Moncrieff

Agatha Christie is one of the most known and celebrated authors in modern history, being a pioneer of the crime fiction genre. Today, BBC Maestro are offering online courses delivered by an AI version of the writer. Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss this is Dr Mark Alridge, Agatha Christie Historian and speaker at Southampton Solent University. Image: Britannica

A Soviet-era spacecraft, that has been in orbit for over 50 years, is set to crash land into Earth at some stage over the next week or so. But, why is this going to happen, and what was the mysterious craft’s original mission? Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland…

This year, Guinness World Records is marking the 70th anniversary of the publication of their first book. But, did you know that the origins of this extraordinary story began in Castlebridge in Co. Wexford? Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is John Ryan from the Castlebridge Inspire Group…

Many horror buffs have puzzled for years over the mysterious photograph that appears at the end of the iconic 1980 Stanley Kubrick classic ‘The Shining’. Well recently, an academic in England has sleuthed an answer! Joining Seán to discuss is Alasdair Spark, retired American Studies Lecturer at the University of Winchester…

Trump's offer of refugee status to white South Africans has, inevitably, proven hugely controversial, in a country with a dark history of apartheid. But, are South Africans taking him up on the offer? Joining Seán to discuss is Rachel Savage, the Guardian's southern Africa correspondent… Image: Reuters

There are many important debates among historians. Where did the agricultural revolution start exactly? Would Germany have won World War 2 if they hadn’t invaded Russia? And now, how many penises are there on the Bayeux Tapestry? To answer this burning question, Seán is joined by Dr. Christopher Monk.

It's Irish National Poetry Day! Are poems for the masses, or are they just for the posh? Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie sent this in.

Most people’s closest and dearest friends are around the same age as themselves. With us usually making our friends through school or college, it is not surprising that cross- generational friendships are somewhat unusual. But, does having friends of varying ages fulfil needs your peers can't? Joining Seán for more on this is Journalist Sinead Kehoe.

As driverless taxis begin to take off in the States, what is it actually like to go for a trip in one? Ciara O’Brien, Technology Correspondent for the Irish Times, has done it, and joins Seán to discuss. Image: Waymo

The first movie from iconic British comedy group Monty Python, ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, turns 50 this year! Joining Seán to look back on the film is Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, John Fardy.

In a recent episode of Joe & Stacey on BBC 1, it emerged that Joe Swash couldn’t remember most of the family’s birthdays. But, why is that, and does it have anything to do with gender?  Ciara Greene is Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, UCD and author of ‘Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember’. She joins Seán to discuss.

With the good weather continuing, is it ever ok to wear shorts to the office, and are blazers too old fashioned nowadays? Joining Seán to discuss this is Fashion Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullett… Image: H&M

There’s a good chance that by the end of next week we will have a new Pope. There’s also a reasonable chance that the new Pope’s name will be Peter. If that happens, then there is an excellent chance that the end of days will follow shortly… That’s according to an Irish Archbishop who died almost 900 years ago… Niamh Griffin has been writing about this for the Irish Examiner, and joins Seán to dis...

A recent study, commissioned by the Policing Authority entitled Still Not Heard, Still Not Safe, reveals that people of African descent, and Brazilians, in Ireland continue to experience racial profiling and discriminatory policing and have a deep lack of trust in An Garda Siochana. The findings are of no surprise to Dr. Ebun Joseph, Special Rapporteur on Racism and Racial Equality. She joins Seán...

Do you have a nickname? And is it one that you were given, or something you embraced over the years? Nicknames can be weird, wonderful and often completely unrelated to the name you were given at birth. Ceire Sadlier has been writing about nicknames and the pet names we have for each other in the Irish Times. She joins Seán to discuss.

A new theory on the meaning of the spiral symbols at Newgrange might mean that the site is more of a “cosmic calendar” than we may have thought before. Joe Fenwick, Archeological Field Officer at the University of Galway, joins Seán to discuss.

How handy are you with power tools? Whether you’re fed up waiting to get a tradesperson out, or are trying to save money, it seems there’s a big change to people getting back into DIY – especially young women. So, what do you really need to be able to change a lightbulb, put up a curtain rail or lay new kitchen floors? Suzanne Armstrong is a DIY Educator, and she’s been sharing her advice online,...

There is something of a social stigma that we have about attending certain events or doing certain activities on our own. In particular, a gig or a concert is something that we tend to view as a communal experience. But, should we go to more gigs on our own? Emma Kehoe is an Empowerment Coach, Mindfulness Mentor and Radio Presenter and she recently went to see English musician Vraell alone. She jo...

It’s over a week since many of us would have first heard that Pope Francis had “sadly died”. And this particular phrasing may have reminded those of you who are more grammatically minded of the much slower demise of something else; the adverb. So, why have they gone out of fashion? Stephen Lucek is Assistant Professor in Linguistics at UCD. He joins Seán to discuss.

Who do you go to for advice? And what do you do when your friends are fed up with listening to you? Well, could ChatGPT prove to be a listening ear? Edeain O’Connell decided to share her dating dilemmas and use ChatGPT for relationship advice. She joins Seán to discuss.

What happened in the Great Liberties Whiskey Fire of 1875 and what mysteries surround it one hundred and fifty years later? Historian Donal Fallon joins Seán to discuss.

Russia’s secretive Cosmos 2553 satellite, which has seemingly been spinning out of control lately, has raised alarming questions about the potential use of weapons in space. Joining Seán to discuss is Leo Enright, Space Commentator and former Chairman of the Irish Government's Science Awareness programme…

Randal Plunkett took on an ambitious project of rewilding his family estate, Dunsany, embarking on a large-scale rewilding project aiming to improve biodiversity on the grounds. With hundreds and hundreds of acres of land to manage, in the last decade the family have made major strides to bring back native wildlife and animals in Co Meath... Randal joins Seán to discuss.

Can you really use digestive biscuits to make a portrait? Mosaic Artist Ed Chapman has successfully created biscuit versions of Judi Dench and David Bowie as part of his new work... He joins Seán to discuss. Image: @edchapmanmosaic on Instagram

Are you a ‘JOMO’ or ‘FOMO’ person? According to the experts, the Joy of missing out can protect your mental health in a fear-of-missing-out world. It can help reclaim peace in a hyperconnected and never ending 24/7 cycle. Henry McKean joins Seán to discuss, and share what he’s heard from the public.