Lunchtime Live
4,791 episodes — Page 71 of 96
Roads 'not safe' for cyclists in Ireland
The Transport Minister has said that Irish roads are not safe for children to walk or cycle to school on. Eamon Ryan even said that our roads aren’t even safe enough for experienced cyclists. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
'It's a dopamine release' - Why do we enjoy being scared?
Halloween is next week and it’s that time of year again to binge horror movies whether you love them or hate them.Why do we enjoy being scared so much? Andrea was joined by Dr. Sarah Cleary also known as ‘The Queen of Halloween’, Deirdre Murtagh from Ghosts of the Manor and Farmaphobia and Ken Carreher, Ken’s Halloween House of Horrors...
Running a marathon 'hugely demanding on the body'
The Dublin City Marathon takes place this weekend, 25,000 participants are expected to take part, But what actually happens to your body when you run a marathon? Andrea was joined by Professor Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology and others to discuss...
Vaping considered 'trendy' by young people
Shocking new figures from Foróige Sligo show that more than one in three teenagers currently vape. Young people aged 13 to 16 who vape say that they never smoked before starting. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
Irish participation in Halloween tradition 'on the rise'
Samhain, is, of course, the basis of modern Halloween - the time of the year, it is said, when the threshold between the living world and the dead is at its thinnest. But, do we make enough of Halloween here in Ireland? Especially considering that it is a traditionally Irish celebration? Adrian Kennedy was joined by listeners to discuss...
'You’ll have the best time of your life' - Donegal named 4th Best Region in the World
Donegal has been named the fourth-best region in the world to visit. Lonely Planet have put it head of places like Southern Thailand, the Swahili Coast in Tanzania and Montana in the United States. Some of the Donegal wonders they’ve credited are “the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Sliabh Liag, at 601m (1972ft), and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails along the Wild Atlantic Way”. The guide also mentions “Its ancient forts, musical traditions and rich heritage of the Irish language also make it an immersive experience for the curious visitor”. Andrea was joined by content creator, Eric Roberts, Jono Griffen from Wild and Free Adventure Co., Cillian McLoughlin from Wild Ireland and others to discuss...
Taking up a hobby later in life: 'It's a way of keeping your brain active'
Have you taken up a hobby in later life? Or at any stage? Where do people find enough time to take up hobbies?Comedian Bernard O’Shea says he has recently started writing poetry. Terrible poetry by his own admission, but poetry none the less. It’s known that they’re supposed to reduce stress, and help us flex our creative muscles, but how many of us really give them any priority? Adrian was joined by listeners to discuss...
'They want more in-depth stories' - Gen Z want less sex on screen
A study surveying academics at the University College of Los Angeles has shown that Gen Z want to see more emotional relationships in movies and less sex scenes.Is there too much sex in movies these days? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of The Bellissimo Files Podcast and other listeners to discuss...
Regina Doherty: 'We should double the number of speed vans'
As the number of road deaths in Ireland continues to rise, what should we do about it? Is speed the main issue? And if so, are more speed cameras the answer? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty and more to discuss...
World Osteoporosis Day with Mary Kennedy
Ocotber 20th marks World Osteoporosis DayOsteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to a decrease in bone mass and density, meaning bones become fragile and break easily. Andrea was joined by broadcasting legend Mary Kennedy to talk about it...
'The constant fear of threat was brittle' - 1 in 4 grew up with a problem drinker in the home
Almost 1 million people in Ireland grew up with a problem drinker in the home. That’s according to new figures out today from Maynooth University. They’ve also found that this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Andrea was joined by Marion Rackard, Aisling Creegan and other listeners to discuss...
Britney: 'I don't think she'd anyone in her life that had her best interest at heart'
Pop princess Britney Spears has released her memoir 'Woman in Me.' Today FM’s Claire Beck joined Andrea Gilligan to chat about the book and her legendary career is
'I was promised a dream and received a nightmare' - Dangers of travelling abroad for dental care
Denise Whelan, a listener got in touch as since getting her teeth done in Turkey she has had to return multiple times due to infections...
Sligo murders had 'a devastating impact' on LGBTQ+ community
Yousef Palani has received two life sentences for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee. The 23-year-old was also handed a separate 20-year sentence for causing serious harm to Anthony Burke. He pleaded guilty to the crimes last year. At his sentencing hearing today, the court hear how distressing details of how he used dating apps to target gay men living alone in the Sligo area. Andrea was joined by Charley Utting from Leitrim Pride, Padraig Rice, Policy and Research Manager at LGBT Ireland and more to discuss…
Should CVs be anonymous?
Should we anonymise the early stages of the recruitment process? Would it help to eliminate prejudices in hiring? Around half or respondents to a survey from the African Professional Network of Ireland (APNI) backed the idea of anonymising the initial stages of job applications while 70% more diversity among interviewers would be a good thing. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save money this Halloween
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 on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts.Aoife Kearns, from our news team has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your groceries...
Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder
Between the dark mornings and short evenings, the effects of a lack of daylight can have a huge affect on our moods.7 per cent of Irish people suffer with seasonal affective disorder or SAD.Andrea was joined by Dr Anne Kehoe, President of the Psychological Society of Ireland to discuss...
'My school never did anything' - School discipline on the rise post-pandemic
Following the pandemic there has been an increase in students expelled and suspended in secondary schools. Expulsions and suspensions numbers are creeping back up to pre-pandemic levels, according to new figures from TuslaHow can we prevent these numbers from reaching pre-pandemic levels? Andrea was joined by Pat McKenna, Former Principal of Pobailscoil Neasáin Baldoyle and Educationalist, Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Education Columnist and other listeners to discuss...
Growing up in an Industrial School: 'It still hurts me'
Miriam, a listener, sent an email into Lunchtime Live about her time spent in an industrial school when she was younger.Miriam joined Andrea Gilligan on the show to discuss her experience...Image: Children's Homes
Being friends with someone with different political views
Nowadays the world is now more divided than ever. There are a myriad of political and social issues which seem to have split the population. Whether it is politics, international conflicts, gender identity issues, immigration, the list goes on and on. Is it possible to maintain friendships and relationship with someone who might have very different views than you? Could you be friends with someone who has different political or social views? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
'My house is ruined' - Locals describe 'soul destroying' flooding in Cork
A clean-up operation is under way in towns and villages in east Cork and west Waterford hit by flooding during Storm Babet The storm caused millions of euro worth of damage as parts of Ireland suffered its worst rainfall-related flooding in over a decade. Cork was worst-hit by the torrential downpours which dumped over a month's worth of rain in less than 24 hours. Andrea was joined by locals to discuss how they have been affected...
Laughing gas being used as 'a stepping stone' to harder drugs
CEO of Merchant’s Quay, Eddie Mullins has said Ireland Irelands middle class are sustaining Irelands drug trade. He says there are people in politics, media and An Garda Síochána who are habitual drug users. Are drugs becoming an issue among all classes in Ireland? Eddie Mullins joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss.Andrea was also joined by other listeners to discuss...
'We need to clamp down on fireworks' - Mannix Flynn
Throughout the country during October, people will hear fireworks going off every evening – some even starting in the afternoon. Do they bother you? Has it made it scary to go out at night? Or is it scaring the animals in your house? Is it time for a crackdown on them? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Dublin City Councillor Mannix Flynn and other listeners to discuss...
'It's a life skill': Should driving lessons be carried out in schools?
Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy Ray told Newstalk Breakfast that students should be finishing school with a leaving cert and a driving license.Should driving lessons be carried out in schools? Adrian Kennedy was joined by listeners to discuss...
Israel-Hamas war: 'It's difficult for the west to get involved in this'
US President Joe Biden landed in Israel on a solidarity visit this morning. It comes after around 500 Palestinians were killed in a blast at a Gaza City hospital last night Palestinian officials have blamed the strike on Israel who say that the blast was a result of a stray rocket from Hamas. How do we know who to believe? What do you think of the West’s reaction to the conflict? How would you like to see Ireland act? Adrian Kennedy was joined by listeners to discuss...
‘We love our town’ - Locals respond as Fermoy labelled 'horrible town' on Graham Norton Show
On the Graham Norton Show on BBC last week, a woman who used to live in Fermoy called it a ‘horrible town’.The comments made by the woman while in the famous red chair have caused outrage among locals.Andrea was joined by Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Frank O’Flynn, Kay Dawson, Fermoy Coucillor and other listeners to discuss...
Listener email: ‘I have always had an issue with alcohol, but it’s gotten worse’
A listener emailed Lunchtime Live as she was seeking some help and guidance around her struggle with alcohol.Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinty College Dublin and listeners Declan and Pat joined Andrea to discuss...
'It's absolutely crazy' - Christmas shopping starting earlier every year
Halloween is right around the corner, and yet shops are stocked with Christmas decorations. Brown Thomas on Grafton Street has had it’s Christmas shop open since August. Have we all gone Christmas mad? Is October too early to be getting ready for Christmas? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
President Higgins is 'in touch with the people' of Ireland
President Michael D Higgins says Ursula von der Leyen is ‘not speaking for Ireland’ following comments she made on the Palestine / Israel conflict last Friday. He criticised the head of the European Commission for a failure to call for Israel's retaliation to conform with international law.Is President Higgins right to speak out on this? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
Weight jokes ‘not acceptable anymore’ in film and television
Director and Writer Richard Curtis has promised never to make “fat” jokes in his work again. He’s famous for films like Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill and says he feels bad about lines in his films that are no longer funny. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save on your groceries
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 on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts.Aoife Kearns, from our news team has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your groceries...
Pressure for expensive Halloween costumes 'coming from parents'
Halloween is right around the corner. If you have children in school you’ll probably be bombarded with costume parties. We want to talk about whether children’s costumes are another way for parents to get competitive? Andrea was joined by parents to discuss...
'We'd end up being ruled from abroad' - Should the Irish abroad get a vote in elections?
Thousands of Polish nationals queued outside the Polish embassy in Dublin over the weekend to cast their votes in their country’s election. Would you like to see Irish citizens overseas be given the right to vote in our elections? Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...
Ask Me Anything: Former Prisoner
‘Ask Me Anything’ is a new series every Friday on Lunchtime Live. Over the next number of weeks we will be chatting to people from different backgrounds, people who have weird or wonderful occupations or people who have had incredible experiences. And, we want you to ask the questions. You can put whatever questions you like to our guest and we will put it to them. Kicking off our series Former Prisoner Wayne Hart joined Andrea in studio.In his life Wayne has spent almost 17 years in prison. He has since turned his life around having left prison for the final time in 2005 and has helped young prisoners reform...
‘I thought she was gone’ - Mum of 12-year old girl left in a coma due to vaping
12 year old Sarah Griffin was put into an induced coma after being rushed to hospital with difficulty breathing from vaping. In support of Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke’s new vaping awareness campaign, Sarah’s mother Mary joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...
Coping with Baby Loss: 'I was broken and trying to fit the pieces together'
On 12th January 2015, Anne Marie’s son Max was stillborn at almost 42 weeks. To mark Baby Loss Awareness Week, Anne Marie joined Andrea to tell her story to increase awareness around baby loss. Andrea was also joined on Lunchtime Live by Kinga and Professor Keelin O'Donoghue is a consultant obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital...
‘We’re a bandwagon nation’ - Has Ireland's rugby success increased it's popularity?
We are counting down to the Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals between Ireland and New Zealand tomorrow night at 8pm in Paris. This could be our moment to push beyond the quarter final stages for the first time ever. Has rugby overtaken football as the game that can lift a nation? Has this World Cup turned us into a rugby nation? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
'It can tear a family apart': Cocaine use on the rise among young farmers
Family farms are being put at risk by drugs debts racked up by young farmers. An Irish Country Living investigation has found people in rural areas are buying cocaine on social media- leading to an increase in young farmers seeking help with their addiction. Drugs counsellors say it's those aged 18 to 30 who are most affected. Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...
Lunchtime Live Endometriosis Panel
Endo is experienced by one in 10 women in Ireland and it is a lifelong condition. Lunchtime Live has been hearing from women across Ireland over the past number of weeks who are living with Endometriosis. In a special, hour-long panel, Andrea chats to endometriosis sufferers, medical specialists and ask politicians – what can they do?
'Our wonderful children, the states wonderful children, deserve so much better' Foster parents disappointed with Budget 2023
A listener emailed into Lunchtime Live to express her frustration with the Budget which she feels is leaving down Foster parents: 'I am writing to you tonight as I am so upset about today's budget. I'm a foster carer and I was so hopeful that this year we would finally get the long overdue increase to our allowance that carers have been begging for for many years now.'
'The system is all wrong' - Woman with dementia not entitled to special equipment depsite having a medical card
Kevin, a listener got in touch with Lunchtime Live about an issue he is having. Kevin's wife was diagnosed with dementia five years ago and is now a resident in a private nursing home. His wife has a medical card, however, she is not entitled to any equipment to make life easier and more comfortable for her...
Kanye West spotted wearing 'highly coveted' limited edition Belfast school sport jacket
Who would have thought if Kanye West was looking for the lastest fashion accessory he would have found it on the corridors of St Mary's Christian Brothers Grammar School in Belfast Principal of St Mary's Christian Brothers Grammar School in Belfast, Siobhan Kelly joined Andrea to discuss...
'Some people have a tendency to overshare' - Are you being yourself in work?
More than a third of people have felt the need to hide aspects of who they are at work for fear of judgement. Almost half have felt their chances of career progression have been limited because of their background. Others felt they were held back because of factors such as age, ethnicity, nationality, gender or gender identity. Do you feel comfortable being yourself at work? Andrea was joined by Eoghan Tomas McDermott, Managing Director of The Communications Clinic and listeners to discuss...
Israeli attacks on Gaza: 'I just ask her to text me that they are fine''
Andrea spoke to Fatin Al Tamimi, a Palestinian living in Ireland, about watching the attacks from Ireland and trying to contact her sister who is currently in Gaza.
Israel attacks: 'The nature of the attacks were so audacious'
Israel attacked the Gaza Strip overnight last night as fighting raged with Hamas. The death toll from the war against the Palestinian militants surged above 1,100. It came two days after Hamas attacked Israel with rockets and fighters. The Hamas attack has so far killed more than 700 Israelis. Andrea spoke to Michael Kelly, editor of the Irish Catholic who is currently in Israel and Osi, an Israeli living in Ireland.
Sex education - How young is too young?
When it comes to Sex Education – how young is too young to talk to your children about sex? One UK couple – Clio Wood and her husband Bryn told a UK paper that they don’t believe in lying to their children, who are two and nine, even when it comes to sex. Andrea spoke to listeners about when they think it is appropriate to begin conversations about sex.
Cut the Cost: Streaming Services
From TV to music – how much are you spending on streaming services? As part of Lunchtime Live's Cut the Cost series Newstalk reporter, Aoife Kearns has found the best deals on the market.
Ask the GP: 'I have a chronic cough.. I am worried it could be cancer'.
Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Kildare GP, Dr Siobhan Chidley to answer listeners health queries and questions...
Kiera Dignam: 'You don't get good days, you get good hours'
Kiera Dignam spoke to Andrea about the loss of her father Christy Dignam, dealing with grief and the upcoming release of her new album, 'Nepo Baby'.
'It was daunting' Big Brother is back !
Big Brother returns this weekend after a five-year hiatus. The reboot will see a new cast of carefully selected housemates from all walks of life living together for 6 weeks. Apparently, eviction nights will be different, though we haven’t been told how. The reboot will have a special emphasis on the mental health of contestants.But what is it like to be on Big Brother and what made it so special?Joining Andrea on the show were former contestants Ray Shah housemate from Big Brother 4 (2003), and Noirin Kelly housemate from Big Brother 10 (2009).