Lunchtime Live

Broadcaster Lorraine Keane joined Andrea Gilligan to look back on some of her favourite summer memories!

Do you take your shoes off on flights, laugh loudly whilst watching an in-flight movie… or maybe you change your baby’s dirty nappy on the free chair beside you? Well, all of these things could make you an annoying passenger!For more on this, Andrea is joined by Marisa Mackle, former Air Hostess and Author of ‘Confessions of an Air Hostess’ and Ciara Mooney, Managing Director of Freedom Travel and Solo Travel.

On the 9th of July, Miriam Henry’s brother, Gerald Henry, was found guilty of habitually sexually abusing her when she was a child. Two character references were given in support of the brother, and were read out after Miriam gave her Victim Impact Statement. Gerald Henry was given a fully suspended sentence, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.Miriam joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss the case, and why she thinks the cross examination of character references in court needs to be established as soon as possible.Dublin Rape Crisis Centre National Helpline: 1800 77 8888 

The blue ribbon event in hurling takes place this Sunday as Clare take on Cork in a  bid to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup.But, who has the better fans?Joining Andrea from the red corner is Joe O’Shea from Cork Beo, and facing him from the yellow and blue corner is Newstalk’s Seán Reidy!

IT systems across the world were hit by an outage this morning – it caused delays to transport, difficulties to some banks, and even caused Sky News to stop broadcasting.So far, Dublin Airport has said that its systems are not affected on a widespread basis, but Ryanair has said that this “3rd party IT issue” means that there may be potential disruption…Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Andrea to discuss.

From rare whales off the coast of Ireland to Sinead O’Connor tributes in Wicklow for her anniversary - Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has a roundup of some of the stories you might have missed this week.

Dozens of children requiring spinal surgeries will be offered an opportunity to get their treatment overseas by the Department of Health.It is understood a number of outsourcing agreements are being finalised and families will have their accommodation and flights organised and paid for by the Department.Health Minister Stephen Donnelly flew to the United States in the past week to meet directly with clinicians and inspect hospitals.Andrea is joined by families who may potentially avail of this treatment, as well as those with previous experiences, to discuss.

From creating a space for your dog to chill to fixing your furniture after pets have misbehaved – the Home Squad are here to talk about pet proofing your home! Andrea Gilligan is joined by Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Hayley Burke, AKA ‘The DIYist’.

Last week Singer Nathan Carter received some backlash after performing in Castlerea Prison - but not to the inmates. However, one man wants to make it up to them… Mattress Mick!He joins Andrea, as well as Newstalk’s Henry McKean, to discuss.

Character references have long been a contentious issue in Ireland, but President Michael D Higgins has signed the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which is set to change the way character references are treated. The bill means that people who give character references for sexual offenders can now be cross-examined in court.To discuss, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Ciara Mangan, sexual assault survivor and Advocate, Natasha O’Brien assault victim and advocate and Mary Crilly, Founder of the Sexual Violence Centre Cork and Safe Gigs.

An article in the Irish Independent writes:‘The weeks and months after a new baby is born are a vulnerable time for new parents, and while you may not wish to cause offence, well-intentioned, but ill-advised remarks, can land like a lead balloon…‘What are the things you should never say to a new parent?Andrea is joined by Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie and other parents to discuss.

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor is back after his wedding! He joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock…Image: NASA

Taoiseach Simon Harris met with Keir Starmer yesterday at the new British Prime Minister’s countryside home where they toasted the “reset” in relations between Ireland and the UK with pints of Guinness.And, of course, that was the image that you are seeing right here: the two country heads awkwardly holding up pints of Guinness… Do we really need the Guinness photoshoots in this day and age? Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to discuss.

From products to pimples, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Professor Catriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists to answer all of your skin-related questions!

Ella Mills tragically passed away in a kayaking accident in Washington last year. This August 25th, her father Ralph is aiming to set a world record in her honour. He joins Andrea to discuss.If you want to donate to the fundraiser in aid of the Kevin Bell Trust, you can do so here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/OFIFOTO2024

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has said that she thinks the bike infrastructure in our cities is “authoritarian”. Apparently, they’ve turned Dublin “into a spaghetti junction of cycle lanes that have divided the city like East and West Berlin”.Is she right? Or are they necessary?Andrea is joined by Cian Ginty, Editor of Irish Cycle and listeners to discuss.

When is it okay to make a joke about certain topics?Kyle Gass, from band Tenacious D, found out when not to make a joke this weekend after being presented with a birthday cake by bandmate Jack Black at their Sydney show. When Black asked him to make a wish, he said “Don’t miss Trump next time”.This has caused major backlash and controversy, and as a result, their tour has been cancelled.Andrea is joined by comedian Jim Elliott, as well as listeners, to discuss.Image: Travis Shinn

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…

A Waterford U15 hurling match was abandoned on Monday evening following a brawl involving players, mentors and supporters.An investigation is now under way, but it seems to be a sight that is all too common on sports fields these days.What do you think? Are youth matches too competitive?Andrea Gilligan is joined by Former GAA President, Nickey Brennan, Antonio Mantero, Castleknock Celtic Coach and Founder of Silent Sideline as well as listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. This week Andrea is joined by Today FM Presenter Shelly Grey and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill to review ‘No Such Thing as a Fish’, which fans of the show ‘QI’ will find very familiar!Image: Quite Interesting Ltd.

Do we do enough to encourage girls to get into football coaching?  Laura Heffernan, who manages DLR Waves, is the only female manager in the League of Ireland, including the Women's Premier Division. So how do we get more women involved? Laura joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss.

Excitement is reaching fever pitch for this Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final between Clare and Cork.However, there have been reports that Cork fans are having difficulty in actually getting to the game in Croke Park, with train seats seemingly being sold out.Listener Claire joins the show to share her issue, and Andrea is joined by Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central and Barry Kenny from Irish Rail and more listeners to discuss.

Today is the launch of Puck Fair, Ireland’s oldest festival.It got us thinking about some of the weird and wonderful festivals this country has to offer.Unfortunately the days of the bog snorkelling festival are gone, but there’s still enough around to make for a very entertaining summer…Andrea Gilligan is joined by Eimear Shannon, Today FM Producer and professional festival-goer and Naoise Nunn, Producer of the Bram Stoker Festival to discuss some of the standouts.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!She will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.After her time spent with the Riverdance crew a few weeks ago; this week, Andrea is joined by professional Irish dancer Ruth Eva McKenna to learn all about, you guessed it, Irish dancing!

Following unrest at an anti-immigration protest in Coolock yesterday, Gardaí have arrested 19 people. Taoiseach Simon Harris thanked the Gardai for their "very swift action” in “very difficult circumstances”. He also spoke about “the benefit of the body cams” worn by Gardaí. However, others have criticised the speed of the Garda Response. Were they fast enough?Andrea is joined by Independent Cllr John Lyons,Minister Neale Richmond, Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions & Insurance, Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley and Liam Herrick, Executive Director with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties to discuss.

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

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty was woken up on Sunday morning - someone nearby was mowing the grass at 8 am! His tweet has people divided on whether or not we should have noise pollution laws when it comes to mowing, or other similarly-noisy actions. What do you think?Shane, Sleep Expert Tom Coleman and listeners join Andrea to discuss.

Kerry man Bertie O’Connor's son James was stillborn in 1983. In memory of his son, Bertie would like to erect a plaque at the site where James was buried, however, the council have refused. Bertie joins Andrea to discuss his situation.

Multiple fires have been lit at a site considered for international protection applicants in Coolock this morning.Andrea Gilligan is joined by local Councillor Daryl Barron and Newstalk Reporter Alex Rowley to learn about what’s happening and discuss.Image: Dublin Fire Brigade

Former US President Donald Trump has said he is “supposed to be dead” after surviving his assassination attempt.All of America, and even the world, was in shock over the weekend, and leaves many thinking about what this means for the election. Joining Andrea Gilligan to discuss the situation is TJ Mulloy from Democrats Abroad Ireland, as well as listeners at home and abroad.Image: Evan Vucci, AP Photo

This is Lunchtime Live’s newest segment, Gilligan’s Island!Every Monday we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer.Maybe you have a weekend unaccounted for this summer that needs inspiration, or you have no desire to get on a flight – whatever the reason, this will get you in the mood to travel.This week, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Niamh Reid Maher from @exploringireland on Instagram to look at wild swimming spots in Ireland!

Families living in Direct Provision housing in Tramore have been given eviction notices - some were originally told to leave from the 5th of July, with others set to go from the 26th, and with no indication of what to do next. Because of this, they are protesting the decision.Andrea Gilligan is joined by Grace, an Ocean View Direct Provision Centre resident, Mary,  a Tramore resident and Michael from Community Action Tenants Union (CATU) Munster to discuss.Image: Asylum Archive

Professor Luke O’Neill, Author, Biochemist and Newstalk fixture joined Andrea Gilligan to share some of his favourite summer memories!

Japan has brought in a new rule that everyone living there must laugh at least once a day. That’s right, they have brought in an actual rule about laughing.How will they police it? That remains to be seen, but they say it reduces the risk of heart attack. Is that true? What kind of power does laughter have?Andrea is joined by Marie Angeline Lascaux, a laughter yoga specialist, to discuss.

Diane got in touch with the show to tell how she’s facing kidney failure - and, without permanent accommodation, cannot do at-home dialysis treatments.She joins Andrea to discuss her situation, and Colm White from the National Kidney Association also joins to discuss.

Love it or loathe it: Christmas is only 166 days away! And Hallmark is on the search for their new leading man… Nobody can claim that Hallmark movies are films for the ages – yet there’s still a huge appetite for them, why?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Kathryn McKiernan, Actor and 98fm Presenter, Rebecca Finn, who visited a Hallmark set and Laura Donnelly from Newstalk’s newsroom.

From a cow making a visit to a nursing home to famous faces visiting Galway– Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has a roundup of some of the stories you might have missed this week.

The Government is set to ban XL Bully dogs after a spike in the number of attacks in Ireland, including the fatal mauling of 23-year-old Nicole Morey in ­Limerick last month.From the 1st of October this year: breeding, selling, rehoming or importing an XL Bully will be illegal. Then, from the 1st of February, it will be a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in Ireland, unless you have an exemption certificate.So, is the Government right to ban XL Bullies? Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to hear their opinions.

To wallpaper, or not to wallpaper - that is the question!Joining Andrea to talk all things wallpaper are Irish Examiner Columnist and previous ‘Home of the Year’ winner, Jennifer Sheahan and Hayley Burke from @thediyist.com_.Image: House & Garden

Listener Neil got in touch with the programme because of a problem he has gotten himself stuck in - which involves getting a new passport, and seemingly jumping through a million hoops in the process. He joins Andrea to share his frustration.

Have you ever gone to meet your friend for a coffee and a catch up, only to discover that they’ve brought their other half with them? Met a friend down the pub for a drink and been stuck making small talk with their partner?Kate Lister wrote a piece in the Independent titled ‘Women who bring their husbands to lunch with the girls should be arrested (immediately)’.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Acting Editor of Rollercoaster.ie, Podcaster Aideen Finnegan, Sunday Mirror Columnist Siobhán O'Connor and more.

In April 2017, Ainara was told she was HIV Positive, she says she never felt stigmatised over her status until she and husband sought fertility assistance. Listener of the show Ainara joins to share her story.

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Rebecca Shekleton, Co-Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock.

A survey carried out by Fianna Fáil shows that Dubliners do not feel safe in their own city. 65% of those polled said that they had witnessed anti-social behaviour in the city centre. 70% said they had witnessed drug-dealing in public.So, do you feel safe in Dublin?Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to discuss.

From pregnancy to postpartum, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by midwife Christine Lane (@myholisticmidwife on Instagram) to answer all of your midwife-related questions.

Ciarán Beahan is 24 from Lucan in Dublin, and is Ireland’s most decorated Rubix Cube Champion. But what does that mean exactly?He joins Andrea to discuss the recent Rubik’s Cubes Championships that took place in Ireland, and why it’s so fun to finish the puzzle as quickly as possible.

Tori Towey, a 28 year old from Boyle in County Roscommon, is currently facing criminal charges - including attempted suicide and consuming alcohol - in the United Arab Emirates. With the Taoiseach’s announcement that Tori’s travel ban has been lifted, her family are desperately trying to get her home. Tori’s aunt, Ann, joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss.Image: Detained in Dubai

Several European cities are exploring ways to manage the level of tourism they’re seeing. Locals are starting to turn on visitors - there were angered protestors spraying tourists with water pistols in Barcelona this week, and places like Venice have added a tax to limit the amount of people that can visit the city daily.For a positive spin, the city of Copenhagen is now going to reward tourists who take part in climate-friendly tasks when they holiday there. They’ll get things like free lunches, coffees, glasses of wine and kayak rental in return for things like litter picking and using public transport.Should we be doing the same? Andrea is joined by Travel Journalist Ed Flynn, Gwen Leyden, Landlord of George’s Street Arcade and Melanie May ‘Talk Travel’ Presenter on Dublin City FM 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: Dreamworks

You may have heard the sad news from Dublin Zoo recently after two Asian elephants died from the same disease within a week.There is an update to this story, Newstalk reporter Stephanie Rohan joins Andrea to tell what she has learned. Also, Gerry Boland from Animals Behind Closed Doors, James who runs the National Reptile Zoo and more join to discuss if we should have zoos at all.