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. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Many parents around the country are in a nightmare situation as they look ahead to what happens to their children when they pass away. For the 2,000 older parents who have adult children with intellectual disabilities and are caring for them daily, they are left with little to no resources... Tony Murray doesn’t know what will happen to his daughter Aoife. The Founder of the Before We Die Campaign...

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit can be a scary place for parents to find themselves in, but what actually happens in there? Dr Lisa McCarthy – Consultant Neonatologist joined Andrea to discuss.

Cancer patients in Donegal are at risk of losing the same day Dublin flight service, as the Donegal-Dublin PSO contract is due for renewal at the end of February.   A campaign has been launched to preserve the service, as any proposed changes could make same-day return travel impossible.   The service has been described as a lifeline, not a luxury, and it’s removal would leave cancer pat...

For many years, parents have been asked to pay voluntary contributions to their children’s schools. Although described as “voluntary”, many parents feel under pressure to pay these contributions each year. In many cases, parents have made these payments without being fully aware of how the money is used. Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton is now set to bring forward plans for a new statuto...

Nothing puts the fear of God in me quite like a light coming on on my dashboard when I’m driving. Followed by absolute confusion and probably a hefty bill from my mechanic. So, what can we be doing to keep our cars in good nick? Or what can we even fix ourselves? To answer your questions, Andrea was joined by Joey Donnelly, Crofton Motors

We all have one, a messy drawer where we shove things in to get them out of the way... So what is the psychology behind a messy drawer? Does everyone have one? And should we be taking time to clear ours out and feel lighter as a result? Andrea was joined by Professional Organiser, Vera Keohane and Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin Brendan Kelly...

The Deposit Return Scheme has encouraged many people to recycle plastic bottles in order to reclaim their deposit. With return machines now available in grocery stores across the country, the initiative has made it easier for people to return bottles and receive their money back. However, the scheme has also caused disruption across Dublin City, as some individuals have begun overturning public bi...

It's How I live well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life... Professor Mary Ryan, Endocrinologist joined Andrea this week for For our How I Live Well, to talk about the thyroid- what does it do? And when can it go wrong?

How much do you pay to get your haircut? A salon in Dublin has said that they have 1,000 people on the waiting list and their prices start at €96! Andrea was joined by Katie Gallagher – Spin  Barry Whyte – Newstalk’s Chief Reporter, Aido from Neighbourhood Threat Barber Salon in Dublin, Angie Dromgoole, Director of Zeba Hairdressing and Cathal O’Sullivan to discuss whether getting a haircut h...

Block Rockin' Beats DJ and  Today FM presenter Dec Pierce joined Andrea to discuss being recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Breast Cancer among men is quite rare, and many men aren't even aware that they can get it. Dec joined Andrea to share his story of diagnosis and treatment and to raise awareness among men to be aware of diseases and to seek medical help if they have concerns.

The Rewind 1986 with Henry McKean 12pm Bank Holiday Monday the 2nd of February on Newstalk. It was the year of Top Gun. Crocodile Dundee and The Mission. Maradona and the Hand of God. The Challenger Space Shuttle disaster. Chernobyl. And the biggest hit of the year, Chris De Burgh’s Lady in Red. Chris De Burgh talks about his friend Diana loving the song, how Pat Kenny influenced him to write it....

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Andrea was joined in the studio by her new colleague here at Newstalk, Claire Byrne.

Move over Matt Damon, there’s a new Hollywood mega star in town.... It’s been reported that 62-year-old Brad Pitt is in Dalkey in South County Dublin for the next two weeks to film scenes for his upcoming A24 production, The Riders.   We all remember the famous picture of Matt Damon there in 2020 with the Supervalu bag, will Brad be more of a Dunne's Store man? Joining Andrea to fill us all i...

Children’s book author, Julia Donaldson, is under fire for the language used in her book, The Highway Rat.   In it she writes ‘The highway rat grew horribly fat from eating up everyone’s dinner.’ This has been highlighted online by body image speaker Alex Light who says she won’t be reading that line to her son, even though she loves the author.   I want to know what you think. Should ch...

Blurb Many people plan their year around the number of weddings they have to go to. Whether your flying abroad to celebrate someone’s special day or you are going somewhere local, weddings can often come with lot of expenses. The likes of hotels, hair and makeup and an outfit for the big day can all add up.   With all of these costs, broadcaster, Roz Purcell has expressed that she is not a fa...

Roisin Tansey was just three years old when she fell from the back of an armchair and injured her neck, an injury which has left her paralysed from the neck down. Last week, Roisin settled a High Court action against Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street for €4million over her care after the accident.  Roisin and her Solicitor David O’Connor from Callan Tansey solicitors  joined And...

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Margaret Murphy from Tallaght lost her son Seán in the summer of 2023 when he collided with a pillar on a driveway. Following the loss of another young person on our roads last week. Margaret spoke to Andrea of the pain of losing her son, his legacy and called for stricter legislation regarding the use of scramblers on public roads.

Claire Byrne explores the big stories through the lens of real life. This podcast brings context, consequences and clarity to the issues shaping Ireland today. Covering politics and current affairs alongside the human stories behind them, Claire asks the questions people are thinking, but don’t always hear answered. From housing and health to work, family life, well-being and culture, you’ll hear...

You spend a lot of your life on one, so how do you know if you’re sleeping on the right mattress for you? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all things painting Joining Andrea to discuss is  Jenny Sheahan -Home Squad Regular and ‘workers cottage’ on instagram  and Painter Oisin Butler from oisinbutler.ie

Oh what a beautiful morning! One of the most beloved musical songs from Oklahoma! Stephen Faloon -  The general Manager Of the Bord Gais Energy Theatre and Producer of the show joined andrea to talk about the musical coming to Dublin and as they are in the middle of auditions who they are looking for as part of the show.

The World Health Organisation has warned that Ireland is on track to become Europe’s most obese nation, yet this warning may impact some more than others.   Research has shown that body weight and health behaviors follow a pattern – one with a clear social gradient.   As Danielle Barron, Health and Medical Journalist, writes: “when worrying about bills or rent, you’re not in salad mode.”...

The BBC has received complaints after it started airing the Irish version of The Traitors, with viewers appalled by the language used by competitors! With swearing being commonplace among the contestants in the Irish version of the show last year. So do we have a tendency to curse a bit to much, and is it a problem ? To discuss, Andrea was joined by Eamon O Keeffe – Irish Traitor, Esther McCarthy...

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through The making of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born to Run’