Moncrieff

A study suggests a form of Munchausen syndrome by proxy may be driving some owners to invent symptoms or deliberately harm their animals… A study of around 90 veterinary surgeries in the Netherlands found that 83 per cent of veterinarians and technicians were familiar with the phenomenon. Joining Seán to discuss this is Registered Veterinary Nurse and Founder of Salty Dogs Kerry, Kathryn Scroope.

So called ‘no ring no bring’ rules at weddings have become the centre of some debate. The controversial term refers to the practice of only allowing plus ones who are married or engaged. The practice is designed to keep guest numbers low and keep relative strangers out, but is marital status a fair way of judging commitment? Columnist Brianna Parkins joins Seán to discuss.

A new porch added to a medieval French cathedral has received backlash, being denounced as a ‘wart’ and a ‘concrete UFO.’ So, have we lost the art of visual interest in modern architecture, and does this impact us? Joining Seán to discuss is Rob Curley, Director of Maremoto Architects.

An entire Irish village has just gone up for sale, not just a few cottages but a fully restored estate in County Kildare, complete with a pub, a former schoolhouse, a restaurant, all for a cool €20 million. The village of Lyons, set along the Grand Canal, dates back to the 18th century and was brought back to life in the 1990s by Ryanair co-founder Tony Ryan. Today, it operates as a luxury hospita...

Ice baths and wild swimming are all the rage today, but is Freediving the next water based activity for Irish fin folk to flock too? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

In honour of the Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere on the 1st of May, Meryl Streep joined Anna Wintour on the front cover of Vogue magazine to promote the movie.  Meryl Streep's character Miranda Priestly in the original Devil Wears Prada was often rumored to be based on Anna Wintour herself…  Joining Seán to discuss is Fashion Stylist Cathy O’Connor.    Image: Vogue 

For years, we’ve been told to fear certain foods, cut out the carbs, avoid fat at all costs, and definitely don’t touch sugar. But, how much of this is actually based on solid science, and how much is clever marketing dressed up as wellness?  Today, we’re taking a closer look at the foods that have been unfairly demonized by the diet industry, from eggs and potatoes to full-fat dairy…  S...

The use of the term ‘narcissist’ has exploded in recent years. So, are we getting better at recognising Narcissistic Personality Disorder? Or are we just labeling anyone we don’t like as a narcissist? Dr Edel Marron, the founder of KOTA, a leadership and personal development consultancy focused on emotional intelligence, joins Seán to discuss. 

Every Wednesday, Podcaster Cassie Delaney will join Seán to share some unusual stories on heinous crimes.  This week, Cassie joins to discuss crimes committed by people you wouldn’t expect! 

With the current national fuels protest ongoing, how does it compare to protests in the past, and what could it achieve?  Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and host of ‘Let Me Explain’ Seán Defoe joins Seán to look back on notable protests in Irish history, and what came from them. 

There’s a growing movement that’s redefining modern motherhood called ‘Mommunes’: these are intentional communities where mums come together to share childcare, support, and the ups and downs of parenting. In some cases, they’re even living together under one roof… Joining Seán to discuss is Bernie Sinclaire, who lives in a ‘Mommune’ in New York.

While we all remember the feeling of being stuck at home during the Covid pandemic, people with the anxiety disorder agoraphobia are usually afraid of stepping out of the front door… Karina Mongan is one person who suffers with agoraphobia, and joins Seán to discuss.

If you find yourself building a collection of clothes you’re not interested in wearing anymore, is selling them online the best option? Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, Columnist with the Irish Independent earned €1,000 in a year by selling her unwanted clothes on Vinted, and joins Seán to discuss.

One hundred years ago, on 7 April 1926, Irish woman Violet Gibson attempted to assassinate Benito Mussolini in a busy Roman piazza. Mussolini survived, with the bullet merely grazing his nose. Who was this Dalkey-born woman who attempted to change the course of history? Joining Seán to discuss is Patrick McGarty, Writer for the Irish Independent.

April Fool's Day last week saw its fair share of joke headlines and social media pranks. However, some practical jokes have been criticised as being in poor taste. Most notably, an offensive joke social media post from the Wicklow GAA has been condemned by TD Jennifer Whitmore and Tánaiste Simon Harris. With all this in mind, Terry Prone, Columnist with the Irish Examiner, joins Seán to discuss wh...

“I’m a workaholic and proud of it, I’m not interested in having a work life balance.” So wrote Dylan Jones in The Times. So, do we still reward workaholics? Donal O’Donoghue, Managing Director of Sanderson Recruitment, joins Seán to discuss…

Today the National Wax Museum launched a Taylor Swift wax works, which cost €40,000! This is two years after the Sinead O'Connor wax works was removed after complaints from her family because of the unlikeness... Henry McKean was there for the big reveal with Swifties, sent in this report.

It’s time to head back to 1936, to the Berlin Olympic Games. Ireland was one of two countries to boycott the games, alongside the Spanish Republic. Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill joins Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Heineken Ireland have launched their new music platform, ‘Heineken Greenlight,’ bringing city gigs across Ireland for the bank holiday weekends. Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Elijah Hewson, Robert Keating, Josh Jenkinson and Ryan McMahon of Irish rock band Inhaler, who will be bringing Heineken Greenlight to Cork City!

‘Why can’t all lads be sound like Hozier?’ That was the title of an article Fionnuala Jones’ guest wrote 10 years ago about her experience of being harassed, and her entertaining and authentically honest look into real life. It continues with her current stand-up comedy show ‘BIG’, which is about her body, the physical change she has gone through in recent years and misogyny. Comedian Alison Spitt...

Fionnuala’s guest has been collecting historic post boxes for over 30 years… Despite his collection now making part of the Postal Museum on the Isle of Wight, many of the most interesting specimens in his collection actually hail from Ireland. Arthur Reeder joins to discuss!

A US Judge has halted a controversial White House construction project, after plans for a massive new ballroom led by Donald Trump resulted in the demolition of part of the historic East Wing. The ruling makes clear that the President cannot act alone and that Congress must approve such changes. Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at NUIG. Image: Reuters

Every Wednesday, Podcaster Cassie Delaney will join to share some unusual stories on heinous crimes. This week, Cassie joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss cases of murders involving reality TV stars.

We all know exercise is great for our mind and bodies, but how can it affect your skin? Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatologists.

With roughly 6 million Catholics in the UK, competition for school places in Catholic schools is fierce. Fionnuala’s guest, Mark Paul, London Correspondent for the Irish Times, joined the fray. He has been writing about his experience with all this in today’s paper, and joins to discuss.