Lunchtime Live

As the school year is drawing to a close, the age old debate on whether or not you get the teacher a present rolls around.  Joining Andrea to discuss is journalist Chrissie Russell.

An interesting piece in the Irish Times today where columnist Justine McCarthy is critical of people using the term ‘girls’ to refer to women.  She says - calling grown women ‘girls’ is inherently belittling. What do you think?   To discuss, Andrea is joined by writer and broadcaster, Barbara Scully, Joe O’Shea, editor of CorkBeo and listeners.

The big Irish wedding seems to be back! Andrea Gilligian is joined by Eimear, who sat 340 guests at her wedding! They discuss what it was like, and the positives and negatives with it. Also joining are journalist Édaein O’Connell and wedding planner Lyndsey Moynagh.

From Leitrim mansions for sale to Marilin Monroe look-alikes in Wicklow, Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beaty joins Andrea Gilligan to go through some of the stories around the country you might have missed.

A new survey conducted ahead of the Euro 2024 kickoff has shown that almost three in 10 Irish people would like to see England win the tournament. At the same time - half of those surveyed would prefer to see the Three Lions get eliminated early doors. Will you be supporting England in the Euros? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

From the type of bulb to the perfect amount of lamps – what are the best ways to light up your home? Andrea Gilligan is joined by Sarah Louise from Sarah Louise Interiors and Colin Baker from Decwells Expert Hardware to discuss. 

Willie Wyse is a taxi driver in Cork, and refuses to take card payments. He is fighting NTA rules, in place since September 2022, that taxi drivers must accept card payments. Willie joins Andrea to discuss why he is doing this, and what the consequences are if he continues to break the rules.

Center Parcs has defended the major price differences between its offerings in the UK and Ireland by insisting the two areas are ‘very different markets’. So, why is it so much more expensive to holiday in Ireland? One person who’s been to Center Parcs Ireland is Kieran Cuddihy, host of The Hard Shoulder. He joins Andrea to discuss the price gap, and his experience. Also joining to discuss are Sio...

After lengthy counts, the last council seat in the country has been filled in County Kildare.  Tom McDonnell, a builder from Newbridge says that his victory is a stepping stone to the Dáil where he wants to bring in incentives to get Irish women to "breed" more. He joins Andrea to discuss his reasoning.

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock. Image: Amblin Entertainment

Members of the Irish Airline Pilots' Association at Aer Lingus have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action up to and including a strike. Last week, IALPA members voted overwhelmingly to reject a Labour Court recommendation that pilots should receive pay increases totalling just over 9% as part of an interim settlement. The figure was well below the 23.8% that the pilots had been seeki...

From rail line closures to the lack of tea trolleys - Barry Kenny, Communications Manager with Irish Rail joins Andrea Gilligan to answer all of your train-related questions.

Good news for Irish plane spotters after Dublin Airport has submitted plans for an observation facility! Andrea Gilligan is joined by Aviation Expert Simon to discuss.

This week is Men’s Mental Health Week, highlighting some of the mental health struggles men have that may get swept under the rug otherwise. Joining Andrea to discuss fatherhood’s impact on mental health is Health and Wellness consultant Fin McKenna.

Golfing legend Rory McIlroy and his wife Erica Stoll have called off their divorce, after supposedly resolving their differences. Is this something that actually happens? How rare is it to see a divorce get cancelled? Andrea is joined by Family Law Solicitor Keith Walsh and Clinical Psychotherapist Stephane Regan to discuss.

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 Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

There is seemingly a lack of Deposit Return Scheme machines at certain festivals, despite thoughts that there would be reverse vending machines set up. With an option to donate your return to charity, how much money is left on the table? And how much plastic goes to waste? Joining Andrea to discuss are Mary Gamble, Director of Fundraising for Barnardos, JP McMahon, Chef and Restaurateur and listen...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!  We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  This week Andrea is joined by host of Tech Talk on Newstalk Jess Kelly and 98fm producer and Food & Travel writer Russell Alford to review ‘Million Dollar Lover’! Image: BBC Podcasts

Phrases like ‘sure look, sure listen’ and ‘the black stuff’ are some of the most popular and commonly used Irish slang words. Dr Ellen Howley joins Andrea to discuss if Irish slang has influenced the English language, and Communications Expert Gina London joins to discuss the difference between American and Irish slang words.

Many people got in touch with the show with their own carer stories following the segment on Lunchtime Live. Marie is one of those who got in touch, and joins Andrea to share the situation her family is in.

More good news for the European Athletics Championships as last night Rhasidat Adeleke won silver for Ireland in the 400 metres. Her silver follows golds for Ciara Mageans and the 4 x 400m mixed relay team. So how do we kick on from here? How do we capitalise on this success?  To discuss, Andrea is joined by the CEO of Athletics Ireland, Hamish Adams and WIll Dalton from Virgin Media Sport.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. This week, James Farrell from Dublin Airport Tae Kwon Do joined the show to discuss his exercise ‘Keep Moving’ for people who sit at their desks all day. Listen and follow along to the exercise yourself!

According to Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South West, the Leaving Cert should be scrapped in favour of open access to university. What do you think? Should we scrap the Leaving Cert?  Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their opinions.

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer listeners' health queries and questions...

From gladiator sandals to the circular belts – 00s fashion is back!  Newstalk Reporter Lauren Grey took to the streets of Dublin to ask what fashion trends they dread seeing making a comeback, and Andrea Gilligan is joined by Stylist Laura Mullet to discuss if the 00s styles are really returning. Image: Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage