Lunchtime Live

Whether its little bottles of shampoo or a pair of slippers – we’re all guilty of taking things from hotels – but where do you draw the line? 

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.   Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...

Should we be teaching children that it is alright to fight back if they are being bullied?   Dr David Coleman, Clinical Psychologist, writing in the Irish Independent today argues: When it comes to a child being physically attacked, or physically bullied, my advice has always been to give that child permission to defend themselves. Hitting back shows the aggressor that a child is no...

Simon Harris has been confirmed as Taoiseach by the Dáil. Mr Harris was nominated as Taoiseach by the Dáil with a majority vote of 88 to 69 after he was proposed by Fine Gael and supported by Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and a number of independents. Mairead Ronan was joined by Craig Hughes, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail and Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis to...

Have you ever grieved the life you had before you had children?  Comedian Katherine Ryan has spoken about how she loves her kids but thinks they 'ruined' the life she used to have – can you relate? Or do you feel you can even speak openly about it?  Mairead Ronan was joined by journalist Chrissie Russell, Aileen Hickie, CEO of Parentline, Newstalk's Henry McKean and Siobhan O'Neill-White...

This year, we are determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!  Over the next few weeks we will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well. Mairead Ronan was joined by Kim and Lyn, founders of 'A Sorted Affair' to discuss...

Parts of the quays in Dublin City centre will close to cars from August.  Bus gates at Bachelors Walk and Aston Quay will be the first measures of the council's new Transport Plan to be introduced.   This will mean only public transport, taxis, pedestrians and cyclists will be allowed to use the route.  A ban on cars turning left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street will also k...

Three people died in separate tragedies in Dublin, Wicklow and Cork in the spaces of just 12 hours over the weekend.   So far this year the death toll from Irish roads stands at 61 – which is 45% higher than the rate from the same time period last year.   Are we going backwards when it comes to road safety?   Mairead Ronan was joined by Susan Gray, founder of PARC roa...

A new survey has shown that the most valued skill for a parent is Patience. Also on the list are Responsibility, showing affection and time management. Do you think it’s the most important skill? Can you learn patience?   Mairead Ronan was joined by Brendan Kelly, Psychiatrist, Keith Walsh, Podcaster and Broadcaster and Ollwyn Moran Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Ki...

Tomorrow, Ireland's women's soccer team will play England at the Aviva Stadium in the European Championship qualifiers.  A listener to the show Nicky got in touch, because she want to talk about the lack of media coverage. Mairead Ronan was joined by listeners to discuss...

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 Mairead Ronan and Sarah looked at some more handy meals for batch cooking... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

A new study has found that people who work from home are less likely to get pay rises and promotions – but is that fair?  Andrea Gilligan was joined by Mary Connaughton, Director CIPD Ireland, the professional body for HR and other listeners to discuss...

Rural post offices are often a hub of the community centre. Nowadays, more and more are closing, or at risk of closing, because they don’t have enough support.  Andrea was joined by Máire Breathnach who is the Postmaster in Ring in Waterford, Councillor Michael Sheehan and Cellie Irwin is the Chair of the New Ross Active Retirement to discuss...

Every day we scour the newspapers but often, many great stories from the regional papers don’t make the headlines. Newstalk's Breakfast Briefing presenter Shane Beatty has rounded up some of the best stories that you might have missed... 

Ray O’Donoghue, director of Donegal music festival Sea Sessions, has been appointed Dublin City’s nighttime economy advisor in a bid to support the cultural and creative life of the capital over the next two years.   Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...

JP McMahon, chef, restaurateur and author in Galway joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live to discuss an experience of poor service he had recently in a restaurant. Andrea was also joined by listeners to discuss...

One of our listeners, Michael, got in touch with the show over an issue he was having with getting a water connection for his home in Donegal. Michael joined Andrea Gilligan to discuss...

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live... 

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is set visit University Hospital Limerick's A&E Department today. It comes as the hospital has hit the headlines in recent days, with many patients experiencing significant waits for treatment.  Listeners have gotten in touch with us to tell us about their experiences. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Teri, Geraldine and Tanya McMahon from 'Nenagh Ne...

From tea trolleys to maintenance works, Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications with Irish Rail joined Andrea to answer listener questions...

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  Andrea was joined by Laura Mullet, Stylist, Journalist and Podcast Enthusiast and Colm Boohig from Off The Ball to discuss 'Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend'... Image: Spotify

Members of the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) passed a motion yesterday to demand that all years of teaching service should be included in the calculation of incremental credit, but how else can we encourage them home? Andrea spoke to John Boyle, INTO General Secretary as well as other teachers and listeners to discuss.

Back in October, Andrea spoke to Denise, a listener who had travelled to Turkey to get her teeth done. She told Andrea about her nightmare experience. Denise joined Andrea on the show again today to discuss how things have not improved for her since...

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.   Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...

New electric car registrations in March were down 41% compared to the same month last year.   That is according to new figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry which shows a marked decline in the amount of people opting for electric vehicles.   Andrea Gilligan was joined by Matthew Sealy, Chair of the Irish EV Association and other listeners to discuss...