Lunchtime Live

Co-sleeping can be a controversial topic, so Dr Afif EL Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital is with Andrea to answer all your questions.

The UK Prime Minister has said that one in eight degrees are ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees, and that they’ll be shut down.  He said they’ll use the money saved from fewer tuition fees to fund extra apprenticeships.  Is this a good idea? Or snobbery? Andrea is joined by listeners to get their thoughts.

The families of residents of a Dublin nursing home are worried about their loved ones' future. They found out the nursing home is closing, and all their loved ones will be moved. Lucan Lodge is a residential nursing home located in Lucan, South Dublin. It has 74 beds and is near full capacity. Andrea is joined by listeners whose family members are currently in the nursing home to hear their experi...

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…

Thousands of people marched in Spain's Balearic Islands against mass tourism ahead of the summer season.  Holding posters reading ‘SOS Residents, Enough Mass Tourism’, protesters marched through Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the largest Balearic Island, with a smaller protest also held in Menorca.  Similar demonstrations have also recently taken place in the Canary Islands.  Wou...

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 Newstalk’s Ellen Butler and Fashion Stylist Laura Mullett to review ‘The Mushroom Cook’. Image: True Crime Australia

The local and European elections are quickly approaching. You have seen the posters erected; leaflets delivered, but what is it like calling door to door as a candidate?  Andrea recently accompanied a councillor on the campaign trail in Cork city...

One of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants is said to have "toughened up" its dress code and made it "more explicit" advising guests against certain items of clothing.    The Chelsea restaurant has reminded patrons of the dress code on its website:   "We would like all of our guests to feel free to express their own individual style however, we do ask guests to avoid shorts, track...

Adrian Kennedy, who usually presents the show when Andrea is away, joins to discuss his recent cancer diagnosis and how he’s been dealing with it…

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 Laura Byrne, Founder of White Glove Concierge to learn how she could get her very own concierge service.

A new report from the ESRI shows that 13 year olds have fewer friends now than they did a decade ago, but is that a worry? Or is less friends better? Andrea is joined by listeners as well as Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist and Founder of COGNI Kids to hear their opinions.

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

Author Marian Keyes’s 2020 novel ‘Grown Ups’ is set to be adapted for Netflix, but she has made a plea to the makers not to ruin it with awful Irish accents.  From Brad Pitt to Julia Roberts – the Irish accent has been butchered many times on the big screen. Film reviewer and Newstalk’s own Sue Murphy joins Andrea to chat about some of the biggest offenders. 

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak has pledged mandatory national service for 18-year-olds if the Tories win the UK election in July. What do you think about the idea? Should we have something similar here? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes, including Estelle Birdy, journalist and author and Shelly Cotter from the WPDF (Wives and Partners of the Defense Forces).

James Casserly has just graduated from 6th year in school – however, he has been excluded from the post graduation night out and also the Debs.   James’ mum, Cllr Vicki Casserly, joins Andrea to explain why.

Turbulence has hit the headlines again after eight passengers were taken to hospital following a flight from Doha to Dublin. Emma Rose, Conor and Malcom were on that flight and joined Andrea to discuss their experience and what exactly happened.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe Writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at veggie burgers and chicken / steak marinade! Very well suited for barbecues and the summer months. Plus, some tips to keep you...

An Irish committee on the funding of water in Ireland recommended that households that use excessive water should pay charges. That was seven years ago, and nothing has changed.  Independent Councillor Pádraig Ó Céidigh said that the Government is paying €1 billion a year as support to Irish Water, and that people who are wasting water should be punished.  Are there any circumstances in...

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 Gilligan is joined by Ciara Foley from Platinum Travel to learn all about what it’s like being a travel agent.

A London-born teenager is set to become the first millennial to be made a saint.  Carlo Acutis died of leukaemia in 2006, and since his death, two miracles have been attributed to him by Pope Francis.   Eight years after his death a seven-year-old boy from Brazil recovered from a rare pancreatic disorder after coming into contact with one of Acutis’s T-shirts. A priest had also pray...

Have you ever confronted anyone about their parking?  Well, one person in Crosshaven in Cork certainly made their feelings known when it comes to bad parking in their area. A number of cards using colourful language were stuck on cars that were poorly parked last weekend.   What do you think? Is this the approach that might work?   Andrea is joined by Fianna Fáil Cllr. in...

Actor Brian Mulvey’s life changed when, after learning about his son’s autism, he seeked his own diagnosis. He joins Andrea to discuss what he learned and how it has impacted his life.

From tattoos for Taylor to Gordon Ramsay spotted out and about – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has stories from around the country you may have missed.

Do you feel that you’re able to disconnect from work? Or are you constantly checking emails and answering phone calls after work hours?   According to a survey by the Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants, there is a growing expectation that civil servants engage with work outside of their normal hours is creating “an unsustainable working environment”  What’s your experie...

How can you add texture to your wall, easily and without breaking the bank?  Andrea is joined by DIY Expert Alan Grant and Eimear Hutchinson, Columnist with the Cork Echo to discuss the best ways to add some flair to your walls.