Lunchtime Live

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins Andrea Gilligan once more to rewind the clock…Image: Sony Pictures

Columnist with the Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy, was on Newstalk Breakfast this morning chatting about a new movement amongst parents whereby they track their children’s locations using their smartphones. So, would you do it? Or are you doing it already?Andrea is joined by Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie, Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times and mother of seven, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast and listeners to discuss.

From costs to tariffs, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Ruth Buggie, Head of Mobility and Smart Networks at SEAI to answer all of your home electricity questions!

Solo mum Becky Hayes has gone viral with her survival guides helping unattached women to get through anything from Sunday night to spending a birthday alone.Becky learned to embrace her alone time, and even look forward to it!Little did Becky know that buying some nice food and wine, going for a walk, tidying her flat and making a delicious meal would become the blueprint for her series of single survival guides that have gone viral on TikTok.She joins Andrea to discuss the success, and making the most out of being single.

Judges will be able to recommend minimum prison terms of 25, 30 years or longer for the worst crimes under new proposals to be published today. However, the judge’s recommendation will be non-binding. Does this go far enough?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Kathleen Chada, Founder of SAVE Action Group,Ruth Maxwell, survivor of a violent attack and Noeline Blackwell, Human Rights Lawyer.

Andrea Gilligan is taking a boat from Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday and, through her research, she was wondering whether we do enough to promote our waterways for holidaying in Ireland.To discuss, she is joined by Kay Baxter, President of Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, Mike Clinton, Marine Engineer & boat owner on the Shannon and Denis Baker, IWAI Royal Canal Branch Chairman.

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…

Have Irish people begun to take a sense of pride in their achievements?When it comes to recent achievements in this year's Olympics, Ireland’s most successful one yet, it appears to be a great example of how Irish attitudes have changed when it comes to honouring our wins.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Jon Rudd, Swimming Coach, James O'Callaghan. Performance Director with Irish Sailing, Coach Tadhg Leader and Performance Coach Gerry Hussey.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  This week, Andrea was joined by Entertainment and Culture Journalist, Rory Cashin and Laura Donnelly from Newstalk’s Newsroom to review ‘Ghost in the Machine’.Image: Stak

Do you lie? Many of us are told as children to never lie, but researchers believe there is a lot we get wrong about dishonesty.Instead, they believe we should be teaching our kids, students and employees when and how to lie.So, is lying sometimes necessary? And where should you draw the line?Andrea is joined by Terry Prone from the Communications Clinic, Jason O’Callaghan, Mindfulness Expert and Psychologist and more to discuss.

Andrea Gilligan is on the second week of her vegan challenge. It was a challenging long weekend for her – especially as she went home to see her friends.And the idea of going to eat got her thinking – why don’t more places cater for vegans?Andrea is joined by vegan listeners as well as Sandra Higgins, Director of Go Vegan World, to discuss.

This year, Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.This week, she was joined by Jane Gormley, from Craicly Stories, to learn all about the value to be gained from storytelling!

Taoiseach Simon Harris had voiced his 'disgust' at the tricolour being flown at the Belfast protests.  Between this, and the use of it by Irish far right supporters- has the good gone out of the tricolour?To discuss, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Independent TD Michael Healy Rae, Joe O’Shea, Editor of CorkBeo, Michael Murphy, former Lieutenant Colonel and Shelly Cotter, spokesperson for WPDF (Wives and Partners of the Defence Forces).

With the school holidays truly underway, parents might be looking for ways to take a break with their families - but what are the best and most economical last-minute travel ideas?Guest host Adrian Kennedy was joined by Sarah Slattery, Owner of The Travel Expert to discuss.

Every week we chat to well known faces about their summer memories. This week Andrea chatted with Mario Rosenstock.

Henry Mckean joined Andrea live from Skibereen, where celebrations have started after Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won gold in the men's lightweight double sculls.

A row has erupted at the boxing Olympics over the eligibility of some female boxers.Italy’s Angela Carini quit 46 seconds into her bout with Imane Khelif yesterday, leaving the ring in tears and refusing to shake her opponent’s hand. So what rules should be around ladies boxing? Andrea was joined by Diarmuid Pepper, Journalist with The Journal.ie and by Professor, Donal O'Shea, specialist in Endocrinology to discuss this  

How to cater to vegan guest when hosting a dinner party. Andrea was joined by Head Chef Glas Restaurant, Malte Half to discuss this

From an invasion of jellyfish to a woman who has kept meticulous records of every cinema trip for the past four decades,.  Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has a roundup of this week’s story from across the country.  

The Lord Mayor of Dublin is now backing calls for statue of Sinéad O'Connor to be erected in city. But what are the protocols for putting up statues in Dublin City? Andrea was joined by listeners to debate this..

Always dreamed of packing up and hitting the road in a camper van? Well the Home Squad are here with advice on converting your own camper vanJenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ is and Colin Baker from Decwells Expert Hardware joined Andrea to discuss this .

Whether you're a coach, player or a parent, being a competitive person can have both its ups and downs. Daniel Wiffen's mum credits his success in taking home gold at the Olympics all down to their 'highly competitive' family.  Andrea was joined by listeners to share their opinions on this.

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor is back after he joins Andrea Gilligan once more to rewind the clock…

The Galway Races have been on all week and today is undoubtedly the most famous and busiest day of the festival due to it being Ladies Day. But why are events like Ladies Day or best dressed competitions at races so popular and so enduring?  Andrea was joined by Laura Mullett, Stylist and Blogger, Carol Kennelly, from Carol Kennelly Millinrey Tralee,  and by  Bairbre Power, Fashion & Lifestyle journalist, Best Dressed judge at the Dublin Horse Show to discuss this.

Is it time we got rid of the school uniform?  Listeners joined Andrea on the show to have their say on the issue .

For this week's Ask the Expert slot, Andrea was joined now by Trevor Grant, Chairperson, Association of Irish Mortgage Advisors, to answer all your mortgage related questions.

There is so much incredibly impressive sport on the TV at the moment. One thing we don’t hear much about, is what it’s like to have your period when you’re a top performing athlete.Andrea was joined by English Professional golfer, Annabel Dimmock to discuss this.  

Is it ever ok to charge other parents for playdates and how do you manage difficult playdates Andrea was joined by listeners who gave their opinion to her.

David and his partner are facing homelessness and they joined Andrea on the show to share their experience.

We’ve been celebrating some great Olympic wins for Ireland, with hopefully a lot more to come. But have we the facilities to back it up? Andrea was joined by some listeners to discuss this.

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. Newstalk's Laura Donnelly joined Andrea on the show

Who decides the start times for schools, and how do parents manage late start times when they can’t get childcare? Andrea was joined by some listeners who gave their view..

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  This week, Andrea was joined by Newstalk’s Tom Douglas & Journalist and Podcast Enthusiast Laura Mullet to review the podcast he Problem with Erik

A phone number I often give out on this show is the Samaritans helpline. It’s available 24 / 7 and has volunteers ready to talk to you whenever you need. But who are the people behind this helpline? Andrea was joined on the show by Mary McMahon the Director of Dublin Samaritans and by a former Samaritans service user..

Mona McSharry took the first Irish medal of the Paris 2024 Olympics winning bronze in the 100 metre breaststroke.Her coach, Grace Meade, joined Andrea on the show today.

Yesterday, Andrea was challenged to go vegan for 2 weeks. On Day 2 of this challenge, Andrea was joined by Vegan Author and Lifestyle blogger, Holly White, who shared her tips on the show.

This year, Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become a bit healthier! Over the next few weeks, Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.This week, Andrea was joined by Celina Stephenson, who told her about the benefits of slow running.

Do we need to do more about the smell of weed in Dublin and other cities and towns in Ireland?  Today FM DJ Shelly Gray told Newstalk earlier today that she was taken aback by the amount and unabashed nature of people smoking weed recently in the capital... Andrea was joined by listeners who gave their opinion on the show..

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

A new study out today shows that after going vegan the age of people’s heart, hormones, ­liver and metabolic systems were decreased. So, could going vegan make us all younger? Andrea was joined by Heather Leeson, Registered Nutritional Therapist with Glenville Nutrition to discuss this.

The Olympics kicked off at the weekend and with so many fantastic Irish Athletes taking part, we wanted to chat to some of the people who helped bring our Olympians to that world stageAndrea was joined on the show by some of the athletes current and past coaches today.

Five road deaths occurred on our roads over the weekend, including a 14-year-old boy. So what can be done to reduce road deaths on roads here?Andrea was joined by some listeners who gave their opinions on the show .

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.This week we are looking at all things hiking holidays. Andrea was joined by Kevin Penrose, who is better known as the Wild Atlantic Wanderer on Instagram, to chat about the benefits of hiking holidays.

It has been revealed that Irish actress Saoirse Ronan has secretly married her Mary Queen of Scots co-star Jack Lowden. They tied the knot in an Edinburgh Registrar's Office in Scotland after 6 years together. So we wanted to know, have you ever eloped and if so, what was your experience? Andrea was joined on the show by some listeners who have had experience eloping.  

Comments from the American Vice President hopeful JD Vance has surfaced from a few years ago where he refers to Kamala Harris and other Democrats as "a bunch of childless cat ladies... miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've madeCEO Of Goss.ie, Alexandra Ryan and Journalist Andrea Smith spoke to Andrea about this

Sinead O’Connor - lovers from around the world have descended on Bray in Co Wicklow for the ‘Thank You For Hearing Me’ memorial event. The mini-festival, near her seafront home, marks the first anniversary of the singer’s death. Organisers of the event joined Andrea on the show there

The incredible moment when a six-year-old boy came to his collapsed mum's rescue by flagging down a passing Amazon delivery driver has been captured on video. Liz Crooks, a mother-of-three, became unwell when she was home alone and passed out - prompting her son Aidan to spring into action and seek help from a friendly passerby who wasted no time in coming to her aid. Liz spoke to Andrea about the incident..

From toads in Kerry to the Freedom of Donegal being awarded to a county favourite. IN: Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has a roundup of this week’s story from across the country  

Musician-turned- designer Pharrell Williams has said that we should reintroduce arts back into the Olympics So, Should the arts be included in the Olympics? Listeners got in touch with Andrea to share their views.   

The kitchen is often the hub of the home – but if you have a small space, how do you make the most of it? Our home squad are on hand to help! Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ , Jenny Sheahan and Sarah from Sand and Deliver DIY joined Andrea on the show