Lunchtime Live

How big of a problem is dog poo in your local area, and what should be done to both prevent owners from leaving dog fouling and make it easier to dispose of? Joining Andrea to discuss is DIY expert Alan Grant, Broadcaster Fionnuala Moran, Valarie Roe CEO & Founder of Valarie Roe PR and listeners.

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 Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer your medical questions!

Have neighbourhood Whatsapp groups lost the run of themselves? In an article in the Independent UK, writer Oliver Petter wonders how the humble group chat for neighbourly business went from a necessary utility to an emotional dumping ground… What is your experience? Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, as well as Esther O’Moore Donohoe, writer and podcaster...

On the show last week, Andrea spoke to parents of children with autism. They gave their day-to-day experiences of navigating life with their children and the lack of support and resources available to parents who are facing this daily reality. More people have gotten in touch to share their own experiences, and to talk about what they would like to see going forward…

Last week, Andrea spoke to some parents who are struggling to get school bus tickets for their kids. As the academic year approaches, many parents are facing no choice but to drive their kids to school each morning. Today, Andrea speaks with more parents on this issue…

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 Money Matters, Andrea is joined by Paul Merriman of Ask Paul to discuss everything you need to know about mortgage interest rates and their impact!

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has condemned what he has described as the "reckless behaviour" of motorists driving on the wrong side of motorways. He added that in some cases this form of dangerous driving is being carried out for "social media likes". What more needs to be done about social media trends around driving? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Elizabeth Farries, Director of the UCD Centr...

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 Tony Smyth to find out what the best things to see and do are in County Dublin!

Earlier this week, Andrea spoke to Sophia Murphy. She was the victim of abuse at the hands of her father throughout her childhood and both her parents are serving prison sentences for what she went through… For more on this, Dr. Ian Marder, Associate Professor in Criminology at the School of Law and Criminology in Maynooth University, joins Andrea to explain how the restorative justice process wor...

If you’re saving for a wedding you will know that they are expensive events, but would you expect the parents of a couple to contribute to the big day? And should family members chip in? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

What a night for Irish Athletics last night with Mark English winning gold and Rhasidat Adeleke taking silver! Joining Andrea to give their reactions is Chris McNulty from Finn Valley Athletics Club and Cecil Johnston, Tallaght Athletics Club PRO.

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

Yesterday on the show Andrea heard from Dervla Burke O'Connor on her son Paul’s autism and how it has impacted both her and her son’s life. Today, more parents join to speak to more parents who are in a similar situation… Are the supports there for parents of children with autism, and what more needs to be done to help?

Do you have a spare room in your home? What should you do with it? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss spare rooms and what your options are! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Jenny Butler, Interior Architect & Design Director of Jennifer Anne Interior.

Are you facing returning back to work after maternity leave, and how are you feeling? Whether you’re dreading it or looking forward to the return to routine, it is certainly a daunting prospect for many new mums… Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dervla Burke O’Connor, who many of you will know as part of the band Crystal Swing with her mum Mary and brother Derek is with Andrea on the line today. Dervla has had to put her music career aside to care for her son, Paul, full time. She discusses her experience…

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 Tom Petty album ‘Full Moon Fever’!

Spending in secondhand shops such as vinted has surged 200% in the past year, but is it all good? You hear the Vinted horror stories, the smelly clothes, unusual packaging and things just not looking the way they're supposed to. Joining Andrea to share their experiences is Elaine Power, host of the ‘What's Trending in F1?’ podcast, Stylist Justine King and Pat Kane.

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…

According to new research, European children are in worse physical shape than at almost any point in the last 60 years. The study has shown that children and adolescents in Europe are not reaching adequate levels of physical fitness in terms of strength, flexibility and body composition and, as a result of this, it will impact them in later life… John Belton, head coach and owner of No.17 PT and l...

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.