Lunchtime Live

Children with disabilities are being locked out of their wheel chair accessible swing in West Cork with a key for the swing setting families back €35.  With the underlying purpose of these facilities is to allow accessibility to children with disabilities and the opposite appears to be happening Andrea was joined by Disability Activist and Labour election candidate Evie Nevin, and Aaron Daly...

The Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman bans her children from marking Mother’s Day. Stating that she would rather her kids empty the dishwasher more than shower her with gifts. With Mother's Day around the corner. Andrea was joined by Aileen Hickie, CEO of Parentline as well as mothers/listeners of the show to give their insight into whether Mother's Day warrants celebration.

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...

A Garda who was suspended for three years after giving a unclaimed bike to an elderly man during the pandemic and failing to fill out the proper documentation should have all disciplinary charges lifted according to a Garda disciplinary panel. The case has brought about the conversation around community policing. How involved still are Gardai in the communities they serve and protect? And what is...

Albert Arnaiz has caused a scandal in his native Spain with his book ‘SHICRET’ telling men and women how to have an affair and get away with it.  He calls himself an ‘Infidelity coach’ and he joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live today...

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and over the past year or so we’ve spoken to many women about how living with the condition affects them, the services available and what more needs to be done.  Singer-songwriter RuthAnne Cunningham and Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers joined Andrea to discuss how schoolchildren will soon be taught about the condition... Image: X via RuthAnne (@thisisr...

Kate Middleton has been photographed by paparazzi following speculation over her whereabouts after undergoing surgery.  However the British press have decided not to publish this picture but why?  Andrea was joined by Sarah Hewson, Royal Editor Talk TV and Enda Brady, TV Presenter with TRT World to discuss...

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. Christine Loscher, Professor of Immunology in DCU joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

A new taskforce is to be established to examine measures to strengthen Ireland’s laws on dog control.   Earlier this year, Minister Heather Humphreys announced that spot fines for serious dog control offences would be tripled from €100 to €300, while increasing funding to dog warden services.  It is expected that these measures will go even further in enforcing dog control. &nb...

This Friday the All Ireland Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous Convention will be held in Clare.  Young people from all around the country will gather to talk about their experiences with alcohol, sobriety and the drinking culture in Ireland.  But is alcoholism in Ireland spoken about enough? Two people who will be attending the conference are Sophie and Sean, and they joined Andrea to...

When you think of divorce we often think view it as a sad occasion. But, should it also be something to celebrate? And, is it important to mark the occasion? Tracey in Waterford joined Andrea to tell her about the unique way in which she is marking her own divorce...

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 recipes for a Tomato and Garlic Pasta and Sweet and Sticky Vegetable Stir Fry with Egg Fried Rice...  Follow the hashtag...

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has said that cyclists need to create a “culture” of being respectful towards pedestrians and the law.  He was speaking at a meeting on the Dodder Greenway when he was asked about some of the tension that can arise between cyclists and people walking.   He said the “conflict” could be reduced by wider cycling and walking paths but he also pointed the fi...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.   Today, Andrea was joined by Author Caroline Grace Cassidy to answer some listeners questions...

Talking on the INSPIRE podcast, Home of the year judge Sara Cosgrove has said that having a ‘No Moan zone’ helps her to make good business decisions, but is moaning actually important or can it benefit us?  Alison Curtis was joined by Terry Prone, Chair Of The Communcations Clinic, Brendan Kelly, Consultant Psychiatrist and others to discuss...

Earlier in the week American TV host Jon Stewart spoke on his show ‘The Daily Show’ about losing his pet dog Dipper:  It’s sparked off a huge conversation about losing a pet- something so many of us can relate to, and whether or not it’s taken seriously enough.  Alison Curtis was joined by pet behaviourist Suzi Walsh and other listeners to discuss...

A global study has found that more than one billion people now living with obesity worldwide.  In Ireland almost 60% of adults are obese or overweight.  Alison Curtis was joined by Professor Donal O’Shea, HSE Clinical Lead for Obesity and other listeners 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... 

Two Dublin restaurants have been broken into, with their tills taken and their windows smashed – in just the last week.  Andrea was joined by Robert Hayes from Bootleg restaurant and Big Fan Restaurant, Chef Andrew Rudd, Director of Medley Restaurant and Louise McDonnell, who owns Munchies on Baggot Street...

Looking for a way to maximise your storage space outdoors? Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you tips and advice...

Today, of course, is February 29th - a Leap Year Day. According to tradition women are allowed to propose to male suitors today.   Andrea was joined by Dr. Caroline West, Sex & relationship expert for Bumble Ireland and other listeners 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... 

Are loyalty cards and club cards really beneficial for shoppers? Or, are we being duped?   Helen Coffey, Senior features writer for The Independent UK, says that ‘the cult of the supermarket loyalty card robbed us of normal prices’  Andrea was joined by Helen Coffey and others to discuss...

From blood types, to supply and who can and can’t donate blood, Andrea was joined by Dr Ellen McSweeney from the Irish Blood Transfusion Donor Consultant to answer listeners questions around blood donation...

Would you take your children out of school to travel?  In October 2021, Danny and Aideen McAuliffe took their three children out of school to travel through Central and South America.  They say that every family should be given six months off to see the world.  Danny and Aideen and other listeners joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss...