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,...

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...

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 Wor...

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 Kenn...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

With the population of deer growing exponentially, deer culling will go ahead this year to control their population and reduce various issues such as biodiversity and farm management.  Many people agree with the culling of these animals while others feel there are more humane ways of controlling the animal population size.   Andrea was joined by Animal Rights Activist, Gerry Boland,...

Do your family know your wishes when It comes to organ donation when you die?  Despite the Human Tissue Bill passing through the Dáil, family consent is still central to organ donation in this country.  Andrea was joined by Matthew McNeive, who was the recipient of a kidney when he was just 11 years old, and Colin White, the National Advocacy & Projects Manager with the Irish Kidney...

Do you agree with the deposit scheme for plastic bottles and cans?  The new scheme which comes into effect here on February 1 will see a 15 cent levy added to every aluminium can or plastic bottle sold in Ireland.  Customers will then have to return their empties to the likes of these 'reverse vending machines’ in order to get that back.  Andrea was joined by Sinead Ryan, presenter...

Love them or loathe them – there’s nothing quite like an invite to a wedding dropping in the door – but what if you don’t make the cut?  Allegedly Meghan and Harry, have not received an invitation to the wedding of their friends the Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor and his fiancée Olivia Henson.  But how do you navigate the tricky subject of the guest list?   Journalist with...

The Transport Infrastructure Ireland have announced that there will be an increase in toll prices which will come into effect starting January.   However, many have called on the Government to intervene as this is the second road toll hike in six months.  Andrea was joined by Shane O'Donoghue from CompleteCar.ie and other listeners to discuss...

Gardaí will begin wearing baseball caps from today – and they are asking the public for opinions on the new look. Over 100 Gardaí will be sporting the new caps as part of a pilot programme in three areas. They will try out two different cap options, each for a period of two weeks. Andrea was joined by former Assistant Garda Commissioner, Pat Leahy and others to discuss...

Is Ireland on the cusp of a Donald Trump or Argentinian Javier Milei Presidential moment?   Last month saw Former TV celebrity economist Javier Milei win the Argentinan President Election, Donald Trump served as the 45th US President, while Boris Johnson served as British Prime Minister, but how close is Ireland coming to this kind of leadership?  Andrea was joined by Larry Donnelly...

One in five people will spend more on their pets than their partners this Christmas.  Almost eight out of 10 people say they don’t ‘want them to feel left out’.  Andrea was joined by Shauna Kilduff, the owner of Shauna’s Pet shop,

A major University in Scotland is considering scrapping it’s modern languages degrees.  They say there’s been a steep fall in the number of students studying modern languages.  Andrea was joined by Padraig Ryan from the ELC Euro Language College, Melanie May, solo travel writer and 'Talk Travel' presenter on Dublin City FM and more to discuss...

 Dublin City Councillors have agreed to fly the Palestinian flag over the City Hall.   It will be flown in an “act of solidarity” for seven days starting this morning.   Are you happy about City Hall flying the Palestinian flag?   Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...