Lunchtime Live

The heat and humidity coming into the summer months is making it impossible for people to sit comfortably, let alone sleep through the night. The good news is that things as little as a fan or your duvet choice can really make a difference! Anne Marie Boyhan, Holistic Sleep Expert, Founder of the Sleep Care Company and Author of the 'Sleep Journal' joins Andrea to give her top tips for sleeping we...

We are now well and truly into the summer concert and festival season!   But, if you are an avid music fan – beware of the talkers… Emer McLysaght has been writing about this in the Irish Times, asking ‘Is there a case to be made for “no talking” areas at concerts, similar to quiet carriages on trains?’  What do you think about that idea? Andrea is joined by listeners including sing...

What are those phrases from television that have stood the test of time and are still referenced today? And what ones haven’t aged all that well? Joining Andrea to discuss is Broadcaster Sarina Bellissimo and Dr Ellen Howley, Assistant Professor at the DCU School of English. Image: Warner Bros. TV

Gilligan’s Island is a new segment on Lunchtime Live that aims to explore the island of Ireland to find the best places to visit, including those hidden gems! This week, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Gillian Harvey from Where Are We Going Tomorrow Travel to find the best family friendly spots in the country.

Barcelona is set to ban AirBnb in an attempt to help house prices. Their mayor says it will be outlawed in five years. The city has seen rent increases of 70% and a rising wave of public protest against mass tourism. With house prices increasing in Ireland - is it something we should look into here? To discuss, Andrea is joined by listeners as well as Airbnb spokesperson Lorna Cahill.

Our summer memories series is back! We chat to some well known faces and reminisce over those long summer days! Irish TV and pantomime actor Alan Hughes joined Andrea Gilligan to share some summer memories…

With warmer temperatures approaching, watery eyes, blocked noses and itchy throats are becoming the new norm amongst people in Ireland. Hay fever is triggered by the pollen count which heightens during these summer months. Andrea is joined by pharmacist Laura Dowling to discuss how common it is, and how we can tackle it.

Many people were shocked to see Cathal Crotty walk free from his assault case on victim Natasha O’Brien, having been given a fully suspended sentence. After speaking with Natasha, Andrea wants to hear from experts and listeners on the show for their thoughts.

Listener Pamela joined the show yesterday to share her struggle after the rent on her home went up by more than 50%. She is now facing homelessness if she can’t find another place to live. Andrea is joined by John Mark McCafferty, the CEO of Threshold, to discuss this story and the best next step.

From rally cars in Donegal to Taylor Swift taking inspiration from a Wicklow beach – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with stories from around the country.

'Two to put her down, two to put her out', those are the boasts on social media from Cathal Crotty after an unprovoked attack on Natasha O’Brien, which left her unconscious. Crotty has since walked free from court after being given a fully suspended sentence. Speaking outside Limerick circuit criminal court yesterday, Natasha said ‘This is not justice’. Joining Andrea to discuss are the victim, Na...

From instant hot water traps to wine fridges - this week’s Home Squad is all about quirky fittings and trends, and if they’re worth it! Andrea Gilligan is joined by Sarah Louise from Sarah Louise Interiors and Colin Baker from Decwells Expert Hardware to discuss.

Listener of the show John got in touch to share his story about going to Greece for his holidays, and having to return early due to extreme temperature. He joins Andrea to discuss his experience.

Limburg an der Lahn in the western German state of Hesse has just voted to exterminate its population of 700 pigeons. Residents have voted to employ a falconer to trap the pigeons, bash them over the head and snap their necks in a major cull. Animal rights campaigners were outraged by the announcement. What do you think about this approach? Would you like this approach taken to nuisance birds in I...

How do you know you’re old? Well apparently, it’s when you have a ringtone on your phone or use the crying laughing emoji! Adrian Weckler has written the 10 tech signs that show you're part of the older generation in the Irish Independent. Joining Andrea to discuss the tech signs that makes us old are Ciara Treacy, Newstalk’s Digital Content Creator, Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times...

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: Los Angeles Times

Listener Pamela got in touch with Lunchtime Live to share her struggle of finding a new place to live after her landlord increased rent by 45%. She joins Andrea to explain the situation.

From shin splints to getting back to exercise after injury - Andrew Dunne, Senior Physiotherapist and Founder of Personal Health - Medical Exercise Clinic joins Andrea to answer your physio questions.

A church in Waterford has received a number of complaints about unwanted noises happening during funerals and mass. People attending the church said there were noises being played into the church over a speaker, some of which were pornographic. The church is in the village of Kilgobnet near Dungarvan and Andrea is joined by local councillor Conor D. McGuinness to discuss.

Pilots at Aer Lingus have served notice to the airline that they intend to go on an “indefinite” work to rule starting next week as they refuse to work overtime.  Holiday makers are worried about the disruption this will cause now at the busiest time of the year.   What does it mean for your flight? Andrea is joined by Sinead Ryan, Consumer Expert and Presenter of the Home Show, Mau...

When your kids leave home for the first time, people can suffer from empty nest syndrome. How would you deal with it? Well, journalist Jane Green has been tackling this issue in a unique way to say the least. She joins Andrea to talk about how mushrooms can help, and journalist Suzanne Harrington also joins to discuss the syndrome.

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…

A ‘tax on the sick’ that’s what the Irish cancer society have dubbed hospital parking charges, with some hospitals charging cancer patients €3.20 an hour in parking fees. Have you been affected by this? Andrea is joined by cancer survivors who had to pay a lot for parking, as well as Samantha Vaughan from the Irish Cancer Society, to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!  We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  This week Andrea is joined by Irish Times Business and Technology journalist Ciara O’Brien and Dave Hanratty, audio researcher for the Irish Independent, to review Will Smith’s Class of ‘88! Image: Wondery

Would you be willing to work out twice a day and drink 4 and a half litres of water every day? All for the perfect body? Well, a new fitness craze claims to be able to transform you in just 75 days, if you stick to their very strict rules. So, should you try ‘Hard 75’? Andrea is joined by the owner of No.17 Personal Training, John Belton, to discuss.