Lunchtime Live

Does St. Patrick’s Day make you proud to be Irish?   Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste today launched the St. Patrick's Festival, with the theme announced as SPRÉACH’, or spark, representing the life force, the very essence of our being!  Andrea Gilligan was joined by Ian O'Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent

Barry Moore, Compliance Manager with BM Logistics joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss the impact of migrants boarding trucks on his business...

There are graveyards across the country full of tombstones of all shapes and sizes. Some much larger than others. The larger ones, which are common for members of the travelling community, are apparently causing upset to some, saying it goes too far.  Others are saying we need more respect for cultural differences when it comes to honouring our dead.  Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live...

Tony Walsh runs local printing business Walsh Colour Print in Kerry. We spoke to him last year about houses that he had built for his staff. Tony joined Andrea again on Lunchtime Live to give an update about the situation...

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 Air Fryer Pizza Bagels and Crunchy Chewy Rocky Road... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

An article in the Irish Daily Mail has revealed truckers around the country have been offered up to €25k to smuggle illegal migrants.  Wexford TD Verona Murphy has said it is up to the authorities where the ferries depart to tighten up on these gangs.    Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Verona Murphy, Ger Hyland President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and other tr...

In a bid to attract and obtain staff, Ryanair has purchased 25 of 28 new-builds in Swords. The airline will rent the rooms out to their staff.   Andrea Gilligan was joined by Labour Party Councillor, James Humphreys, Rory Hearne, Associate Professor in Social Policy at NUI Maynooth and author of ‘Gaffs.. Why nobody can get a house’ and others to discuss...

A study has shown that Handwriting is better for your brain than typing – but have we lost the art of handwriting?  Andrea was joined by Liz Maguire, a Dublin-based antiquarian, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin from Writing.ie and others 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... 

Eurosong will be happening tonight on the Late Late Show tonight.  Ireland haven’t exactly had much success at Eurovision lately – so what should we be doing differently?  Andrea was joined by former Eurovision winner Charlie McGettigan, Keith Mills and Dermot Manning to discuss...

Want to revamp your kitchen without spending a fortune?  Architect Roisin Murphy and Hardware Expert Alan Grant joined Andrea with some tricks of the trade to give you a fresh kitchen without the cost...

Shaun Fogarty is an inspiration. After an accident left him completely paralysed from the neck down when he was just 19 years old, he has gone on to defy the odds – learning to eat and talk again, as well as going back to college to earn a masters degree.  Shaun joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live alongside his mother Gretta...

A Tipperary Granny in her 70s is planning to skydive with her son this February to raise funds for Gaza.  Mary and Mike McDonnell joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live...

The Citizens Assembly on Drug use are meeting right now, to recommend a 'decriminalised' version of our drugs laws. It would cover anyone caught with drugs for personal use.  They believe the criminalisation of drug use has not worked. Andrea was joined by 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... 

An article in the Irish Times today suggests people are diagnosing themselves with mental health Issues.   Is there a glorification of mental health on social media?  Andrea was joined by Jason O’Callaghan: Psychologist and others to discuss...

A spokesperson for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has said they have seen an increase in people looking for support and more women are seeking support for "problem drinking". Andrea was joined by listeners and Sheila Gilheaney, CEO at Alcohol Action Ireland to discuss...

The existence of fertility treatments has given a lot of us the impression we can wait until we’re older to have children.  A survey carried out by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Cork University Maternity Hospital showed an overconfidence in the treatments. One in five surveyed believed ­fertility treatment allowed most women to h...

Have you ever thought about your own funeral – or told people what you’d like after you die?  For more on this Andrea was joined by Brid McGowan from Foley & McGowans Funeral home in Sligo and McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Ballina and listeners to discuss...

The National Transport Authority today published their fares plan for 2024 – while 80% of fares remain unchanged, there will be reduced monthly tickets for commuters.  Do you use Public transport? Is cheaper transport really the answer to encourage more people to use it?  Andrea was joined by Dr. Páraic Carroll, Assistant Professor in Transportation Engineering in UCD, Cllr Lauren Tuite,...

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....  Image: BBC

We spoke to Gayle back in August. She got in touch after she was forced to miss her own mum’s funeral, when she couldn’t get respite care for her son.  Gayle cares for her 22-year-old son Luca full time in their home.   She is hoping for more help for people like herself and her son.  Andrea went to Gayle’s home to see what her daily life is like, and to find out if there’...

New cars in the EU and UK have grown 1cm wider every two years according to a new report – but are our roads able for them?  Andrea was joined by Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor & Columnist with the Sunday Independent, Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation and Head of Department, Trinity College Dublin 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. Terry Lambert from Hill Top Treks joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss hillwalking...

The Access to Cash Bill is going to the cabinet today. The bill aims to ensure the use of cash in shops and pharmacies and stop the closure of ATMs. Should we be protecting cash? Andrea was joined by Sheena Mitchell, Pharmacist and Host of the WonderCare podcast, Barry Duff from Lock & Brew Café and more to discuss...