Lunchtime Live

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.

It’s the Pod Squad – where we troll through the podcast offers to see what we can recommend!This week, we’re talking about British Scandal – a podcast that explores famous scandals, in a country that loves scandal. The series we’ve listened to is The Canoe Con.Andrea Gilligan is joined by Laura Donnelly and Elaine Burke to discuss. Image: Wondery

Are we on the cusp of a conversational crisis? Have phones affected how kids learn to talk? The UK Labour party wants all state-school children to be taught speaking skills as part of the curriculum.  What do you think? Have you noticed a fall in conversational skills? Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids joins Andrea to discuss.

On the 14th October 2022, Tony Browne was stabbed in the neck by his partner while he slept in his home in Belfast. This week, the killer has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.His twin daughters, Shannon and Bobbi-Leigh McIllwaine join Andrea Gilligan to discuss the tragedy and life since.If you think you are a victim of domestic abuse, you are not alone. Below are resources that can help:mensallianceni.co.ukmensaid.ie National Confidential Helpline – 01 554 3811

U2 are the highest-earning band from Ireland or the UK so far this year.Bono and crew have banked more than €118 million from 23 shows in Las Vegas and playing to 382,000 fans.U2 have been on the go since 1976 and it is clear that almost 50 years later they are still one of the biggest bands in the world.So why aren’t they more celebrated here?Andrea is joined by Jackie Conboy from the Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland, Newstalk’s Jess Kelly, singer Paul Byron and more 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, Andrea is joined by Darren Scanlon to talk about Celbridge Boys Club.Image: @celbridge_boys_club

A tweet from Psychologist and Author Katriona O’Sullivan shocked many today. Her son told her that 'The poor kids are often the rule breakers & don't get accepted into TY!'. This was after a conversation on the cost of school trips. Is this a common thing?Andrea is joined by Katriona as well as listeners to discuss.

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer listeners' health queries and questions…

Every Monday we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer. Today, Andrea chats to Yvonne Reddin about holidaying as a single parent

Should there be more public toilets provided when there are large public events? Listener Eimear wonders why Croke Park can't put portaloos around the stadium so stop people urinating in the streets and in her own garden.

A listener got in touch with the show 'My wife and I have both pay our salaries into a joint account and have been doing so since we bought our first home. We don’t maintain any bank accounts in our own names. All joint accounts. I mentioned this at work the other day and everyone around me said this was weird...'Should you avoid joint bank accounts? Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show explains allPhoto by Pixabay

There have been calls to ban energy drinks in Ireland after two men suffered cardiac arrest due to excessive consumption. What do you think?Should there be restrictions on energy drinks?Photo by cottonbro studio

Glenda Gilson, Model & TV Presenter joined Andrea Gilligan to share some of her favourite summer memories!

Do we risk our politicians being too afraid to speak out about issues because of the backlash they receive?  Apparently, public figures are increasingly afraid to talk about certain issues in the face of online harassment. Fine Gael Cllr Eileen Lynch has been at the receiving end of online abuse and joins Andrea as well as SocDem Cllr Elisa O’Donovan to discuss.

Have kids birthday parties lost their way? Costing way too much to run? It seems like there is an issue where pressure is put on parents to run the best party possible; what happened to just bringing them over to the house?Andrea is joined by Niamh Hennessy from the Irish Examiner, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast, Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Niamh Dunlea, Owner of BounceBox Parties and Events and more to discuss.

Ethan Boyle, Wexford FC Captain was recently in the local playground with his 18 month-old son when he experienced a racist encounter. He joins Andrea to discuss what exactly happened.

From pitch invaders to bee invasions – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories you might have missed this week.

Dublin Airport is warning people not to drive to Dublin airport unless they have parking pre-booked. All the car parks are currently sold out over the next several days.They’ve told anyone without a booking to use public transport or to get a taxi or a lift.So how bad are things now, and what should we expect over the rest of the summer?Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to discuss.

Built-in versus freestanding furniture – what should you go for?Joining Andrea Gilligan to give their recommendations are Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Colin Baker from DecWells Expert Hardware.Image: MyLife Bathrooms

Here’s a really good news story – a reunion 17 years in the making.Victoria O’Leary’s daughter Fatima was taken to Saudi Arabia by her husband 17 years ago. Ever since she’s been fighting to get her back.Last week, they finally reunited.Victoria joins Andrea to discuss.

Almost a third of childcare and early years facilities are now at risk of closing. With also 95% of workers in the industry apparently struggling to make ends meet.Finding childcare places is already an enormous stress for parents, so what does the future look like? And what needs to change?Andrea is joined by Elaine Dunne, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood, Averil Sheenan from Care-a-lot Childcare in Cork, Karen Clince, Founder of Tigers Childcare and more to discuss.

The Daily Express says you should ‘Vote Tory’, The Daily Mirror says ‘Vote for Labour’ and The Daily Mail says ‘Vote Farage’.You may notice that there is a distinct difference in how elections are covered in the UK versus in Ireland.Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners across the UK and Ireland.Image: The Daily Express

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.Image: Paramount Pictures

Taoiseach Simon Harris has re-opened the debate around GAAGO by reiterating his stance that Gaelic games should not be behind a paywall. Has GAAGO affected your GAA watching experience this year? Or do we need to just get over it and pay to watch the games?Andrea is joined by Conor Grimes, sports journalist Mortimer Murphy, Liam Brassil from Kilrossanty GAA and more to discuss.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has issued an appeal for an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next four weeks to help the national blood supply, as some blood groups have fallen to less than three days of stock.Dr Ellen McSweeney, Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Consultant joins Andrea to answer all of your blood donation questions!

Andrea was invited to Donegal to see the launch of Muff Liquor’s new million euro facility, also announcing celebrity investment. Which celebrities? Well, Andrea spoke with Ronan Keating, Ryan Tubridy and Russell Crowe all about why they are backing the brand!

Sweden have just launched a groundbreaking new law that would entitle grandparents to get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to the first 3 months of a child’s life.Should grandparents get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren?Andrea is joined by broadcaster Claire Ronan and listeners to discuss.

Josie Rowley, who has been living in West Cork for over 40 years, had to have both of her legs amputated after getting insect bites at her home.Josie, who is now staying with her daughter Jen and granddaughter Becky, joins Andrea to discuss the situation.Photo: Jen Rowley

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…