Newstalk Weekend

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Tanya Ward, Children's Rights Alliance Chief Executive and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer with the Independent

Today is May the 4th, otherwise celebrated by some as Stars Wars day, which is very popular with a lot of Irish people.  The historical and remote Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry has become renowned for screen tourism ever since its popular appearance in the most recent Stars Wars trilogy. Since its appearance in 2015, the old monastic island has been visited by fleets of tourists with lightsabers in hand. Today neighboring village Portmagee plays host to the second annual May the 4th Sci-Fi Film Festival, celebrating the galaxy far, far away. But has the whole thing become a little bit tired? Or is there still an appetite for all things Star Wars? To answer that Anton was joined by Nuri Albakri and Dave Byrne

Today marks 30 years since Riverdance made is debut on TV. Anton is joined by barrister and former RTÉ presenter, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú to look back on the night and what it was like to co-host with Gerry Ryan.

This week Vision Ireland said that there is a critical need for a national eye health strategy over the lifetime of the next Government with waiting lists for eye care being among the longest in the health system. One area that I wanted to look at more closely is that of laser eye surgery and how they actually work. Joining Anton to discuss is Dr. Arthur Cummings, Ophthalmologist from the Wellington Eye Clinic 

As we continue on into this new era of generative AI, global liberal democracy faces a near-unprecedented laundry list of digital threats with the rampant spread of disinformation threatening the integrity of elections this year in more than 60 countries. But how prepared are we to meet those threats head on and what is the state of the political landscape in Ireland generally? Joining Anton to discuss is Stephen O’Leary, Managing Director at Olytico & Newstalk Breakfast host, Shane Coleman 

Joining Anton to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is Theresa Lowe barrister and former broadcaster, Paul Williams, Crime Journalist with the Irish Independent, and Craig Hughes, Political Editor with Irish Daily Mail

The Ideal Home Show 2024 is taking place all weekend in the RDS Simmonscourt with over 200 exhibitors, advice theatres, dozens of interior designers & home improvement experts. One of the people who will be on hand to give one of the many expert talks is the one and only, Diarmuid Gavin - he joins Anton to discuss.

Joining Anton to answer all of your finance related questions is Robert Whelan, Rockwell Financial Management.

68 is the number of people who have died on Irish roads this year, which is an increase of a third compared with the same period last year. While speed remains the primary factor in these incidents, alcohol, and drug consumption are also major contributors to the kind of numbers we are now seeing. Joining Anton to discuss the issue is Dr. Chris Luke Columnist with the Irish Medical Times and Retired consultant in emergency medicine & Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.

Two Irish authors make up one-third of this year’s shortlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Anne Enright has been shortlisted for her seventh novel, 'The Wren, The Wren', with Claire Kilroy getting the nod for her novel, 'Soldier Sailor'. Claire joins Anton to discuss.

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Saturday papers is broadcaster and writer, Barbara Scully & Shane Dempsey, ACEI Secretary General.

Joining Anton to discuss the rise of violence & threatening behaviour by fringe groups in Ireland is Aodhan O'Riordan, Labour TD for Dublin Bay North & party spokesperson on Education and Justice & John Lee, Executive Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland.

Cillian Murphy was among a number of big winners at the 2024 Irish Film & Television Academy Awards on Saturday night, which took place at the Royal Convention Centre in Dublin. Newstalk's Henry McKean, who was on hand to capture the glitz and the glamour on the night, joined Anton to discuss.

Newstalk and Make-A-Wish Ireland have partnered up again to celebrate Wish Week 2024. All of this week we will be speaking to some incredible children and their courageous families, and hearing how Make-A-Wish Ireland has been a beacon of light for those facing the toughest battles of their lives. Today Anton was joined by Sophie Hynes and her dad, Sean who chatted about what Make-A-Wish means to them.You can donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

Anton is joined 'In conversation' with comedian, Neil Delamere.

The Green Party convention took place yesterday in the RDS with several issues being discussed including a pledge to deliver 40,000 new houses in 2024. Anton is joined by Green Party Leader, Eamon Ryan to discuss this and more.

Joining Anton to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is author & journalist, Aoife Barry; Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times; and former Minister of State, Conor Lenihan.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a $61 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine.Security analyst, Declan Power joins Anton to discuss its significance.

Anton is joined by All-Ireland-winning camogie captain, seasoned TV star from Ireland’s fittest family, and host of Supercharged with Anna Geary.Together they discuss the issues surrounding sports attire for female athletes and how it impacts the participation levels of young girls, and more.

Joining Anton for this week's installment of 'Ask the Expert' is Dr. Mary O'Kane, author of ‘Anxious Children in an Anxious World: Facing Fears and Finding Brave’.

Today marks 25 years since the shooting at Columbine High School, an event that shook the United States and shocked the world but what lessons have been learned since then, and how have those who experienced that horrific event made peace with what happened? Anton is joined by Craig Scott, host of the ‘Pain into Purpose’ Podcast & survivor of the Columbine shooting to discuss.

Joining Anton to go through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Jack Horgan-Jones, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times & Gina London, Leadership communications expert and Sunday Independent columnist.

Anton is joined by Antoinette Keegan, Stardust survivor and chairperson of the Stardust Victims Committee & Newstalk Reporter, Stephanie Rohan to reflect on this week's verdict and what it means for the families of those who died in the Stardust fire disaster.

Anton is joined 'In conversation' with one of Ireland's greatest songwriters, Phil Coulter.

The Cass Review, a landmark report into gender care in the UK, has found that thousands of vulnerable children questioning their gender identity have been let down by the NHS, providing unproven treatments, and by the “toxicity” of the trans debate. But what is the case here in Ireland? Dr. Paul Moran, Psychiatrist with the National Gender Service (NGS) joins Anton to discuss.

Tom Shakespeare is a Professor of Disability Research, a sociologist, a bioethicist, and now the author of 'The Ha-Ha' a reverse "whodunnit" about a pig who steals a manuscript - he joins Anton to discuss this, his love of literature, his stand-up career, his links to Ireland, and more.

Joining Anton to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is Hugh O’Connell, Political Editor with The Sunday Times Ireland; Maria Walsh, MEP for the Midlands-North-West constituency and a member of Fine Gael; and trade unionist, activist, and social commentator, Brendan Ogle.Anton also speaks to Alistair Bunkall, Middle East correspondent with Sky News about Iran's overnight missile and drone attack on Israel.

Nicolas Hamilton is a racing driver & author who is the brother of seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton. His new book 'Now That I Have Your Attention: 7 Lessons in Leading a Life Bigger Than They Expect' tells his story of living with spastic diplegia and combines memoir with self-help - he joins Anton to discuss.

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

OJ Simpson, who died of cancer this week, will be remembered most for his role at the centre of the "trial of the century" but while that may have been the first, it certainly wasn’t the last high-profile celebrity court case that would grip our attention. Enda Brady, TRT World Presenter joins Anton to discuss.

Joining Anton to run through some of the top stories from the Saturday papers is Gráinne Ní Aodha, News Reporter with PA Media & Stefanie Preissner, author and broadcaster.

Anton is joined by Adrian Weckler, Irish Independent Tech Editor and host of The Big Tech Show Podcast to discuss the announcement by TikTok that they will be making 250 employees redundant in Ireland and together explore the health of them and other social media platforms in general.

Anton is joined by Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin.Together they discuss the ongoing issue of housing in Ireland, whether or not Fianna Fáil would go into government with Sinn Féin, the growing issue of social media and its effects on society, and more.

Six people have been killed, including the attacker, in a mass stabbing at a busy shopping center in Sydney, Australia. Anton is joined by Oliver Peterson, broadcaster with Perth Live to get the latest.

Joining Anton for this week’s Ask The Expert slot is Dr Mary O’Kane, lecturer in Psychology and Early Childhood Education.

Hailed as being the world's number one cosmetic and anti-ageing advisor, Cindy Jackson joins Anton to discuss her first foray into the world of cosmetic surgery and gives us some of her dos and don'ts when it comes to getting certain procedures done.

It has been six months since the Hamas attacks of October 7th. As the death toll in the region continues to rise, and increasingly vocal international calls for a ceasefire, what hope is there that an end to hostilities might be negotiated? Joining Anton to discuss is Alistair Bunkall, Sky News Middle East Correspondent & Ahmed Bayram, Middle East Media Adviser for the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

Joining Anton 'In conversation' is veteran RTÉ broadcaster, Anne Doyle.

Joining Anton to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is Kevin Doyle, Group Head of news at Mediahuis Ireland; Niamh Hourigan, Sociologist and Labour Party candidate in the European elections for Ireland South; and John Cunningham, Relationship Director with Morgan McKinley and Chairman and Country Director for Lysis Group.Anton also speaks to David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland to discuss the partial solar eclipse that will be visible on Monday evening as well as Charlie Taylor, Technology and Innovation Editor with the Business Post about Paddy Cosgrave being reinstated as the chief executive officer of Web Summit.8.4534.48

This year marks the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s Eurovision winning hit Waterloo, and like most of their music, you couldn’t escape it if you wanted to. To talk about the history of the band Anton is joined by television and radio broadcaster Dave Fanning.

Joining Anton for this week's episode of Ask the Expert is dietitian and founder of Eatwell, Sarah Keogh.

Should social media be classified as a public health risk in the same way cigarettes and alcohol are? Anton is joined by Professor Matthew Sadlier, who holds this belief, and discusses the issue.

With the seemingly increased amount of construction around the country, whether that be home renovations or new buildings, Anton brought in Pete the Builder, owner of Let’s Talk Homes and host of Home Rescue, to discuss why this is happening - as well as D.I.Y.Home Rescue returns on RTÉ 2 on the 11th of April.

Joining Anton to run through some of the top stories from the Saturday papers is journalist Lise Hand and Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland Michelle Murphy.

Anton is joined by Climate Scientist and Founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel Cathal Nolan to give an update on Storm Kathleen today.

Joining Anton 'In Conversation' is award winning Irish actor Andrew Scott.

Newstalk Screentime’s host John Fardy joins Anton to talk about movies with a history of being banned such as The Life of Brian, A Clockwork Orange and Brokeback Mountain.

Anton is joined by Father Brian D’Arcy to talk about the importance of Easter Sunday.

Joining Anton to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is Journalist and Author Valerie Cox, Irish Examiner Columnist Fergus Finlay and Irish Independent Political Reporter Gabija Gataveckaitė. Commandant Conor Hurley also calls in to talk about the commemoration plans for the 108th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

Joining Anton for this week's episode of 'Ask the Expert' is veterinarian Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet!