Lunchtime Live

With great weather here today, and hopefully for the next week, how are you planning to use the sunshine? Joining Andrea to discuss how they’re spending the day is Irish Examiner Columnist, Caitríona Redmond, Clinical Psychologist and author Malie Coyne, Tony Smith, known as tonytravels10 on social media and more.

Can you remember a friendship break-up? How did it affect you? Whether it was a slow drift apart or something more serious like a betrayal, the breakdown of a friendship after many years can be especially painful... So, how do you best navigate them? Joining Andrea to discuss is Psychologist Niamh Delmar and Writer and Podcaster Esther O'Moore Donohoe.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

Do you feel safe as a cyclist on our roads? 56% of people surveyed by Cycling Ireland believe that roads are becoming more dangerous year‑on‑year… Joining Andrea to discuss is Kevin Jennings from the Irish Cycling Campaign, as well as listeners.

If you’re thinking about renovating your home, whether it’s a small refresh or a big overhaul, it can feel overwhelming before you even lift a hammer. Today we’re talking about how to start a home renovation properly so you don’t waste money or make costly mistakes.  Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power joined us ahead of the PTSB I...

Are you still apprehensive about buying an EV or has the fuel crisis changed your opinion?  New research out today says EVs are now over €2,300 cheaper on average than the most popular petrol and diesel cars. Conor Faughnan, Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.ie joined Andrea on the show to discuss.

If you’re on a housing hunt at the moment, you may have noticed the use of AI in property advertisements. Ray Cooke, CEO of Ray Cooke Auctioneers, Ciaran Mulqueen from Crazy House Prices and Helen O’Keefe from Auctioneera joined Andrea to discuss,

Do we need more public pools in this country? Yesterday we spoke about the lack of public pool facilities after Robert got in touch with the programme....  Now this is a nationwide problem. Andrea was joined by callers to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through the life and work of Fontaines D.C.

Crime in Dublin’s south-west inner city is more than twice the national average, alongside higher deprivation, lower educational attainment, limited access to facilities, and significantly lower third-level progression rates.  Does this reflect a wider national pattern of disadvantaged areas being overlooked and under-supported?  

The Michael Jackson biopic is out today, so will you go and see it? How easy is it for you to separate the art from the artist? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dave from The Cinemile podcast, Film Reviewer Ken Doran and Music Journalist Louise Bruton. Image: Lionsgate

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Yesterday on the show, we discussed how PE in school often puts adults off exercise later in life. One listener texted in to say that the Government should provide more public swimming pools, if they are serious about people’s physical and mental health. Robert joins Andrea to discuss, as well as Mary McMorrow, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Swim Ireland, Duncan Smith, Labour TD for Dublin Fin...

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss everything you need to know about c-sections.

Is your camera roll full of pictures of your pet? A new survey has revealed that the average pet owner has 20% more pictures of their pet than their partner... So, just why is this the case? Joining Andrea to discuss this is 98FM’s Russell Alford and Broadcaster Fionnuala Moran.

Éamonn Donnelly, head of the Civil Service division of Fórsa, says something needs to be done quickly about getting people into work during the fuel crisis. He wants the Department to look at cutting back on in-office attendance and offering some support to help cover the cost of commuting when people do have to come in. What do you think? Should more people be encouraged to work from home to save...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Kerry Hanaphy, owner of Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic to answer any of your questions when it comes to skincare!

Some listeners may have noticed that the 90s are back. Whether it be the music, the fashion, the lack of smartphones, or all of the above, the 90s nostalgia is in full swing, but why do we seem to love this era so much? Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Journalist Chrissie Russell and Saoirse Hanley, Journalist at the Independent…

This next story might raise a smile - until you hear the details… Patients at a Galway hospital say they’re being terrorised by aggressive seagulls, with birds swooping and shrieking at people as they try to get in and out of the building. For some patients, it’s frightening enough that they’re afraid to step outside, and it has reignited the debate about what can actually be done when wildlife be...

Can you remember your PE lessons in school? And did they put you off sport later in life? According to research in the UK, people are scared as adults remembering getting picked last in gym class or being shouted at on the sports field, and as a result shy away from exercise when they are older… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Dr Fiona Skelly, Lecturer at the Technological University of the Shan...

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week! Image: Lionsgate

The Government has approved new rules on modular homes, meaning they can be rented out, with up to €14,000 being tax-free, and do not need planning permission. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that the decision was a practical one, but is this a reasonable response to the housing crisis? Joining Andrea to discuss is Michael Houghton, Columnist with the Irish Independent, host of the ‘Irish Fire...

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

What are your panic cleaning tricks? New research from The Brillo Cleaning Culture Report shows that panic cleaning is almost universal in Ireland, with 95% of adults admitting to last‑minute cleans before visitors arrive. Laura De Barra, AKA the ‘Gaff Goddess’ joins Andrea to discuss, and give her own last-minute cleaning tips!

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke to Matt Cooper on the ‘Path to Power’ podcast recently, and this is what he had to say about the relationship between urban and rural areas: "We’re the ones paying all the bills — you’re the ones in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits that other people don’t get.” Can you understand just why they’ve caused such controversy? Is there a rural v...