Lunchtime Live

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…

President Michael D Higgins reacted yesterday to the claims that Ireland is anti-semetic.Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, accused Ireland of delegitimizing and dehumanising Israel…In his speech, Michael D said, “To say that the Irish people are antisemitic is a deep slander…”What are your thoughts?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Columnist with the Irish Independent, Ian O’Doherty,  Political Commentator & Irish Examiner Columnist, Fergus Finlay and Daniel O’Dowd-Epstein.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Journalist and Stylist Laura Mullet join Andrea to review ‘The Good Whale’!Image: New York Times

Andrea’s guests: Clare woman Laura O’Connell and Hanna Celsie from Dublin are just back from Dubai where they competed in the first-ever Formula Woman Nations Cup qualifiers.They were among a group of 50 women from around the world taking part in the event...They join to discuss the experience.

We’re officially in the week leading up to Christmas – and it's the final festive sprint. The dinner prep, the last-minute shopping and the social gatherings are in full swing. But is this week the BEST part of the festive period? Even more so than Christmas Day itself?  Irish Independent Journalist Kirsty Blake Knox believes it is, she joins Andrea to make her case for what she’s calling "Prixmas": the best part of Christmas. Photo by ROMAN ODINTSOV

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 we are talking to some of the incredible Irish food producers including Sian McCann from Wild Fuschia Bakehouse, Birgitta Hedin of Burren Smokehouse, Georgia Quealy of Bon Chocolatiers & Martina from Richmount CorialPhoto by picjumbo.com

It’s How I Live Well time: where we learn how to live a little better from someone who has mastered it!Paul Norton, Participation Manager for Cycling Ireland, joins Andrea to tell her about the world of Cyclocross

The website, which was bought by the Irish Times earlier this year, is  introducing a fee of €100 per notice. What do you think of Rip.ie introducing this charge?  Photo by Pavel Danilyuk

Dr Afif El Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician, joins Andrea for a special segment of 'Ask the GP' - with the focus on newborns

Back in October we heard about a protest organised by students in Dundalk Grammar school over the school’s refusal to allow them play Gaelic football - Andrea catches up with them now that they have now been allowed to introduce a Gaelic football teamImage: Sportsfile

Ireland is producing 20% more waste than a decade ago and our recycling rates have not improved over that time. How are we still getting it so wrong? Photo by Lara Jameson

Is it time to scrap Christmas traditions? Terry Prone, Chairman of the communications clinic, joins Andrea to tell us why she thinks so! Photo by Katie Barget

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!Adrian Martin, Owner of Luigi Malones in Temple Bar and Wild Flower Restaurant in Blackrock joins us to talk Christmas sides!

The travel plans of tens of thousands of people with ferry crossings booked over the festive period are under threat. Are you worried about the disruptions at Holyhead Port? Image: Clare Gainey / Alamy Stock Photo

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Plastic Surgeon Professor Jack Kelly, President of the Irish Association of Plastic Surgeons joins guest host Clare McKenna to answer any of your questions!

Driving licences, learner’s permit fees and National Car Tests costs all are set to rise in the New Year, The Road Safety Authority announced yesterday. The price hikes will see a learners permit rise from €35 to €45 and a driving licence that has cost €55 jump to €65.These increased costs will take effect from next month – but what are your thoughts? Is Ireland becoming increasingly anti-car, and is there now too much of a strain on young motorists trying to get on the road?Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by listeners to discuss.

If you’re mad enough to be planning a Christmas Day swim, or even a New Years one – firstly – fair play!But, there are some warnings that you should take note of…Joining Clare McKenna to discuss is RNLI Water Safety Education Manager & a crew an at Bundoran RNLI, Killian O’Kelly, and more.

From a humpback whale to drama over a Disney trip, there’s plenty of stories you might have missed from around the country this week. Caoimseach Connolly from the Newstalk Newsroom joins guest host Clare McKenna to discuss.

Guest host Clare McKenna has a 13-year-old son who went into town last Sunday with some friends. They went to a burger restaurant where they queued, but were told they could only get their food to take away - while others were allowed to sit down…So, do we discriminate against ‘young lads’?Do we look at a group of teenage boys and immediately think the worst?Clare is joined by Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie as well as listeners to discuss.

How can you brighten up a dark room without too much hassle? The Home Squad is here to help!Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty join Andrea to share their top tips.

He might not be able to settle the rows over what to watch on TV, or who won what game, but Donal Skehan can help take the stress out of making the Christmas dinner! He joins Andrea to share his cooking hacks this festive season!Image: Donal Skehan

Should we ban heading the ball?A new study finds that there may well indeed be a connection between heading the ball and dementia, with a large percentage of former players having developed the illness.So, is it time to ban headers altogether?Professor Willie Stewart, Consultant Neuropathologist, at the University of Glasgow and more join Andrea to discuss.

This morning, Lunchtime Live, with the help of Kieran Cuddihy, attempted to set a Guinness World Records Title…Here’s how they got on!David Wilson, Guinness Adjudicator and Kieran join Andrea to discuss the experience.

From the Muppets Christmas carol to Winona Ryder up to no good, 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins Andrea with plenty to chat about on this week’s throwback Thursday!Image: Disney

Is it wrong to let children play with toy guns?Stephanie Rohan from the Newstalk Newsroom has a predicament, and joins Andrea along with Brendan Kelly, Psychiatrist and more to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk and Consumer Expert, joins Andrea to tackle any of your consumer issues, especially around Christmas!

Has modern movie-going become a cesspit of regurgitated sequels and reboots – or do you love to sink your teeth into a movie series with familiar faces and plotlines – where surprise, surprise - the good guy wins again!Gladiator 2 is the latest film to get a big screen sequel-outing almost a quarter of a century later – 24 years to be exact since the original film’s release, and reviews have been mixed.What are the movie sequels you love, and which are the ones that make you squirm?Andrea is joined by Stephen Porzio, Senior Writer at joe.ie and co-host of the ‘I Know That Face’ podcast, as well as listeners, to discuss.Image: Paramount Pictures

When it comes to Christmas dinner, all you hear about is the Turkey and ham – but, have you ever considered swapping it out for fish? Tadhg O’Meara from Kish Fish 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...Image: Jamie Oliver

Should Irish school pupils address teachers by their first names? Addressing teachers as “sir” or “ma’am” and calling them by their surname is “Victorian” - and it does not fit a modern education system according to Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney writing in the Irish Independent.What do you think?Should Irish school pupils call teachers by their first names?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, Dave Hanratty, Host of the No Encore Music Podcast and Ellen Butler from our Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘The Gambler’, the new podcast presented by Crime Journalist Nicola TallantImage: GoLoud

Rosanna Davison says that a sleep divorce is the key to a dream marriage – but would you try it? Andrea chats to Tanya Sweeney – columnist with the Irish Independent - who is a big proponent of sleeping in a different bed to her partner. Photo by Marcus Aurelius

The National Endometriosis Framework, which was initially announced in 2021 by then Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has again been delayed from publishing, into 2025. Andrea chats to Doireann Barrett, who runs Cneasú community and a sufferer from Stage 4 endometriosis, Niamh Mahony who is making a film on the endometriosis experience in Ireland & Illana D’arcy from the Endometriosis Association of Ireland.Photo by Sora Shimazaki

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 we’re talking about buying Irish gifts with Ann Chapman from Stonechat Jewellers, Sinead Gallagher from Skin Krush LED Masks, Miriam from Mimitoys, Fintan Ó Cuanaigh - founder of My Games Sports Memoirs & Kevin Dooley from Dooley’s Wool!

It’s How I Live Well time: where we learn how to live a little better from someone who has mastered it!Catherine Merrigan tells Andrea about her unusual living arrangements on Skellig Michael as an Office of Public Works (OPW) guide who safely corrals visitors up the 600 steps to the monastic remains.

The GAA has announced that it will charge for under 16s to attend higher-division League games for the first time next year.   What do you think about the idea? Photo: Sportsfile

In 2008, photographer Tara Keane contracted a mysterious viral illness that placed her into intensive care and led to the amputation of her right leg below the knee. She shares the story of her illness and recovery and the extraordinary life she has been leading since Photo by Pixabay

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

People are losing out on “moments of togetherness” watching TV because they are streaming shows on separate devices, the bishop of London has said. Rev Dame Sarah Mullally said the profusion of choice meant that watching TV had become a “more solitary and insular” experience. Have streaming services killed the togetherness of watching TV?Photo by Ron Lach

‘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