Newstalk Weekend

This week's 'In Conversation with' is with a gaeilgeoir, host of a late-night radio show and father to five children. However, he is probably most renowned for his musical escapades. Luke chats with the founding member of The Hot House Flowers Band, Fiachna Ó Braonáin…

Pete answers all your pet questions, including the latest on the XL Bully ban news.

A new report from Drinks Ireland has revealed that sales of non-alcoholic beer continued to grow last year, while beer remained Ireland’s favourite alcoholic drink.Fianna Fáil Cork TD James O'Connor claims there’s an opportunity for Ireland to be global leaders in this industry with further incentives.  Cormac Healy, Director of Drinks Ireland also joined Luke to tell us more.

Scientists believe they have made a major advance in understanding how to fight back against the potentially deadly superbug MRSA. Scientists in Trinity College have made the discovery and Luke spoke with the lead researcher on this project, Dr Rachel McLoughlin, Professor in Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.

Luke O'Neill goes through this morning's papers with Hugh O'Connell, Political Editor at The Sunday Times, and the Irish Indpendent's Saoirse Hanley.

Elon Musk’s X has been warned by the EU that it potentially faces large fines after regulators said its blue-tick system for users is deceptive and in breach of its landmark social media rules. Adrian Weckler, Technology Correspondent at the Irish Independent, tells us more.

France is going to the polls today in the final round of a parliamentary election which could have massive implications for the country and the European Union. Joining Anton to discuss is John Lichfield, veteran journalist who is based in France.

Joining Anton to discuss his biggest influences & inspirations, his creative process, as well as his latest book ‘Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune’ is illustrator and author, Chris Judge.

Anton is joined In conversation by journalist and TV presenter Craig Doyle.

In recent weeks there have been several high-profile cases of sexual and gender-based violence against women which begs the question of what must be done to move the dial when it comes to attitudinal changes in society and the structural changes to the criminal justice system. Holly Cairns, Leader of the Social Democrats and a TD for Cork South-West joins Anton to discuss.

Anton is joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk's Political Reporter; Gabija Gataveckaite, Political Reporter with the Irish Independent; and Luke O'Neill, Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Immunology, Trinity College to review the main stories in the Sunday papers.

A joint Sunday Independent & RTÉ investigation has revealed that several women have alleged sexual advances and inappropriate behaviour by male FAI coaches in the past. Joining Anton to discuss this is Mark Tighe, Senior News Journalist with the Sunday Independent.

On Saturday, 20th July, Rick Higgins of Higgins Family Butchers will host a BBQ Block Party in The Marine Hotel, Sutton, with 100% of the proceeds being donated to The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Rick and Mike Tweedie, Adare Manor- Oak Room Head Chef who will also be taking part, join Anton to chat about it.

Joining Anton to answer all of your medical questions for this week's installment of Ask the Expert is Dr. Eleanor Galvin.

The Labour Party has won a landslide victory in the UK general election ending 14 years of Conservative rule. Joining Anton to assess the political landscape is journalist and broadcaster, Andrew Pierce.

In 2022 on the island of Borneo, researchers discovered evidence of the earliest known surgical amputation, tens of thousands of years before the advent of modern surgical tools or painkillers. While this is illuminating on the medical expertise and knowledge of our ancestors, we are not the only animal that carry out life-saving amputations. Éanna Ní Lamhna, biologist, environmentalist, broadcaster and author joins Anton to discuss this and other oddities of the natural world.

Joining Anton to go through the top stories from the Saturday papers is Andrea Gilligan, presenter of Lunchtime Live at Newstalk & Mark Hennessy, Ireland and Britain Editor of The Irish Times.

Amid growing calls for him to step down, yesterday evening US President, Joe Biden sat down with ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos to discuss his recent poor debate performance and his ability to continue on as president for another four years. Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway joins Anton to discuss.

Anton is joined in conversation by former Republic of Ireland manager, Brian Kerr to discuss his recent return to the managerial setup, how things have changed since his time as manager, and more.

Anton is joined by Taoiseach, Simon Harris to discuss a range of issues including the recent bomb threat at his family home, how he has settled into his role as Taoiseach after 12 weeks, the ongoing industrial dispute between Aer Lingus and the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA), and more.

Broadcasting from Lough Key Forest Park for Night & Day Festival, Anton is joined by Ciaran Mullooly, MEP for Midlands–North-West; Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Mirror; and Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail to review the main stories in the Sunday papers.

Anton speaks with the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association President, Mark Tighe to discuss the ongoing industrial dispute between IALPA and Aer Lingus.

For this week's conversation, Anton chats with singer-songwriter Gemma Hayes before her performance at the Night & Day Festival!

Joining Anton to answer all of your gardening questions from the Night & Day Festival is Brian Burke, RTÉ Super Garden Judge and Woodie’s DIY and Garden Expert!

Anton is joined by one man who has become synonymous with the country’s response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.Paul Reid, Chair of Citizens Assembly on Drug Use & Former HSE Chief joined the show to discuss his career past and present.

Among the many acts performing over the course of the weekend for the Night & Day Festival is perhaps the world’s most famous cover band, The Mersey Beatles! Anton is joined by one of the band members Steve Howard, who has been doing his best Paul McCartney impression for over 25 years.

Taylor Swift played her first of three sold out shows in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, as part of her 'Eras' tour. How many people were there on Friday night?50,000!Joining Anton to go through the show and experience is Taylor Swift superfan, Robyn Kelly.

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Saturday papers at the Night & Day Festival are Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy and Aisling O’Rourke, Lecturer and Podcaster.

The Night and Day Festival is taking place this weekend in Lough Key Forest Park Co Roscommon.A weekend packed with music, arts, political debate and family-friendly events.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, met with organisers, performers and festival-goers to get a sense of the atmosphere.

Anton chats with Nick Seymour, founding member of Crowded House about the band's early success, what brought him to Ireland to live with his family, and more.

The impact of the planned Aer Lingus pilot strike is continuing to bite the airline, its staff and the travelling public. Yesterday the number of flights cancelled between Wednesday and Sunday next week rose to 244, with the number of affected passengers now close to 15,000. Joining Anton was the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Aer Lingus Donal Moriarity and Ialpa President and airline captain Mark Tighe

Kitty Holland in the Irish Times details the amazing story of Séan Killeen. Séan and his father-in-law Joe Beardmore were travelling as part of a dream fly fishing holiday in remote Alaska. As part of the itinerary of the trip, the two were flying out from Lake Clark after a day of fishing in a small DHC-2 single-propeller Beaver plane. A few minutes into the flight disaster struck. After suffering an engine failure, the plane was forced to crash land into the Alaskan wilderness. Joining Anton to tell the story was Séan.

In the '80s and early '90s, hundreds of thousands of young Irish emigrated all over the world in search of better lives, many of them ending up in the United States under unsuitable visas like the Morrison visa, leaving them effectively undocumented. The issue of undocumented Irish never really went away. Joe  Biden this week took executive action to help document those who have been in the States for significant time. We thought we look back on the undocumented Irish and get updated on the present immigration issues facing Irish in the States Anton to discuss was John Fole, a Leading Boston-based immigration Lawyer.

Joining Anton with the latest information and developments on the Aer Lingus Pilot Strike as well as to offer practical consumer advice was Conor Pope Irish Times Consumer Affairs Correspondent

Anton sits down with journalist Valerie Cox; political commentator, Ursula Ni Shabhais; and Gary Murphy, Professor of Politics at DCU to discuss the main stories in the Sunday papers.

Joining Anton to answer all your legal questions was Sonia McEntee, Principal Solicitor at Sonia McEntee Solicitors and chair of the Law Society PR Committee.

Over 240 Aer Lingus-operated flights from Wednesday to Sunday Next week are to be cancelled. Industrial action is to be undertaken by the Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) over pay disputes. With many flights inbound from North Atlantic and Europe cancelled those in the Irish tourism industry especially in rural areas are fearing the worst. As well as business the cancelled flights will also hurt those looking to travel and sadly to those set to get married. Anton was joined by Gerry Byrne aviation journalist, Clare Dunne- The Irish Travel Agents Association CEO, and general manager of Buswell's Hotel in Dublin, Padraig O’Ceidigh, owner founder Aer Lingus regional and former senator, Bridal Shop owner Laura Erskine and bride to be Dolores Flynn to discuss the impact of the strike.

Mankind has been trying to explain the phenomenon of supernatural for centuries. With the plethora of famous stories, books and films illustrating our intrinsic desire to explain the unexplainable. Danny Robbins is a supernatural investigator, expert and host of Uncanny: I Know What I Saw which is playing in the Bord Gais on the 28th of June. Anton was joined by him to discuss through what he does and supernatural stories and investigations.

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Saturday papers is. Craig Hughes Political Editor Irish Daily Mail  and Barbara Scully, Broadcaster and  writer  

On Thursday Serving Defence Forces Member Cathal Crotty, 22 was given a three-year suspended sentence and a fine of €3000 after pleading guilty to assaulting 24-year-old Natasha O'Brien. Mr Crotty hit Nathasha six times, after she requested him to stop shouting homophobic abuse at another individual. The Outcome of the case by Judge Tom O'Donnell has drawn widespread criticism from women’s rights groups and the public. Anton was joined by Kathleen Chada, Member of Safe (Domestic Violence Services Network) Ireland to discuss the case.

We are in the peak holiday season with many thousands set to jet off on their hard-earned holidays in the coming weeks and months. But last Wednesday Aer Lingus Pilots voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in protest over pay disputes. With the worry now that striking pilots could cause travel disruption in the coming months. Joining Anton to discuss the strike was Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel magazine. 

Ireland as a nation has had many brilliant writers over its history. While they are lauded and celebrated for their contribution to our shared cultural heritage, there is only one writer who gets an annual celebration of their most famous works - James Joyce. On this Bloomsday, Anton was Joined by Newstalk Presenter Sean Moncrieff to discuss what made  Ulysses so brilliant

Anton sits down with John Cunningham Relationship director with Morgan Mckinley, Hazel Chu, Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Green Party Councillor and Kevin Doyle Group head of news at Mediahuis to discuss the crucial stories in the Sunday papers

Artificial intelligence is integrating into our lives in numerous ways. But how will AI change journalism? and is it a threat or something to be embraced by journalists and newsrooms? Joining Anton to discuss the impact AI will have on the future of journalism both negative and positive was Charles Sennott founder and Editor of The GroundTruth Project

Anton sits down with Labour TD and newly elected MEP for Dublin Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. The two discuss the success of his campaign, the Irish political landscape and what the future holds for him and Ireland in Europe.

Joining Anton to answer your DIY related questions is Peter Finn, better known as Pete the Builder.

The Taste of Dublin food festival has been taking place this week and wraps up tomorrow June 16th. One of the many people who will be in situ is award-winning chef, and M&S Irish Food Ambassador, Mark Moriarty - he joined Anton to tell him all about it.

According to a recent YouGov survey, the Conservative Party is being outpolled by a party barely a few years old, namely Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Compounding matters is the succession of gaffes made by Rishi Sunak in recent weeks so what are the likely outcomes of the UK’s general election come July 4th? Enda Brady, TRT World Presenter joins Anton to discuss.

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Gabija Gataveckaite, political reporter with the Irish Independent & Josepha Madigan, TD for Dublin Rathdown.

The Inaugural Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction has been awarded to bestselling writer, global activist and film-maker, Naomi Klein, for her book Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World - a memoir and social critique that contrasts Klein's worldview with Naomi Wolf's, a writer who is often mistaken for Klein and vice versa. Naomi joins Anton to discuss.