Moncrieff

Once a year, Dutch kids, parents and teachers take part in a walking festival, heading out for four nights in a single week to explore their neighbourhoods, exercise and make friends. It’s a tradition that seems to be genuinely transformative  Sean was joined by Inger Leemans is professor of cultural history at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to delve into this. &nb...

Ever since the pandemic there has been a significant surge in people turning to practical hobbies, particularly crafts like sewing.  Lorna Daly, Founder of When Poppy Met Daisy on Capel Street in Dublin joined Sean to talk about why this is the case.  

The Major Oak, one of this continent’s oldest and most famous trees, due to its long association with Robin Hood, has died after 1000 years of growth. Chloe Ryder, Estate Operations Manager at Sherwood Forest for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds joined Sean to discuss. Image: BBC

When people come to Ireland for the first time, they notice all sorts of customs unique to us. We say hello to strangers, we eat Tayto sandwiches, and we say thank you to the bus driver. But is this custom dying out? Newstalk reporter Henry McKean went to find out!

A Minneapolis restaurant stopped charging customers for food earlier this year and now operates entirely on donations. Owner Dylan Alverson said the move was inspired by both political concerns and years of financial struggles in the restaurant industry. Despite nearly half of diners not paying for their meals, Alverson told The New York Times the restaurant is thriving under its new model. Dylan...

Éamonn Quinn and his wife Gemma Murray founded Louth Contemporary Music Society (LCMS) in Dundalk in 2006. After settling in Dundalk in 2002, the couple found themselves travelling regularly to Dublin and Belfast to hear contemporary music and began to wonder why artists of that calibre never came to Dundalk. Twenty years later, LCMS has become one of Ireland's most respected contemporary music or...

Sophia Greenwood reunited with her biological father after being raised by adoptive parents in Yorkshire. they then began a relationship. She isn't alone, genetic sexual attraction is an intense bond sometimes reported between biological relatives reunited after being separated at birth. Sophia joins Sean to tell her story.

From Doc and Marty's DeLorean in Back to the Future to James Bond's Aston Martin - we have seen some truly beautiful and captivating cars on our cinemas screens over the years. But, what are the most iconic, and why are certain cars picked for movies over others ? Joining Seán to explain was Paddy Comyn, Head of Automotive Content and Communications with Done Deal.

Scientific research suggests that people who take part in naturist activities report higher body satisfaction, greater self-esteem and increased overall life satisfaction. Katy Regan, journalist and author, like so many, was struggling to come to terms with her body, and decided to go to a naturist club for the weekend to see whether nudity might be the answer to her angst. She joins Seán to discu...

The authorities in Venice are up in arms after a woman was filmed scattering a loved one’s ashes into the lagoon, an action that is against the law and punishable with a potential fine. This is not the case in Ireland, but what exactly are the options when it comes to the ashes? Joining Seán was Dr Brian Casey, Visitor Centre Manager and Historian for Dublin Cemetries Trust at Glasnevin Cemetery.....

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes… This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss cases of creepy twins who committed crimes .

Should you be drinking your red wine chilled? There is a new trend emerging of drinking red wine that’s cold. The Times has reported that Gen Z drinkers are driving this trend, finding that 56% had drunk chilled red wine, or wine served over ice, in summer. So, in what way are we meant to drink red? Seán is joined by Leslie Williams to discuss.

A perfumer in France has been recreating the smells in Joyce’s Ulysees. The project was recently showcased at the Irish Embassy in Paris.  Meabh McCurtin, an Irish fine fragrance perfumer based in Paris joined Sean this morning to discuss.

The 16th of June marks HIV Awareness Day. At the moment, women in Ireland are facing a rise in HIV diagnoses but public health messaging seems to still be treating them as an afterthought.    The Mobile Testing Coordinator at HIV Ireland Ann Piercy joined Sean this afternoon.  

On Saturday night, singer/songwriter Tolü Makay serenaded Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, with her rendition of the song N17, at the official state dinner in Dublin Castle. But on Sunday, Tolü was forced to address nasty abuse on her official Facebook page.    Tolü joined Sean to talk about her experience.  

The   Large Hadron Collider will be switched off on June 29th for a refurb. This marks the beginning of "Long Shutdown 3," a major 4-year hiatus dedicated to dismantling parts of the CERN ring to upgrade it into the much more powerful High-Luminosity LHC.  Joining Sean was James Keavney, Assistant Professor in the School of Physics at UCD  Image: National Geograp...

How do influencers actually make any more from social media and what are the different rules on the various platforms?   Journalist Caitriona Redmond tried it out and wrote about it for the Examiner. She joined Sean this afternoon to talk about how she got on.  

The New York Knicks’ first NBA championship in 53 years may have been built on many things: Jalen Brunson’s brilliance, Mike Brown’s steady hand, a suffocating defense and a healthy roster when it mattered most.   According to much-maligned team owner James Dolan, it may also have required a little self-denial.   Dr. Brian Higgins, from Galway Primary Care joined Sean to discus...

For 8 years in a row, the golden retriever has been the most popular dog in Ireland. So, why exactly is it so loved here? Orla Murray, Secretary of the Golden Retriever Society of Ireland and a Director of the Irish Kennel Club joins Seán to discuss!

The Oireachtas will be considering legislation to establish a register of domestic violence offenders. It’s called ‘Jennie’s Law’, after Jennifer Poole, who was murdered by her former partner in 2021. So, how would it work, and how should it work? Joining Seán to discuss is Lisa Ann Wilkinson, Barrister at Law victim-survivors of domestic abuse and violence & Co-Founder of the right to transpa...

Writing in the Irish Times, Seamus O'Reilly has been swamped with questions from his 7 year old, including the question: would you rather have no stomach or no bum? Henry McKean has an 8 year old at home, and has to field similar questions, what is the best way to answer them? Henry met with parents and kids, and sent in this report.

We’re looking back on the weekend and looking forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions: What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week? Joining Seán to discuss is Doireann O’Connor and Donal O'Donoghue!

Ivanka and Jared Kushner’s plans for a billion dollar luxury resort in an environmentally-protected part of Albania is causing major protests in the Balkan country. Joining Seán to discuss is Helena Smith, the Guardian's Correspondent in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus...

Are the days of just throwing on a band t-shirt and a pair of jeans to go to a concert well and truly done? To discuss what you should wear to a concert, Seán is joined by stylist and fashion guru, Laura Mullet.

What was sex like in 18th century Ireland? Apparently, there was a big focus on aphrodisiacs - but what were the touted sexual super items? Joining Seán to discuss is Historian of Family, Gender and Sexuality, Leanne Calvert.