Lunchtime Live

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. Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter of 98fm’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!

Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Dr Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist, said that you have to be careful that children understand the value of the money they are getting... When it comes to pocket money, are children losing the value of money?   Andrea is joined by listeners, including Siobhan O’Neill white from Mams.ie , to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to. Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill joined Andrea to review ‘Broomgate: A Curling Scandal’! Image: CBC

Up to 65mm of rain fell in Bantry in Cork over the course of just 12 hours at the weekend. Bantry is a high risk area, having flooded four times in 18 months between 2018 and 2020.  A flood relief scheme is currently in planning, but is it coming soon enough? Andrea is joined by Susan Shepherd of Philip Dix Jewellers, Eddie Wiseman from Wiseman's Clothing Shop to discuss the damage.

Tipping culture is annoying, unfair and worst of all, American. And it is starting to creep into Europe… That is according to Columnist for the Guardian Europe, Alexander Hurst. What do you think about tipping culture creeping into Ireland?  Andrea is joined by listeners, including Brenda Hyland Beirne from the Irish school of Etiquette, to discuss.

Cancer is something that will touch everyone’s lives, either through your own personal experience or that of a loved one. But, are there things we can do to prevent it? And if so, how achievable are they? Breast Cancer Surgeon and survivor Liz O’Dwyer joins Andrea to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier. This week, Andrea is joined by David Baker, who took up a musical instrument later in life…

Is religion a barrier to getting a job as a primary school teacher? In interviews for teaching jobs at many primary schools, a certificate in Religious Studies is a requirement for teaching religion. However, some say that this means many new teachers are having to uphold something they don’t believe in… Should teachers have to have this certificate? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Peter Melrose,...

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

After seeing the consequence of fast fashion during a trip to Africa, Mary Fleming was inspired to try and make a difference here in Ireland. She established Change Clothes. Mary joins Andrea to discuss more. Image: @changeclothesdublin

When Sharron McSherry was just 14, she started to suffer with debilitating migraines and kept falling asleep in school.  Years went by and doctors couldn’t understand what the problem was. When she was 27, her parents happened upon a documentary on TV that would change her life… Sharon joins Andrea to share her story.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week, Andrea is joined by Adrian Martin, owner of the Wild Flower Bistro in Temple Bar to look at the different kinds of bread you can batch cook! Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

If you are a Dublin Bus user you might notice that, today, they are introducing new private security to curb anti-social behaviour on their service.  The 20-week pilot will comprise two dedicated mobile units: one on Dublin’s southside and another on the northside. What do you think? Security on our buses, is it needed? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. This week, Adrian Kennedy was joined by naturist Kate Turner from the Irish Naturist Association to answer your questions.

There was very sad news today about a five week old baby that was found unresponsive after he had been carried around in a sling by his mother. It’s sure to worry a lot of parents today who own slings – and might be afraid to use them from now on… Adrian Kennedy is joined by Dr Afif El-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician to discuss how to use one.

In a bold new effort to tackle New York City's infamous pest problem, city officials have approved a pilot programme that aims to control the rodent population with birth control. Starting next year, contraceptive pellets will be placed in rat-friendly traps in a section of Manhattan. Once ingested, it will make them infertile. What do you think about this approach? Is it something that might work...

A new horror sequel, Terrifier 3, was screened in the UK this week. Cinema goers were apparently left ‘traumatised’, with walkouts and one person even vomiting in the cinema. But, why do we put ourselves through such terror? To discuss, Adrian Kennedy is joined by Entertainment Journalist Rory Cashin, Dr Sarah Cleary, who holds a PhD in horror from Trinity and Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly.

From the spice bag to a mammoth endurance challenge, Ellen Butler from Newstalk’s News Team joins Adrian Kennedy with stories from around the country this week.

Ryanair passengers will soon have no option but to use the Ryanair app on their phone as the company announced they will be going paperless in the next few months. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said: “Everybody who travels with us has the app, the mobile boarding pass is on the app and we’ve got to move more and more people that way.” It is expected that the paper boarding pass will be s...

To big light, or not to big light – the age old debate!  For this week’s Home Squad, Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Emma Delaney, Senior Interior Designer from April & the Bear join Andrea to give advice on how to create atmosphere through lighting.

James Blunt has vowed to legally change his name to whatever fans choose if his album reaches number 1 in the charts! It’s the latest in a long line of stunts by artists to get attention. Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience joins Andrea to look back over some of the big ones.

Irish Rail released a new timetable in late August, and it seems to have caused nothing but issues since… They apologised for the impact on commuters a few weeks ago, and are due to release a new timetable to fix the problems. Have you been affected? Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Labour Councillor Corina Johnston and listeners who have been impacted to discuss.

Following yesterday’s coverage of inheritance tax changes from the budget in the show, Andrew McCann, Author of ‘Know your Rights’, emailed in with his situation of a blended family. He joins Andrea to discuss more.

From James Bond hitting our screens to the Thrilla in Manila fight, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

The annual state grant to the horseracing and greyhound industries has increased by €4.1 million to €99.1 million for 2025: the highest the fund has reached in its 23 years of existence. The funding will be split between the two sports in an 80:20 ratio, €79.28m will go to Horse Racing Ireland, with €19.82m for Greyhound Racing Ireland, the governing bodies for the two industries. What do you thin...