Lunchtime Live

There have been calls for Ireland to ban Bully XL dogs after the tragic death of a young woman in Limerick this week.  Would you agree? Andrea Gilligan is joined by Orla Murray, Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee at the Irish Kennel Club, Maureen Byrne, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and listeners to get their opinions.

The 6th of June will mark 80 years since the beaches of Normandy were invaded on D-Day. Henry McKean’s grandfather was one of those soldiers on the beach. He survived, but many, including Irish men - did not. Henry tells the story of his grandfather, while also telling other stories of that day, including how the locals in France will commemorate D-Day, the story of the oldest living survivor - an...

From doing the seating plan to picking the perfect band, Lindsay Moynagh, Founder of Wendor and House of Hannah Weddings and Events joins Andrea Gilligan to answer your wedding related questions.

For years we have been told that being exposed to blue light on our phones can ruin a good night's sleep completely.  But, recent research is challenging that notion, suggesting that the impact of screens might not be as detrimental as we once thought.   Joining Andrea to help understand this is Sleep Expert, Tom Coleman.

Should children’s sports days be non-competitive? Or is that giving our kids a bad idea about competition in the future? TV personality Stacy Solomon seems to believe that the sense of competition on these days is important. Andrea is joined by Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times, Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist and listeners to discuss.

Are towns and villages beginning to lose their sense of identity and community? Muiris O’Cearbhaill, journalist with TheJournal.ie has been asking this question after reporting from his hometown of Clonsilla in Dublin. What do you think? Muiris, along with other listeners, join Andrea to discuss. Image: Fingal County Council

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…

The amount paid to garda reserves will be as much as triple under plans announced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Up to €3,000 will be paid to reserve members for 200 hours of volunteering, a significant increase from the current €1,000 offered for at least 100 hours.   What do you think? Would this encourage you to join?   Andrea is joined by former Gardaí and listeners to...

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 host of The Hard Shoulder Kieran Cuddihy and Elaine Burke, host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast to review ‘The Allusionist’. Image: Helen Zalztman

Dublin City Council does not have any events planned in the lead up to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, which will be on for three nights in Dublin on the 28th, 29th and 30th of June. This has led to criticism and comparisons to other cities who have done events. Andrea is joined by SPIN presenter Jess Spencer, Brenda Power, Columnist with the Sunday Times, Harry Doyle, Liverpool’s Cabinet Member for Cul...

The local and European elections are just around the corner, so what is it like being out and about canvassing?  Having already stepped out on the campaign trail with Mick Nugent, a Sinn Fein councillor in Cork, Andrea Gilligan continued by joining another candidate, Emma Blain representing Fine Gael, going door to door – this time in Dublin Bay South.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. Andrea was joined by Sarah Hughes from Howth Castle Cookery School to learn about the joys of cooking!

The RSA are calling for emergency laws to double penalty points for speeding and mobile phone use.  The group wants the emergency legislation to do this enacted “as a matter of priority” with any such change “supported by targeted enforcement and awareness campaigns”.  What do you think? Would this make a difference to people's behaviour? Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to get the...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. Andrea is joined by Paula Campbell, Publisher with Poolbeg Press, to learn all about the world of book publishing.

Andrea Gilligan’s guest has a fascinating story...  Beverley Bass was the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane. She was also one of the pilots of the planes in the skies during 9/11 that had to be rerouted.  That experience has been made into the musical ‘Come From Away’ which is coming to Dublin soon. Beverley joins Andrea to share her story.

What are some of the most iconic ads that have come from our shores? Those ones that, years later, are still popular and referenced today? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Kieran Cuddihy, Presenter of The Hard Shoulder, Brian Lloyd, Editor at entertainment.ie and Matt Moss, a Senior Freelance Copywriter with 14 years in advertising.

The passing of the Assisted Reproduction Bill 2022 in the Dáil on Wednesday has been welcomed by many families and couples nationwide.  However, for same sex parents that have used surrogacy, the Bill continues to ignore some of the main wishes they sought in previous drafts.  Joining Andrea to discuss are Ranae Von Meding, CEO of Equality for Children and Seamus Kearney Martone, Chairpe...

From GAA jerseys appearing in unusual places, to the most mispronounced place names in the country – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has stories from around the country you may have missed.

From glass falling on to the street to rubbish being dumped – derelict buildings are causing problems right across the country, but are dereliction levies being collected? Andrea is joined by listeners with their own experience of dereliction causing issues in their areas, including Frank O’Connor from Anois and Derelict Ireland.

From Curtains to rugs and throws – how do you make your soft furnishings work?  Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Arlene McIntyre from Arlene McIntrye Designs join Andrea with their tips and tricks.

From where Harry had his first kiss to the place where he started his working life – Harry Styles fans can now get a guided tour around his home village. Tour Guide Ben McCormick joins Andrea to discuss how this idea came about, and Diarmuid from Alternative Dublin (an event and walking tour company) joins to discuss if we make enough of a fuss about music legends in Ireland.

Wexford woman Lisa O’Connor got in touch with the show saying that new laws are needed to stop pet thefts in Ireland. She has set up a petition calling for pet theft to have its own classification. Lisa, along with Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú and listeners join Andrea to discuss why this is needed.

It was Kylie Minogue’s birthday this week, and she celebrated by racking up €35 million in wine sales! A huge amount of money by anyone’s standards. She’s not the only celebrity with an alcohol brand: Graham Norton has a wine, George Clooney and his tequila… Even non-drinker Blake Lively brought out Betty Booze.   So, why are they so successful? Andrea is joined by Michelle Lawlor from T...

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock.

The Children’s Hospital is going to be delayed. Again.  The most recent completion date was the 29th of October, which will not be met. A new date is yet to be given. The current budget stands at €2.24bn to get the long-promised hospital up and running. Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to get their thoughts on this construction fiasco.