Lunchtime Live

From a reward for a missing cockatoo to a Velodrome in Limerick – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has a roundup of the stories from around the country this week!

From Taylor Swift to Coldplay, and now Oasis, tickets for gigs are becoming increasingly difficult to secure. Even those with presale codes and loyalty access are struggling to see their favourite artists on tour. Are the ticket providers at fault? Is there a fairer system when it comes to securing concert tickets? Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Rebecca Cappuccini, Spokesperson for Music a...

With back to school (and general life!) sometimes you need a spot in your home where you can just chill out. Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy on The Home Squad this week is Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty.

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins guest host Adrian Kennedy once more to rewind the clock… Image: Netflix

Trans performance artist and comedian Krishna Istha wants to start a family with their trans partner Logan Rea and is searching for a sperm donor through a theatre show that comes to Dublin next month. Krishna joined Adrian Kennedy to discuss the process.  

On Wednesday, Coldplay did an impromptu gig on Grafton Street.  Rumours of it had spread hours before so the crowds were absolutely enormous. When videos of the performance were later posted on social media, all that was visible was a sea of phones.  Have we lost the ability to just live in the moment? Do we need to film everything? Adrian Kennedy spoke to callers.

According to leaked documents, smoking could be banned in pub gardens, outdoor restaurants, outside hospitals and at sports grounds in the UK under tighter restrictions being considered by ministers. Is this something that we could see happening here in Ireland? Adrian Kennedy speaks to callers on the issue.

For the last number of the weeks on the show, Andrea has been discussing the benefits of women in sport. Today, Adrian Kennedy chats about the joy that female football brings.   Joining Adrian in studio is Coach and Former Ireland Player, Linda Gorman, Freelance Sports Journalist, Alanna Cunnane and Shelbourne FC Player, Leah Doyle.

With Andrea Gilligan turning 40 tomorrow, it only seemed right to look at the best food and drink to provide or bring to a party. And, of course, that includes wine and cheese! Michelle Lawlor, Owner of the NUDE Wine Company and Food Writer Dee Laffan join Andrea to discuss and taste. Also, a special guest gives Andrea a surprise birthday message at the end!

The 17th Paralympic Games kick off tonight in Paris, with a 35-strong team representing Ireland! Jason Smyth, world’s fastest Paralympian and Martin Gordon Paralympic Cyclist who is racing for Ireland join Andrea from Paris to share in the excitement.

The number of people emigrating has reached an all time high since 2015. In the year leading up to April 2024, 69,000 people emigrated, an increase of 5,000 when compared to the same period in 2023. So, why is emigration at an all-time high? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Model Gráinne Gallanagh, Emily and Bella from Newstalk’s Newsroom and more to discuss.

Today is Andrea Gilligan’s last in her 30’s, and she has mixed feelings about it. She’s joined by Ireland AM presenter and former Ireland player Tommy Bowe, TV Presenter Glenda Gilson, Jeweller Chupi Sweetman and Irish Independent Journalist Tanya Sweeney to discuss what it’s like hitting the big 4-0.

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. Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Ryanair Boss Michael O’Leary wants to see a two-drink airport limit introduced to curb in-flight violence. Is airport drinking a problem? Or is this a bit of a wild request? Andrea is joined by Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel Magazine, along with listeners, to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to. This week, Andrea was joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Broadcaster Ciara King to review TV host Rylan’s podcast ‘How to Be a Man’. Image: BBC Sounds

Oasis have finally announced a reunion tour – 15 years after the group disbanded in 2009. Liam and Noel will be playing a series of gigs across the UK and Ireland in July and August of 2025 – culminating in two gigs at Croke Park. Are you buying into the Oasis hype? Will you be trying to get tickets on Saturday? Andrea is joined by Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig, Joe Caufield from the newsroom and Kel...

Listener Niamh lives in a compact two bedroom flat with her son Ollie as well as her daughter. Ollie has cerebral palsy, and Niamh says that her current accommodation is not good enough to meet his needs. She joins Andrea to share her story, and discuss the experience looking for new accommodation.

Asbestos is a street artist that has been on Lunchtime Live before, but his latest project, ‘Don’t Forget to Remember’, is different to what he’s done before, and a very personal one. He joins Andrea to discuss the project, and dealing with this mothers Alzheimer’s. Image: @artofasbestos on Instagram

This year, Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!  Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. This week she was joined by Mike Kemp, founding member and Deputy President of the Irish Padel Association to learn all about the sport of padel, and why it’s taking over Ireland.

It’s that time of the year - back to school week is here, and it can be a mixed bag of emotions for the whole household.  Kirsty Blake Knox from the Irish Independent has been writing about the idea of ‘back to school guilt’. She joins Andrea, along with TV Presenter Karen Koster, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

In the last month, Andrea Gilligan took on a vegan challenge, where she went vegan for two weeks. At the start of the challenge, she spoke with Heather Leeson, Registered Nutritional Therapist with Glenville Nutrition. Heather joins Andrea again to discuss how she got on.

You have probably heard before about how issues around the new runway in Dublin Airport are impacting people’s lives. Well, those issues have not gone away, and for some, it’s getting worse. To discuss, Andrea is joined by Private Pilot and Civil Engineer Gareth O'Brien, Fingal Independent Councillor Cathal Boland and local residents.

Ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the Irish Cancer Society are looking for people to sign up to host a Big Pink Breakfast to raise much needed funds.  Patrice Morrissey, a lone parent of three boys, was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, and joins Andrea to share her story. Image: Irish Cancer Society

This is Lunchtime Live’s newest segment, Gilligan’s Island! Every Monday, we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer. This week, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Freelance Journalist Yvonne Reddin to discuss the benefits of a phone detox holiday at home!