Lunchtime Live

Experts in the UK say that university students should be encouraged to eat venison as a solution to cull the burgeoning deer population. Should Ireland follow suit? Is venison a better option than other meats? Joining Andrea to discuss is Peter Windsor, Representative of the Irish Deer Society, Sarah Keogh, Dietician and Founder of Eatwell, Keith Grant of Keith Grant Master Butchers in Roundwood a...

With ads everywhere telling us how to get fit for 2026, it’s easy to start speaking critically about our bodies, but what happens when little ears hear those negative comments? Aileen Cox Blundell from Baby Led Feeding noticed this when she saw her daughter looking at herself in the mirror. She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Host of the ‘What’s Trending in F1?’ podcast Elaine Power and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Dish’! Image: Waitrose & Partners

Many actors took to the red carpet in Los Angeles last night for the 2026 Golden Globes. One of the most talked-about winners of the evening was Ireland’s own Jessie Buckley. The Kerry star took home the award for Best Actress. Her powerful performance in ‘Hamnet’, alongside fellow Irishman Paul Mescal, captured the attention of audiences and critics alike. So, how are people reacting to the Killa...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe joins Andrea to answer any of your questions about covering the world of Irish politics!

Were you a fan of MTV’s Jackass? Or is a series that should be left in the past? Johnny Knoxville took to his Instagram to announce that a new movie is coming soon. Joining Andrea to discuss is Rory Cashin, Entertainment & Culture Journalist and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin.

More than 25,000 bicycles have been reported stolen across the country since 2019, but campaigners say that up to three quarters of their victims don’t report bike thefts… Is this number surprising to you? What can be done about them? Joining Andrea to discuss is Derren Ó Brádaigh, Sinn Féin Representative for Lucan, Colin Baker, Managing Director of Back from the Future Tech Support Stephen McMan...

Many people take great pride in their homes and go to considerable lengths to keep them clean and tidy. For some, that means maintaining spotless floors, and expecting guests to help keep them that way. So, is asking visitors to remove their shoes at the door a reasonable request, or does it risk making them feel uncomfortable? Joining Andrea to discuss is Presenter Claire Ronan, Associate Profess...

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Should we consider banning ‘X’? The UK is, should we be following suit? This is fallout from the issues around their AI chatbot Grok. X users undressed thousands of pictures of women and children using Grok AI… So, what should we do about it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, Host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke, as well as listeners.

Usually on the show this segment covers the lovely aspirational things with your home: renovations and new ideas. But, what do you do when things go wrong? What do you do if a pipe bursts in your home and causes damage? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss dealing with bursts and leaks! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the...

Do you treat yourself? Even when you’re a little broke, do you find some way to do something nice? Maybe it’s just some time out, some R&R - or maybe a fancy coffee on the way to work. But, do you prioritise it? Andrea is joined by Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ to discuss…

A new study has revealed that people who stop taking weight-loss jabs regain weight in under two years. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Professor Donal O’Shea, the HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity, as well as listeners.

Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson announced on Sunday that her twin daughters have been diagnosed with a severe muscular disease. She said she will be campaigning for SMA1 (spinal muscular atrophy) screening at birth, after her twin babies were diagnosed with this rare genetic condition. The test has been approved in Ireland, but hasn’t yet been implemented. So, why not? Andrea is joined by listeners...

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 Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Bob Dylan’s album album ‘The Times They Are A-Changin'!

Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has come under criticism for comments suggesting that providing each student with a private bathroom would be “wasteful.” The remarks were made during a discussion on the Government’s plans to move towards a co-living model for university accommodation, which would involve more communal living spaces. What are your thoughts on the minister’s...

Is there any need for wedding speeches anymore? TV Chef Gordon Ramsay said he was a “hot mess” before daughter Holly’s wedding speech. What’s your stance on wedding speeches? Do you love or loathe them? Joining Andrea to discuss is Wedding Planner Lyndsey Moynagh, Barry McLoughlin from the Communications Clinic, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin Joey Donnelly and Speech Writer Cormac Lally.

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…

It’s one of the things you’ll come across in your parenting journey: pocket money. Should children get pocket money, should they “earn” it, and what can it teach them? And, how much should they get? Joining Andrea to discuss is Paul Merriman, Founder of Ask Paul and CEO of Fairstone and Psychotherapist Bethan O'Riordan.

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 go back to basics, and discuss how to get pregnant.

If you’re feeling in need of a detox, or a break after the Christmas madness, maybe it’s time to think about a health holiday. The wellness economy has doubled in size since 2013, and doesn’t seem to be stopping… So, could it be for you? Joining Andrea to discuss is Host of Zen & Tonic Wellness Activity Holidays Sinéad Kennedy and Host of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, Clare McKenna.

Jim Ahern is co-owner of Trade Path and a bricklayer by trade. He contacted the show because he believes there are too few real opportunities for people to pursue a trade in this country, and that something needs to change if we’re serious about getting more men and women into the workforce… So, are apprentices struggling to find work? Jim joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Ann Teahan, Founder of Neatly Home Organisation to answer all your questions about decluttering, which a lot of people may want to do at the start of the new year!

Have you seen the film ‘Saipan’? Apparently, two thirds of Irish people have said they won’t watch it… Would your loyalty to Roy Keane keep you away? Or would it be the reason you’re rushing to the cinema? Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Adrian Barry and The Echo’s Features Editor, John Dolan.

In recent months, we’ve been warned about the risks of posting our children on social media. Many parents now cover their faces with emojis, believing it’s a safer option. But cyber-security experts say even these photos still train facial recognition systems and build data profiles… So, do you use emojis to hide your children’s faces, and did you think you were protecting them? Joining Andrea to...