Lunchtime Live

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…

Mandy Kelly has been doing everything in her power for the last three years to get her kids back, after their father abducted them in Egypt. News this week has the Government hoping to get an international arrest Red Notice warrant issued for their father soon. Mandy joins Andrea to discuss…

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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 debunk myths surrounding autism and pregnancy, and answer...

More young people than ever have been trading and investing in stocks. Revolut reported a 17% surge in young investors across the Irish market. But, why has there been this shift? Joining Andrea to discuss is Emer Walsh, Business Journalist for the Irish Examiner, Senan Delargy, the CEO of the Trinity Student Managed Fund, Mihaela Borta, President of UCD’s Investor and Entrepreneurs' Society and C...

Yesterday, the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe delivered his statement for Budget 2026 to the Dáil. The reaction by most was one of little surprise, with the budget having little to no effect on the working-class person's day-to-day life. Those who are seeking to buy a house or keep their children in affordable childcare are no better off with little to no incentives to improve the housing ma...

Andrea is joined by the incredible Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter RuthAnne! RuthAnne has been on the show a few times, usually about her experience with endometriosis and her campaigning for better healthcare. But today, she joins Andrea to talk about not only her new album, but also her new book!

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life… This week, Andrea is joined by Aislinn Horgan (@ byaislinn.ie on Instagram), who specialises in medical tattoos, to talk all about the practice.

Budget 2026 comes out today. One thing that is known ahead of the full announcement is that Ministers are taking the first step towards ending the means test for carers… The Carer’s Allowance means test will increase by €200 to €825 a month for a single person and by €400 to €1,650 a month for a couple. What do carers think of the change? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Big news broke last night in the race for the Áras: Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin has withdrawn from the Presidential election, following controversy over an unregistered tenancy linked to his past. It’s a major blow to the party and a shake-up in the race just weeks out from polling day… Joining Andrea to discuss the fallout and what it means for the campaign ahead is Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD for...

Drogheda campaigners are launching a film today to showcase why they believe Drogheda should be made a city. Drogheda City Status Group has said "Unprecedented residential development in Drogheda and its hinterland means that city status has become an absolute necessity." Achieving city status can unlock a treasure trove of benefits, including increased funding for infrastructure and programs. Thi...

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig and Ellen Butler from the Newstalk Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘Therapy Crouch’! Image: Acast

Every parent fears their teenage children immediately going off the rails if they’re not kept under constant lock and key. But, does a helicopter strategy make life harder for everyone involved, and do kids do better when left to their own devices? Gwen Loughman wrote in the Journal about being as hands-off as possible with your own children over the summer, she joins Andrea, along with Katie Makk...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, John Keogh, Group Director of News at Newstalk joins Andrea to answer any of your newsroom questions!

As winter creeps in, you might feel your energy dipping along with the dark and stormy weather. Today, Dr Ravi Gill joins Andrea to give some tips and tricks as to how to keep yourself still feeling fresh this autumn season!

The past two weeks, the topic of eating disorders has been covered on Lunchtime Live, and how they affect families and individuals that are affected… Today, we’re speaking to a top eating disorder specialist with St Vincent’s Hospital to get an insight into what treatment looks like at a clinical level. Dr Art Malone, Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Lead with the Adult Eating Disorder Service...

Ireland Fashion Week, the very first of its kind, begins next week on October 6th. The week will be full of shows, talks and exhibitions of fashion, both past and present. Entrepreneur and Founder of Irish Fashion Week, Ashley McDonnell, Stylist and Creative Designer Anne O’Shea and Jack Pierce join Andrea to discuss!

From claw machine rescue to oyster theft fiasco, Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney joins Andrea with the stories from around the country that you might have missed this week…

The National Transport Authority are being questioned on when they will reinstate catering services on all Irish Rail intercity routes. The service, which was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic, has not yet been fully restored. Senator Mark Duffy has called for this service to be reinstated saying “Passengers travelling long distances across the country deserve basic amenities, and catering sh...

If you have a fireplace at home, you may not be using it to its full potential. So, what should you do with it, use it as intended, or turn it into something new? From function to decoration, the Home Squad are here to discuss fireplace potential! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) & Roisin...

The MetroLink rail line has been given the green light today! An Coimisiún Pleanála has approved the 19km line in full which could see airport to city journeys of 20 minutes… It’s definitely good news, but when do you think we will see the line completed? Andrea is joined by Cllr Feljin Jose,  Spokesperson for Transport for the Green Party, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Mayo University Hospital is reaching dangerous patient levels as it is running at 113% occupancy, when safe levels are 85%. It comes after nurses are balloting for strike action to address the issue. With a lack of injury units across the county, many people have no option but to attend the emergency department at Mayo University Hospital for minor treatments as they have no alternative options… A...

The topic of eating disorders has been covered a lot for the past two weeks on Lunchtime Live. We’ve heard from listeners across the country about the issues they have dealt with themselves, and in their families. What we’ve come to understand is that many people have an issue with the lack of provisions provided for eating disorders here in Ireland. Lack of public beds, long waiting times for dia...

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 Take That’s album ‘Everything Changes’!

Do you believe inheritance tax should be scrapped? If so, you’re in the majority, according to data from a new survey. Research by Royal London Ireland found that 83% of adults in Ireland are in favour of getting rid of inheritance tax when it comes to the family home. Joining Andrea to discuss is the Money Doctor John Lowe, Jean Cashman. Registered Tax Consultant, as well as listeners…