Lunchtime Live

Do your children play rugby? Some sports experts in the UK are saying that rugby in schools is a form of child abuse and that parents don’t understand the huge risk of brain injury to their children. Is child abuse too strong a term? Andrea was joined by Professor Eric Anderson, Professor of Sport at the University of Winchester, Former Ireland and Leinster player Shane Byrne and Liam Morley Brereton, coach at St Bridget’s Boxing Club, Edenderry to discuss...

Looking for some new doors and windows 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...

We’ve teamed up with Laya Healthcare to explore wellbeing in the workplace. Today Andrea was joined by Dr Siobahn Chidley, GP with Watermills Family Practice in Kildare. The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index, available at layahealthcare.ie/wellbeingindex. Keep your finger on the pulse.

How serious a problem is cocaine in GAA?  Experts are claiming that the use of cocaine has “gone through the roof at club level” while dozens of inter-county players are being treated for drugs, alcohol and gambling issues. Is it an issue in your club? Are we doing enough to deal with it? Andrea was joined by GAA refereee Pat Byrne O'Connell, Shane Cassells, Fianna Fail Senator and others to discuss...

Last week Andrea was joined by Gayle on Lunchtime Live. 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.Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney spoke about Gayle's story in the Seanad yesterday and she joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today... Image: Oireachtas TV

Yesteray, Andrea spoke to Emma, a woman from Donegal whose husband can't gain access to Ireland from South Africa.Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live today by Albert Llussa, Partner and Head of Immigration and Human Rights at Daly Lynch Crowe & Morris Solicitors to explain Emma’s situation... 

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... 

The deposit return scheme begins today. Cans and plastic bottles will have a 15 cent levy applied and can be taken back to retailers to be recycled.  Will this scheme last or is it an inconvenience to shoppers and retailers? Andrea was joined by listeners and retailers to discuss...

A listener Emma, from Donegal, got in touch to share her incredible story. Emma’s husband Lawson is unable to get permission to enter Ireland from South Africa to see Emma and his children.  Andrea chatted to Emma chatted to Emma today about her story...

Do you let your children use screens? Or have you ever been shaming for denying them screentime? Writing in the Irish Independent today, Emma Armstrong talks about how she is apparently making her kids ‘weird’ by not allowed them to use screen.Emma Armstrong and Siobhan O’Neill White from mams.ie joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

For the first time in the Irish Defence Forces’ history, soldiers will be allowed to have beards while on duty.    It’s one of a few new dress code changes being brought in starting from tomorrow. But does it really matter what members of the Defence Forces look like?Andrea was joined by Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and others 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...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Jess Kelly and Elaine Burke to talk about the podcast Young Hot Guys...Image: Young Hot Guys

Ciara Kelly spoke on Newstalk Breakfast this morning about female pain being dismissed. Is this a common experience for women in Ireland?Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Over in the UK, Scottish Civil Servants have been granted permission to work abroad for one month of the year.  They can log in from anywhere for four months of the year considering there is a genuine reason to do so.  Should we be more lenient with our hybrid working guidelines? Andrea was joined by Caroline Reidy, HR expert, from the HR Suite, Joanne Mangan from Grow Remote and more 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.Adam Starr, Principal Teacher at Tara Kadampa Meditation Centre, Dublin joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss hillwalking...

Does St. Patrick’s Day make you proud to be Irish?  Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste today launched the St. Patrick's Festival, with the theme announced as SPRÉACH’, or spark, representing the life force, the very essence of our being! Andrea Gilligan was joined by Ian O'Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent

Barry Moore, Compliance Manager with BM Logistics joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss the impact of migrants boarding trucks on his business...

There are graveyards across the country full of tombstones of all shapes and sizes. Some much larger than others.The larger ones, which are common for members of the travelling community, are apparently causing upset to some, saying it goes too far. Others are saying we need more respect for cultural differences when it comes to honouring our dead. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Cllr. Michael Connolly, Colm Kieran, Funeral Director, Martin Mahon, traveller rights activist and others to discuss...Image: Find a Grave

Tony Walsh runs local printing business Walsh Colour Print in Kerry. We spoke to him last year about houses that he had built for his staff.Tony joined Andrea again on Lunchtime Live to give an update about the situation...

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 Air Fryer Pizza Bagels and Crunchy Chewy Rocky Road...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

An article in the Irish Daily Mail has revealed truckers around the country have been offered up to €25k to smuggle illegal migrants. Wexford TD Verona Murphy has said it is up to the authorities where the ferries depart to tighten up on these gangs.   Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Verona Murphy, Ger Hyland President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and other truck drivers to discuss...

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...