Lunchtime Live

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 Siobhan Berry, from @mummycooks on Instagram, to look at some how versatile tomato sauce can be when batch cooking!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

A Dublin priest is promising to ban the "glorification of criminality" during funeral masses in his church.Fr Bill O'Shaughnessy, who is based in Tallaght, said that the church should never be a place of "such blatant anti-Christian activity" after witnessing incidents including someone wearing a balaclava while entering the church carrying a coffin, and floral arrangements of alcohol, screwdrivers and cars.Do displays like these at gangland funerals glorify crime?Crime Reporter Michael Doyle, Mick Duff, Independent Councilor in Tallaght Central, Michael Kelly, Director of Public Affairs with Aid to the Church in Need and more join Andrea 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 Casting Director Shauna Griffith to answer any of your movie and TV questions!

What does your profile picture say about you? If you have it as a selfie, are you more likely to be self centered?That’s the question posed by Journalist Áilín Quinlan in Echo Live this week.She and Life Coach Mark Fennell join Andrea to discuss.

‘School reunions are LinkedIn with gin and tonics – do I really want to go to mine?’ So asks Tanya Sweeney, Columnist with the Irish Independent.She recently got an invitation to her school reunion and joins Andrea and more to discuss whether they’re worth going to.

Are you doing enough to prepare for your retirement?A survey from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission shows that one in 10 people between the ages of 45 and 64 don’t have a pension, but is just having a pension even enough?Grainne Griffin, Director of Communications at CCPC joins Andrea to discuss.

From the Northern Lights to flying GAA players home for championship – Joe Caulfield from the Newstalk Newsroom joins Andrea to share some of the stories from around the country this week you may have missed!

Touchscreen controls in modern cars pose a road safety risk, that is according to the Euro NCAP - the consumer organisation that gives safety ratings on cars.Touchscreens, they say, which are used for the radio, air conditioning temperature and some driver controls are taking drivers’ eyes off the road.Should you be allowed to have touchscreens in cars?Andrea is joined by Shane O’Donoghue, Editor of Completecar.ie and more to discuss.Image: Tesla

From getting the perfect balance between house plants and jungle in your room, to how to keep them alive – the Home Squad are here to help make houseplants work for you!Pat Keville from PlantStore.ie and Emma Delaney, Senior Interior Designer from April & the Bear join Andrea to discuss.

Actor Mark Ruffalo hit out at the Irish Green Party this week, weighing in on Irish politics. The actor claimed that the party is ‘about to do something really terrible to the environment’ by accommodating fracking.The Green Party have said it’s a ‘very misleading account’ of what is included in new legislation about liquified natural gas (LNG).How bizarre is something like this, from someone like him?Andrea is joined by Kendra Becker, Editor of Goss.ie and Aimmé Millar, Senior Public Affairs with Carr Communications to discuss.

Hurricane Milton has done incredible damage to Florida overnight, so what is it like on the ground for those living there?Andrea is joined by listeners in Florida to discuss.

A love of reading is something all parents want to instil in their children, but a new survey from BookTrust shows a drop off in reading once children progress to secondary school.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Darina Molloy, Senior Executive Librarian based in Castlebar and Sarah Webb, Children's Author.

From the Chilean miners to John Denver, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

Dublin City Council have launched their new plan to breathe life back into the city's night time economy. The new Dublin City Night-time Economy Strategy aims "to create a dynamic, inclusive, and vibrant nightlife" for both citizens and tourists.What, do you think, would revitalise Dublin’s nightlife?Ray O'Donoghue was appointed Dublin's Night Mayor back in April, and joins Andrea and more to discuss these plans.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Joey Donnelly, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin, to answer any of your car-adjacent questions!

7-foot-tall Andrew Day talked in the Telegraph about how being so tall can lead to some pretty big disadvantages.Everything from hobbies and holidays to clothes and shoes ends up costing him a fortune because of his height.Are you on the taller side? What disadvantages do you face because of your height?Andrea is joined by listeners, including Ireland’s tallest man, Shaun Aisbitt, to discuss.

(Some details of this story could be distressing for listeners.)Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin was backpacking in India when she was murdered.That was in 2017, and although someone was arrested at the time, there has still been no trial.Her family have been waiting for justice for seven years, and her mum Andrea Brannigan joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss.

Travelling solo can be an incredible adventure, but is it worth the cost? From higher accommodation prices to missing out on group discounts, solo travellers often pay a premium.Andrea is joined by frequent solo traveller, Pippa Meehan, Ariana Dunne, Host of the Solo Powered Podcast, Rory from Rory’s Travel Club and more 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.Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter of 98fm’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!

Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Dr Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist, said that you have to be careful that children understand the value of the money they are getting...When it comes to pocket money, are children losing the value of money?  Andrea is joined by listeners, including Siobhan O’Neill white from Mams.ie, to discuss.

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 Cameron Hill joined Andrea to review ‘Broomgate: A Curling Scandal’!Image: CBC

Up to 65mm of rain fell in Bantry in Cork over the course of just 12 hours at the weekend.Bantry is a high risk area, having flooded four times in 18 months between 2018 and 2020. A flood relief scheme is currently in planning, but is it coming soon enough?Andrea is joined by Susan Shepherd of Philip Dix Jewellers, Eddie Wiseman from Wiseman's Clothing Shop to discuss the damage.

Tipping culture is annoying, unfair and worst of all, American. And it is starting to creep into Europe…That is according to Columnist for the Guardian Europe, Alexander Hurst.What do you think about tipping culture creeping into Ireland? Andrea is joined by listeners, including Brenda Hyland Beirne from the Irish school of Etiquette, to discuss.

Cancer is something that will touch everyone’s lives, either through your own personal experience or that of a loved one.But, are there things we can do to prevent it? And if so, how achievable are they?Breast Cancer Surgeon and survivor Liz O’Dwyer joins Andrea to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, Andrea is joined by David Baker, who took up a musical instrument later in life…

Is religion a barrier to getting a job as a primary school teacher?In interviews for teaching jobs at many primary schools, a certificate in Religious Studies is a requirement for teaching religion.However, some say that this means many new teachers are having to uphold something they don’t believe in…Should teachers have to have this certificate?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Peter Melrose, Primary Teacher and Soc Dem Cllr, Aoife Cassidy, Parent Representative and qualified Solicitor, Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Irish Examiner columnist and Simon Lewis, Principal and host of the ‘If I was Minister for Education’ podcast.

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

After seeing the consequence of fast fashion during a trip to Africa, Mary Fleming was inspired to try and make a difference here in Ireland. She established Change Clothes.Mary joins Andrea to discuss more.Image: @changeclothesdublin

When Sharron McSherry was just 14, she started to suffer with debilitating migraines and kept falling asleep in school. Years went by and doctors couldn’t understand what the problem was. When she was 27, her parents happened upon a documentary on TV that would change her life…Sharon joins Andrea to share her story.

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 Adrian Martin, owner of the Wild Flower Bistro in Temple Bar to look at the different kinds of bread you can batch cook!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

If you are a Dublin Bus user you might notice that, today, they are introducing new private security to curb anti-social behaviour on their service. The 20-week pilot will comprise two dedicated mobile units: one on Dublin’s southside and another on the northside.What do you think? Security on our buses, is it needed?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, Adrian Kennedy was joined by naturist Kate Turner from the Irish Naturist Association to answer your questions.

There was very sad news today about a five week old baby that was found unresponsive after he had been carried around in a sling by his mother.It’s sure to worry a lot of parents today who own slings – and might be afraid to use them from now on…Adrian Kennedy is joined by Dr Afif El-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician to discuss how to use one.

In a bold new effort to tackle New York City's infamous pest problem, city officials have approved a pilot programme that aims to control the rodent population with birth control.Starting next year, contraceptive pellets will be placed in rat-friendly traps in a section of Manhattan. Once ingested, it will make them infertile.What do you think about this approach? Is it something that might work here?Adrian Kennedy is joined by Éanna Ní Lamhna, Broadcaster and author, Trevor Hayden from Complete Pest Control and more to discuss.

A new horror sequel, Terrifier 3, was screened in the UK this week. Cinema goers were apparently left ‘traumatised’, with walkouts and one person even vomiting in the cinema.But, why do we put ourselves through such terror?To discuss, Adrian Kennedy is joined by Entertainment Journalist Rory Cashin, Dr Sarah Cleary, who holds a PhD in horror from Trinity and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly.

From the spice bag to a mammoth endurance challenge, Ellen Butler from Newstalk’s News Team joins Adrian Kennedy with stories from around the country this week.

Ryanair passengers will soon have no option but to use the Ryanair app on their phone as the company announced they will be going paperless in the next few months.Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said: “Everybody who travels with us has the app, the mobile boarding pass is on the app and we’ve got to move more and more people that way.”It is expected that the paper boarding pass will be scrapped by April or May next year.What do you think about this approach?Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Rory King from Rory’s Travel Club and listeners to discuss.

To big light, or not to big light – the age old debate! For this week’s Home Squad, Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Emma Delaney, Senior Interior Designer from April & the Bear join Andrea to give advice on how to create atmosphere through lighting.

James Blunt has vowed to legally change his name to whatever fans choose if his album reaches number 1 in the charts!It’s the latest in a long line of stunts by artists to get attention.Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience joins Andrea to look back over some of the big ones.

Irish Rail released a new timetable in late August, and it seems to have caused nothing but issues since…They apologised for the impact on commuters a few weeks ago, and are due to release a new timetable to fix the problems.Have you been affected?Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Labour Councillor Corina Johnston and listeners who have been impacted to discuss.

Following yesterday’s coverage of inheritance tax changes from the budget in the show, Andrew McCann, Author of ‘Know your Rights’, emailed in with his situation of a blended family.He joins Andrea to discuss more.

From James Bond hitting our screens to the Thrilla in Manila fight, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

The annual state grant to the horseracing and greyhound industries has increased by €4.1 million to €99.1 million for 2025: the highest the fund has reached in its 23 years of existence.The funding will be split between the two sports in an 80:20 ratio, €79.28m will go to Horse Racing Ireland, with €19.82m for Greyhound Racing Ireland, the governing bodies for the two industries.What do you think about the Government giving funds to the tune of almost 100 million to horse and greyhound racing?Andrea is joined by Johnny Ward from Off the Ball’s Racing Pod, Nuala Donlon from Greyhound Action Ireland, Damien Matthews, Chairman of the Irish Greyhound Owners & Breeders Federation and more to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Frank McGrath, Hearing Aid Audiologist with Ear Care Clinics, to answer all of your hearing-related questions!

It’s International Coffee Day this week!Technically it was yesterday, but with Budget day overshadowing things, it seemed right to still celebrate!But, do we know enough about the stuff we’re consuming every day?Andrea is joined by James McCormack, CEO of the Dublin Barista School and Heather Leeson, Registered Nutritional Therapist with Glenville Nutrition.

The amount that a person can receive as a gift or inheritance from a relation before having to pay Capital Acquisitions Tax will be increased as part of Budget 2025.Inheritance tax, which is technically known as the Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT), is a tax of 33% on gifts and inheritances which kicks in at a particular limit. It does not have to be paid if the inheritance does not reach this limit.The threshold when inheritance tax must be paid has been increased from €335,000 to €400,000 for children. Is this fair?Andrea is joined by Jean Cashman, Registered Tax Consultant, Rowena Quinn, Managing Partner at Hunters Estate Agent and listeners to discuss.

‘Anyone else find friendship in their 40s hard?’ – so asked Journalist Niamh O’Reilly as she scribbled on the wall of a bathroom cubicle!Niamh joins Andrea as well as other listeners to discuss why she wrote that.

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.Ciara Treacy, Newstalk’s Digital Content Creator, joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!

Earlier on Newstalk, Home Show Presenter Sinead Ryan spoke about being a Godparent despite not being religious, and whether or not that matters. What do you think?  Should you have to be religious to be a Godparent?Andrea is joined by listeners including Anne Marie McAuley, Wedding and Family Celebrant to discuss.

Are we losing the ability to write legibly?Poor handwriting in Scottish schools is holding pupils back with assessors increasingly deducting marks from “indecipherable” exam papers.Do you think handwriting has gotten worse?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.