Lunchtime Live

At least 95 people have died, with dozens still missing, in southern and eastern Spain following its deadliest flash flooding in three decades. Torrential rain, amounting to a year’s worth in just eight hours in some areas, hit cities such as Valencia and Malaga - with many finding themselves trapped in their homes and cars. Andrea is joined by Irish listeners living in the area to hear their expe...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Pet Behaviourist and Trainer, Suzi Walsh to learn more about the world of pet behaviour and answer your questions!

Are you good for taking supplements? Maybe so, but are you taking them correctly? Possibly not. Andrea is joined by Kathy Maher, Community Pharmacist in Duleek to discuss the common mistakes.

Parents in the UK can be fined £80 per day per child for school absences. Despite this, many parents are still choosing to take their children out of school to save on exorbitant travel prices during school holidays. There have been calls to review marketing and pricing of ‘rip-off’ family holidays from companies which charge thousands more for holidays taken during school breaks. What do you thin...

Andrea is joined by Eoghan Tomas McDermott, Managing Director of The Communications Clinic and Mark Kelly, Founder of AI Ireland to discuss.

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. Newstalk News Anchor Eamonn Torsney joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

A new study has found that almost half of parents in Ireland give their children pocket money. And, digital currency, such as Revolut, is by far the most popular way to pay out pocket money – with almost 60% of parents saying they use it. The survey, by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland Credit Union, also discovered that almost nine in ten say that children should earn the money by carrying out some...

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to. 98fm Producer Russell Alford and Laura Donnelly from Newstalk’s Newsroom join Andrea to review something she’s been very excited to hear: NIcky Byrne HQ! Image: Acast

Saoirse Ronan was on the Graham Norton show on Friday with Paul Mescal and Eddie Redmayne. She has been praised online for highlighting what women have to deal with, that men aren’t even aware of, when discussing learning self defence for film roles. Is there a lot of this kind of thing that women have to absorb, that men aren’t even aware of? And has daylight savings impacted it? Have the darker...

Remember the Halloween’s of your childhood, where you'd drape a black bin bag over yourself and be a witch, or decorate the house with homemade things? Nowadays, shops are full of decorations aimed not just to scare, but terrify you! So, has Halloween become too gory? Andrea is joined by Horror Consultant Dr Sarah Cleary and listeners to discuss. Richard Quinlan also joins to share an upsetting ex...

How do you talk to your children about racism? Bethan O'Riordan and Stef McSherry, hosts of The Mum Mind Podcast, were discussing this important subject recently, and it can be difficult for parents to sometimes navigate. They, alongside Conor Buckley from the Human Collective, join Andrea to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier. This week, Andrea is joined by World Axe Throwing Champion, Ceola McGowan, to learn all about axe throwing!

Mayo TD Michael Ring says that the Government is taking the wrong approach when it comes to addressing the issue of road fatalities. His solution? He would like to see all cars being brought into Ireland fitted with technology to prevent them from reaching speeds above 100 km per hour. What do you think about the idea? Andrea is joined by Road Safety Advocate, Leo Lieghio, as well as listeners to...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. This week, Andrea was joined by Ray Cooke from Ray Cookes Auctioneers to find out what it’s like to be an estate agent and property auctioneer.

The Dublin Marathon is taking place this Sunday, October 27th for its 43rd year. All the planning and preparation has been done, with over 20,000 people now waiting to take part this weekend. To chat about preparing for marathons, Andrea is joined by Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, John Fardy and Newstalk’s own Aaron Jordan. John has run multiple marathons, and this will be Aaron’s first!

Should there be signs in men's bathrooms asking: 'Are you a sexual predator?' Sarah Harte in the Irish Examiner recently wrote “...we are always telling women to mind their drink and change their behaviour, why aren’t we doing it with men instead?” What do you think? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Sean Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of the Men’s Development Network, Dr Michelle Walsh, CEO of MOVE...

Today is World Opera Day! Seán Boylan, who will be appearing as Marullo in RIGOLETTO at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from December 1 - 7, joins Andrea in the studio to give us the history of Opera, and attempt to coach her on how to sing like an opera singer!

From a brand new social media influencer degree to a spook-tacular house transformation, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with his stories from across the country!

Stephen Mooney, owner of The Ginger Man on Dublin’s Fenian Street has said that the airport passenger cap is going to negatively affect tourism, and therefore hurt his business. He, alongside Eugene Garrihy from Dublin Bay Cruises and Michael Coyne, from Coyne's GastroPub in Connemara join Andrea to discuss.

From the bathtub to open fires, there are many things in your home that you may be considering removing, but should they stay or should they go? Well, the Home Squad are here to give their thoughts! Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty to discuss.

Is staying in the new going out? Well, according to a new study, it is when you reach the age of 29. This change in social habits aligns with advice from specialists who suggest that endorphins, or 'indoorphins' as they're being called, are boosted by simply enjoying time at home. A significant 93 percent of people polled hold the view that home life is essential for their wellbeing. What do you t...

Bad news for drivers, as tolls are set to rise on some roads once again next year. The fee for the Dublin Port Tunnel heading southbound at peak morning times is increasing from €12 to €13. On the M50, cars, buses and lighter goods vehicles that do not have a tag or video account will be paying an extra 10c. Heavy Goods Vehicles with tag and video accounts are facing a 10c increase on the M50, whi...

UK Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has said that she believes “prison isn’t working” for women. She points out how, after serving a short custodial sentence, a woman is “significantly more likely” to reoffend than one given a non-custodial sentence. So, if that is the case in the UK, is prison working for women in Ireland? Andrea is joined by Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of the Irish Penal...

From ‘1,000 songs in your pocket’ to “I’ll be back” – 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor has plenty to chat about on this week’s throwback Thursday. Image: Apple

The Dáil has voted in favour of a report into assisted dying.  The report, which called for assisted dying be made legal in limited circumstances, does not progress the issue in law. It is, however, an indication that a majority within the current Dáil favour introducing ‘dying with dignity’ laws in Ireland. Where do you stand? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Ian O’Doherty, Opinion Columnist...