Lunchtime Live

‘Dumbphones’ are making a comeback, but would you swap your iPhone for a Nokia 3210? Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent joins Andrea to explain why people are going old-school with this new trend.

New research from the ESRI reveals that many people are unaware of the environmental impact their diet can have on climate change. While most are concerned about packaging and imports, emissions from red meat are often overlooked. Andrea chats with listeners and asks the question, could you give up meat to help the environment?

May is melanoma awareness month. Paul Darby joins Andrea to share his experience of finding a small mark on his skin.

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live…

Real-life Martha from Baby Reindeer has been interviewed by Piers Morgan to share her side of the story. The woman who has come forward as the inspiration behind the character, and sits down in a tell-all with Piers Morgan. Andrea is asking people whether it’s a good idea to air it or not. She is joined by Sinead Ryan -Presenter of the Home Show, Dr Caroline West - Sexual Violence &, Harassmen...

From missing luggage to parking, for this week’s Ask the Expert, we’re putting your Dublin airport questions to Graeme McQueen, Media Relations with the DAA. 

Sea swimming spots around Dublin Bay are being lost due to poor water conditions. But what can be done to save our seas and swimming spots?  Andrea is joined Green Party Councillor & Member of the Dollymount Dames Donna Cooney to ask are we neglecting our seas?  Image credit: rollingnews.ie  

Welcome to The Pod Squad!  We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.   Andrea was joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill  and Broadcaster Ciara King to review Ed Gamble and James Acaster's podcast. Image credit: Spotify

Over 80 tents are pitched along the inner-city canal in Dublin as asylum seekers having been moved from outside of the International Protection Office to Crooksling in southwest Dublin where capacity is limited.   Andrea went to speak to the people currently living in the tents along the canal and learn more about the situation.   Photo credit: rollingnews.ie  

Take outs over dine ins, watching Netflix rather than going to the cinema and even working from home – have we withdrawn ourselves from society?  Journalist Suzanne Kane and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly joined Andrea to discuss whether people have lost key social skills or if being home makes us happier. 

Politicians risked a €150 fine to secure optimal lamppost positions for their posters in the lead up to the European and Local Elections.  Posters are only permitted in public places 30 days before polling and must be removed by June 14th.  But do we still need election posters?  Andrea was joined by Author and Journalist with the Wexford People, Simon Bourke, and Labour Councillor...

Ballroom and Latin dancing schools in Ireland are seeing class numbers soar with more people eager to learn a step or two.  Andrea is joined by the President of DanceSport Federation of Ireland, Tommy Shaughnessy and professional dancer Karen Byrne to ask why is there a sudden interest to break out the dancing shoes. 

Asylum seekers living in tents outside of the International Protection Office were moved to Crooksling in southwest Dublin however over 80 tents are now pitched along the capitals canal. To discuss what should be done about the tents in Dublin, Andrea is joined by Labour Party Councillor Dermot Lacey, Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu, local businesspeople and residents.

Ahead of the opening night of Eurovision 2024, excitement is high for the fans eager to see the production of this year's song contest in Malmö. Andrea is joined by Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean live from Malmo in Sweden and superfans of the competition to discuss what’s in store. Image credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. Andrea was joined by Beekeeper Aoife Mac Giolla Coda, from Galtee Honey Farm to learn what the buzz is about.

Former Ireland and Ulster rugby player Paddy Jackson has expressed concern over the planned television dramatisation of the controversial ­Belfast rape trial. Jackson was found not guilty of rape in 2018 by a Belfast Court which was intensely covered by the media. But should television entertainment inspired by serious cases be made? Andrea is joined by Barrister and Journalist Aileen Hickie.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.     Andrea Gilligan was joined by Charles Coyle, Managing Director of Emerald Park, to answer all of your questions.

We previously spoke to Trinity college students who were protesting at the Book of Kells over a proposal to increase some programme costs.  In an update, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union have been issued a €214k fine by the College for financial losses incurred by disruptive protests by the union throughout the year.  Andrea is joined by Ellen Kenny, Deputy Editor with Trinity News...

Funeral notice website RIP.ie has been acquired by the Irish Times Group.  RIP.ie generates 60 million page views a month as people visit the site for information on funeral arrangements, or just to keep up with who has died.       That makes it, pretty consistently, one of the most popular websites in the country.  Are Irish people obsessed with death? Why is the sit...

With, hopefully, good weather on the way it might finally be the time to crack out the BBQ! Andrea is joined by John Relihan, Head Pitmaster at PittBros BBQ with tips and tricks to get the best out of your barbeque.

From a Buddhist centre in Tipperary, to a no fly zone over Laois: Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney has the stories from around the country that you might have missed this week.

Secondary schools are apparently completely reliant on parental contributions to stop going into deficit. The average cost of the ‘voluntary’ contributions are around €101 per year at primary level, and €140 at secondary level.  Nationally, the Department of Education estimates that these contributions are worth about €30 million a year.  So, should they be needed at all?  Andrea is...

How should you get your patio area ready for the summer? Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Róisín Lafferty, founder and creative director of Kingston Lafferty Design join Andrea with their tips and tricks.

If you’re currently planning your summer holidays – how long are you thinking of going away for? Is it a long weekend? Or maybe a really rare full two week break?  Well, both could be a waste of time!  Apparently, the ideal holiday length is 8 days… To discuss, Andrea is joined by Sinéad Brady, Career Psychologist and author of ‘Total Reset’.

How often do you sit down as a family to eat a meal?  This May, Childline by ISPCC is calling on families, schools, clubs and workplaces throughout the country to take time for breakfast – to sit, listen and enjoy each other’s company.  But, has life become too busy to sit down as a family and have meal times together? What’s your experience? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.