Lunchtime Live

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.   Today, Andrea was joined by Clarity Mills, a Professional Dominatrix and sex educator...

A London museum is hoping to recruit a Taylor Swift superfan to join their staff and advise them on all things Taylor.  The Victoria and Albert museum is looking for insights into the culture and craftsmanship behind Taylor fandom. Things like handmade signs, friendship bracelets and other memorabilia associated with her ahead of the European leg of her Eras tour. 

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines. Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed... 

This Saturday marks the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.  When the invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, some predicted it could take as little as three days for Russian forces to capture the capital, Kyiv.  Andrea was joined by some Ukrainian's who have been living in Ireland since the invasion...

Would you like to see gaelic football, hurling and camogie at the Olympic Games?   The GAA revealed in their World strategy plan that they would like to get recognition from the International Olympic Committee and have their sports feature in future Olympic Games.  Andrea was joined by Roddy Walsh, Vice chairperson with London GAA, Karen Hegarty, Westmeath Ladies Footballer, Darren...

Mental health blogger and writer, Daragh Fleming joined Andrea to discuss an experience he has been having with a social media account that has been abusing him on social media. Dr Catherine O’Sullivan, lecturer in the Law School, University College Cork also joined the conversation on Lunchtime Live...

If you’re going through menopause, could you be paying too much for HRT?  Apparently the cost can differ wildly – and you might be overpaying. Andrea was joined by Catherine O’Keeffe is a Menopause Workplace Consultant, founder of Wellness Warrior, and creator of the Menopause Success Summit and Tom Murray, Murray’s Pharmacy in  Convoy, Co Donegal... 

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... 

There were a number of delays on the Dublin-to-Cork train line last night. The delays left a number of people stranded in bad weather conditions at Portarlington without water or trolley services. Andrea was joined by some of those affected and Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications with Irish Rail...

On Monday's Ask The GP, Dr Nina Byrnes recommended physio for quite a lot of the queries people sent in.   To continue this conversation, Andrea was joined by Andrew Dunne, Senior Physiotherapist and Founder of Personal Health - Medical Exercise Clinic to answer some listener questions... 

BBC Presenter Kate Garraway returned to work this month, following the death of her husband Derek. How can you make returning to work after bereavement a little bit easier?  Andrea was joined by Ciaran Coyle, Counsellor & Psychotherapist and other listeners to discuss...

Lonely Planet has said that the Ireland guide is one of its top sellers around the world.  Along with Ireland, the other top sellers are Japan, Iceland, Thailand and New York City.  Ireland has also featured in Lonely Planet’s Best Beaches, which named Achill Island’s Keem Bay among the world’s 100 best.  Tom Hall, Vice President of Lonely Planet across UK & Europe joined Andrea...

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’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces... Image: Netflix

The new Dublin Airport Taxi Permit, which comes into effect today, could see increased waiting times for passengers according to taxi firm FREENOW.   The permit will grant permission to all drivers who pay a yearly fee of €10 to collect a pre-booked fare from one of the airport car parks but will not allow taxis to enter a taxi stand to pick up passengers, including joining of a virtual...

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  Andrea was joined by Rebekah Shekleton from 98fm's Big Breakfast and Colm Boohig from Off The Ball to discuss 'SmartLess'...

More than 80 per cent of public transport workers say they have been the target of abuse and more than half say antisocial behaviour is an issue for them at least once a week.  That is according to a new survey by trade union SIPTU who are looking for the establishment of a dedicated transport police.  Is there too much anti-social behaviour on public transport? Do we need transport...

Anna Mills family know only too well about the struggles to get care for children with scoliosis. Her 2 daughters have the condition, with her youngest currently struggling to even get an appointment with a consultant.  Anna joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside Sinn Fein’s David Cullinane, TD and Party Health Spokesperson...

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. Patrick McKeown is creator, CEO and Director of Education and Training at Oxygen Advantage joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

The Pleasure Boys took their XLL Tour to Belfast last Saturday and it has caused a social media storm.  The videos show the dancers fully naked, dancing with women on stage. Andrea was joined by John Woodward, Owner and Director of Pleasure Boys XXL Tour and Regina Sparkles, lead Drag Queen with the team...

Lots of Irish success stories at the BATFAs last night - Cillian Murphy won best actor for his role in Oppenheimer.   But the big stars were the Irish production company behind 'Poor Things.' The film won 5 BATFAs and was made by the Dublin based company Element Pictures.  Andrea was joined by Andrew Lowe who is Co-CEO and founder of Element Pictures, the Producer of 'Poor Things'.....

Transport Infrastructure Ireland says the MetroLink is needed for Dublin because the country is outgrowing its current transport infrastructure. It told the first day of An Bord Pleanala's oral hearing into the project that congestion could cost the Irish economy two-billion euro a year. Andrea was joined by Feljin Jose, Chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition and other listeners to discuss.....

Fashion Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullett was in New York for her wedding anniversary and had revamped her wedding dress to wear for the occasion.  Would you ever have your wedding dress revamped? Andrea was joined by Laura and Mags Morgan, Owner of Mizz Rio Bridal, the original provider of alternative wedding dresses in Ireland and listener Jacinta to discuss...

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at recipes for meatballs... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Are normal people being priced out of cultural events?  Joe O’Shea, Editor of CorkBeo.ie , pointed out in his column in the Irish Daily Mirror this morning the absurd prices of grandstand tickets in Dublin on St Patrick’s day  He says:  ‘There's something a little sad about limiting the best seats for our biggest national celebration to those who can afford it (and on O'Connell Stre...

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Shane and Ciara were talking about the lies that people tell their children – from the ice cream van playing music when they’ve run out of ice cream to eating your crusts making your hair curly.  But is it ok to lie to your kids?   Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly joined Andrea to discuss...