Lunchtime Live

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.

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...

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...

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...

The numbers of people watching Mass on television has fallen from an average of 47,000 viewers a week in 2022, falling to 35,000 week up to November this year. RTÉ broadcasts Mass every weekday from various churches around the country at 10.30am on the RTÉ News channel. The Sunday Mass is broadcast on RTÉ One at 11am.   Is it time to stop broadcasting mass on TV? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Fr Patsy Lynch, parish priest for Ballinskelligs/Prior in Co. Kerry 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 on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband, food and phone contracts.Aoife Kearns, Newstalk Reporter has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your Christmas Dinner...

Conor Byrne (19), recently honored as the Netwatch Leinster Young Carer of the Year, now finds himself and his mother, whom he has been caring for since the age of eight, on the brink of homelessness.Conor joined Adrian Kennedy to discuss their current circumstance...

A clean up is underway today after Leitrim town was hit with a localised tornado yesterday afternoon. The freak weather event happened at 12.30pm yesterday afternoon. It left cars, buildings, boats, and trees badly damaged. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Colette Scollan is a Resident of Carrick-on-Shannon, Cathy Early from Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge and Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather to discuss...Image: Barry Whyte

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be out on the road delivering the nation's post?Today on Lunchtime Live’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ Adrian Kennedy was joined by former Irish Olympian David Gillick...

December 8th, marks 'Culchie Christmas.'  It's the day traditionally associated with rural Ireland descending on Dublin, Cork and other major towns and cities to do the Christmas shopping.   Adrian Kennedy was joined by Bronwyn O’Neill, from Stellar Magazine and Maria C Henry, a writer in West Cork...

Are there enough protections for farmers to keep them safe on their land? Young farmer Louise Crowley and Rob Lally Northwest VP of Macra na Feirme joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

The funeral of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan will be held in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary this afternoon.  This morning his cortege has travelled through Dublin in procession, from South Lott's Road to Westland Row and Sweny's Pharmacy.   Johnny Depp, Nick Cave and Bono are expected to be among the mourners at St. Mary's of the Rosary Church. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie, Labour TD Alan Kelly and more to discuss...

Life coach and dating and relationships expert David Meessen held a dating seminar in the city last Saturday to coach men on how to find the ‘right woman’ for them.  With many claiming that dating nowadays is so difficult, what does David offer that makes the process more successful. David Meessen joined Andrea in studio today...

We have teamed up with Guaranteed Irish to bring you Newstalk’s Irish Christmas Guide. Over the next 4 weeks we'll feature ideas for gifting, decorations, and festive fare – all from Irish based businesses. Discover the best ideas to make Christmas all about supporting local enterprises, in association with guaranteedirishgifts.ie. This week we put our focus on festive food.Andrea was joined by Kevin Sheridan from Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Daryl Johnson from Buíoch chocolates, Stefanie Caffrey from Basketcase Hampers, Fallon Moore is with me from Blás Box and Adrian Cahill from Norah’s Kitchen to discuss what they offer...

A protest is currently underway outside Leinster House over a Government proposal to reform disability payments. What does it mean for those living with a disability? Andrea was joined by Daniella and Margaret to discuss...