Lunchtime Live

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces… Image: Dreamworks

You may have heard the sad news from Dublin Zoo recently after two Asian elephants died from the same disease within a week. There is an update to this story, Newstalk reporter Stephanie Rohan joins Andrea to tell what she has learned. Also, Gerry Boland from Animals Behind Closed Doors, James who runs the National Reptile Zoo and more join to discuss if we should have zoos at all.

It’s the Pod Squad – where we troll through the podcast offers to see what we can recommend! This week, we’re talking about British Scandal – a podcast that explores famous scandals, in a country that loves scandal. The series we’ve listened to is The Canoe Con. Andrea Gilligan is joined by Laura Donnelly and Elaine Burke to discuss.  Image: Wondery

Are we on the cusp of a conversational crisis? Have phones affected how kids learn to talk?  The UK Labour party wants all state-school children to be taught speaking skills as part of the curriculum.   What do you think? Have you noticed a fall in conversational skills?  Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids joins Andrea to discuss.

On the 14th October 2022, Tony Browne was stabbed in the neck by his partner while he slept in his home in Belfast. This week, the killer has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. His twin daughters, Shannon and Bobbi-Leigh McIllwaine join Andrea Gilligan to discuss the tragedy and life since. If you think you are a victim of domestic abuse, you are not alone. Below are resources that can help: me...

U2 are the highest-earning band from Ireland or the UK so far this year. Bono and crew have banked more than €118 million from 23 shows in Las Vegas and playing to 382,000 fans. U2 have been on the go since 1976 and it is clear that almost 50 years later they are still one of the biggest bands in the world. So why aren’t they more celebrated here? Andrea is joined by Jackie Conboy from the Music &...

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, Andrea is joined by Darren Scanlon to talk about Celbridge Boys Club. Image: @celbridge_boys_club

A tweet from Psychologist and Author Katriona O’Sullivan shocked many today. Her son told her that 'The poor kids are often the rule breakers & don't get accepted into TY!'. This was after a conversation on the cost of school trips. Is this a common thing? Andrea is joined by Katriona as well as listeners to discuss.

There have been calls to ban energy drinks in Ireland after two men suffered cardiac arrest due to excessive consumption.  What do you think? Should there be restrictions on energy drinks? Photo by cottonbro studio

Every Monday we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer.  Today, Andrea chats to Yvonne Reddin about holidaying as a single parent

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer listeners' health queries and questions…

Should there be more public toilets provided when there are large public events? Listener Eimear wonders why Croke Park can't put portaloos around the stadium so stop people urinating in the streets and in her own garden.

A listener got in touch with the show 'My wife and I have both pay our salaries into a joint account and have been doing so since we bought our first home. We don’t maintain any bank accounts in our own names. All joint accounts. I mentioned this at work the other day and everyone around me said this was weird...' Should you avoid joint bank accounts? Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show explai...

Glenda Gilson, Model & TV Presenter joined Andrea Gilligan to share some of her favourite summer memories!

Do we risk our politicians being too afraid to speak out about issues because of the backlash they receive?   Apparently, public figures are increasingly afraid to talk about certain issues in the face of online harassment.  Fine Gael Cllr Eileen Lynch has been at the receiving end of online abuse and joins Andrea as well as SocDem Cllr Elisa O’Donovan to discuss.

Have kids birthday parties lost their way? Costing way too much to run? It seems like there is an issue where pressure is put on parents to run the best party possible; what happened to just bringing them over to the house? Andrea is joined by Niamh Hennessy from the Irish Examiner, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast, Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Niamh Dunlea, Owne...

Ethan Boyle, Wexford FC Captain was recently in the local playground with his 18 month-old son when he experienced a racist encounter.  He joins Andrea to discuss what exactly happened.

From pitch invaders to bee invasions – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories you might have missed this week.

Dublin Airport is warning people not to drive to Dublin airport unless they have parking pre-booked. All the car parks are currently sold out over the next several days. They’ve told anyone without a booking to use public transport or to get a taxi or a lift. So how bad are things now, and what should we expect over the rest of the summer? Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to discuss.

Built-in versus freestanding furniture – what should you go for? Joining Andrea Gilligan to give their recommendations are Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Colin Baker from DecWells Expert Hardware. Image: MyLife Bathrooms

Here’s a really good news story – a reunion 17 years in the making. Victoria O’Leary’s daughter Fatima was taken to Saudi Arabia by her husband 17 years ago. Ever since she’s been fighting to get her back. Last week, they finally reunited. Victoria joins Andrea to discuss.

Almost a third of childcare and early years facilities are now at risk of closing. With also 95% of workers in the industry apparently struggling to make ends meet. Finding childcare places is already an enormous stress for parents, so what does the future look like? And what needs to change? Andrea is joined by Elaine Dunne, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood, Averil Sheenan from Ca...

The Daily Express says you should ‘Vote Tory’, The Daily Mirror says ‘Vote for Labour’ and The Daily Mail says ‘Vote Farage’. You may notice that there is a distinct difference in how elections are covered in the UK versus in Ireland. Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners across the UK and Ireland. Image: The Daily Express

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Rebecca Shekleton, Co-Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock. Image: Paramount Pictures

Taoiseach Simon Harris has re-opened the debate around GAAGO by reiterating his stance that Gaelic games should not be behind a paywall.  Has GAAGO affected your GAA watching experience this year? Or do we need to just get over it and pay to watch the games? Andrea is joined by Conor Grimes, sports journalist Mortimer Murphy, Liam Brassil from Kilrossanty GAA and more to discuss.