Lunchtime Live

This year, Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!  Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. This week she was joined by Mike Kemp, founding member and Deputy President of the Irish Padel Association to learn all about the sport of padel, and why it’s taking over Ireland.

It’s that time of the year - back to school week is here, and it can be a mixed bag of emotions for the whole household.  Kirsty Blake Knox from the Irish Independent has been writing about the idea of ‘back to school guilt’. She joins Andrea, along with TV Presenter Karen Koster, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

In the last month, Andrea Gilligan took on a vegan challenge, where she went vegan for two weeks. At the start of the challenge, she spoke with Heather Leeson, Registered Nutritional Therapist with Glenville Nutrition. Heather joins Andrea again to discuss how she got on.

You have probably heard before about how issues around the new runway in Dublin Airport are impacting people’s lives. Well, those issues have not gone away, and for some, it’s getting worse. To discuss, Andrea is joined by Private Pilot and Civil Engineer Gareth O'Brien, Fingal Independent Councillor Cathal Boland and local residents.

Ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the Irish Cancer Society are looking for people to sign up to host a Big Pink Breakfast to raise much needed funds.  Patrice Morrissey, a lone parent of three boys, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, and joins Andrea to share her story. Image: Irish Cancer Society

This is Lunchtime Live’s newest segment, Gilligan’s Island! Every Monday, we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer. This week, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Freelance Journalist Yvonne Reddin to discuss the benefits of a phone detox holiday at home!

Christmas has come early for Oasis fans as the band have teased on X (Twitter) the possibility of a reunion, something that has been clouded by doubt for such a long time. It seems the sibling rivalry between the Gallagher brothers may have taken the back seat, and a much-anticipated reunion is on the cards! To discuss, Andrea is joined by Oasis superfans Gareth Dunleavy, Curator of the ‘Oasis WTS...

For this week’s Summer Memories, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Actor and Comedian Pat Shortt to share some of his favourite summer memories!

Aer Lingus’ College Football Classic has returned, sure to attract many American tourists into Dublin for the match between Georgia Tech and Florida State. Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been speaking with plenty of tourists here for the game and more, and joins Andrea to share what he’s heard.

More than half of people say they want to meet new people, but a third say they have no idea how to strike up a conversation. A new survey in the UK found that 45% of people wouldn’t know what to say to someone they didn't know. Many feared they would come across as intrusive with 56% saying there is a cultural stigma around talking to people you don’t know. Are we missing out by not talking to st...

Now this is one for those of us over 35. Are there too many 20 year olds in all the bars you go to? Would you go to an over 35's nightclub? Because one is opening in Dublin, and its co-owner, Jerry Harrington, joins Andrea to discuss. Also joining is DJ Mark McCabe and Jane Cowen, Lifestyle Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

From Sheep dogs to Sporty Spice – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan to look over some of the stories from around the country this week.

Today is Leaving Cert results day - a day full of nerves and excitement that you’ve all experienced at some stage. While many students work out their points and the career path they’re about to embark on, how many will be heading for apprenticeships? Is there still a stigma around apprenticeships? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Back to school is looming, so the Home Squad are here to help you create a study space to make that dreaded homework a little less miserable! Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY join Andrea to discuss.

C.J. McCann was just 21 months old when he lost his battle with a rare and aggressive brain cancer in October last year. He had ATRT (Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumour). Now, his father, Joe, and 20 other enthusiastic volunteers are taking on a gruelling Malin Head to Mizen Head cycle to raise money for two of the charities who supported the McCann family during their childhood cancer journey. CJ’...

Do TVs make the experience of the pub worse? Newstalk’s The Home Show Presenter, Sinead Ryan, seems to think so! She joins Andrea Gilligan, along with listeners, to discuss.

TV Presenter Kirstie Allsopp has defended letting her son go travelling around Europe with a teenage friend when he is only 15. Do you think she’s right? Do we let young people have enough independence? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw (@modernirishmom), Steve Cummins, Comedian and Co-Founder of Zoomparty.ie and Keith Walsh, Writer and Broadcaster.

From Bambi to the world wide web – Ciaran O’Connor from 98FM joins Andrea Gilligan to look back on some big pop culture moments from this week in history. Image: Sony Music

Animal activists have demanded that Farrow & Ball should change its paint colour names to make them “vegan-friendly”. Peta asked the high-end decorating brand to “update” the names of colours that it said “normalise exploiting animals”.  The paint maker is well known for its original and eccentric names, such as Dead Salmon and Smoked Trout. What do you think? Andrea is joined by Margarit...

Laya Healthcare announced this week that they’re set to hike their premiums by an average of 6.5% from the start of October, and it’s expected other insurers might follow suit. In light of this, Andrea is joined by Dermot Goode from TotalHealthCover.ie to answer all of your health insurance questions.

This weekend, over 600 girls will descend on Enniskerry village in County Wicklow for their annual Belles in The Meadow football tournament.  To discuss, Andrea is joined by Mags O’Grady from Enniskerry FC and Shamrock Rovers Captain and former Ireland player Aine O’Gorman. (Part 3 of our Cadbury/FAI series, with thanks to Cadbury) Image: Enniskerry FC

Parents all over the country are struggling to get creche places for their kids. The stress and financial toll this can take is huge. There’s a story out saying there are 900 Wicklow children waiting for just 109 local creche places. How are parents supposed to cope? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Our friendships get us through the toughest of times – through every bump in the road. And are often at their strongest in the best of times, to share the great moments. But, there is something extra special about female friendships – they know and outlast everything. But, what is it about them that makes them so great? Andrea is joined by journalist Jenny McEntegart to discuss.

Another successful Electric Picnic festival has come and gone, but there were unfortunately some unsavoury events that occurred.  Andrea is joined by listener Cian, who details how he had to deal with homophobia over the weekend.