Lunchtime Live

A recent HSE breakdown has revealed that people in Ireland spent a record €17.76 million on car parking at public and voluntary hospitals in 2025. That’s up from €7.39 million in 2021, an increase of 140% in just four years. But, for people who are already dealing with illness, treatment or supporting a loved one, is the cost of hospital parking adding unnecessary financial pressure and stress at...

While most babies in Ireland are born in hospital settings, some women choose to give birth at home with the support of specially trained community midwives. So, what does a home birth involve? For this week’s Making Babies, Andrea is joined by Community Midwife Jean Kavanagh to discuss this and answer your questions!

(This conversation contains references to sexual assault and rape.) Sophia Murphy was just an infant when her father started abusing her. 65 year old John Murphy, a former member of the Defence Forces, and formerly of Nephin View Manor, Foxford, Co. Mayo, was sentenced to 18 years for indecent assault, sexual assault and rape in 2018. It's now nearly 5 months since Sophia’s mother, Jacqueline Curr...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail to answer any of your train-related questions!

Tomorrow night, many of us will be transfixed by the solar eclipse which is due to be visible here, but people are being warned to be careful... Joining Andrea to discuss is Professor Peter Gallagher, Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory and Caoimhe Lyons, Science Facilitator at the Blackrock Castle Observatory.

Wexford parents have said they are at the mercy of Bus Éireann as children have been denied tickets for the school bus ahead of the upcoming term. Parents are now scrambling for ways to ensure their children can make it to school each day… Listeners with this problem join Andrea to discuss.

Last week, a text from a listener was sent in, saying she has been struggling with endometriosis from a young age, and the pain is so bad it inhibits her ability to work, yet she doesn't qualify for disability benefit… She joins Andrea to share her story.

Entertainment News Content Creator Holli Breslin joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week! Image: Apple TV

According to an advocate for victims of sexual violence, children should be taught about consent from preschool age and given the choice of whether they want to hug or have physical contact with someone. Children should be given a choice when it comes to their personal space. For example, if a child doesn’t want to hug someone, whether that person is a parent, relative, or family friend, they shou...

It’s time for The Health Reset! Where an expert joins to answer any of your health-related questions. This week, Andrea is joined by Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic, to answer your medical questions!

Are we at risk of losing sing songs? Podcaster from ‘I’m grand Mam’ PJ Kirby posted a video saying that the sing song is dead! He was at a wedding, and nobody had a party piece for the end of the night… Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss this is Stylist Laura Mullet and Danny McElhinney, Music Journalist with the Irish Mail on Sunday.

More women are choosing to undergo breast reduction surgery, with recent figures from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) showing that breast reduction and implant removal procedures now outnumber breast implant surgeries. So, what's behind this growing trend? Are women seeking relief from chronic pain and discomfort, improved mobility, or simply making a choice that feel...

We’ve been enjoying the good weather over the past month or so, but spare a thought for farmers who are watching the drought kill their crops, and affect their livestock. Darragh McCullough, Farmer and Broadcaster, joins Clare McKenna to discuss.

Are you determined to finally get on top of your finances once and for all? For many, looking at your bank account is something you dread, but how should we best manage what’s coming in and what’s coming out? For this edition of Finance Matters, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Paul Merriman of Ask Paul to discuss the impact of compound interest, and why it matters.

New figures today show the burglary hotspots in the country, with those living in Dublin and Louth most likely to be the victim of a break in, while Roscommon is the safest county... Have you experienced a burglary, and how did it affect you? Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by listeners to discuss.

We continue a county-by-county journey across Ireland, exploring all 32 counties that make up this remarkable island. Have you been to some of these places and hidden gems? Today, Andrea is joined by Travel Content Creator Kevin Penrose to find out what the best things to see and do are in County Down!

What do our attitudes around debts and taking out personal loans say about our personality? Is there a specific type of person who borrows more? Does it make us risk adverse? Joining Andrea to discuss is Denis Finbarr Cronin, aka Digital Dinny and Caz Mooney, Irish Budgeting Influencer.

22-year-old Danielle McElroy has severe endometriosis. It has gotten so bad that she has recently lost the ability to walk. Danielle is largely confined to bed as she cannot wash, dress or move herself without help… She joins Andrea to share her story.

Being asked to be a bridesmaid or groomsman is a huge honour, but it can also come with a big financial, emotional and time commitment. For some, especially those who've done it more than once, saying "yes" isn't always an easy decision. So, is it okay to say no when a loved one asks you to be part of their big day? Have you ever turned down a place in a bridal party? If so, why, and did it affect...

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

With the good weather drawing crowds to beaches across the country, the debate over dogs on our beaches is back. For some, dogs running around can spoil a day at the seaside, especially when beaches are busy with families and swimmers. Others believe beaches are the perfect place for dogs to get some exercise and that responsible owners should be free to bring them along. So, where do you stand? A...

Are you looking for a way to sort out your food pantry and don’t know where to start? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss pantries and food storage! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Hazel Burton from The Home Reset.

With the warmer weather comes an increase of some unwanted and often painful guests... Mosquito season runs from May to October when the weather gets warmer, but it hits its peak in July and August. But, why do we get bitten by mosquitoes, and how do we avoid them? Joining Andrea to discuss Dr. Michel Dugon, a Zoologist at the School of Nature Sciences at the University of Galway.

Have we a postcode lottery when it comes to our healthcare? Well, it seems with certain things: yes. Just ask MS sufferer James Flanagan from Tipperary. James joins Andrea to share his story…

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 Shania Twain!