Lunchtime Live

Do you ever regret what you called your child? Apparently 1 in 5 people do!Arlene Costello is one of them, so she made the decision to change it.She joins Andrea, as well as SJ Strumm, Baby-Naming Consultant and author of ’Baby Name Envy’ to discuss.

Housing Minister James Browne has suggested that the Government is set to liberalise rules around one-off housing, making it easier for people to build in rural Ireland…So, is this a good idea?Joining Andrea to discuss is Elaine Houlihan, former Macra na Feirme President, Astrid Madsen, Editor of Self Build Magazine, Architect Róisín Murphy and more.

A growing number of people in their 30s, 40s and 50s are realising they are neurodivergent. All this week, we’ll be looking at different aspects of living with ADHD as an adult.To kick off the week, we’re discussing how the testing and diagnosing process works.Dr. Ailish Kenny from ADHDdoc and Ken Kilbride, CEO of ADHD Ireland join Andrea to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Journalist and Stylist Laura Mullett and 98fm Producer Russell Alford join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Hanging Out with Ant & Dec’!Image: Belta Box

Last week, we spoke about rising oil and petrol costs due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region.This morning, oil prices have surged over 15% and are now on track for a record daily jump…So, what impact will this have amidst the cost of living crisis?Andrea is joined by Shane O’Donoghue, Editor of completecar.ie, as well as listeners, to discuss.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Skydiving Instructor Coleman Brouder joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Are butter boards going to be the new cheeseboards?Cheese has long been on the shopping list for tourists keen to taste the local cuisine during their visits to France, but it seems that luxury butter is now top of the shopping lists.Russell Alford from Gastrogays joins Andrea to discuss!

A warning that the next item references sensitive topics that some listeners may find upsetting including domestic violence, coercive control and suicide.This week here on Lunchtime Live we’ve been discussing barring orders, protection orders and safety orders – the rulings available to victims of domestic violence here in Ireland. On Tuesday, we spoke to Donna, who bravely talked about her experience in trying to obtain a safety order against her former partner.Donna never obtained her safety order. Yesterday we spoke to SiSi, an organisation which supports women who are survivors of intimate partner abuse about whether these orders are fit for purpose, but to get a better sense of how they’re given out, and why in some cases they aren’t, we sent Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden down to the family courts to observe the system as it works.Sarah joins Andrea to discuss what she found.

Sunday the 8th of March is International Women’s Day.To mark it, we will be speaking to women who work in trades, a typically male field, about their work.Joining Andrea to discuss Lisa Dooley, Chartered Quantity Surveyor for Ormonde Construction, Shauna Doyle (@the_tarmacing_mammy on Instagram) and Apprentice Plumber Emma Louise Crimmins with Gas Networks Ireland.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

This morning Anton spoke to Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh on the party’s tabling of a new bill to protect fadas used in Irish names and addresses.Do you have a fada in your name, and is it frustrating to see it left out?Joining Andrea to discuss is Seamus O’Reilly, author and Columnist, Caitríona Redmond, Irish Examiner Columnist, Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and more.

You’ll be spending a lot of time with them, so what type of kitchen countertop should you pick for your home?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss the ideal kitchen countertop for you!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Emma Delaney from April & the Bear.

“For most of us, our phone is now our most important, most used possession. It’s our alarm clock, our wallet, our diary, our workspace, our health assistant.” So writes Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly.But, she wants to take us back to a simpler technological age – the year 1996, when she got her first phone.She joins Andrea to chat about the nostalgia of getting your first phone, as well as Aoife Rooney, Assistant Editor of Weekend Magazine at the Irish Independent.

On Tuesday, Andrea spoke to Donna about her experience of domestic abuse, and the difficulties in getting a Barring Order.Is the system fit for purpose, or does more need to be done to protect victims?Mary Louise, Founder of SiSi & Emma Jane Byrne, domestic violence advocate and volunteer with SiSi join to discuss.

When was the last time you went to the cinema?And would you pay extra for a more luxurious cinema experience?The Stella Cinema in Rathmines in Dublin offers armchairs, food directly to your seat and a cosy setting - and it has now been voted the second best cinema in the world.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Karl Geraghty, Head of Stella Cinemas and Adam Smyth, TikToker and moviegoer.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums and bands to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through some of The Dubliners’ greatest hits!

Plans to regenerate two derelict houses in Phibsborough have been abandoned due to the cost.The Government had bought the two houses on Connaught Street for €700,000 seven years ago.Despite the approval of planning in 2023, the work would now cost an expected €1.7 million…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Feljin Jose, Green Party Councillor for Phibsborough, Frank O’Connor, Artist, Designer and Derelict Ireland campaigner, Architect and Director at Maremoto Architects Alfonso Bonilla and listeners.

Travel chaos caused by the events in the Middle East: what are your rights when it comes to cancelled flights and disrupted plans?Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air & Travel Magazine joins guest host Anna Daly 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.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

One in five schools have been forced to drop a subject due to teachers' retention and recruitment issues, according to a survey carried out by the Teachers Union of Ireland.Three-quarters of the schools surveyed had advertised positions in the previous six months for which no teacher applied. A further 60% have unfilled vacancies…Have you or your children been affected by the teacher's shortage?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Paul Cuddihy, teacher of history and geography at Kilkenny College, primary school Principal Simon Lewis and more.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist joins to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss morning sickness…

29-year-old Olivia McAleenan was diagnosed last week with multiple sclerosis…She joins Anna Daly to share her experience thus far of recognizing her symptoms and receiving a diagnosis.

An estimated €15.6 million will be needed to repair damaged roads after Storm Chandra.Elected members of Wicklow County Council, one of the worst affected areas, have called on the Department of Transport, Taoiseach and Tanaiste to provide extra emergency funding to aid this.The “extraordinary scale of destruction” caused far exceeds the road maintenance budget for the council.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss this is Tom Fortune, Wicklow County Councillor representing Greystones electoral district, Ciaran Feghan, Managing director of PMS Pavement Management Services engineering consultancy, Louis O’Hara, Sinn Fein TD for Galway East and listeners.

According to a new study, left handed people are more competitive than right handed people. Are you left handed? Does this ring true?Joining Andrea to discuss is Phil Smyth, Physicist, Engineer and Science Communicator and Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig.

Looking to do some home energy upgrades but don’t know where to start?For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Brian McIntyre, Programme Manager at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to answer any questions you might have!

Barring Orders and Protection Orders, have you ever tried to take one out against someone?Andrea’s guest spent decades living in fear, subjected to emotional and sexual abuse by her ex partner. He was ultimately convicted and is serving time for rape, but she was never granted a Barring Order to protect her during that time. Donna joins Andrea to share her story…HELPLINES:www.womensaid.ie Phone: 1800 341 900Sonas Helpline Number: 1800 222 223

Thousands of passengers are left in limbo as they try to get home, or get some certainty from airlines as to what will happen...Tony is worried they won’t get home from Australia, and joins Andrea, along with other listeners, to discuss.

It's How I live well time! Andrea will be joined by experts to discuss ways you can improve your life…This week, Andrea is joined by Endocrinologist Professor Mary Ryan to talk all things testosterone.

Ireland has already seen an increase over the weekend in fuel prices after the US-Israeli attack on Iran…Petrol and diesel have both increased by about 2 cent per litre, and kerosene has increased by 2.5 cent.As the conflict widens across the Middle East, how will fuel prices impact us? Joining Andrea to discuss is Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie, Darragh Cassidy, as well as listeners.

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

Who lays down the laws in your house?The age old “Just wait until your father comes home” is apparently a thing of the past, with fathers now seen as pushovers. Is that the case in your house? Are you a pushover dad?Joining Andrea to discuss is Adrian Barry from Off the Ball and Joey Donnelly and more.

Conflict in the Middle East has caused chaos with missile strikes on airports causing closures and much uncertainty.So, what are the experiences of those impacted by this travel disruption?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Last month, Andrea spoke to the Oyekanmi family, who were facing deportation back to South Africa.Their local community had been protesting against their deportation, one of those was Finbarr O’Brien, from De La Salle Rugby Club. He joins Andrea to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast’!Image: SiriusXM

Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Anton Savage spoke to Sinn Féin Councilor Aoife Rose O’Brien on the mass eviction notice served to 36 households in Wexford.The eviction will impact about 100 people living in the Hazelwood estate in Bridgetown…Andrea is joined by some of those affected to discuss.

How have missile strikes in the Middle East affected those living there?Andrea is joined by Irish people both living and stranded in Dubai to discuss their experiences…Image: Reuters

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, State Pathologist Linda Mulligan joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

We hear a lot about protein and why it’s good for you, but how much of it do we need to be eating? And why is it especially important as you get older?Laura Dowling, aka the Fabulous Pharmacist, is attempting to up her protein intake in a bid for a “better middle aged ass”, and joins Andrea along with Shelly Gray, Registered Dietician and Today FM Presenter to discuss.

The University of Galway is proposing to discontinue its general arts degree as part of a wider academic review, citing an international decline in demand as students increasingly favour courses with clearer routes to employment.Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies are among the programmes under consideration, with the university aiming to align its offerings more closely with evolving student demand and career pathways.Should these courses be scrapped, and do we need to reduce the length of college courses in general?Joining Andrea to discuss is Assistant Professor at DCU’s School of English, Ellen Howley, Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Columnist, Brian Mooney, as well as listeners.

Yesterday, we heard about a school in Sligo where students are wearing their coats in the classroom due to lack of services to keep the children warm. Today, Andrea will be speaking to two parents from St Patrick's Primary School in Celbridge where the building presents a serious and immediate safety concern that extends well beyond routine maintenance issues…Áine and Melissa are parents of students there, and join to discuss.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

New figures show that more than 300,000 homes are now in arrears on their electricity bills. What needs to be done to help people?Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times, as well as listeners.

Sometimes, it’s handy to have some tools at home and the basic knowhow to fix small things.This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss tools and answer your questions!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Founder and CEO of The DIY Academy Martin Glynn.

Would you like to see pets on the bus, Luas or train?The National Transport Authority has opened a public consultation, asking people to get involved and have their say on pets on public transport?So should everywhere be dog friendly? Or should your four-legged friends be left at home?Joining Andrea to discuss is Eanna Ni Lamha, Environmentalist and Wildlife Expert, Samantha Rawson dog trainer and behaviourist and pet lover Andrea Smith.

Many survivors of sexual assault did not remember consenting to the use of their counselling notes in court, a survey has found.The survey, carried out by survivor led charity Beyond Surviving, has received over 240 responses within 24 hours and found that many survivors did not recall giving informed consent for their notes to be accessed and used in courts.These findings come as amended legislation on the matter is due to come before the Oireachtas Committee.Founder Ciara Mangan and Solicitor Sarah Grace join Andrea to discuss.

Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, the only Gaelscoil in County Sligo, is in dire need of a new school building.The school currently has only one classroom in the main building, being left to rely on prefab units for the majority of their pupils.Although the school has been part of the ADAPT programme to be redeveloped since 2022, they are still waiting…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Liz Nic Searraigh, Principal of Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, and Olivia McFadden, parent of a Gaelscoil student and member of the Parent’s Association.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Queen’s ‘A Night at the Opera’!

A recent survey carried out by RIP.ie has discovered that the average Irish person attends five funerals a year. Out of those figures, it has been discovered that Kerry people go to the most.The report also suggests that 90% of respondents believe every family should have the right to deliver a eulogy at the funeral mass of a family member.We want to know, why do people from the countryside go to more funerals than Dublin people? How often do you go to funerals?Joining Andrea to discuss is Graham Gleasure from The Gleasure Funeral Home in Tralee, Bríd McGowan Funeral Director and Embalmer in Sligo, Ocean FM Presenter Claire Ronan, Newstalk’s Josh Crosbie and Content Creator, Padraig Wilson McCarthy.

Tony Murray is amongst parents of adults with intellectual disabilities to present to TDs in the Dáil this lunchtime as part of their Before We Die campaign.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie was there, and joins Andrea with the latest.

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.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: Reuters