Moncrieff

Christmas is a major time for celebrity memoirs: the number one book in the country this Christmas is the autobiography of one of Ireland’s most famous rugby stars. However, the Society of Authors is calling on celebrities to do more to ensure that their ghostwriters are properly credited… Joining Seán to discuss is Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin, who writes under the pseudonym of Sam Blake, and is the Ch...

You may have found it funny to hear about a shortage of Guinness in British pubs in the last while. Well, two brothers have discovered it’s no laughing matter, and have taken action by ensuring they have a supply of the black stuff. Colm Lynch from Hop Pole in Wandesworth joins Seán to discuss.

When was the best time to have Christmas? Are they better now than ever - or were things simpler and better back in the day? Henry McKean has been asking the public for their festive favourites, and joins Seán to discuss.

The nativity, also known as the Christmas pageant, claims to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, new research suggests that the so-called ‘silent night’ may not have been that silent… Seán is joined by Chris Greenough, Professor of Social Sciences at Edgehill University, to discuss.

A new book explores how to preserve our brains when we die, so that our successors can revive us at a later date! Joining Seán to discuss is Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, Neuroscientist and author of ‘The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death’...

Over half a million Christmas trees will be cut down for homes across Ireland this festive period, but which is actually better for the environment… real or fake? Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Michelle McKeown, Lecturer in Environmental Geography at UCC.

While spiced beef has traditionally been associated with Cork, it has grown wings over the past few years and appears to be becoming more and more popular across the country. Michael Moynihan, Columnist for the Irish Examiner has been writing about this, and joins Seán to discuss.

The popular video game Roblox is apparently being used by illegal casinos to draw young children into online gambling. The new investigation found that children under the age of 12 are betting on slot machines and blackjack… For more on this, Seán is joined by Dr Deirdre Leahy, Lecturer in Cybercrime at UCC and Lecturer in Cyber Skills programme in MTU.

Kate Bush has called on Ministers to protect artists from AI using their copyrighted works amid growing concerns from high-profile creatives and ongoing political uncertainty over how to handle the issue… Ed Newton-Rex, founder of Fairly Trained, a non-profit that protects artists’ rights from AI, joins Seán to discuss.

Is there really such a thing as ‘happily ever after’? Not for Disney’s famous princesses apparently. A new study suggests that many of these well-known characters would have suffered from a range of unpleasant health conditions had they lived in the real world.  Sanne Van Dijk is a PhD Candidate in Epidemiology at the University of Twente and one of the researchers on this project and joins S...

Did you get any Christmas cards this year? It seems like something that has been dying out... Henry McKean has been investigating how popular the card is (or isn't) and joins Seán to discuss.

Due to a shortage of the supply of Guinness in London currently, and the fact that it is now the best selling draught beer in the UK, some pubs have resorted to using ration cards… Kate Davidson, owner of the Old Ivy House Pub in London, joins Seán to discuss.

The Garda Síochána intends to spend 12 million euro on shoes for the force over the next few years, with every member of the 14,000 currently serving Gardai to have three pairs of official shoes each. Joining Seán to discuss is Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent for The Irish Times…

A rare ‘hiccupping’ star has finally been documented for the first time ever. But, what is it, and why is it so big? Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Charlotte Angus, Post Doctoral Researcher in the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queen’s University Belfast…

At this time of year, we are rushing around saying yes to everyone, but is it time to actually take a step back and just say “No, I can’t do it”? The public have been saying yes to answering Henry McKean’s questions, and he joins Seán to share what he’s heard.

A new Guinness World Record has been verified for the oldest newlyweds: Marjorie Fiterman and Bernie Littman are both over 100 years of age! Joining Seán to discuss is Sarah Sicherman, Bernie’s granddaughter…

Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, has sparked outrage after claiming that sandwiches are not ‘real food’ and that ‘lunch is for wimps’... Joining Seán to discuss this is Russel Alford, one half of the ‘GastroGays’ and Restaurant Critic for the Sunday Times.

A shop in England has knitted the effigies of local townspeople for their Christmas window display, but there’s a twist… they’re all naked! Joining Seán is Sara Steele, Owner of the Carpet Gallery and Haberdashery store in Hampshire…

Christmas is a time for festive cheer and, for most, a time when they drink too much beer! But, what about those who are sober at Christmas? How do they manage? And more importantly, how do they incorporate fun? Joining Seán to discuss is Katie Byrne, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

What makes a perfect cheeseboard? Is it the creamy textures, the bold flavours, or the perfect pairing with chutneys and crackers? Joining Seán to discuss is Kevin Sheridan, Managing Director of Sheridans Cheesemongers Ltd. Image: Sheridans Cheese

In light of controversies at this year’s Eurovision in Malmo, a new code of conduct is being introduced by the European Broadcasting Union...but what does it entail? Joining Seán to discuss is Richard Taylor, contributor to Eurovision Ireland - the official Irish Eurovision Blog.

What makes the human brain forget things? Why do we often lose our keys? Are you a forgetful person? Henry McKean has remembered to ask the public for their thoughts, and joins Seán to discuss!

How much would you pay for your morning coffee? Prices are going up as coffee bean costs hit record highs. Bad weather in Brazil and Vietnam has led to smaller harvests, and demand keeps growing. Joining Seán to discuss this is James McCormack, CEO of Dublin Barista School.

A new short animated film, The Runners – A Trafficking Timeline, sheds light on a grim reality unfolding in Dublin’s north inner city: children as young as 10 being trafficked and forced into criminality by organized gangs. This film, created with input from community workers, parents, and young people, aims to raise awareness and push for action against this form of modern-day slavery. To tell mo...

As both Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries announce their Words of the Year, from ‘brat’ to ‘brainrot’, are these phrases simply a product of teenspeak and are young people therefore pushing the future of our language? Joining Seán to discuss is Gail Flanagan, Linguistics Researcher at the University of Limerick...