has found that one in three people suffer from feelings of self-doubt about their skills. This is also known as ‘impostor syndrome’.Brendan Kelly Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin joins Andrea to discuss.

The votes are still being counted across the country, but a clear picture of the General Election results is starting to form.So, who were the biggest winners and losers this time around?Joining Andrea to discuss is Barry Heneghan, Independent TD in Dublin Bay North, Barry Heneghan, Aisling Dempsey, Fianna Fáil TD for Meath West, Shay Brennan, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Rathdown, Ciarán Ahern, Labour TD for Dublin South-West, Paul Lawless, Mayo TD for Aontú and Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal West.

With the increased cost of food - and the nature of a Christmas dinner being quite big, should you charge guests to lighten the load on yourself?Andrea is joined by Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and more to discuss.

All this month, Lunchtime Live is doing Christmas specials to give you plenty of time to prepare for the big day, and hopefully batch cook some bits in advance to make Christmas a lot easier!Eric Matthews, Chef Owner of Kickys Restaurant joins Andrea to talk all things starters!

A 9% average increase on taxi fares came into effect yesterday, alongside an increase in booking fees from €2 to €3.Kieran Harte, General Manager of Uber Ireland, told Newstalk earlier that the changes are going to have a negative effect on the night-time economy...What do you think?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.This week, Andrea was joined by Marisa Mackle, former Flight Attendant and author of ‘Confessions of an Air Hostess’ & ‘The Mile High Guy’ joins Andrea to answer any of your flight-related questions.

The busiest shopping period of the year is upon us, Black Friday: an imported American tradition of online shopping which goes all the way to Cyber Monday. Over 1.5 million Irish consumers set to shop online this weekend, so how can we know we’re doing it safely?Joining Andrea to give his top tips is Technology Journalist Andy O’Donoghue.

Are you friends with someone who’s always late? Psychologists have said that perpetual lateness can be caused by multiple factors. So, what are they - and how can lateness be improved? Also, what’s your experience?Andrea is joined by Jen Hogan, Journalist and Columnist with The Irish Times, The Home Show’s Sinead Ryan, Life Coach and author Mark Fennell and more to discuss.

Musician Kate Nash has recently set up an OnlyFans account to help subsidise her tour…She joins Andrea to discuss.

Spice Girls singer Mel B recently posted about her ‘simple skin care’ routine – which includes extreme heat, LED therapy, an ice bath plunge and dancing in the rain. But, does any of it actually work?Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist joins Andrea to discuss.

From Galway hitting the silver screen in Denmark to a dip in GAA jersey sales, Laura Donnelly from the Newstalk Newsroom joins Andrea with a roundup of the stories you might have missed from across the country this week.

Would you like to see an outdoor swimming pool in Dublin’s George’s Dock?The Dublin City Lido campaign has released updated designs and images for an outdoor swimming pool at the old dry dock, and says they hope to bring a feasibility study to city council management in the New Year.What do you think? Does Dublin need a lido?Andrea is joined by Alan Robinson from the Dublin Docklands Business Forum as well as listeners.

As the saying goes, a good bed and a good pair of shoes are vital, because if you’re not in one, you’re in the other!With that in mind, the Home Squad are here to help you decipher what the best bed options for you are!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Arlene McIntyre of Ventura Design to discuss how you can pick the right bed for you.

Have you been to see Wicked yet?It has today been slapped with a trigger warning from the British Board of Film Classification saying it shows bullying and persecuted 'talking animals'.Is this fair?Joining Andrea to discuss is Bella Finn from the Newstalk Newsroom and Newstalk’s Aaron Jordan, who is Ariana Grande’s biggest fan!Image: Universal Pictures

The number of single women choosing IVF to have babies alone has tripled in the UK in the last decade.Are you a woman who has decided to take the future in your own hands and have a child on your own?Andrea is joined by people who have decided to go down this path, as well as Dr John Kennedy, Medical Director of Thérapie Fertility Clinic and one of Ireland’s leading fertility doctors.

Apparently, it is now considered rude to bring wine as a gift to a dinner party! Instead, you should be bringing - olive oil?What’s behind this, and what do you do?Andrea is joined by Today FM Presenter Shelly Gray, Saoirse Hanley from the Irish Independent Tara O'Connor from The Designed Table and more to discuss.

From parades to video games, 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins Andrea with plenty to chat about on this week’s throwback Thursday!

People are being encouraged not to buy e-scooters, scramblers, or quad bikes for children this Christmas as Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach due to concerns about safety on roads.What do you think? Should parents avoid buying these types of gifts this Christmas?Andrea is joined by Siobhan O'Neill White, from Mams.ie, Colin Baker, Managing Director of Back from the Future Tech Support and more to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Barry Kenny, Communications Manager with Irish Rail joins Andrea to answer any of your train-related questions!

Does Ireland value its elderly enough?It’s the question posed by Actress Mary McEvoy.She joins Andrea, along with Valerie Cox Journalist and author and more to discuss.

Scoliosis waiting lists have been covered many, many times on the show, and there has finally been some good news for one family.Eight-year-old Harvey Sherratt is due to get his long awaited spinal surgery on Friday.Harvey’s mum, Gillian, joins Andrea to discuss.