Lunchtime Live

Here’s a really good news story – a reunion 17 years in the making. Victoria O’Leary’s daughter Fatima was taken to Saudi Arabia by her husband 17 years ago. Ever since she’s been fighting to get her back. Last week, they finally reunited. Victoria joins Andrea to discuss.

Almost a third of childcare and early years facilities are now at risk of closing. With also 95% of workers in the industry apparently struggling to make ends meet. Finding childcare places is already an enormous stress for parents, so what does the future look like? And what needs to change? Andrea is joined by Elaine Dunne, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood, Averil Sheenan from Ca...

The Daily Express says you should ‘Vote Tory’, The Daily Mirror says ‘Vote for Labour’ and The Daily Mail says ‘Vote Farage’. You may notice that there is a distinct difference in how elections are covered in the UK versus in Ireland. Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, joins Andrea to discuss, as well as listeners across the UK and Ireland. Image: The Daily Express

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Rebecca Shekleton, Co-Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock. Image: Paramount Pictures

Taoiseach Simon Harris has re-opened the debate around GAAGO by reiterating his stance that Gaelic games should not be behind a paywall.  Has GAAGO affected your GAA watching experience this year? Or do we need to just get over it and pay to watch the games? Andrea is joined by Conor Grimes, sports journalist Mortimer Murphy, Liam Brassil from Kilrossanty GAA and more to discuss.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has issued an appeal for an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next four weeks to help the national blood supply, as some blood groups have fallen to less than three days of stock. Dr Ellen McSweeney, Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Consultant joins Andrea to answer all of your blood donation questions!

Andrea was invited to Donegal to see the launch of Muff Liquor’s new million euro facility, also announcing celebrity investment. Which celebrities? Well, Andrea spoke with Ronan Keating, Ryan Tubridy and Russell Crowe all about why they are backing the brand!

Sweden have just launched a groundbreaking new law that would entitle grandparents to get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to the first 3 months of a child’s life. Should grandparents get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren? Andrea is joined by broadcaster Claire Ronan and listeners to discuss.

Josie Rowley, who has been living in West Cork for over 40 years, had to have both of her legs amputated after getting insect bites at her home. Josie, who is now staying with her daughter Jen and granddaughter Becky, joins Andrea to discuss the situation. Photo: Jen Rowley

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…

You have probably heard the tragic news this morning that a mum and her eight-year-old daughter have died after a car crash in Co Mayo.  Andrea Gilligan is joined by Teresa O'Malley, Head of News Midwest Radio, Frances Mitchell, Road Safety Officer with Mayo Council, Local Councillor John Caulfield and Susan Grey from the Road Safety Group PARC to discuss what happened and share their thought...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!  We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  This week guest host Anna Daly is joined by Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly and Entertainment Journalist, Rory Cashin to review ‘Generation Why’! Image: Wondery

Could you go a day a week without spending any money? The ‘No Spend’ challenge is the viral trend that involves buying nothing for a day each week. How difficult is this in practice? Journalist Joel Snape took on the challenge and joined Anna to discuss how it went.

UK Labour Leader Keir Starmer has been mocked for saying he won’t work past 6pm on Fridays. Critics have dubbed him ‘Sir Sleepy’ and have suggested that he will be a ‘part-time’ Prime Minister if successful in the UK election taking place this Thursday. Speaking with Chris Evans on Virgin Radio UK, he said that he likes to protect family time. What do you think? Listeners join Anna Daly to discuss...

There is an increased demand and need for foster care in Ireland. The opportunity to foster these days is open to married, single, same sex couples, people with disabilities, older generations and for people who work who were previously discounted. Christina and Suzy, who are a same sex couple who foster here in Ireland, join Anna Daly to discuss their motivation behind fostering and what made the...

Every Tuesday Lunchtime Live learns from someone doing something to make their lives better. Usually it’s Andrea learning how to better herself, but this week, guest host Anna Daly is learning about something calming… tea! Oliver from Wall & Keogh joins to discuss the benefits of the drink.

Irish people know about skin cancer risks, but think it's all right to get 'slightly sunburned’?' Studies show that tanned skin is still being seen as a sign of beauty and not “dangerous” sun damage caused by the sunbeds, and people not wearing their factor 50 when the sun comes out! Guest host Anna Daly is joined by Marissa Carter, Cocoa Brown Tan creator, Rebecca Hellen, Consultant Dermatologist...

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

‘BookTok’ is a thriving community on TikTok that is completely changing the book industry for authors.  It allows authors to snatch up book deals directly from the exposure that they’ve received on BookTok.  Irish Authors shortlisted for the TikTok Book Awards are Claire Wright for BookTok Breakthrough Author, and ‘The Rachel Incident’ for Book of the Year by Caroline O’Donoghue. Both au...

Do the Irish complain about bad service? Justine O’Mahoney, Columnist with the Wexford People has been writing about this recently. What do you think? Anna Daly is joined by listeners to discuss if we complain enough.

The Irish Wheelchair Association says its members are being discriminated against on a Blue Flag beach in Iorras, north Mayo, because they have been denied permission to use wheelchair accessible beach mats. Wheelchair users now feel completely excluded and feel denied access to the beach. Anna is joined by National Access Programme Manager of the Irish Wheelchair Association, Rosaleen Lally and T...

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. Maybe you have a weekend unaccounted for this summer that needs inspiration, or you have no desire to get on a flight – whatever the reason, this will get you in the mood to travel. This week, guest host Anna Daly is joined by Kevin Dooher from...

Waste collection companies have warned they may increase prices for recycling bin collections to make up for the loss of plastic bottles and drinks cans to the Deposit Return Scheme. They say the bottles and cans are the most valuable items in household green bins, and they are losing millions of euro in sales of these to manufacturers since the Deposit Return Scheme began. What do you think? Gues...

Aslan’s Billy McGuinness joined guest host Adrian Kennedy to reflect on some of his fondest summer memories!

Gut health is one of those important things to look after, and will leave you feeling great if you look after yourself properly! Dr Mary McCreery, Consultant Clinical Nutritionist and Dietitian at Blackrock Clinic joined Adrian to give her top tips for gut health.