Lunchtime Live

In a bid to attract and obtain staff, Ryanair has purchased 25 of 28 new-builds in Swords. The airline will rent the rooms out to their staff.  Andrea Gilligan was joined by Labour Party Councillor, James Humphreys, Rory Hearne, Associate Professor in Social Policy at NUI Maynooth and author of ‘Gaffs.. Why nobody can get a house’ and others to discuss...

A study has shown that Handwriting is better for your brain than typing – but have we lost the art of handwriting? Andrea was joined by Liz Maguire, a Dublin-based antiquarian, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin from Writing.ie and others to discuss...

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... 

Eurosong will be happening tonight on the Late Late Show tonight. Ireland haven’t exactly had much success at Eurovision lately – so what should we be doing differently? Andrea was joined by former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, Keith Mills and Dermot Manning to discuss...

Want to revamp your kitchen without spending a fortune? Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you a fresh kitchen without the cost...

Shaun Fogarty is an inspiration. After an accident left him completely paralysed from the neck down when he was just 19 years old, he has gone on to defy the odds – learning to eat and talk again, as well as going back to college to earn a masters degree. Shaun joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside his mother Gretta...

A Tipperary Granny in her 70s is planning to skydive with her son this February to raise funds for Gaza. Mary and Mike McDonnell joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live...

The Citizens Assembly on Drug use are meeting right now, to recommend a 'decriminalised' version of our drugs laws. It would cover anyone caught with drugs for personal use. They believe the criminalisation of drug use has not worked.Andrea was joined by listeners 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... 

An article in the Irish Times today suggests people are diagnosing themselves with mental health Issues.  Is there a glorification of mental health on social media? Andrea was joined by Jason O’Callaghan: Psychologist and others to discuss...

A spokesperson for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has said they have seen an increase in people looking for support and more women are seeking support for "problem drinking".Andrea was joined by listeners and Sheila Gilheaney, CEO at Alcohol Action Ireland to discuss...

The existence of fertility treatments has given a lot of us the impression we can wait until we’re older to have children. A survey carried out by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Cork University Maternity Hospital showed an overconfidence in the treatments. One in five surveyed believed ­fertility treatment allowed most women to have a baby with their own eggs at any age. Andrea was joined by Dr John Kennedy, Founder of Thérapie Clinic & one of Ireland’s Leading Fertility Doctors to answer questions...

Have you ever thought about your own funeral – or told people what you’d like after you die? For more on this Andrea was joined by Brid McGowan from Foley & McGowans Funeral home in Sligo and McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Ballina and listeners to discuss...

The National Transport Authority today published their fares plan for 2024 – while 80% of fares remain unchanged, there will be reduced monthly tickets for commuters. Do you use Public transport? Is cheaper transport really the answer to encourage more people to use it? Andrea was joined by Dr. Páraic Carroll, Assistant Professor in Transportation Engineering in UCD, Cllr Lauren Tuite, Green Party Cllr on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and more 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.  Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces.... Image: BBC

We spoke to Gayle back in August. She got in touch after she was forced to miss her own mum’s funeral, when she couldn’t get respite care for her son. Gayle cares for her 22-year-old son Luca full time in their home.  She is hoping for more help for people like herself and her son. Andrea went to Gayle’s home to see what her daily life is like, and to find out if there’d been any update in her situation...

New cars in the EU and UK have grown 1cm wider every two years according to a new report – but are our roads able for them? Andrea was joined by Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor & Columnist with the Sunday Independent, Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation and Head of Department, Trinity College Dublin to discuss...

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.Terry Lambert from Hill Top Treks joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss hillwalking...

The Access to Cash Bill is going to the cabinet today. The bill aims to ensure the use of cash in shops and pharmacies and stop the closure of ATMs.Should we be protecting cash? Andrea was joined by Sheena Mitchell, Pharmacist and Host of the WonderCare podcast, Barry Duff from Lock & Brew Café and more to discuss...

Should we ban cheap flights to help the environment? With some airlines announcing winter sales, with flights as low as €13 – should this be allowed? Andrea was joined by Ecologist Padraic Fogarty, Eoghan Corry and others to discuss...

Should Irish pubs be given protected status? That’s a call from Una Mullaly in the Irish Times today, she thinks Irish pubs should be declared a cultural asset.  They’re so important to our culture and our way of life, and a lot of them are struggling. Would something like a UNESCO status help them? Andrea was joined by some people in the industry to discuss...

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 chatted through recipes to keep you full during lunchtime...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Storm Isha battered the country last night leaving alot of damage to businesses and disruption to flights.Andrea was joined by Sinead Ryan, Newstalk presenter, Sorcha Crowley, journalist with the Irish Examiner, Anthony Gray Owner, Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo, Chair of Sligo Tourism and others to discuss...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.  Today on the show Andrea was joined by former Reality TV star, Ray Shah...

There will be a protest on Sunday in Limerick to highlight overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick.  Andrea was joined by Brian and Marie on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

A fascinating story of three long lost siblings, adopted and grew up without knowing each other has taken another turn. In 2020, the two of the siblings were reunited on the ITV show ‘Long-Lost Family’. The show brought about the discovery of another brother. Recently, it has come to light from the Indo Daily Podcast that there may be a fourth sibling out there.Andrea was joined by two of those siblings Helen and David, to tell their story...

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... 

A balaclava, a cannabis joint along with a screwdriver and pliers were among the floral tributes at hitman Tristan Sherry's funeral this week.    Why are displays like this allowed at funerals?  Do they glorify criminality?  Andrea was joined by Fr Aquinas Duffy and more listeners to discuss...

Yesterday we spoke to Aolish and Michelle about their experiences with postnatal depression. And it seemed to really strike a chord with a lot of people listening. One of the things that came up time and time again in your texts was that people just don’t talk about it enough. So we want to talk about it more. Andrea was joined by Jemma, Tara and Aileen Hickie, CEO of Parentline to discuss...

One listener got in touch with Lunchtime Live via a voicenote to complain about people without kids parking parent in and child car spaces.Andrea was joined by Chrissie Russell and others 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... 

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has questioned how people can attend anti-migration demonstrations during the day while most others are at work.   Is she being fair assuming that protestors aren’t working? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Brian McIntyre from the SEAI joined Andrea to answer your questions around home energy upgrades...

About one in eight women suffer from postnatal depression after giving birth, but it’s something that many people feel uncomfortable opening up about. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Aolish and Michelle to discuss their experiences...

Actress Emma Stone has defended graphic sex scenes in Yorgos Lanthimos's (PRON: LAN – TEE – MOUSE)  Oscar-tipped film Poor Things, saying they are true to her character, Bella’s experience.  In recent weeks there has also been much discussion around some of the more shocking scenes in Barry Keoghan movie ‘Saltburn’. Are there too many sex scenes in movies and TVs shows these days? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

We have made a new year’s resolution on the show this year to look on the brighter side of life.  Our new item Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy, will look at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.  Blue Monday is behind us and now more than ever we need reasons to be happy!   Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces.... 

Is the pedestrianization of our towns a good move?  Plans to pedestrianization a street in Malahide look set to go ahead despite local opposition.  But would you welcome it in your town? Andrea was joined by locals and listeners to discuss...Image: Fingal County Council

There were clashes between Gardai protestors last night when over a dozen asylum seekers were moved into Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.  There has been daily demonstrations outside the hotel after it was announced last week that asylum seekers would be housed there. Andrea was joined by locals and listeners to discuss...

Dubai has apparently been voted the most overrated place to visit. Overrated and overhyped apparently. What were your most overrated holiday destinations? Andrea was joined by Melanie May, Ellen Fitzpatrick, Audience Editor with the Irish Independent, Megan Virgo, travel blogger and others to discuss...

Coming back after January, 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.John Lowe of MoneyDoctors.ie joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss how to manage your money...

Could we soon be travelling to SuperValu Park for Cork’s intercounty games? A historic rights deal is set to see the famous Pairc Ui Chaoimh renamed. The stadium is named after former GAA director general Pádraig Ó Caoimh who led the GAA for 35 years. What do you think, would the renaming bother you? Or is this just the way things are going? Andrea was joined by Donal O’Chaoimh, Padraig O’Caoimh’s Grandson and others to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live today by Nina and Mairie to discuss their experiences coping with a stillbirth...

Graham Norton says he thinks Irish people are funnier than our counterparts in the UK. He says he thinks your regular day-to-day Irish person is probably funnier than your average person in the UK. He says it’s down to our story telling. Andrea was joined by Comedian Jim Elliott and other listeners to discuss...

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 chatted through recipes for two different soups to warm you up during the day.Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Drugs Minister Hildegarde Naughton said that those caught with a small amount of drugs should not end up in the criminal justice system. Cannabis is currently included in an adult caution scheme that has led to a drop in the number of people brought to court in recent years for possession.  The minister now wants to look at the approach to other, harder drugs – what do you think about this approach?  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Martina, a listener got in touch because she wanted to talk about her experience growing up with a stutter...

Children as young as 10 demanding anti-ageing products – according to dermatologists. Fears are that children are being heavily influenced by trends on social media. Has your child expressed an interest in skin care? Andrea was joined by Jen Hogan, Columnist with The Irish Times, Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd and more to discuss...

Actor Andrew Scott has said in an interview this week that it is time to stop using the expression ‘openly gay’. Should we get rid of the term 'openly' gay? Andrea was joined by Labour Senator, Annie Hoey and others to discuss... 

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... 

Could putting a cap on commercial buildings help tackle the housing crisis?  An ERSI think-tank has suggested the construction industry would divert its focus to residential building if a limit was put on the number of commercial properties awarded planning permission each year. Should we say ‘no more’ to commercial buildings until more housing is developed?  Andrea was joined by Rory Hearne, Author of ‘Gaffs’ and associate Professor of Social Policy at Maynooth University, Andrea Horan, Tom Phillips, Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates, Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture and Planning in UCD and more to discuss...