Lunchtime Live

Last week on Lunchtime Live, Adrian Kennedy spoke to the owner of Ballykilcavan Brewery in Stradbally about his desire to have his craft beers sold in Electric Picnic. Well the promoter Melvin Benn has responded, and says the reason it’s not being sold at the festival, is because he simply doesn’t like craft beer. Andrea is by David Walsh-Kemmis, owner of Ballykilcavan Brewery in Stradbally, to di...

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… Image: Universal Pictures

Should unhealthy food be in plain packaging like cigarettes?  Professor Donal O’Shea spoke to Newstalk Breakfast this morning and certainly believes so. Would this work? Andrea is joined by listeners, as well as Lorraine Carter from Persona Branding & Design to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to. This week, Andrea was joined by the Newsroom’s Ellen Butler and Dave Hanratty, the Host of the No Encore Music Podcast, to review 'Dangerous Memories' Image: Tortoise Investigates

Andrea caught up with our reporter Laura Donnelly who in down in Stradbally ahead of Electric Picnic this weekend. Andrea also chatted to Kellie Anne Byrne – DJ & Radio Presenter - about which acts to look out for at EP.  

Retailer Brown Thomas have defended their decision to charge 60 cent for paper bags in their stores.  The charge, introduced last week, applies to the instantly recognisable Brown Thomas grey and white bags and Arnott's blue branded carriers and applies irrespective of the size of the bag a customer is given.  They say that all profits from the sale of paper carrier bags will b...

This year, Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!  Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. This week she was joined by High Performance Coach Gerry Hussey.

Efforts to get people living in rural areas to buy Electric cars are failing. The Government target of having one million EVs on the road by 2030 now feels less likely. So what would get you to buy an EV? Andrea chats to Tom Spencer, editor of IrishEVs . com and hears from listeners

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea to tackle your medical questions!

Last weekend, Andrea Gilligan decided to go on a boating trip for the first time, hiring a boat in Carrick-On-Shannon in Leitrim and setting sail. She reports on the experience!

Would a €750 tax credit stop young people leaving Ireland? Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has suggested that people under 25 should get the credit which may help to stop them from emigrating as soon as they graduate. It would cost around 100 million euro a year. Would this help to keep young, skilled people in Ireland? Andrea is joined by Cllr Peter Melrose and listeners to discuss.

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. This week, we are looking at if you should be taking a boating trip around Ireland. Andrea was joined by content creator Joshua Nueva to discuss Ireland’s exciting water opportunities!

Could Ireland host an Olympic games? Senator Malcolm Byrne thinks so; he wants us to aim to bid for the 2072 Summer Olympics. Is this a bit mad, or could it really happen? Andrea Gilligan is joined by Senator Byrne, Barry Kenny from Irish Rail, Brian Caufield from Trinity College Dublin and more to discuss.

Former Olympic boxer (and gold medal winner at the 1992 Olympics!) Michael Carruth joined guest host Adrian Kennedy to share some of his favourite summer memories!

Should festivals work more with local communities and stock local products?  Ballykilcavan Brewery in Stradbally is calling for Electric Picnic to stock their beer. They say that if the festival claims to be sustainable, supporting local should be an important element of that.  David Walsh-Kemmis, owner of Ballykilcavan Brewery joins Adrian Kennedy to discuss.

So far, Team Ireland has won seven medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, making it their most successful Olympics result ever. So, how does the team build on this success to do even better next time? Listeners, including former Tennis Professional Jenny Claffey, join guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss.

Two NASA astronauts have been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than two months and could be forced to stay there until February next year! They originally only went up for 8 days, but concerns over the safety of the spacecraft that brought them there have meant they can’t leave. Joining Adrian Kennedy to tell more and discuss is Space Commentator Leo Enright and Rory Fitzpat...

From the hunt for black pudding in Mayo to finding love in a forest in Kilkenny. Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Adrian Kennedy with his look at the stories from across the country this week.

A partner at a UK law firm has been banned from drinking alcohol at work events after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour during a business trip to Vienna. Is consuming alcohol with your colleagues appropriate? Should work events be alcohol free? To discuss, guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by online personality Kayleigh Trappe, Padraig Wilson McCarthy, Content Creator and Ian O’Doherty,...

A lick of paint can be the cheapest and easiest ways to give a room a whole new look – but there’s more to it than just lashing in to it. From picking colours to the tools you need, our home squad are here with the tips and tricks of the trade.  Andrea is joined by Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty along with Oisin Butler from Oisin Butler Ltd, Painting and Dec...

Andrea Gilligan is joined by Laura Donnelly from the Newsroom; she went down to a FAI Cadbury Kick Fit. But, what exactly is it? She explains all, and speaks with those attending! (With thanks to Cadbury, supporter and a half of the women’s national team). Image: FAI

Andrea Gilligan has been trying a plant-based diet for over a week, and still finds that she’s spending the same amount of money as she would buying meat. A listener texted in on Tuesday saying that the government should subsidise vegan meals to tackle climate change. Should this be the case? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

We’re sure you’ve all been glued to the Olympics, but one thing has stood out for listener Claire, who got in touch with the show. She joins Andrea to discuss whether or not the Olympic outfits for women are too skimpy. Stylist Laura Mullet and former Olympic Race Walker Perri Williams also join.

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins Andrea Gilligan once more to rewind the clock… Image: Sony Pictures

Columnist with the Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy, was on Newstalk Breakfast this morning chatting about a new movement amongst parents whereby they track their children’s locations using their smartphones.  So, would you do it? Or are you doing it already? Andrea is joined by Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie , Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times and mother of seven, Katie Makk from...