Lunchtime Live

Would you ever consider going back to college a little later in life? What would it take for you to put your normal life on hold for a few years, to train further in something you’ve always wanted to do? Or to learn about something completely new? Joining Andrea to discuss is Jean Barry, who did this herself, and Laura Walshe, Career Guidance Counsellor with FindYourPath.

The newly-appointed Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is examining proposals to arm more frontline Gardaí with taser stun guns. These guns are already used by specialist units. But, should frontline Gardaí be armed in a bid to better tackle serious violent confrontations? Joining Andrea to discuss is Pat Marry, former Detective Inspector and Senior Investigating Officer and author, Emily Williams, P...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager with the DAA to discuss how you can best navigate Dublin Airport, and answer any other airport-related questions!

Leon Dwyer, an Irish Breakdancer, has just finished in the top 4 in the World Breakdancing Championships. But, how did he get this achievement, and how do you judge breakdancing? He joins Andrea to discuss!

According to the HSE, around 450,000 people have doctor-diagnosed asthma in Ireland. In 2022, 87 people in Ireland died from asthma, that is a 36% increase on the average of the previous two years… The UK’s National Review of Asthma deaths found that over two thirds of asthma deaths involved potentially avoidable factors. While Ireland has not yet conducted a comparable national review, many of th...

A South Dublin all-girls school has welcomed boys to the classroom for the first time since opening 70 years ago… But, should all schools be co-ed? Are single-sex schools an outdated concept? Andrea is joined by Irish Times Journalist and host of the ‘Conversations with Parents Podcast’, Jen Hogan, as well as listeners, to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life… This week, Andrea is joined by Dermot O’ Brien, Chief Executive at the Contract Bridge Association, to discuss all things bridge!

Bob Geldof is the latest name to hit the Presidential rumour mill today. It makes one wonder: what is it we want from a Presidency? Does a background in politics matter? Or would we prefer someone who can bring the charisma and weight of ‘celebrity’? Which attributes matter when it comes to the role? Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe, as well as listeners.

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Fear of flying is a common phobia that can hold people back from travel and new experiences. But, how does one overcome this fear? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr John Francis Leader, Psychologist from Fear of Flying Ireland, to understand what causes this fear and explore practical, proven strategies to overcome it.

Electric Picnic is over for another year. With headline acts as big as Hozier, Chappel Ronan and Kings of Leon taking to the main stage. The most talked about and in demand act of the weekend, Kneecap, took to the stage at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon. Many festival goers weren’t happy with their time slot, but the afternoon didn’t seem to be an issue for the Irish rappers, and has been deemed a fam...

Over 50% of adults believe that children should start receiving pocket money by the age of nine, that’s according to a research study commissioned by Royal London Ireland. But, are children entitled to pocket money, or should they have to earn it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Bethan O’Riordan, Psychotherapist from the Calm Parenting Community, John Lowe from moneydoctors.ie and listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Jess Kelly and Neil Kavanagh join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle’! Image: BBC

Sláintecare reforms are being introduced into the health system, which are playing a role in pushing up the cost of health insurance. VHI announced rises earlier in the year, as did Laya Healthcare and Irish Life Health… So, is private health insurance still worth the cost? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Brian Turner, Health Economist in UCC, Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell (@wondercare_irl) on Instag...

It’s time for some summer memories! We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days. Comedian Dara O’Briain joins guest host Mairead Ronan to reminisce!

Many people are heading to Stradbally in their droves this weekend ahead of Electric Picnic. The annual music festival will see acts from Chappell Roan to Hozier and Kneecap take to the main stage. If you are heading to Laois this weekend, who should you go and see? Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss is Arts Journalist and Broadcaster, Pat Carty.

Ireland introduced a rounding system in 2015 to reduce the use of 1 and 2 cent coins. Cash transactions are rounded to the nearest 5 cents, helping to lower minting costs and simplify cash handling. While the system offers practical benefits for businesses and the public, it also raises concerns about pricing and fairness. Do you think the rounding system for cash payments in Ireland is fair, or d...

From dad rock to locker scams, Emily Keegan from the Newstalk Newsroom joins guest host Mairead Ronan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

School secretaries and caretakers across the country began indefinite strike action yesterday in a campaign to secure access to the public service pension scheme, as well as the same occupational sick pay and bereavement leave schemes as teachers and Special Needs Assistants. Joining guest host Mairead Ronan to discuss this is Assistant Principal and member of Aontú, Eric Nelligan, Hannah Davy fro...

With more and more electronics being used in your home - how can you manage all of the cables without having them look like an eyesore, or worse, a tripping hazard? Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about hiding your cables! Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Sarah Carroll (@sand.and.deliver on In...

Would you consider exercising with friends instead of meeting them in the pub? More and more people are choosing to socialise over a work out - and making new friends doing it! Where has this come from? And why is it so addictive? Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Fitness Coach Louise Hayden and listeners.

Southwest Airlines in the US has just changed its long-standing policy for plus-size travelers, one that for over 30 years allowed them to get a second seat for free or be reimbursed if needed. But now, that’s no longer guaranteed. So, what does this mean for passengers of size? Is it fair to ask them to pay for an extra seat in order to fly comfortably, or even to fly at all? What about accessibi...

For many, holidays are the perfect escape from reality and the daily grind. Some people see them as a chance to switch off completely, indulging in relaxation while being looked after from morning to night. Others, however, bring their everyday habits with them, with many happily cooking up a storm in their holiday accommodation instead of leaving the kitchen behind. Would you cook when abroad, or...

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Kings of Leon’s ‘Youth and Young Manhood’, ahea...

A recent study carried out by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre discovered that younger men have “troubling attitudes” towards sexual consent, with 43% of men under 45 agreeing that “sometimes people say no when they want convincing”... With ‘consent’ considered to be a grey area, do we need to have more discussions around what is ‘consent’? And how do we talk about it with our partners? Joining guest...