Moncrieff

Just over a quarter of a century ago, Barry Browne was camping by Lough Key in Co. Roscommon, when he saw something that would stick with him for decades. Was it a UFO, and if it was, what does that mean for our understanding of unidentified aerial phenomena? Barry Browne joined Jarlath Regan to discuss…

‘Rewilding’ is the gardening buzz word of 2023. With public spaces like the front of Trinity College growing out their lawns in favour of wild meadows, the trend for this seems to be getting bigger and bigger. However, the British TV gardening personality Alan Titchmarsh has now set off what can only be described as a horticultural grenade by declaring that rewilding can be catastrophic for biodiv...

Between 10% and 15% of the Irish population is currently living with tinnitus but groundbreaking new research in Trinity College is discovering novel ways to help sufferers. Jarlath Regan was joined by Professor Sven Vanneste, from the Trinity College Institute for Neuroscience and School of Psychology to discuss...

While we’ve been expanding paternity and parental leave in Ireland over recent years, there are still many families who struggle to manage home and work life. Grandparents are often called upon to step in when there’s a sick baby or during mid term breaks. A handful of companies are now offering grandternity leave. Caroline Reidy a HR and Employment Law expert from the HR Suite joined Jarlath Rega...

The golden retriever is currently celebrating its 155th anniversary as a breed. As it was first bred in Scotland, there are crowds of dog owners gathering in the Highlands this week to mark the event with 466 golden retrievers assembling yesterday to break the British record for the most animals of this breed in the one place. Orlagh Murray, the Secretary of the Golden Retriever Society of Ireland...

This week marks the 85th anniversary of the handover of Spike Island, in Co. Cork, from British to Irish ownership. Spike Island, one of the infamous ‘Treaty Ports’, was a particular bugbear for a generation of Irish people. Jarlath Regan was joined by John Crotty, Former CEO of Spike Island, who is now publishing a book on the island’s history...

If you are on a dating app, you’ll know that the strike rate can be hit and miss. However, a new study shows that about two thirds of people who are on Tinder are in relationships. Are they all cheating? Are they looking for something else? And what about the people who are swiping right, hoping to find their true love when the majority of potential matches aren’t even single? Jarlath Regan was jo...

While there is a long history of mudlarking in England, particularly on the River Thames, the hobby is growing in popularity in Ireland. Sean was joined by Mudlarking enthusiast Johanna Keene...

The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albenese has pledged to hold the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum within 6 months. But what is this vote all about and why is it causing controversy? Sean was joined by Jonathan Drennan, an Irish journalist based in Sydney...

When you fly in and out of Dublin Airport you are probably unaware of the efforts that go into ensuring no animals strike the engines, but there are in fact teams of people who work in this area. Dr. Sammy Ball, a Wildlife researcher with UCC, has been working on the management of the hare population at the airfield, and he joined Sean to discuss...

2021 saw a 3,000 per-cent increase in the sales of AirFryers. At one point, much to the consternation of social media chefs, TikTok-ing their every interaction with the machine, there were even fears of a national shortage. However, are they worth the money or is it all just a bit of a fad? Aisling Larkin, TV Chef and Mindful Eating Coach joined Sean to discuss...

More and more couples are considering sleeping in separate beds. Some say there are benefits for rest while others disagree. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been speaking with people who do it and experts in the area.

While there’s been a political movement around Scottish Independence, the UK’s next political debate might be whether or not they’d lose the Orkney Islands to Norway. The islands are 10 miles north of the Scottish coast, and have both historical and cultural links to Norway. The island council passed a motion to draft a report on the constitutional future of the islands. So where does the strong l...

The Hollywood sign in LA is currently marking its 100th anniversary, but it isn’t the only one in existence. There is a replica in the Wicklow countryside near the village from which the Californian neighbourhood may well get its name. Sean was joined by Tommy Tutty, from the Hollywood Community Forum...

Is it becoming trickier to find a petrol station in certain parts of Ireland? The figures suggest that there has been a significant change in the number of stations over the past 20 years, both upwards and downwards. Research we have carried out here on the show tells us that there are currently 30% less petrol stations in Ireland today than there were 25 years ago. Sean was joined by Kevin McPart...

For this weeks 'How To' slot we’re looking at how to build an extension. Sean was joined by Hugh Wallace, Architect and Judge on RTÉ's Home of the Year to discuss...

Sex Education is to be made mandatory for those in 5th and 6th year in secondary schools from 2024. Currently, a consultation process is underway about what needs to be in place for this to work effectively. Sean was joined by Eoghan Cleary, SPHE teacher in Templecarrig College in Greystones

This week marks 100 years since the Censorship of Films Act was passed. Up until 1970, about 50,000 films were scrutinized, 11,000 of these were edited or “cut”, and 2,500 were banned outright. Sean was joined by John Downing, columnist with the Irish Independent to discuss...

As the Irish women’s team prepares to kick off in the country’s first ever appearance at a world cup, a curious piece of public art has emerged in Inchicore which commemorates perhaps the greatest female soccer player ever produced by Ireland. Sean was joined by Barry Landy, Sports journalist and author of 'Emerald Exiles - How the Irish made their mark on World Football'... Image: Twitter via DCC...

A host of popstars, including Harry Styles most recently, have been hit by projectiles during live performance. It brings up the question of growingly worse concert etiquette from crowds. Sean was joined by Tanya Sweeney, Columnist with the Irish Independent...

Humans have been moving so much groundwater around the Earth over the past twenty years, that the tilt on the Earth’s axis has moved slightly eastwards. So, what effect could this have on us all? Roger Highfield, science journalist and director of the Science Museum in the UK joined Sean to discuss...

Legal services outside major urban areas are facong uncertain future According to a survey carried out by Behaviour & Attitudes, elements of the profession are thriving in major urban areas but raises real concern about the future of smaller practices in rural areas. Maura Derivan, solicitor with Derivan Sexton & Co and President of the Law Society joined Sean to discuss...

Some celebs are now choosing to wear high-end silk pj’s out and about to fancy night clubs, fashion shows and to award shows. It's a popular trend for singers, football players and rappers. But how did the trend start? Fashion stylist Laura Mullett joined Sean to discuss...

A photo of a fin whale washed up on a south Kerry beach surfaced online at the weekend. It’s more than 60 feet long and is estimated to weigh 40 to 50 tonnes. Padraig Whooley, sightings officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group joined Sean to discuss what happens next... Image: Twitter via John O'Halloran @johbees

Politics tends to infiltrate most organisations, from the local GAA club to the largest corporations in the world – and religion is no different. With growing concerns for his health, the Pope has been making some strategic moves to ensure the continuation of the path he’s set the Catholic Church on. Colm Flynn, Irish reporter and broadcaster in the Vatican joined Sean to discuss...