Lunchtime Live

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, affects around 1 in 4 people in Ireland: roughly 1.25 million individuals, including many children. With symptoms peaking from spring through late summer, it can seriously impact daily life, especially in urban areas where pollution may worsen reactions. So, how does hay fever affect people in Ireland and what can be done to manage it better? Joining Andrea to answ...

How much fun do you inject into your life? Apparently 89% of Irish people feel they are just “going through the motions”. Joining Andrea to discuss how they have fun is Today FM Presenter, Alison Curtis and Stylist Laura Mullet.

Women using HRT won’t be reimbursed despite the fact that the medication was supposed to be made ‘free’. Free HRT was supposed to come into effect on January 1st, but it has been delayed in a row between the Government and pharmacists. Today, a new date of the 1st of June was announced. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Loretta Dignam, Founder & CEO of The Menopause Hub, Sheena Mitchell, Pharm...

A Senator in Limerick is calling for consumer protection for concert tickets if an artist fails to fulfill their onstage commitments. Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne joins Andrea to discuss, along with listeners.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life… Pinball has seen a passionate revival in recent years, and at the heart of this resurgence are community-driven clubs keeping the silver ball spirit alive. Andrea is joined by Donovan Delaney, Founder of Pinbaile: a pinball club that’s become a hub for players of all ages and skill levels! Image: @pinbail...

The number of people travelling from Ireland to the United States fell by 27 per cent in March when compared to the same month last year, figures show. The trend is the same across many other EU countries, caused by Donald Trump’s administration and ongoing trade tensions… To discuss, Andrea is joined by Daniel Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to US, Patti Shields, Chairperson of Democrats Abroad,...

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

Celebrations went on late into the night last night in Holywood after Rory McIlroy became the first Irish man to win the US Masters, and the 6th ever golf player to achieve the career grand slam. Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean is in Holywood, and joins Andrea to share what he’s seen. Image: Reuters

Future increases in the national minimum pay for workers could be put back due to global economic insecurities. The living wage plan, as well as pension auto-enrolment could be delayed as the Government will instead concentrate on boosting competitiveness in light of rising international trade tensions. Does it all make sense? Joining Andrea to discuss is Nessa Cosgrove, Spokesperson on Workers Ri...

Today, Jeff Bezos’ latest Blue Origin space expedition lifts off, carrying an all-female crew: which includes pop star Katy Perry. It's a landmark trip in terms of gender representation, but is it of any benefit to humankind, and is it just an obscene display of wealth? Joining Andrea to discuss is Space Reporter and Writer Niamh Shaw, Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of the National Space Centre and John Gi...

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Music Podcast Dave Hanratty join Andrea to review ‘The Banksy Story Presents: When Banksy Comes to Town’! Image: BBC

There has been plenty of talk over the last number of weeks about people socialising on Drury Street. But, should we be embracing this sort of socialising rather than condemning it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Town Planner Derek Whyte, owner of Drury Buildings Ronan Rogerson, Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael John Crowe, Newstalk’s own Katie Gallagher and more.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Kevin Keyes, Irish & British Superbike Champion, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to being a motorbike racer!

Today marks World Pet Day, and surprisingly, one in ten Irish dogs have a social media account… Do you have one? Joining Andrea to discuss is 98fm Producer Russel Alford, father to Hamilton the Frenchie (@hammyfrenchie on Instagram) and Laoise Downes, owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service.

According to the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO), they have received complaints of children as young as three being admitted to movies in Limerick and Dublin that featured 'beheadings and throat-cutting'. Where does the responsibility lie? Is it up to the cinema to enforce the classification, or the parent / guardian who's in charge? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr. Ciaran Kissane,  D...

Ryanair’s baggage policy has long been a point of contention for travelers across Europe. With strict limits on free carry-on items and added fees for larger bags, the airline says it’s keeping costs low and flights on time. But, critics argue it’s confusing and costly for passengers. So, what are Ryanair’s baggage rules? Do they work, why are they in place, and what do they mean for travelers? Jo...

From a budgie in a beer garden to Turkey hotel heroics, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Apparently, young people think they’ve more hope of getting a council house, than ever being able to afford one themselves. How has the housing situation gotten this bad? What can we do to help young people? Joining Andrea to discuss is Charlie Weston, Irish Independent Personal Finance Editor, Newstalk Reporter Barry Whyte, Clement Herron from Clement Herron Real Estate as well as listeners.

When you’re looking to buy a home, how can you estimate what the costs will be to do it up during a viewing? Well, the Home Squad are here to help you train that eye! Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power to discuss.

When you go on a girls-only trip, is it incident free? Or, just like the three women in ‘The White Lotus’, does it descend into drama and disaster?  To talk about friendships ‘on holiday’, Andrea is joined by Chrissie Russell, Features Writer with the Irish Independent and Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor at DMG Media. Image: HBO

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy has suggested that there should be open access to university. That means that he wants degrees to be made freely available to all, with none or limited points restrictions. What do you think about this idea? Is it something you would support? Joining Andrea to discuss is Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Columnist, Architect Roisin Mur...

Move over Paris and Milan, it’s Ireland’s turn! This October, the very first Irish Fashion Week takes place. Coming from the mind of Irish entrepreneur Ashley McDonnell, Ireland Fashion Week will be a nationwide effort and take place from October 6-10th 2025. It may be the first, but we’ve long had a healthy supply of world-class talent when it comes to fashion design… Joining Andrea to discuss th...

The Chief Executive of JP Morgan has ordered his staff to stop reading emails when other people are talking… It is something we have all experienced – you're talking in a meeting and look down to a sea of faces scrolling on their phones... Should we all put a stop to it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Business Coach, Mentor and author Padraic O'Maille and Aisling Owens Nash, Head Networking Leader f...

With rising diagnosis rates, there’s growing debate about whether ADHD is being accurately identified or misdiagnosed in Ireland. Minister Mary Butler claims this is driving spiraling waiting list numbers… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Dr. Sarah Carty, GP, Sarah Kelly, SpeakEasy Speech and Language Therapist as well as listeners.

This good weather has us naturally excited for the summer, and although we’re not quite there yet, it's not too premature to get the barbecues out! With their tips and recipes, Andrea is joined by Chef Dylan McGrath and Catherine Fulvio, owner of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School.