Lunchtime Live

Can you remember your PE lessons in school? And did they put you off sport later in life? According to research in the UK, people are scared as adults remembering getting picked last in gym class or being shouted at on the sports field, and as a result shy away from exercise when they are older… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Dr Fiona Skelly, Lecturer at the Technological University of the Shan...

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week! Image: Lionsgate

The Government has approved new rules on modular homes, meaning they can be rented out, with up to €14,000 being tax-free, and do not need planning permission. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has stated that the decision was a practical one, but is this a reasonable response to the housing crisis? Joining Andrea to discuss is Michael Houghton, Columnist with the Irish Independent, host of the ‘Irish Fire...

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

What are your panic cleaning tricks? New research from The Brillo Cleaning Culture Report shows that panic cleaning is almost universal in Ireland, with 95% of adults admitting to last‑minute cleans before visitors arrive. Laura De Barra, AKA the ‘Gaff Goddess’ joins Andrea to discuss, and give her own last-minute cleaning tips!

Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke to Matt Cooper on the ‘Path to Power’ podcast recently, and this is what he had to say about the relationship between urban and rural areas: "We’re the ones paying all the bills — you’re the ones in receipt of a lot of subsidies and a lot of tax benefits that other people don’t get.” Can you understand just why they’ve caused such controversy? Is there a rural v...

Census 1926 was released over the weekend, but where do you start if you’re trying to find family members? Or, what else can the census tell us? Joining Andrea to discuss is Eileen Murphy, Head of Census Administration & Digital Transformation at the Central Statistics Office.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. 98FM Producer Russell Alford and Newstalk Producer Caoimhe Harney join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘Great Company with Jamie Laing’! Image: Jampot Productions

Yesterday the Sunday Independent reported that over 500 Aer Lingus flights will be cut amidst fuel shortage fears and aircraft maintenance… Has this impacted your summer holiday plans, or are you worried about the potential impact? Joining Andrea to discuss is Clare Dunne, Chief Executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association, Lisa O’Sullivan Shaw, @modernirishmom on Instagram and listeners.

It’s Wish Week here on Newstalk, and we are highlighting the incredible work Make-A-Wish does in helping create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses… Andrea is doing a challenge today - if she doesn’t get enough county questions right from listeners around the country, she has to wear a Kerry jersey! Let’s make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet! Every cent matters. Donate online...

It’s Wish Week here on Newstalk, and we are highlighting the incredible work Make-A-Wish does in helping create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses… Andrea is joined by Cohen Ball and his mum Katie to hear his Make-A-Wish experience. Cohen has a rare form of cancer, and as part of his wish, he met Ed Sheeran who signed his guitar! Let’s make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet! Ev...

Face of one of the most popular Home Renovation shows on TV: Architect Dermot Bannon joins Andrea ahead of his appearance at the PTSB Ideal Home Show! Plus, he represents Dublin for Andrea’s Make-A-Wish county challenge!

Curtains or blinds - which one should you pick around your home? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all about window treatments! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Emma Delaney from April & the Bear.

Sophie Morris, bestselling author of ‘Raising Awareness of Food Labels’ joins Andrea to discuss what she was recently alerted to with signage in Circle K garages… Also joining to discuss is Damien O’Reilly, Senior Lecturer in Retail Management in TU Dublin and Mick Kelly from GIY.

What is the impact of your parents divorcing when you are an adult? Is there much of a difference to being a child of divorce versus an adult child of divorce? Joining Andrea to discuss is Psychotherapist Stephanie Regan and Journalist and author Aoife Grace Moore, whose parents divorced in their late fifties…

Is Katie Taylor finally set to fight in Croke Park?  And would this be as an undercard to a much hype sparring match between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury? Her agent seems to think this would not be good enough... Andrea is joined by Phil Egan from Off the Ball, professional Irish boxer Christina Desmond and more to discuss.

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 Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through the life and work of Whitney Houston!

Irish rail is increasing security on board to tackle the widespread antisocial behavior on trains across the country. It comes as incidents including passengers brandishing knives and drug users ‘shooting up’ in carriages were reported to the company last year. We want to hear your thoughts, have you ever experienced this behavior on Irish rail and would you welcome more security on board? Joining...

The one and only Neven Maguire joins Andrea in the studio for a chat and to answer some of the biggest cooking questions! If you want to see more of him, Neven will be at the Ideal Home Show in the RDS from Friday the 24th of April.

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. Ciara Treacy from the Newstalk Digital Team joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces!

This week, Andrea has been speaking to listeners about widowhood, and what it’s like to continue without their loved one. Today, that continues, and she is joined by more listeners to hear their experiences…

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by an expert to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Andrea is joined by Community Midwife Jean Kavanagh to discuss everything you need to know about the Domino scheme.

Barcelona has banned tourist tat; no more billboard menus on the street to attract tourists, pestering waiters and all outdoor furniture needs to look the same. So, is this a good thing? And should we follow suit in Ireland? Joining Andrea to discuss is Frank McDonald, Dublin author and Journalist.

It’s Wish Week here on Newstalk, and we are highlighting the incredible work Make-A-Wish does in helping create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses… Andrea is joined by Abi Buckley, who was 17 when her wish was granted… Let’s make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet! Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate .

With the furor of the past few weeks, a 10 cent excise cut on fuel took effect at midnight last night. Will the government’s supports have an impact, and is there faith that anything will really change? Andrea is joined by Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator, as well as listeners, to discuss.