Lunchtime Live

Riverdance was performed for the first time at the Eurovision song contest 30 years ago. It's turned into a huge global success, and this year they celebrate their 20th year running at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.Andrea GIlligan got to meet the cast and crew during their final rehearsals ahead of their opening night!

A psychologist has warned that it’s a major red flag if you can relax by watching true crime - possibly a sign that you’re a psychopath.With the true crime genre being extremely popular, is this an exaggeration? Or is there some truth to it?What do you think?Andrea is joined by Professor Brendan Kelly from the Psychiatry Department at Trinity COllege Dublin, Crime Journalist Nicola Tallant, Newstalk’s Jess Kelly and Tour Guide Conor O’Rourke to discuss.

The annual Hospice Sunflower Days fundraiser is starting tomorrow. On street collections will be taking place all over the country from Friday until Saturday with volunteers taking to the streets in hopes of raising vital funds for their local hospice.  Joining Andrea to speak about this is Nicky McCormack, retired Nurse Manager of South Westmeath Hospice and fundraiser for South Westmeath Hospice and Rennee McGloughlin, whose sister was in hospice care.

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock.Image: HBO

There have been calls for Ireland to ban Bully XL dogs after the tragic death of a young woman in Limerick this week. Would you agree?Andrea Gilligan is joined by Orla Murray, Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee at the Irish Kennel Club, Maureen Byrne, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and listeners to get their opinions.

The 6th of June will mark 80 years since the beaches of Normandy were invaded on D-Day. Henry McKean’s grandfather was one of those soldiers on the beach. He survived, but many, including Irish men - did not.Henry tells the story of his grandfather, while also telling other stories of that day, including how the locals in France will commemorate D-Day, the story of the oldest living survivor - and Kerry woman Maureen Sweeney’s impact as a meteorologist. 

From doing the seating plan to picking the perfect band, Lindsay Moynagh, Founder of Wendor and House of Hannah Weddings and Events joins Andrea Gilligan to answer your wedding related questions.

For years we have been told that being exposed to blue light on our phones can ruin a good night's sleep completely. But, recent research is challenging that notion, suggesting that the impact of screens might not be as detrimental as we once thought.  Joining Andrea to help understand this is Sleep Expert, Tom Coleman.

Should children’s sports days be non-competitive? Or is that giving our kids a bad idea about competition in the future?TV personality Stacy Solomon seems to believe that the sense of competition on these days is important.Andrea is joined by Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times, Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist and listeners to discuss.

Are towns and villages beginning to lose their sense of identity and community?Muiris O’Cearbhaill, journalist with TheJournal.ie has been asking this question after reporting from his hometown of Clonsilla in Dublin.What do you think?Muiris, along with other listeners, join Andrea to discuss.Image: Fingal County Council

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…

The amount paid to garda reserves will be as much as triple under plans announced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.Up to €3,000 will be paid to reserve members for 200 hours of volunteering, a significant increase from the current €1,000 offered for at least 100 hours.  What do you think? Would this encourage you to join?  Andrea is joined by former Gardaí and listeners to hear their thoughts.

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 host of The Hard Shoulder Kieran Cuddihy and Elaine Burke, host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast to review ‘The Allusionist’.Image: Helen Zalztman

Dublin City Council does not have any events planned in the lead up to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which will be on for three nights in Dublin on the 28th, 29th and 30th of June.This has led to criticism and comparisons to other cities who have done events.Andrea is joined by SPIN presenter Jess Spencer, Brenda Power, Columnist with the Sunday Times, Harry Doyle, Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Culture and more to discuss.

The local and European elections are just around the corner, so what is it like being out and about canvassing? Having already stepped out on the campaign trail with Mick Nugent, a Sinn Fein councillor in Cork, Andrea Gilligan continued by joining another candidate, Emma Blain representing Fine Gael, going door to door – this time in Dublin Bay South.

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 Sarah Hughes from Howth Castle Cookery School to learn about the joys of cooking!

The RSA are calling for emergency laws to double penalty points for speeding and mobile phone use. The group wants the emergency legislation to do this enacted “as a matter of priority” with any such change “supported by targeted enforcement and awareness campaigns”. What do you think? Would this make a difference to people's behaviour?Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to get their opinions, including Donna Price, Founder of the Irish Road Victims Association.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.Andrea is joined by Paula Campbell, Publisher with Poolbeg Press, to learn all about the world of book publishing.

Andrea Gilligan’s guest has a fascinating story... Beverley Bass was the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane. She was also one of the pilots of the planes in the skies during 9/11 that had to be rerouted. That experience has been made into the musical ‘Come From Away’ which is coming to Dublin soon.Beverley joins Andrea to share her story.

What are some of the most iconic ads that have come from our shores? Those ones that, years later, are still popular and referenced today?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Kieran Cuddihy, Presenter of The Hard Shoulder, Brian Lloyd, Editor at entertainment.ie and Matt Moss, a Senior Freelance Copywriter with 14 years in advertising.

The passing of the Assisted Reproduction Bill 2022 in the Dáil on Wednesday has been welcomed by many families and couples nationwide. However, for same sex parents that have used surrogacy, the Bill continues to ignore some of the main wishes they sought in previous drafts. Joining Andrea to discuss are Ranae Von Meding, CEO of Equality for Children and Seamus Kearney Martone, Chairperson of Irish Gay Dads.

From GAA jerseys appearing in unusual places, to the most mispronounced place names in the country – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has stories from around the country you may have missed.

From glass falling on to the street to rubbish being dumped – derelict buildings are causing problems right across the country, but are dereliction levies being collected?Andrea is joined by listeners with their own experience of dereliction causing issues in their areas, including Frank O’Connor from Anois and Derelict Ireland.

From Curtains to rugs and throws – how do you make your soft furnishings work? Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Arlene McIntyre from Arlene McIntrye Designs join Andrea with their tips and tricks.

From where Harry had his first kiss to the place where he started his working life – Harry Styles fans can now get a guided tour around his home village.Tour Guide Ben McCormick joins Andrea to discuss how this idea came about, and Diarmuid from Alternative Dublin (an event and walking tour company) joins to discuss if we make enough of a fuss about music legends in Ireland.

Wexford woman Lisa O’Connor got in touch with the show saying that new laws are needed to stop pet thefts in Ireland. She has set up a petition calling for pet theft to have its own classification.Lisa, along with Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú and listeners join Andrea to discuss why this is needed.

It was Kylie Minogue’s birthday this week, and she celebrated by racking up €35 million in wine sales! A huge amount of money by anyone’s standards.She’s not the only celebrity with an alcohol brand: Graham Norton has a wine, George Clooney and his tequila… Even non-drinker Blake Lively brought out Betty Booze.  So, why are they so successful?Andrea is joined by Michelle Lawlor from The Nude Wine Company to discuss.

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock.

The Children’s Hospital is going to be delayed. Again. The most recent completion date was the 29th of October, which will not be met. A new date is yet to be given. The current budget stands at €2.24bn to get the long-promised hospital up and running.Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to get their thoughts on this construction fiasco.

Co-sleeping can be a controversial topic, so Dr Afif EL Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital is with Andrea to answer all your questions.

The UK Prime Minister has said that one in eight degrees are ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees, and that they’ll be shut down. He said they’ll use the money saved from fewer tuition fees to fund extra apprenticeships. Is this a good idea? Or snobbery?Andrea is joined by listeners to get their thoughts.

The families of residents of a Dublin nursing home are worried about their loved ones' future. They found out the nursing home is closing, and all their loved ones will be moved.Lucan Lodge is a residential nursing home located in Lucan, South Dublin. It has 74 beds and is near full capacity.Andrea is joined by listeners whose family members are currently in the nursing home to hear their experience so far.Image: Lucan Lodge

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…

Thousands of people marched in Spain's Balearic Islands against mass tourism ahead of the summer season. Holding posters reading ‘SOS Residents, Enough Mass Tourism’, protesters marched through Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the largest Balearic Island, with a smaller protest also held in Menorca. Similar demonstrations have also recently taken place in the Canary Islands. Would it put you off travelling there?  Andrea hears from listeners, business owners in the area and Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel Magazine.Image: Reuters

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 Newstalk’s Ellen Butler and Fashion Stylist Laura Mullett to review ‘The Mushroom Cook’.Image: True Crime Australia

The local and European elections are quickly approaching. You have seen the posters erected; leaflets delivered, but what is it like calling door to door as a candidate? Andrea recently accompanied a councillor on the campaign trail in Cork city...

One of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants is said to have "toughened up" its dress code and made it "more explicit" advising guests against certain items of clothing.   The Chelsea restaurant has reminded patrons of the dress code on its website:  "We would like all of our guests to feel free to express their own individual style however, we do ask guests to avoid shorts, tracksuits and hoodies. Smart trainers are fine. We know lots of our guests like to dress smartly which we appreciate!" What do you think? Are dress codes outdated?Andrea is joined by listeners including Garry ANderson, Co-Owner of Anderson's Boathouse Restaurant and Killybegs Seafood Shack, Calvin O’Brien from the ‘Talking Bollox’ podcast and Stylist Mandy Maher.

Adrian Kennedy, who usually presents the show when Andrea is away, joins to discuss his recent cancer diagnosis and how he’s been dealing with it…

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 Laura Byrne, Founder of White Glove Concierge to learn how she could get her very own concierge service.

A new report from the ESRI shows that 13 year olds have fewer friends now than they did a decade ago, but is that a worry? Or is less friends better?Andrea is joined by listeners as well as Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist and Founder of COGNI Kids to hear their opinions.

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

Author Marian Keyes’s 2020 novel ‘Grown Ups’ is set to be adapted for Netflix, but she has made a plea to the makers not to ruin it with awful Irish accents. From Brad Pitt to Julia Roberts – the Irish accent has been butchered many times on the big screen. Film reviewer and Newstalk’s own Sue Murphy joins Andrea to chat about some of the biggest offenders. 

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has pledged mandatory national service for 18-year-olds if the Tories win the UK election in July.What do you think about the idea? Should we have something similar here?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes, including Estelle Birdy, journalist and author and Shelly Cotter from the WPDF (Wives and Partners of the Defense Forces).

James Casserly has just graduated from 6th year in school – however, he has been excluded from the post graduation night out and also the Debs.  James’ mum, Cllr Vicki Casserly, joins Andrea to explain why.

Turbulence has hit the headlines again after eight passengers were taken to hospital following a flight from Doha to Dublin.Emma Rose, Conor and Malcom were on that flight and joined Andrea to discuss their experience and what exactly happened.

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 veggie burgers and chicken / steak marinade! Very well suited for barbecues and the summer months. Plus, some tips to keep you in charge of the BBQ!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

An Irish committee on the funding of water in Ireland recommended that households that use excessive water should pay charges. That was seven years ago, and nothing has changed. Independent Councillor Pádraig Ó Céidigh said that the Government is paying €1 billion a year as support to Irish Water, and that people who are wasting water should be punished. Are there any circumstances in which you’d agree with water charges? Or where you yourself would be happy to pay? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their opinions.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.    Andrea Gilligan is joined by Ciara Foley from Platinum Travel to learn all about what it’s like being a travel agent.

A London-born teenager is set to become the first millennial to be made a saint. Carlo Acutis died of leukaemia in 2006, and since his death, two miracles have been attributed to him by Pope Francis.  Eight years after his death a seven-year-old boy from Brazil recovered from a rare pancreatic disorder after coming into contact with one of Acutis’s T-shirts. A priest had also prayed to Acutis on behalf of the child. Carlo Acutis has been given the nicknames of 'God's influencer' and 'the patron saint of the internet' because of his devotion to promoting Christ's work online before he died. The second miracle saw a girl from Costa Rica who was studying in Italy reportedly being healed after suffering a head trauma. She was reportedly cured by the boy after her mother prayed to him.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Father Paddy Byrne, Parish Priest of Abbeyleix, Raheen and Ballinakill.Image: The Vatican

Have you ever confronted anyone about their parking? Well, one person in Crosshaven in Cork certainly made their feelings known when it comes to bad parking in their area. A number of cards using colourful language were stuck on cars that were poorly parked last weekend.  What do you think? Is this the approach that might work?  Andrea is joined by Fianna Fáil Cllr. in the area Audrey Buckley, Irish Independent Columnist Mary McCarthy and listeners to hear their thoughts.