Lunchtime Live

Should we ban cheap flights to help the environment?  With some airlines announcing winter sales, with flights as low as €13 – should this be allowed?  Andrea was joined by Ecologist Padraic Fogarty, Eoghan Corry and others to discuss...

Should Irish pubs be given protected status? That’s a call from Una Mullaly in the Irish Times today, she thinks Irish pubs should be declared a cultural asset.   They’re so important to our culture and our way of life, and a lot of them are struggling.  Would something like a UNESCO status help them?  Andrea was joined by some people in the industry 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 Andrea and Sarah chatted through recipes to keep you full during lunchtime... Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Storm Isha battered the country last night leaving alot of damage to businesses and disruption to flights. Andrea was joined by Sinead Ryan, Newstalk presenter, Sorcha Crowley, journalist with the Irish Examiner, Anthony Gray Owner, Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo, Chair of Sligo Tourism and others to discuss...

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 on the show Andrea was joined by former Reality TV star, Ray Shah...

There will be a protest on Sunday in Limerick to highlight overcrowding in University Hospital Limerick.   Andrea was joined by Brian and Marie on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

A fascinating story of three long lost siblings, adopted and grew up without knowing each other has taken another turn.  In 2020, the two of the siblings were reunited on the ITV show ‘Long-Lost Family’. The show brought about the discovery of another brother.  Recently, it has come to light from the Indo Daily Podcast that there may be a fourth sibling out there. Andrea was joined by tw...

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... 

A balaclava, a cannabis joint along with a screwdriver and pliers were among the floral tributes at hitman Tristan Sherry's funeral this week.     Why are displays like this allowed at funerals?   Do they glorify criminality?   Andrea was joined by Fr Aquinas Duffy and more listeners to discuss...

Yesterday we spoke to Aolish and Michelle about their experiences with postnatal depression. And it seemed to really strike a chord with a lot of people listening.  One of the things that came up time and time again in your texts was that people just don’t talk about it enough. So we want to talk about it more.  Andrea was joined by Jemma, Tara and Aileen Hickie, CEO of Parentline to dis...

One listener got in touch with Lunchtime Live via a voicenote to complain about people without kids parking parent in and child car spaces. Andrea was joined by Chrissie Russell and others 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... 

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has questioned how people can attend anti-migration demonstrations during the day while most others are at work.      Is she being fair assuming that protestors aren’t working?  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Brian McIntyre from the SEAI joined Andrea to answer your questions around home energy upgrades...

About one in eight women suffer from postnatal depression after giving birth, but it’s something that many people feel uncomfortable opening up about.  Andrea Gilligan was joined by Aolish and Michelle to discuss their experiences...

Actress Emma Stone has defended graphic sex scenes in Yorgos Lanthimos's (PRON: LAN – TEE – MOUSE)  Oscar-tipped film Poor Things, saying they are true to her character, Bella’s experience.   In recent weeks there has also been much discussion around some of the more shocking scenes in Barry Keoghan movie ‘Saltburn’.  Are there too many sex scenes in movies and TVs shows these...

We have made a new year’s resolution on the show this year to look on the brighter side of life.   Our new item Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy, will look at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.   Blue Monday is behind us and now more than ever we need reasons to be happy!    Newstalk’s own Cathal O...

Is the pedestrianization of our towns a good move?   Plans to pedestrianization a street in Malahide look set to go ahead despite local opposition.   But would you welcome it in your town? Andrea was joined by locals and listeners to discuss... Image: Fingal County Council

There were clashes between Gardai protestors last night when over a dozen asylum seekers were moved into Racket Hall Hotel in Roscrea, Co Tipperary.   There has been daily demonstrations outside the hotel after it was announced last week that asylum seekers would be housed there.  Andrea was joined by locals and listeners to discuss...

Dubai has apparently been voted the most overrated place to visit. Overrated and overhyped apparently. What were your most overrated holiday destinations? Andrea was joined by Melanie May, Ellen Fitzpatrick, Audience Editor with the Irish Independent, Megan Virgo, travel blogger and others to discuss...

Coming back after January, 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. John Lowe of MoneyDoctors.ie joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today to discuss how to manage your money...

Could we soon be travelling to SuperValu Park for Cork’s intercounty games?  A historic rights deal is set to see the famous Pairc Ui Chaoimh renamed.  The stadium is named after former GAA director general Pádraig Ó Caoimh who led the GAA for 35 years.  What do you think, would the renaming bother you? Or is this just the way things are going? Andrea was joined by Donal O’Chao...

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live today by Nina and Mairie to discuss their experiences coping with a stillbirth...

Graham Norton says he thinks Irish people are funnier than our counterparts in the UK.  He says he thinks your regular day-to-day Irish person is probably funnier than your average person in the UK.  He says it’s down to our story telling.  Andrea was joined by Comedian Jim Elliott and other 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 Andrea and Sarah chatted through recipes for two different soups to warm you up during the day. Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.