Moncrieff

The Palace of Westminster, which houses Big Ben and the House of Commons, is falling apart. With parts of the rodent-infested building complex over a 1000 years old, the troubled iconic UNESCO world heritage site came to light last week when a mouse ran past the Leader of the Opposition during a televised interview. A new report has been published on the path forward. Joining Sean was a man who sp...

Donald Ewing, Head of Education and Policy with Dyslexia Ireland. Donal is an educational psychologist and does assessments with people with dyslexia, and he joined Sean to explain what Dysgraphia which is often associated with poor handwriting

Where do people start when they need/want to preserve their digital legacy? Who can access your saved songs, your digtial notes, your blog/website, email addresses, can anyone? Subscriptions to netflix, gaming accounts, your Instagram, Dropbox – you might have crypto currency accounts, shopping apps, gambling/lotto apps, your utility bills the list is endless Someone is going to need access to the...

The Government plans to introduce a three-year ban on family reunification for recognised refugees, along with new financial requirements. Ministers say it’s about tightening the system — but critics argue it risks leaving spouses and children in danger. With just over 2,500 family members reunited since 2022, is this necessary reform or an unfair restriction?  Nasc Chief Executive Fiona Hurl...

An Irishman who travelled to America in the late 18th century has been honoured in Cork with a plaque for coining the term ‘United States of America’. Joining me now with the story is Michelle O’Mahony, a historian based in Cork... Image: National Museum of Ireland

A new study has found that bonobo monkeys can engage in make-believe in a very similar way to children. Joining Sean was Amalia Bastos, Lecturer in Comparative Psychology at the University of St. Andrews.

Jonathan DeBurca Butler joins Seán Moncrieff to take listeners through the week's international stories.

Keith Walsh, Family law solicitor at Keith Walsh Solicitors, joined Sean off the back of the announcement from the Justice Minister that the government is to introduce a ‘child maintenance calculator’ to help couples make DIY agreements. But what does this mean and will it help the often complicated task of try sorting out child maintenance.

A perhaps unexpected situation has arisen at the Milan Cortina Olympics this week with a number of successful athletes disappointed to discover that their medals have literally broken apart just minutes after winning them...so, what’s going on? Joining Sean was Sean Ingle, Chief Sports Writer for the Guardian, who is in Livigno in Italy where many of the events are currently taking place.

Once a staple in homes around the world, free-standing kitchens are making a stylish comeback. After years of sleek built-in cabinetry dominating interior design trends, more homeowners and designers are embracing the flexibility, character, and charm of standalone kitchen pieces.  Sean was joined by Roisin Murphy  Interior Designer.

Can a midlife break spent criss-crossing the globe bring renewed meaning to life? This is what Ellie and Mark decided to do. They left their jobs and are currently cycling around the world. They have so far completed 28,000 km and are in the south of Japan at the moment. Mark Graham, 51 year old Waterford man is travelling the world  and he joined Sean to tell him all about it.

Spreadsheeting is now a competitive problem solving e-sport, attracting huge audiences in the States. Joining Sean was Irishman Diarmuid Early, the most recent winner of the Microsoft Excel World Championships.

James Dempsey joins Moncrieff with his picks for what to stream. On the list this week: RTE comedy Drama series These Sacred Vows, Netflix documentary on the intense traning involved in Ice Dancing  Glitter & Gold and Memory of a Killer a 2026 American Crime Drama follwoing a hitman struggling with early-onset Alzheimer's

Ireland has a 43 per cent higher rate of recorded sexual violence. These are incidents reported to the gardaí and officially entered into the criminal justice system this more than other EU countries. Rachel Morrogh, Chief Executive Officer Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, joined Sean to explain. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: Offers a 24-hour helpline at 1800 77 8888 for free, confidential support.

Wedding costs are at all-time high in Ireland, and that's not just for the happy couple. Surveys show it has never been more expensive to host a wedding or to accept an invitation to one.   While 96% of guests tend to give money as gifts, how much should you give, and should it depend on what you get out of the wedding?   If you attend a wedding in Adare Manor with an open bar, should yo...

Mould in the home is more than just an eyesore, it can be a serious health risk, especially for young children, older adults, and people with breathing problems. In damp or poorly ventilated houses, mould can grow quickly and quietly, often before you even notice it. In this brief, we’ll look at simple, practical steps you can take to reduce moisture in your home and prevent mould from taking hold...

New artificial intelligence technology is currently being trialled on buses by the National Transport Authority. Similar cameras are used in US cities to enforce parking violations including the obstruction of bus lanes, bus stops and bike lanes by road users. The technology comes froms  San Francisco company, Hayden AI, the system can record offences and violations while the bus is moving. S...

Are we making our pets fat and not realising ?  The Irish Blue Cross, the veterinary charity, is warning there is a hidden obesity crisis that may be shortening your pet's lifespan. Only 46% weigh their pets or not at all and 80% feed them treats or human food daily. Henry McKean reports.

When the thriller writer Harriet Tyce appeared on The Traitors, her book sales skyrocketed by over 500%...So, could novelists be marketed in this way going forward and have they been missing a trick up to now? Sean was Eithne Shortall, Novelist and author of 5 books, including ‘The Lodgers’.

On Monday coming, the latest Michelin stars will be distributed to restaurants in the UK and Ireland. But how do the inspections work?  Sean was joined by Joanne Cronin, food writer with the Irish Times, who has been investigating it.

Athletes are always chasing an edge — a fraction of a second, an extra inch, one more rep. And sometimes… that search gets weird. From bizarre diets and lucky rituals to science experiments that sound more like dares, athletes have tried just about everything to boost performance. Some swear by it, some regret it, and some probably shouldn’t admit it out loud. Daniel Hussey, Sports Journalist join...

With a new series examining the tragic romance between John Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette premiering on Disney Plus next week, Sean was joined by journalist Liadán Hynes who has been looking into the enduring mythology surrounding the couple.

Last week a massive sinkhole opened up suddenly in Dunbar in Scotland...but what actually causes sinkholes and do they happen in Ireland? Michelle McKeown, Lecturer in Environmental Geography at UCC and columnist in the Irish Examiner joined Sean to explain

Demand for so-called “personal protection dogs” is surging in the UK. Once the preserve of celebrities and security professionals, these highly trained animals – taught to bite, hold and release on command – are now being marketed as family pets and living alarm systems. Supporters say they offer reassurance in an age of rising crime, but critics warn of serious risks: to public safety, to owners’...

Why do we just replace our goods when they break and not try and fix them? In developing countries like Brazil there are repairmen (women) to fix everything. Here in Ireland, generally we just replace. Henry McKean has been speaking to people in the circular economy and he sent us this report.