Lunchtime Live

Music superstar Taylor Swift has endorsed vice president Kamala Harris for US president following her debate with Republican rival Donald Trump But, how important are celebrity endorsements? And, do they make a difference when it comes to elections?    Guest presenter Clare McKenna chats to Stephen O'Leary, Founder of Online News Media and Social Media Monitoring and Analysis c...

After 60 years of performing, the Wolfe Tones are set to hang up their mics this year.   But is their music respected enough? Should we acknowledge the importance of rebel songs more?  Guest presenter Clare McKenna chat to Wolfe Tone's Brian Warfield and hears from listeners Image: Brian Warfield from 'The Wolfe Tones' performs in Belfast, Northern Ireland in August 2015. Picture by...

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. Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined guest host Clare McKenna in the studio to put a smile on your faces… Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Picture by: Alamy.com

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has announced he fathered a child "outside of my marriage".  In a statement he put on his Instagram page, he said: "I've recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage. I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her."   We went on to say: "I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain th...

It’s time for the Pod Squad! Every week, we review a podcast to see if it’s worth your precious time or not! This week guest host Clare McKenna is joined by host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke & Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig to talk about 'Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) Image: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Ireland Paralympic Athletes returned from Paris yesterday to great fanfare. Thirty-five athletes were selected to compete in nine different sports and they came away with six medals.  Guest presenter Clare McKenna chats to Paralympic medalists Linda Kelly, Orla Comerford, Eve McCrystal & Katie-George Dunlevy Photo: Henry McKean

Asos have ruffled feathers by introducing a new £3.95 returns charge for shoppers. Customers will now have £3.95 deducted from their refund if they keep less than £40 worth of their items. Are people right to be annoyed? Or has fast fashion just become too easy for shoppers? Should more places introduce charges to cut down on people overbuying? Photo by Kai Pilger

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier. This week, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Elaine Rowe from Carlow Rowing Club

YouTube will stop recommending videos to teenagers that idealise fitness. It will still allow 13- to 17-year-olds to view the videos, but its algorithms won't push young users down “rabbit holes” of related content afterwards. It comes after experts warned it could be harmful to their health and self image.  Photo by Karolina Kaboompics

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined guest host Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries…

Star Trek fans have launched a petition calling for a statue to be built in Killarney in honour of the Chief Miles O’Brien. The character was played by Irish actor Colm Meaney in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and was apparently born in Killarney. The petition says: ‘This statue would shine as a beacon of hope for our world standing at the centre of one of the most...

Are we allowing our children too much screen time? Health authorities in Sweden have issued guidelines which say that: Teenagers from 13 to 18 years of age should have just 3 hours of screen time a day.  Between 6 and 12 years, it should be no more than 2 hours. From 2 to 5 years, it should be limited to a maximum of an hour a day. And, children under the age of two should not be exposed to a...

The world's first respite centre for people with Prader-Willi Syndrome opened in Co. Laois this weekend. But, what is Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS)? And what impact will this have on people with PWS and their families? Rory, whose son Henry has PWS, joins guest host Claire McKenna to discuss, as well as Lynsey Moorehouse, Regional Operations Manager PWS at Resilience Healthcare.

This is Lunchtime Live’s newest segment, Gilligan’s Island! Every Monday, we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer. This week, guest host Claire McKenna is joined by Dee Laffan, Food Writer and host of the Beár Bia podcast to discuss some of the fantastic food tours you can take around the country! Image: Boyne Valley Flavours

Boos rang out around the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening when Ireland faced England in the Nations league. It happened whenever Jack Grealish or Declan Rice touched the ball, but it was apparently deafening when ‘God Save the King’ was played. What’s your reaction to Irish fans booing the English National Anthem? Is it disrespectful? Guest host Claire McKenna is joined by listeners, including Jo...

Our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series is back! We put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work in the kitchen of a Michelin star restaurant? Is there as much pressure in the kitchen as portrayed in movies and TV? How do you get and maintain a Michelin star rating? Do Michelin star chefs eat fast food? Guest h...

Do you have those boots made for walking, raspberry berets, blue suede shoes or maybe you’re forever in blue jeans? There’s nearly a song for every wardrobe item, but how many of these do we actually need? Well apparently, all we need is 20 pieces in our wardrobe. What’s the secret to a ‘Happy Closet’? Award winning author Annmarie O’Connor has the answers, and joins Claire McKenna to discuss.

There have been calls in Sweden to ban fathers walking brides down the aisle. Traditionally, in Sweden, the bride and groom walk down the aisle together rather than the bride being accompanied by her father but in recent years – perhaps inspired by the influence of global television, films and social media – more Swedish women are being “handed over” by their fathers. It has reignited a conversati...

A trans woman has claimed that she was denied treatment at a Dublin Hospital. Paige Behan went to St. James’s Hospital with a wound infection, and says they wouldn’t treat her... Paige joins guest host Claire McKenna to discuss.

From the wettest county to celebs breaking up fights – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Claire McKenna with a roundup of stories from around the country this week.

There are calls in the UK to stop ‘junk food’ companies sponsoring sports teams. It's claimed that it will help stop the number of people dying from heart attacks and strokes. Is this something we should be looking at here? To discuss, Claire McKenna is joined by Trevor Twamley, CEO and Co-Founder of Sport Endorse, Dr Donal O'Shea, HSE Lead for Obesity and more.

Do you have a piece of furniture that you want to spruce up? Or maybe you’re looking to source the perfect vintage gem to complete your room? Well, the Home Squad is here to talk about all things upcycling! Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ joins guest host Claire McKenna to discuss.

It’s safe to say that support is mounting for the Irish Women’s Football Team, and with hopes of securing a spot in the Euro 2025, the girls in green need our continued support! Now that the games are more prominent, our TV screens and stadiums are gaining more fans in the seats, it’s clear that perceptions of women’s football are changing. Joining guest host Claire McKenna to discuss is former pl...

Would you like to see a smartphone ban in restaurants? A French bistro in north-eastern France banned smartphones at the table last year and said that the policy is not deterring diners, and is actually encouraging them to order more food as they continue their conversations! Would you like to see something similar introduced here? Claire McKenna is joined by Darina Allen, Chef, Food Writer and Fo...

As parents all over the country resume school routines and welcome back the structure that provides, others are facing the daily struggle of getting their children to eat a healthy breakfast, finish a lunchbox or join the dinner table.    But, how can you manage a fussy eater? To discuss, Claire McKenna is joined by Stephanie Fleming, whose daughter is a fussy eater, and Teresa Foley, Pa...