Moncrieff

Cosmetic procedures, once the exclusive indulgence of the rich and famous, have now become mainstream, with treatments like lip fillers and Botox as common as a trip to the hairdresser. But, what happens when the promise of perfection leaves you caught in a cycle of wanting more, or when the results fall short of your expectations? Podcaster and social media influencer, Niamh O’Connor, joins Seán...

As so many kids now possess a smartphone, and therefore have access to Google Maps, have they lost their sense of direction, and why is that a problem? Joining Seán to discuss is Jerry Brotton, Author of ‘Four Points of the Compass: The Unexpected History of Direction’...

A lack of affordable housing in a Meath Gaeltacht is ‘preventing Irish speakers from staying’, that’s the call from local residents who fear that without intervention, the Gaeltacht will be a thing of the past. Joining Seán to discuss from the Baile Ghib Gaeltacht in Meath is Harry McGarry, Principal of St. Patrick's Classical School.

The Church of England is struggling with dwindling congregations, but a wrestling charity is putting on matches with prayer and worship to buck the trend. Founder of Kingdom Wrestling, Gareth Thompson, has erected a 16-foot wrestling ring at St Peter’s Church in Shipley, with the aim to bring communities together in the name of God, and wrestling! Gareth joins Seán to discuss. Image: @KingdomWrest...

It’s the season of joy, celebration, and a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections across Ireland! Public health officials are urging partygoers to prioritise their sexual well-being this festive season, as cases of STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and even antibiotic-resistant strains of gonorrhoea continue to climb… Last year alone, chlamydia cases soared by 26%, with over 13,000 cases rep...

A robot dog named ‘Spot’ has been spotted patrolling the perimeter of President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. Passers-by are warned by a sign on each of Spot’s legs: “DO NOT PET.” Are dogs like Spot the future of pet-ownership?  Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, joins Seán to discuss. Image: Boston Dynamics

Recent studies in both the EU and the UK have shown an alarming amount of honey on supermarket shelves to be inauthentic, sometimes being bulked out with sugary syrups. Joining Seán to discuss is Lynne Ingram, a Somerset Beekeeper and Chair of the Honey Authenticity Network UK.

Henry has been out in the Dublin Bay North constituency following around those canvassing vying for the 5 seats up for grabs. How does it work, and what are the public’s main issues? He sends in this report.

The wreck of Endurance, the ship crewed by Ernest Shackleton and Irish seamen including Kerry's Tom Crean and Cork man Timothy McCarthy, was thought lost forever when it became trapped in pack ice and later sank in November 1915. More than a century later, the crew of Endurance22 achieved what was widely regarded as impossible - a successful attempt to locate the shipwreck.  A new Disney+ doc...

A potential cure for hangovers is on the horizon. Scientists have developed a pill that, taken before drinking, could prevent hangover symptoms by converting alcohol into harmless substances. Early tests on mice show great results, and human trials are coming soon. To tell more, Seán is joined by Roger Highfield, Science Journalist and author…

Donald Trump has named Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, someone who has admitted to not washing his hands... How often do you wash yours? Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

A publisher in the Netherlands has sparked controversy after announcing that it will use AI to translate its commercial fiction division, but can AI replace human translators? Joining Seán to discuss is Mary Phelan, Chairperson of the Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland [ATII]...

In the build up to the General Election, questions are swirling around accountability in public spending, with projects like the €1.4 million Dáil bike shed and the delayed Greystones cliff walk facing costly, bureaucratic hold-ups. Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump has tapped Elon Musk to lead a new ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ to cut through red tape and drive results. So, do we need a...

Ireland and India may seem far apart in terms of culture, language and tradition, but Seán’s guest says otherwise. There are, in fact, remarkable similarities between the cultures that, once noticed, are impossible to ignore. Author Manchán Magan joins Seán to discuss his latest book: ‘Brehons and Brahmins: Resonances between Irish and Indian Cultures’. Image: Mayo Books

This weekend at Dublin’s Art Source fair, Astrophotographer Tom O’Donoghue brings the wonders of deep space to Earth. After a career change in 2008, Tom began capturing stunning images of galaxies, nebulae, and solar eclipses from around the world. One highlight is ‘The Rho Ophiuchi Nebula,’ photographed over 25 nights in Spain. Tom joins Seán to discuss more.

Hospitals are famously wasteful places, with many things necessarily being thrown out. In fact, 20% of medical care is waste, from plastic biohazard buckets to glass vials. So, how can this change in order to help the climate crisis? Joining Seán to discuss is Professor Seamus O'Reilly, Consultant Medical Oncologist in Cork University Hospital, who has been carrying out research in this area…

According to a new survey carried out in the southeast of the country, evidence has now been produced that one of Ireland’s most elusive birds, the nocturnal nightjar, is indeed still present in Ireland.  Joining Seán to discuss is John Lusby, Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland… Image: BirdWatch Ireland

David Keohan, also known as ‘Indiana Stones’, is reviving the ancient tradition of stone lifting in Ireland. A hobby he got into during lockdown has now encouraged people across the country to put themselves to the test of lifting some of Ireland’s ancient stones to win the glory and honour historically attached to them.  David joins Seán to discuss. Image: Nick Bradshaw

We live in a society where the term ‘high value man’ is flung around. But, what is a high value man? And what happens to men when they can’t live up to this standard? And, ultimately, are young men these days unhappy?   Joining Seán to discuss is Joe Humphreys, author of The Irish Times Unthinkable philosophy column...

Ticker tape synesthesia is a cognitive state in which those who experience it can actually see the words being spoken to them. But, how does it work? Joining Seán to discuss is Mark Price, Professor in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Bergen…

Over the last couple of decades, it has become increasingly difficult to get basic household appliances fixed, with the old adage ‘it would be cheaper to buy a new one’ being said more and more. A new proposal aims to make repairing a viable option again.  Joining Seán to discuss is Ossian Smyth, Green Party TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Circular Economy…

National Science Week, and in that spirit, what are the world’s most weird and wonderful inventions? Joining Seán to discuss her top picks is Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland, Ruth Freeman. For more information on events across Science Week, check out scienceweek.ie . With thanks to Research Ireland. Image: Ostrichpillow

On Friday, the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was called out to Ballymun to carry out a controlled explosion. But,how exactly does this unit operate, and what danger are these men and women putting themselves in? Joining Seán to discuss is Ray Lane, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Ordnance Corps in the Irish Army and author of ‘Only a Soldier Knows’...

Ever caught yourself sharing way too much with someone you barely know and afterwards think, ‘why the hell did I just do that?’ While it can feel good to open up, oversharing can actually lead to awkwardness and misjudgment but how can you stop yourself from being way too open with relative strangers? Joining Seán to discuss this is Dr Claire Hayes, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

Are some of us just more lucky in life compared to others? Can you make your own luck and twist it to your advantage, or is it something you are born with? Like being born on the right side of the tracks, or with pretty privilege? Henry McKean has been out asking the public if they believe in luck, and joins Seán to discuss.