Lunchtime Live

Luke Littler, the 16-year-old who has enjoyed a historic run to the final of the World Darts Championship He is now just one win away from becoming the youngest-ever champion.   Andrea was joined by Sports Journalist Conan Doherty and other listeners to discuss...

Yesterday the Minster for Environment Eamonn Ryan stated that disinformation is being accepted as gospel.  With the new year upon, the growth of social media and the tectonic rise of AI. Disinformation has never been as prevalent as it is today, so how can we spot disinformation in the new year?  Andrea was joined by Razan Ibraheem, a journalist specialising in content verification...

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.  This week in particular – its January, its grey outside, its cold – now more than ever we need a reason to be happy!   Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces.... 

Should all Irish primary schools be Gaelscoils? Estonia has announced a new law to ensure that over the next 10 years all primary schools that still teach primarily through Russian will have to switch to Estonian.  Could something like that work here? Would it help or hinder the language and our children’s education? Andrea was joined by Chris McCaffrey, Irish Language Speaker and former teacher based in Fermanagh and others to discuss...

From today, tolls on ten routes across the country will increase. Most road users will the charge increase by 20c, with heavy good vehicles increasing by 30-50c Andrea was joined by Shane O’Donoghue, Editor with completecar.ie and others to discuss...

Do you make new year’s resolutions? According to a new survey - 7 in 10 of under 29's think resolutions are outdated. What do you think? Have you every stuck to them? Siobhan Murray, psychotherapist, life-coach and author joined Andrea on the show today...

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.Laughter Yoga instructor Marie Angeline Lascaux joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

'If you would not eat it yourself, then don’t serve it up’  That is the message from health campaigner Jillian McNulty to hospital catering staff.  Jillian, who has cystic ­fibrosis, has been a patient multiple times and says that nine times out of ten the food comes cold or barely warm. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Jillian, Frances, Jason and JP McMahon - Chef, Author & Restauranteur to discuss...

Prepare for Christmas with ease as our cheese expert is here to show us how to whip up the perfect board for the day! Kevin Sheridan, owner of Sheridan's Cheese Mongers joined Andrea in studio today...

For some families, there’s extra celebrations this Christmas as they’ve welcomed babies in the past few months.  However it’s been a long road, as both babies were born through surrogacy. Andrea was joined bu Kyle and Grainne to discuss their experiences...

Many people will be unwrapping, unwanted gifts on Monday whether they be socks or a gift you may already have. Because gifting can bring about these problems it’s important to know our consumer rights at this time of year Andrea was joined by Sinead Ryan, consumer columnist with the Irish Independent and presenter of The Home Show 

While some may consider 2023 the year of war and tragedies, there were many enjoyable things that also took place. As we look back on 2023, here are a few stories that warmed our hearts, made us laugh and gave us some hope that things aren’t all so bad! Andrea was joined by Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney to look back...

Tablescaping is the new Christmas trend this year.Andrea was joined by wedding planner, Lyndsey Moynagh to find out how to get the perfect Christmas table...

From Dirty Dens revelations in Eastenders to who killed Emmerdale’s Tom King – Christmas Day is when all the big drama happens in the soaps but how did they become such staple viewing? Andrea was joined by Soap Writer Alan Flanagan, Soap Director Jay Brannigan and Broadcaster Gary Brennan to discuss...

As the Irish diaspora continues to travel far and wide, we hear how those who can’t make it back to Ireland for Christmas will be celebrating in their respective countries.   Andrea was joined by Irish all over the world on today's show...

61 year old Robert Kilmartin was in University Hospital Limerick recently, he joined Andrea today to discuss his experience?

Have we lost the run of ourselves with standing ovations at live performances? When is the last time you went to a show that the audience didn’t stand up and cheer in appreciation at the final curtain? Theatre experts in the UK have said that in the West End the display of appreciation once seen as a rare honour for a great performance has become a nightly phenomenon. Has the standing ovation lost all meaning? Andrea was joined by Eilish O'Carroll, Willie White, Claudia Carroll and more to discuss...

Are you the type of person that sets their alarm for Stephen’s Day to get up and beat the queues for the post Christmas sales? Or do you think that shops should remain closed for longer over the Christmas period? Andrea was joined by listeners and business owners to discuss...

Preparations have begun in households across the country for Monday’s Christmas dinner.  TV Chef and Owner of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, Catherine Fulvio joined Andrea to let us know how to avoid all our Christmas kitchen faux pas...

For a third year in a row, the children of Chernobyl won’t be visiting Ireland over Christmas.  For the last two years Covid has stopped the visits. And this year it’s the war in Ukraine. The visit is supposed to give the kids some rest and recuperation.  These children are all suffering from various health, mental and physical issues as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the region back in 1986, and the trip to Ireland was seen as a vital break for their health and wellbeing.  Adi Roche, voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children International joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

Should the Gaeltacht be protected for Irish speakers? New figures out today say that despite the fact that population of the Gaeltacht has increased since 2016, the number of daily Irish speakers has actually fallen. Most Gaeltacht areas are in the West of Ireland, often in rural scenic areas. And because of that holiday homes and high property prices are a concern with locals. So should new housing policies be brought in to protect Irish speaking areas for Irish speakers? Andrea was joined by John Prendergast, West Kerry language planner with Tobar Dhuibhne and other Irish language speakers on Lunchtime Live...

Dublin City has received a lot of negative attention in the past few weeks and months – but Green Party Cllr Hazel Chu wants people to take back the city. Andrea caught up with her to walk around the capital...

An article by Laoise Neylon in the Dublin Inquirer focuses on Grace, a 16 year old, who is struggling with her mental health . Her family are desperately trying to get her the help that she needs.  Grace’s dad Mick and sister Emma joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss their current situation...

You may not be cooking the dinner this Christmas, but if you’re hosting festive drinks, you’ll need some tasty canopés to impress your guests. Food Columnist with the Irish Examiner Colm O’Gorman joined Andrea with some tips...

Back in September, Andrea spoke to Ger and her story stopped many people in their tracks. Ger and her family had asked for respite care for her son Jack and when none was available, they had to leave him in an emergency respite facility - a situation she said is “breaking our hearts”. Ger joined Andrea to on the show with an update...

Shoppers visiting Dublin City Centre this Christmas have been urged to watch out for clampers with already 1,200 more clamps issued this year by the start of December than in all of 2022 Is the clamping the best way to deal with bad parking? Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Kildare GP, Dr Siobhan Chidley to answer listeners health queries and questions...

Dublin needs new bylaws to stop people concreting over their gardens for parking space, according to a leading environmentalist.The Irish Times reports some Dublin residents are converting their gardens into driveways, resulting in an overall reduction in the amount of green spaces in the city.Andrea was joined by Irish Architect and Environmentalist Duncan Stewart and other listeners to discuss…

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills.Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save some money this Christmas.Aoife Kearns, Newstalk Reporter has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your Christmas Crackers...

In September, Andrea spoke to Maggie Butler, a mother desperately seeking help for her son Alex, who was in hospital following lifesaving surgery.  Maggie joined Andrea today with an update...

The Ross Lake House hotel in Rosscahill in Galway which was due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers this week, was set on fire over the weekend.The incident has been described by Minister for Integration Roderic O’Gorman as ‘deeply sinister’. 

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 Tony Moran who is an airline pilot with Aer Lingus...

Hospital admissions for dog bites soared by more than 50% in a decade, a new study has found.  Of the 3,158 patients receiving treatment between 2012 and 2021, over 1,200 were children bitten by dogs.  The research, carried out by the Department of Agriculture, University of Limerick and National Health Intelligence Unit, found that over 80% of those requiring hospital treatment were emergency admissions.  Are we careful enough with our dogs? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Isabelle Geraghty is just 26 years of age, yet went through the menopause when she was in her teens. When she was just 13, she was told that she had premature ovarian insufficiency. Andrea was joined by Isabelle on Lunchtime Live today...

Columnist with Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy has decided to put her foot down when it comes to emptying the compost bin at home. Writing on X, Mary says: 'My top gripe with the individuals I live with (my lovely family!!) is nobody empties the compost bin & nobody cleans her...except me...So now I'm going to go on strike...let's see what happens'Mary joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

Kylie Ann Stewart is a 10-year-old girl who has been waiting for crucial surgery on her spine since 2018. If she doesn’t get the soon, she will become inoperable.  Kylie Ann’s mother Catherine joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

A draft law on the use of facial recognition technology will be published by the Government today.  The proposed legislation would allow Gardaí use the technology when searching CCTV footage, which the Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said is vital when it comes to investigating serious crime.  Following the Dublin riots last month, the offences of riot and violent disorder were also included in the legislation. What do you think about this technology being used? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Avid breakfast TV viewers might have noticed something a bit different if they were watching Ireland AM on Virgin Media One today. The show had a ‘World First’ after it was scripted and produced by artificial intelligence. Ireland AM Presenter Tommy Bowe joined Andrea to discuss...Main image: Ireland AM hosts. Picture via @IrelandAMVMTV on Twitter

One of our listeners, Mick, got in touch with the show over an issue he was having reselling tickets for U2 at Sphere in Las Vegas. Mick and Sinead Ryan, presenter on The Home Show on Newstalk joined Adrian Kennedy on the show to discuss…

Apparently only just over half of us will go to a Mass over Christmas. A Newstalk Amárach poll says that 57% of us go to some sort of religious ceremony on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Andrea was joined by Fr Paddy Byrne and other listeners to discuss...

On Saturday 28 October, Deliveroo Driver Joao Ferreira was seriously injured in an incident with a garda vehicle, losing part of his right leg.

Sara Platt travelled to Turkey for a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and uplift after vast weight loss left her with loose skin. However things didn’t go to plan and she has been left with holes in her stomach. She joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to warn other’s about travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery...

Swearing on TV has skyrocketed in recent years with Succession and other hit series like The Wire, Peaky Blinders and Orange is the New Black ranking among the most foul-mouthed.  The annual number of swear words across TV shows and films has surged from fewer than 5,000 in 1985 to over 60,000 last year, according to US recommendation service Enjoy Movies Your Way.  Furthermore, a study carried out by Preply found that Succession was the series finale with the most swear words said throughout. The Wire and Orange is the New Black were in second and third place, over 100 imes behind the HBO series.Is there too much cursing on TV? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

After retirement a lot of people can find it different to make friends, it can be quite a lonely time for people when they finish up in the workplace.  Brendan Kilkenny got in touch with Lunchtime Live because about 10 weeks ago he joined friends of the elderly he says it's changed his life...

Retailers are saying there’s been an explosion in shoplifting in the last two years. They say there’s also been an increase in the amount of violence and intimidation towards their staff.  They met with TDs this morning to see if something can be done. So, I want to hear from retailers today – is this something you’re facing?  Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment at 9.30am this morning. 

The past few years has seen people go mad for airfryers- but could you cook your Christmas dinner in one? The Firefighting Chef Paul Knapp joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live...

Figures compiled from the Irish Times have found that 80% of school-leavers nationally progressed to third level in 2023.  It seems like the standard route for many students but - Do we put too much emphasis on third level education?   Should we be encouraging more people into apprenticeships?  Andrea was joined by Jonathan Graham, the Headmaster of Dundalk’s Grammar School, Kevin Moran, Owner and Project Manager of Kevin Moran Builders, Maureen Lynch, Managing Director with Hays Ireland Recruitment Agency and more to discuss..

A self-professed human guinea pig when it comes to aesthetic beauty treatments, Liz Dwyer once said that she had invested more in her face than her pension.Liz Dwyer, co-founder of Future Beauty & Health Show, and co-host of Fess Up Podcast

Domestic Abuse survivor Nicola Hanney has said major legal and system changes are needed to protect victims of coercive control. She spoke in an RTÉ documentary about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her former partner and father of her child, Garda Paul Moody. Nicola’s decision to relinquish her anonymity was made to help break the cycle of silence that often shrouds victims of domestic abuse and coercive control.  Ruth O’De from Women’s Aid joined Andrea to discuss...

According to new research, plant-based foods are much more appealing when not labeled as vegan. When a food gift basket said it was 'plant-based' or 'vegan' only 20 percent of people chose it but the same basket labeled 'healthy and sustainable' had a 44 percent uptake. Does it affect your purchases if you see ‘vegan’? Andrea Gilligan was joined by Sandra Higgins, Director Go Vegan World, Conor Sweeney from Dae Ice Cream and more to discuss...