Lunchtime Live

Keele University researchers have found that swearing can increase a person’s pain tolerance by up to 33%. The research found that swearing can help one withstand pain and even create intimacy with others. Mairead was joined by  physicist, engineer and science communicator, Phil Smith and comedian, Steve Cummins to discuss the benefits of swearing.

The latest annual report from Bodywhys, The Eating Disorder Assocation of Ireland, found that calls to their helpline have jumped by almost 10% compared to 2022. Mairead spoke to callers Jess, Lisa, Micheál and Eoin on their experience living with an eating disorder  For more information on Bodywhys  visit www.bodywhys.ie     The Bodywhys helpline: 01 2107906 - The helplin...

Spotify is planning to only start paying artists for streams after a track has reached 1,000 streams.   The company is set to adjust its royalty model in 2024. A new minimum annual threshold for streams will apply for a song to become eligible for royalties. Mairead spoke to Claire Beck, DJ and Broadcaster with Today FM, singer and songwriter, Mary Coughlan and Andrew Hendy from the...

Journalist John Gibbons posted an image of an SUV taking up half a footpath in Dun Laoighaire which sparked outrage online. Mairead Ronan asked John Gibbons and callers if it is time we ban SUVs from built up areas.

A Lily O'Brien's survey has revealed the most popular nicknames, which include 'Big Man', 'Ginge' and 'Spud'. Food-based nicknames such as 'Nugget' and 'Guinness ' rank highly too. Former rugby player Shane Byrne and Author and Agony Aunt Tina Koumarianos joined Andrea to chat about pet names and what they say about a person.

Abuse towards referees is certainly not a new story, but is it getting worse? And what needs to be done to deal with the problem?  A Tullamore GAA player has been handed a proposed 96-week suspension for an incident which saw the referee being pushed to the ground. Mairead was joined by referees Pat, Sean, and Paul to get their take on abuse on the pitch.

Ireland’s first ever satellite is getting ready to be launched into space.  EIRSAT-1, which has been developed by a team at UCD, has left Irish shores and is headed to California. It will be launched into space at the end of this month.  Ireland is currently the only full member of the European Space Agency that does not have its own satellite..  Niamh Shaw, Science Communicator, Sp...

When Coleen Rooney spoke about having a miscarriage in 2008, she said the grief knocked her husband Wayne "for six". Do we talk about the impact of miscarriage on male partners enough? Andrea was joined by Tony Owens of the baby loss support charity Féileacáin as well as listeners with personal experience of grief after miscarriage. If you are grieving after miscarriage, go to feileacain.ie for su...

For this week's Ask Me Anything, Andrea spoke to Soap Director Jason Brannigan, whose repertoire includes Fair City and EastEnders.

Cabinet ministers are expected to overwhelmingly approve new guidelines on the banning of smartphones in schools.  Under the changes, Education Minister Norma Foley will ask parents to take a “collective decision” not to buy smartphones for children.   It follows on from the successful example of eight schools in Greystones, Co. Wicklow, where parents of primary school children agre...

On this week's Ask the GP, Mairead spoke to Dr Sumi Dunne who answered your medical queries.

If you spend your free time consuming celebrity news and gossip then you might be in for some bad news....  A study has found that those obsessed with celebrities are less intelligent.  Entertainment journalist Sarina Bellisimo and Presenter Conor Behan joined Mairead to discuss.

Have you heard of the Pink Tax? This week's Cut-the-Cost explains the price differences in products marketed towards women. Companies charge more for everything from razors to kid's toys when the target audience is female, and this adds up. Newstalk Reporter Aoife Kearns joined Mairead to share her top tips on how to get around the Pink Tax.

Mairead asks: has all the fun gone out of after-school activities for kids? Parents are sometimes guilty of getting involved in football teams or drama clubs and putting too much pressure on kids to excel outside of the classroom - but does this behaviour push people to do well from a young age? Listeners joined Mairead to discuss the pros and cons of encouraging competition and camaraderie among...

E-Scooters will be banned for under 16-year-olds, the government has announced. The ban is welcomed by many, but questions have arisen regarding how the Gardaí will enforce it. While listeners joining Mairead mainly agreed that some sort of regulation was necessary, some expressed concern about the age ban and its shortcomings.

Every year, the Dublin City Marathon transforms the capital. Some say we should embrace the event more than we currently do, while others complain that the Marathon is nothing more than an inconvenience that disrupts traffic. Mairead was joined by Councillor Mannix Flynn, Senator Marie Sherlock and other listeners to discuss the highs and lows of the annual event.

Listener to the show Fiona got in touch, after her brother Jamie tragically died last August by suicide. Jamie following his passing was brought to a Dublin City morgue where it took 6 days before the family were informed of his death Fiona, joined Andrea to reflect on Jamie's warm character and highlight the pain her family had to endure during the delay. She also expressed hope that priests can...

 Kim Kardashian recently said she had hired a male nanny so her sons could have a male presence in their lives following her divorce from Kanye West.  While uncommon just a few years ago, male nannies are springing up, especially in London Andrea was joined on the show by Sam McArdle who spent three years looking after children and wrote a play about his experience "The Manny".  And...

Plans to hike Dublin city centre on-street parking charges to €4 an hour have drawn criticism.  The council reportedly plans to hike charges across all zones in Dublin from next year - with the most expensive 'yellow zone' increasing from €3.50 to €4 an hour.   Andrea was joined by listeners of the show to hear their opinions on the proposed changes and how it will affect residents...

Hair loss is an issue that affects a lot of men and it seems that more and more Irish men are seeking out a solution for it. Daithi O'Shea joins Andrea to tell her about his decision to get a hair transplant.

Today ‘End of Life Ireland’ will gather at the Dail in hopes of bringing their message to politicians about legislation for Voluntary Assisted Dying. Andrea chats to caller David whose mother recently passed away: 'We had to endure ten days after a major stroke watching her deteriorate and it was difficult when there was no comeback.'

Author Sheila O'Flanagan talks to Andrea about the unusual attitudes she has encountered after deciding not to have children. 'If you are making that decision not to have children it's because you are living a life that is already full of joy and meaning'

Thousands of homeowners could have to abandon their houses in coming decades because of rising sea levels.  The Government are now saying we need a ‘managed retreat’ – a move away from the coast.  Andrea was joined by Councillor Martin McDermott from Donegal County Council and other listeners to discuss...

Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on TV show Friends passed away over the weekend at the age of 54.  People were quick to share their disbelief and sadness online – and there was a real feeling of mourning among some people online.  Iseult White, Psychotherapist and Author and Siobhán, a Friends fan joined Andfrea on Lunchtime Live...

A new study has found that 45 percent of Irish people believe in ghosts with 48 percent of females believing in them compared to 43 percent of males.  Do you believe in ghosts? Andrea was joined by Richard Morrison, co-founder of Paranormal Supernatural Investigations Ireland PJ from Púca Vogue, Paranormal investigator,