Lunchtime Live

Roy Keane has admitted he moves wipers and wing mirrors as revenge to drivers who badly park their cars. Is his approach too much? Or do people get away too easily with bad parking? Andrea got listeners take on this.

Bell's palsy is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face. Andrea spoke to listeners who suffered from this condition and shared their experience

We have some interesting insights from the latest Newstalk Amárach poll.  Figures show that 77% of people agree that it's too expensive to go to sports events as a family. Andrea was joined by listeners who gave their reaction

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

Andrea was live from Kilkenny and who better to show her around than our own Kilkenny local, Kieran Cuddihy

Kilkenny has a long history of elite athletes and with the Olympics kicking off in Paris this weekend, we wanted to chat to some of the former competitors that hail from  the Marble City. Andrea was joined by Boxer, Darren O’Neill,Eileen O’Keefe who competed in the hammer throw at the Beijing Olympics and by racewalker, Perri Williams

Kilkenny may not have, on the surface of things, seemed the most obvious place to become a hub for animation. But, the city hosts not one, but two multi award winning animations studio as well as a festival, Kilkenny Animated, that celebrates creativity and the craft of the visual image. Andrea was joined by Paul Young, Co- founder & Creative Director of Cartoon Saloon, Claire Finn, Managing Director at Lighthouse Studios to discuss this.

A new funding model for RTÉ is due to be signed off by Government later today . It will see the TV licence remain at its current rate of €160 per year, and will also see but  €725m of public money being pumped into the broadcaster over the next three years. Andrea was joined by John McGuinness, Fianna Fail TD for Carlow-Kilkenny to discuss the funding model

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.  Killian Ginnity from Newstalk's digital team joined Andrea on the show

Between the hurling and the cat laughs festival – Kilkenny is famous for many many things but what else makes it so great? Andrea was joined by a panel of old and new Kilkenny faces to tell her why Kilkenny is so great! She was joined by our own Bobby Kerry, Former Kilkenny camogie player Tracy Millea and presenter and podcaster James Kavanagh.

Emma got in touch to chat with Andrea about the waiting lists in Children's Health Service.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  Andrea was joined by host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast, Elaine Burke and by Broadcaster Padraig Wilson to review the Fur and Loathing podcast

With nearly 100 buses a day driving along the Wild Atlantic Way, there’s no doubt it has been a tourist success for the area, but that is coming at a cost to local farmers. Andrea was joined by locals living close to the area to give their view

Amazon’s smart speaker has been upgraded to help users understand the latest Gen Z slang. Customers can now ask Alexa for help with the latest buzz phrases used by the younger generation.  Andrea was joined by Ciara Treacy from Newstalk's Digital Team and Dr Ellen Howley, Assistant Professor at DCU’s School of English, to dissect the newly-added words.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks, Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.Dave Ayton is the Owner and Director of Awesome Walls and he joined Andrea on the Show.

Listeners got in touch with Andrea today to share their recent issues when flying with Ryanair

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

A private graveyard in Kildare is charging up to €12,000 for a plot. The price of the plot is dictated by it’s proximity to Father of Irish Republicanism Wolfe Tone’s grave. Aontu Leader, Peadar Tóibín and Owner of Wolfe Tone Private Cemetery Seamus McCarthy joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss.

We are at the height of summer and nearing August – which is the most popular month to tie the knot in Ireland.  But, it brings up the tricky question – how much should you give as a wedding present?  Andrea was joined by listeners to share their views on the topic.

On Friday, we were speaking  about the news that children with spinal issues will be sent abroad for surgery. They'll be sent to London and New York to get operations with long waiting lists here. When talking, Lynn got in touch with our show to tell us about her daughter. Lynn joined Andrea this afternoon on Lunchtime Live to tell us about her daughter

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 Peter Kavanaugh, Motor Homes Ireland to chat about Motor Home holidays around Ireland.

Would you like to see speeding or dangerous drivers sit retraining courses to be allowed back on the road?  It is one solution being considered by Junior Transport Minister James Lawless to reduce the number of drivers who repeatedly offend on the road.  Andrea was joined by Brenda Bolger from the Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny and by other listeners who gave her their opinion on the show today .

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.