Lunchtime Live

This Friday the All Ireland Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous Convention will be held in Clare. Young people from all around the country will gather to talk about their experiences with alcohol, sobriety and the drinking culture in Ireland. But is alcoholism in Ireland spoken about enough? Two people who will be attending the conference are Sophie and Sean, and they joined Andrea to discuss...

When you think of divorce we often think view it as a sad occasion. But, should it also be something to celebrate? And, is it important to mark the occasion? Tracey in Waterford joined Andrea to tell her about the unique way in which she is marking her own divorce...

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 a Tomato and Garlic Pasta and Sweet and Sticky Vegetable Stir Fry with Egg Fried Rice... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said that cyclists need to create a “culture” of being respectful towards pedestrians and the law. He was speaking at a meeting on the Dodder Greenway when he was asked about some of the tension that can arise between cyclists and people walking.  He said the “conflict” could be reduced by wider cycling and walking paths but he also pointed the finger at ‘cycling culture’. Andrea was joined by listeners 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, Andrea was joined by Author Caroline Grace Cassidy to answer some listeners questions...

Talking on the INSPIRE podcast, Home of the year judge Sara Cosgrove has said that having a ‘No Moan zone’ helps her to make good business decisions, but is moaning actually important or can it benefit us? Alison Curtis was joined by Terry Prone, Chair Of The Communcations Clinic, Brendan Kelly, Consultant Psychiatrist and others to discuss...

Earlier in the week American TV host Jon Stewart spoke on his show ‘The Daily Show’ about losing his pet dog Dipper: It’s sparked off a huge conversation about losing a pet- something so many of us can relate to, and whether or not it’s taken seriously enough. Alison Curtis was joined by pet behaviourist Suzi Walsh and other listeners to discuss...

A global study has found that more than one billion people now living with obesity worldwide. In Ireland almost 60% of adults are obese or overweight. Alison Curtis was joined by Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity and other listeners 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... 

Two Dublin restaurants have been broken into, with their tills taken and their windows smashed – in just the last week. Andrea was joined by Robert Hayes from Bootleg restaurant and Big Fan Restaurant, Chef Andrew Rudd, Director of Medley Restaurant and Louise McDonnell, who owns Munchies on Baggot Street...

Looking for a way to maximise your storage space outdoors?Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you tips and advice...

Today, of course, is February 29th - a Leap Year Day. According to tradition women are allowed to propose to male suitors today.  Andrea was joined by Dr. Caroline West, Sex & relationship expert for Bumble Ireland and other 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... 

Are loyalty cards and club cards really beneficial for shoppers? Or, are we being duped?  Helen Coffey, Senior features writer for The Independent UK, says that ‘the cult of the supermarket loyalty card robbed us of normal prices’ Andrea was joined by Helen Coffey and others to discuss...

From blood types, to supply and who can and can’t donate blood, Andrea was joined by Dr Ellen McSweeney from the Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Consultant to answer listeners questions around blood donation...

Would you take your children out of school to travel? In October 2021, Danny and Aideen McAuliffe took their three children out of school to travel through Central and South America. They say that every family should be given six months off to see the world. Danny and Aideen and other listeners joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

On Friday 8 March 2024, we are being asked to vote on two proposed changes to the Constitution. But with the date closing in on us – many people still have questions about what the referendum actually means. Oran Doyle, Research professor Trinity College Dublin joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to explain...

Should court cases be broadcast on television in Ireland?Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Sinead Ryan, presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk, Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer in the University of Galway and other 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...

Parents in America are saying that Peppa Pig is making their kids rude. They're saying she’s a brat, a bully and is a bad influence on young minds. Is this true? Andrea was joined by parents to discuss...

98fm presenter Karl Dawson has been the target of abuse on social after a photo from 1 year ago with An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar was posted in a far right group.Karl joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live 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.Graham Herterich, The Cupcake Bloke and author of 'Bake' joined Andrea Gilligan on the show today...

We saw another record-equalling Irish win in the Six Nations at the weekend as Ireland saw off Wales.  According to Gerry Thornley, Rugby Correspondent with the Irish Times the atmosphere at the game fell flat.Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Gerry Thornley and other listeners to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by GP and lecturer, Dr Sumi Dunne to answer listeners health queries and questions...

A pilot programme which will train prisoners to retrofit homes gets under way today.  Prisoners close to release can undergo training in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise and Wheatfield Prison in west Dublin.  It is hoped this retrofitting scheme will help reduce the risk of re-offending.  Andrea was joined by Damien Quinn, a lecturer, community worker and founder of Galway-based social project Spéire Nua and other listeners to discuss...

A new mental health bill in Ireland is expected to be the largest overhaul of the State’s mental health laws in decades. Mental Health Reform groups have warned that the current legislation is at odds with international human rights standards. The new legislation would strengthen regulation around people consenting to the type of treatment they receive. It is also expected to regulate Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) as the majority of mental health services in Ireland currently fall outside the scope of regulation set out under the 2021 Act. Andrew McGinley, whose children Conor, nine, Darragh, seven, and three-year-old Carla died at the hands of their mother, joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss why it doesn't go far enough...

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 an Indian Chicken Curry and Crispy Chicken Goujons...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Should flights be more expensive? Ryanair's Michael O'Leary has warned that holidaymakers will face higher air fares this summer because of capacity constraints – but should flights be more expensive anyway to help the environment? Andrea was joined by listeners 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, Andrea was joined by Clarity Mills, a Professional Dominatrix and sex educator...

A London museum is hoping to recruit a Taylor Swift superfan to join their staff and advise them on all things Taylor. The Victoria and Albert museum is looking for insights into the culture and craftsmanship behind Taylor fandom. Things like handmade signs, friendship bracelets and other memorabilia associated with her ahead of the European leg of her Eras tour. 

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... 

This Saturday marks the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. When the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, some predicted it could take as little as three days for Russian forces to capture the capital, Kyiv. Andrea was joined by some Ukrainian's who have been living in Ireland since the invasion...

Would you like to see gaelic football, hurling and camogie at the Olympic Games?  The GAA revealed in their World strategy plan that they would like to get recognition from the International Olympic Committee and have their sports feature in future Olympic Games. Andrea was joined by Roddy Walsh, Vice chairperson with London GAA, Karen Hegarty, Westmeath Ladies Footballer, Darren O’Neill, Former Olympic boxer and more to discuss

Mental health blogger and writer, Daragh Fleming joined Andrea to discuss an experience he has been having with a social media account that has been abusing him on social media.Dr Catherine O’Sullivan, lecturer in the Law School, University College Cork also joined the conversation on Lunchtime Live...

If you’re going through menopause, could you be paying too much for HRT? Apparently the cost can differ wildly – and you might be overpaying.Andrea was joined by Catherine O’Keeffe is a Menopause Workplace Consultant, founder of Wellness Warrior, and creator of the Menopause Success Summit and Tom Murray, Murray’s Pharmacy in  Convoy, Co Donegal... 

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... 

There were a number of delays on the Dublin-to-Cork train line last night. The delays left a number of people stranded in bad weather conditions at Portarlington without water or trolley services. Andrea was joined by some of those affected and Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications with Irish Rail...

On Monday's Ask The GP, Dr Nina Byrnes recommended physio for quite a lot of the queries people sent in.  To continue this conversation, Andrea was joined by Andrew Dunne, Senior Physiotherapist and Founder of Personal Health - Medical Exercise Clinic to answer some listener questions... 

BBC Presenter Kate Garraway returned to work this month, following the death of her husband Derek. How can you make returning to work after bereavement a little bit easier? Andrea was joined by Ciaran Coyle, Counsellor & Psychotherapist and other listeners to discuss...

Lonely Planet has said that the Ireland guide is one of its top sellers around the world. Along with Ireland, the other top sellers are Japan, Iceland, Thailand and New York City. Ireland has also featured in Lonely Planet’s Best Beaches, which named Achill Island’s Keem Bay among the world’s 100 best. Tom Hall, Vice President of Lonely Planet across UK & Europe joined Andrea 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: Netflix

The new Dublin Airport Taxi Permit, which comes into effect today, could see increased waiting times for passengers according to taxi firm FREENOW.  The permit will grant permission to all drivers who pay a yearly fee of €10 to collect a pre-booked fare from one of the airport car parks but will not allow taxis to enter a taxi stand to pick up passengers, including joining of a virtual or digital queue on a taxi app. The move has been criticised by drivers who say it will result in reduced taxi availability and longer waiting times.  Andrea was joined by Graeme McQueen, Media relations Manager with the DAA and taxi drivers to discuss...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Rebekah Shekleton from 98fm's Big Breakfast and Colm Boohig from Off The Ball to discuss 'SmartLess'...

More than 80 per cent of public transport workers say they have been the target of abuse and more than half say antisocial behaviour is an issue for them at least once a week. That is according to a new survey by trade union SIPTU who are looking for the establishment of a dedicated transport police. Is there too much anti-social behaviour on public transport? Do we need transport police?  Andrea was joined by Matt Rice, Go Ahead Ireland and Alan and Raymond who have experience working in public transport...

Anna Mills family know only too well about the struggles to get care for children with scoliosis. Her 2 daughters have the condition, with her youngest currently struggling to even get an appointment with a consultant. Anna joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside Sinn Fein’s David Cullinane, TD and Party Health Spokesperson...

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.Patrick McKeown is creator, CEO and Director of Education and Training at Oxygen Advantage joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

The Pleasure Boys took their XLL Tour to Belfast last Saturday and it has caused a social media storm. The videos show the dancers fully naked, dancing with women on stage.Andrea was joined by John Woodward, Owner and Director of Pleasure Boys XXL Tour and Regina Sparkles, lead Drag Queen with the team...

Lots of Irish success stories at the BATFAs last night - Cillian Murphy won best actor for his role in Oppenheimer.  But the big stars were the Irish production company behind 'Poor Things.' The film won 5 BATFAs and was made by the Dublin based company Element Pictures. Andrea was joined by Andrew Lowe who is Co-CEO and founder of Element Pictures, the Producer of 'Poor Things'.... 

Transport Infrastructure Ireland says the MetroLink is needed for Dublin because the country is outgrowing its current transport infrastructure. It told the first day of An Bord Pleanala's oral hearing into the project that congestion could cost the Irish economy two-billion euro a year.Andrea was joined by Feljin Jose, Chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition and other listeners to discuss...

Fashion Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullett was in New York for her wedding anniversary and had revamped her wedding dress to wear for the occasion. Would you ever have your wedding dress revamped?Andrea was joined by Laura and Mags Morgan, Owner of Mizz Rio Bridal, the original provider of alternative wedding dresses in Ireland and listener Jacinta to discuss...