Moncrieff

Ever wondered what makes that old vase in your attic worth a fortune, or just a few euros? Well, it's not only about age, there's an art to valuing antique items. From rarity and condition to provenance and historical significance, there are several key factors that determine the true value of a piece.  To tell more, Mairead is joined by George Williams, Co-Owner of George Williams Antiques.

As cats are natural predators, it can be hard for some owners to stop them from torturing and killing birds when they are released into the garden. But, are there some tips to avoid this happening? Vet Pete Wedderburn has been writing about this in the Wexford People and joins Mairead Ronan to discuss.

We Irish are known for our way with words, but is there a danger that some of our most unique phrases might die out if we don’t preserve them?  Mairead Ronan’s guest is particularly worried about the following expression: “jig-acting”. Journalist Alison Healy has been writing about this in the Irish Times and joins to discuss.

A bar on Parnell St in Dublin was recently issued with a closure order by the Food Safety Authority after the discovery of a cockroach infestation. Live, moving cockroaches were observed under actual food preparation areas. Shudder the thought! So, just how big an issue is this invasive species in Ireland and what can be done about it?  Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss is Brendan H...

The waterspout that sank a luxury yacht followed storms that have swept through Italy in recent days, but for most people this may have been the first time they’ve heard of them. Cathal Nolan is an Award Winning Climate Scientist at UCC and the founder of Ireland’s Weather Channel, and joins guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss.

Can you imagine staying in a pirate ship, a vintage 50s diner, or even a cosy Hobbit hole? There’s a new trend that's taking the travel world by storm: themed Airbnbs.  Travel enthusiasts are flocking to these creatively designed spaces for an escape that's as much about the experience as it is about the location.   To tell more, guest host Mairead Ronan is joined by Melanie May, so...

While the residents of many other European cities benefit from the provision of public lidos, Dublin still lags behind. However, a campaign group aims to change this with an ongoing push for a new amenity in George’s Dock here in the capital.  Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss is Patrick Earls, Founder of the Dublin City Lido Campaign. Image: Dublin City Lido

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work on a farm?  Well you now can, thanks to an idea from Sinead Coffey from Hidden Hills Waterville, which is now allowing people their chance to get stuck in.  Sinead joins guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss.

Have you ever noticed how wearing your favourite outfit or a pop of colour can instantly lift your spirits? Well, there's actually some science behind that feeling: it's called 'dopamine dressing.' This trendy concept explores the connection between the clothes we wear and the way they make us feel, tapping into the idea that certain colours and styles can actually boost our mood.  To tell mo...

New figures show that 2023 witnessed an all time high in sales of Champagne in Ireland, with consumers shelling out almost 19 million euro on the high end bubbles. So why are we all going bananas for the Champers? And, are we beginning to turn up our noses at its pretenders, Cava and Prosecco?  Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss is resident Movies & Booze wine expert, Leslie Will...

The Phoenix Cinema, a century-old building in Dingle, is on the market for a steep price, and an advocacy group is trying to purchase the cinema in order to bring it back. Aoife ­Granville, the spokesperson for the campaign, joined Mairead Ronan to discuss. Image: www.phoenixcinema.ie

Is it ever okay to comment on someone’s baby bump? It’s a seemingly innocent gesture, but as one journalist found out the hard way, even the most well-intentioned comments can go horribly wrong. Imagine interviewing a major celebrity, only to be met with a sarcastic remark that leaves you questioning everything. We’re talking about the infamous Blake Lively interview that’s resurfaced after eight...

It’s been a weekend of festivals and big gigs recently. With Kylie Minogue finishing up Electric Picnic and ACDC selling out Croke Park. So, what makes a good gig, and what is the best (or worst!) one you've been to? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has asking concert-goers and musicians, and joins guest host Mairead Ronan to share what he’s heard.

What is your fruit of choice? If you are thinking of a banana, you’re not alone. Because it turns out the Irish are one of the highest consumers of bananas per-capita in the world! John Fitzgerald, a contributor to the Irish Times has been writing about this, and joins guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss.

Painting work on the Poolbeg Chimneys in Dublin begins this week. Having been immortalised in print, on t-shirts and even coffee mugs, why are the towers so iconic, and do they continue to divide opinion? Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss is Emma Gileece, Architectural Historian.

Have you ever been curious about the origins of your favourite foods? While many dishes are carefully crafted by skilled chefs, some of the most beloved treats owe their existence to a stroke of luck. From the unexpected creation of chocolate sliced pan to the serendipitous invention of potato chips, there is no end to the food inventions that came about purely by chance.  Joining guest host...

It’s the first day of Electric Picnic, and thousands of people are flocking to Laois.  However, some people are travelling with children in tow. So, is it acceptable to bring your children to a festival?  Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by Comedian Julie Jay to discuss.

It’s 2024 – should we still be solving CAPTCHAs? CAPTCHAs being the online tests where you agonise over a nine inch grid of images to identify traffic lights or bikes to prove you’re not a bot.  Are these tests really necessary in protecting ourselves online? Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, joins guest host Stefanie Preissner to discuss.

Dublin zoo enlisted the help of 30 breastfeeding mothers to help encourage a female Orangutan bond with her newborn.   To tell more about this project, guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by Lizzie Reeves, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Lactation at the National Maternity Hospital.

Letter writing seems to be an art that is dying out, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by author and operator of writing.ie , Sam Blake, to discuss.

Nora-Jane Noone secured her breakout role in The Magdalene Sisters at 16, encouraged by her cousin to go to an open audition on the basis that she was “into acting”. Since then she’s had many roles both in Ireland and internationally, and after years living abroad in London and LA, she has now returned to her native Galway to pursue opportunities at home.  Her latest film ‘Bring Them Down’ al...

It’s been reported that legendary footballer Roy Keane plans to ditch punditry and take up farming.  When asked where he sees himself in a decade’s time he said: “A nice house somewhere with a bit of land and a few animals…”   But, is farming all it’s cracked up to be? Or has it been glamourised?  To discuss, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Rachel Donovan, News Correspondent, I...

You may have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights.   But what causes this spectacular display in our skies?  Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by David Moore, Editor of Astronomy Ireland Magazine, to discuss.

It’s the time of year when we’re all trying to cut the cost of the holiday holiday.  But, have you ever considered converting your car into a tiny home to take on holidays with you?  Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by Jennifer Sheahan from the Irish Examiner, who did just that… Image: Vanpackers

We all have our favourite Disney characters, and it can be a passionate subject for many.  Jessica Spencer is a presenter with Spin 1038, and has been putting together a list of some of the greats. She joins Stefanie Preissner to share.