Lunchtime Live

If you’re currently planning your summer holidays – how long are you thinking of going away for? Is it a long weekend? Or maybe a really rare full two week break? Well, both could be a waste of time! Apparently, the ideal holiday length is 8 days…To discuss, Andrea is joined by Sinéad Brady, Career Psychologist and author of ‘Total Reset’.

How often do you sit down as a family to eat a meal? This May, Childline by ISPCC is calling on families, schools, clubs and workplaces throughout the country to take time for breakfast – to sit, listen and enjoy each other’s company. But, has life become too busy to sit down as a family and have meal times together? What’s your experience?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

The debate about drinking in Croke Park is here again -  Should rugby fans be allowed to drink in Croke Park? Would it help the atmosphere or make it worse? Andrea is joined by Gerry Thornley, Rugby Correspondent with the Irish Times as well as listeners to hear their opinions.

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live…Image: @F1 on Twitter / X

The ‘Irish Campaign to Boycott Eurovision 2024 are protesting outside RTÉ later on this evening.  They say that they don’t want “to be represented at an artwashing exercise for the genocidal apartheid state of Israel”. What do you think? Should Ireland boycott the Eurovision?Andrea is joined by singer and songwriter Mary Coughlan as well as listeners to discuss. Image: Alma Bengtsson / EBU

From overpaying your mortgage to how to switch; for this week’s Ask the Expert, we’re putting your mortgage questions to Trevor Grant, Chairperson, Association of Irish Mortgage Advisors.

Are the Irish unable to say ‘no’? That’s what the actor Brian Cox seems to think.Is he right? Do we avoid it? Andrea is joined by Freelance Writer Niamh O’Reilly and Life Coach Mark Fennel to discuss.

Listener Ben has gotten in touch with the show because he’s having an issue with getting his son into a secondary school.He speaks with Andrea about the issue.

Funerals are becoming more and more personal, with a lot more options on how we’d like our final goodbyes to go. And that isn’t just the funeral – you now have even more choices about what will happen to your body after you die. And the newest option is something called ‘water cremation’.Andrea is joined by Elizabeth Oakes, founder of Pure Reflections, to learn more. Colin McAteer from The Green Graveyard company also joins 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…

Students blockaded the entrance to the Book of Kells exhibition in Trinity College Dublin yesterday in protest against a proposal to increase some programme costs. Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union warned that students will take actions that are 'seriously damaging to the reputation and finances of the university' if the increases go ahead. László Molnárfi, President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union, joins Andrea to discuss what the protest is about. She is also joined by listeners to hear their takes.Image: Trinity News

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Newstalk's Tech Correspondent and host of 'Tech Talk' Jess Kelly and Elaine Burke, presenter of the 'For Tech’s Sake’  podcast to discuss series 4 of 'Serial'Image: New York Times

A Dublin-based surgeon has returned to Ireland after three weeks volunteering as a doctor in Gaza. Dr Mohammed Shaalan joins Andrea to talk about the experience.

Today marks 30 years since Michael Flatley, Jean Butler and the Riverdance Troop wowed audiences in the Point theatre and worldwide during Eurovision ‘94. What are your memories from the time? How did Riverdance transform Irish Dancing? Andrea is joined by multiple people to look back on Riverdance, including lead dancer Fergus Fitzpatrick, dance professional Ciara Sexton and Susan Ginnety, who was part of the 1994 performance.

A 14 year old boy was home alone yesterday when his house was attacked by a gang of armed raiders. It happened in a rural part of county Louth and local Councillor John Reilly joins Andrea to discuss…

Andrea posed the question of whether it’s okay or not to ask for a discount in a shop.Have you done it before? Or are you dead set against bartering or haggling?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their opinions.

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.Andrea was joined by Elaine Fallon from Brookwood Pottery to learn all about the clay craft.

A majority of teenagers attending single-sex schools would prefer their school to be co-educational, a study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found. The ESRI has described the findings as "eye-opening". Should all secondary schools be co-ed?  Andrea hears takes from listeners.

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Afif EL-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital to answer listeners' health queries and questions...

Castlebar has come out on top in a survey of the best places to live for the best work life balance, while Limerick came out at the bottom. But what makes somewhere a good town to live in? Andrea is joined by Today FM’s Ed Smith calling in from Castlebar, as well as Limerick local Celia Holman Lee to discuss.Image: Visit Castlebar

It is fair to say that immigration has become a hot button issue in the last number of weeks and months. It seems that people are more divided than ever on these issues.  Social media sites, such as X (formerly Twitter), are awash with hot take after hot take on Ireland’s immigration policies, but now these conversations are leaking out into real life – among family and friends.  Is it possible to maintain friendships and relationships with someone who might have very different views than you? How are we meant to navigate different opinions on immigration in friendship groups?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes. 

US TV host Conan O’Brien is set to make his Ros Na Rún debut on TG4 this week!  Andrea is joined by some of those involved in the show to talk about the experience: series producer Marion Ní Loingsigh, production manager Mairead Campbell and Paul “Fred” McCloskey, who plays the role of Vince.Image: @RosnaRun on Twitter/X

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at recipes for sweet & smokey pulled chicken and a chopped Asian salad with dressing.Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Apparently, the cost of summer camps is going to be even higher this year than normal. There’s a warning out today that the cost of summer camps and childcare combined could cost parents about €1,500. And this is before including the cost of a family holiday. So, are summer camps getting too expensive? Are they even easy to get into?Andrea is joined by listeners, including those who run camps, to get their takes.

This week, Newstalk has been partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland for Wish Week. It’s World Wish Day! So, let's come together and show the power of our community. Go to www.makeawish.ie/donate. Every euro counts, and together, we can bring so much joy.  Andrea is joined by Orla Carolan, who has personal experience of the impact this charity can make, as her son, Quinn - who was able to become a train driver for a day! Imelda Noone, Head of Wishgranting at Make-A-Wish Ireland also joins to talk about the process and how important Wish Day is. 

AI Week on Lunchtime Live. Andrea takes a dive deep into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is shaping our lives, from the apps on our phones to the way we work and interact with the world around us.  We look at what the rise in AI means for the world of music, for the law, for truth and reporting and for the arts sector.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different jobs.  Today, Andrea Gilligan was joined by Niall Tier, who is an Advanced Paramedic / Firefighter in Dublin.

Electric Picnic celebrates its 20-year anniversary with a new date in August plus acts like Calvin Harris and Kylie Minogue announced to be headlining. Are you going? And what do you make of this year's headliners?Andrea is joined by 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor to go through the announcement. She’s also joined by Brian Warfield of the Wolfe Tones, as they are part of the new line-up on the main stage.

Do you want to see Super Mario having a lightsaber fight with Joan of Arc? Maybe you would like to see what your friends and family would look like if they were cartoon characters?  The capabilities of AI, as we have been learning all this week, is already astounding and it is only improving over time. But, what does this mean for the arts sector? And how will creative people working in this area be affected?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dublin artist, poet & cartoonist Caoimhe Lavelle and Aisling Murray, Director and Founder of Beta Festival; a festival of art and technology critically engaging with the impact of emerging technologies on society.

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines.Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed…

Violent scenes erupted in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow last night. Six people were arrested outside an area that had been earmarked to accommodate international protection applicants. Gardaí came under attack after workers were brought onto the site. Three Garda cars were damaged, Gardaí had rocks and other missiles thrown at them while fires were lit at the scene. An axe was also recovered.  Gardaí deployed shields and incapacitant spray, with some locals apparently saying Gardaí used excessive force…Andrea is joined by Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie, journalist Valerie Cox and listeners to give their takes on the protest as well as the Garda response.

How can you do your own tiling at home, and how easy is it? Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Róisín Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Kingston Lafferty Design join Andrea to give their top tips.

Irish scientist Rosemary Coogan has graduated from space training as a new European Space Agency astronaut. That means she’s eligible for spaceflight.She joins Andrea to discuss why she became an astronaut in the first place, and what the experience has been like. Image: European Space Agency

Geraldine Mullen lost 'absolutely everything' in 2020 when she was the sole survivor of a car accident that left her without her husband and two children. She recently made a post remembering her son, Tomás, who would have been 18 this month.She joins Andrea to reflect and discuss what life has been like for her since.

This week is ‘AI Week’ for Lunchtime Live. Every day we will take a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is shaping our lives, from the apps on our phones to the way we work and interact with the world around us. What impact will artificial intelligence have on the workplace? Will it simply make work easier for most people? Or are we facing massive redundancies if AI takes over certain jobs?Andrea is joined by Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland and Tracy Keevans, Director with Morgan McKinley Recruitment Agency to discuss.

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live…Image: Coca-Cola Company

With increased road deaths this year, calls have been made for tougher sanctions to bring back the “fear of penalty points”.What do you think? Do people fear getting penalty points? What more can be done?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes.

From deciding what brand to get to installing a charger in your home, Derek Reilly, founder of electric car platform Nevo, is here to answer all of your EV-related questions.

From dream house to nightmare: a Donegal family have had to move out of their house because of the damage done by the defective mica blocks used to build it. Paddy Diver, one of the family members, joins Andrea to discuss his situation.

This week is ‘AI Week’ for Lunchtime Live. Every day we will take a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is shaping our lives, from the apps on our phones to the way we work and interact with the world around us.  What problems is AI going to dig up in terms of truthfulness? With the ability to mimic peoples’ voices accurately and make them say things they never have before - what legal ramifications are there, and how could that interfere with things like elections?Andrea is joined by Newstalk anchor Eamonn Torsney and Brian McElligott, Partner with Irish business law firm Mason, Hayes & Curran, to discuss the legal slippery slope AI has introduced.

Have you ever had the misfortune of being on a plane with a crying baby or disruptive child? Well, Corendon Dutch Airlines has announced it will be launching adult-only areas on some of its flights later this year. Children will be kept out of the designated adult area by “means of walls and curtains,” which will “create a shielded environment that contributes to a calm and relaxed flight.” The seats do come with an extra charge though – you can add €45 to the price of your flight rising to €100 for the extra-large seats. Would you pay it? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes. 

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…

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Today FM’s Shelly Gray and Newstalk’s Tom Douglas to discuss ‘Michael Jackson: Think Twice’. Image: Wondery

Apparently, we’re going to have another burst of sunshine for the May bank holiday weekend. Well, that’s what Carlow Weather’s Alan O’Reilly is teasing. He joins Andrea to discuss how far ahead we can really predict the weather. Also joining is engineer and science communicator Phil Smyth - @philofscience on Instagram.

For ‘Ask the GP’ yesterday Dr Nina Byrnes joined Andrea to answer all of your medical questions.We got an interesting text into the show that read:  ‘We just had a baby seven weeks ago.  We are actually finding it extremely tough going.  She cries a lot, she’s not colic, she eats very well, she is growing well but we are actually really struggling – particularly my wife.’  What was your experience of the realities of early parenthood?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their stories. 

This week is ‘AI Week’ for Lunchtime Live. Every day we will take a deep dive into the world of artificial intelligence, exploring how AI is shaping our lives, from the apps on our phones to the way we work and interact with the world around us.   One of the most striking examples of the capabilities of artificial intelligence can be found in music; whether you want to hear pop stars covering songs. Like Britney Spears singing Michael Jackson - or a deceased star like Queen’s Freddie Mercury come back to sing Celine Dion. So, what does this all mean for musicians, songwriters and the music industry?  Joining Andrea are Angela Dorgan, CEO of First Music Contact, the development and resource organisation for the popular music sector in Ireland and Adam O’Regan, guitarist with Soda Blonde, as well as Grammy nominated musicia RuthAnne.

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.Andrea was joined by Alicia Christofi-Walshe, the founder of the group She Summits to learn all about trail running.

Families of the victims of the Creeslough tragedy feel they haven’t been listened to after plans to rebuild a service station on the site of the tragedy were revealed. Andrea is joined by affected people Donna Harper and Derek Martin for their takes.

Join Andrea as she embarked on an exciting weekend of camping for the very first time! She recorded the entire experience while also talking to the people who run the campsites. She went to both River Valley Holiday Park in Wicklow and Battlebridge Camping in Roscommon.Would you go on a similar trip?

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