Lunchtime Live

Today ‘End of Life Ireland’ will gather at the Dail in hopes of bringing their message to politicians about legislation for Voluntary Assisted Dying. Andrea chats to caller David whose mother recently passed away: 'We had to endure ten days after a major stroke watching her deteriorate and it was difficult when there was no comeback.'

Author Sheila O'Flanagan talks to Andrea about the unusual attitudes she has encountered after deciding not to have children. 'If you are making that decision not to have children it's because you are living a life that is already full of joy and meaning'

Thousands of homeowners could have to abandon their houses in coming decades because of rising sea levels.  The Government are now saying we need a ‘managed retreat’ – a move away from the coast.  Andrea was joined by Councillor Martin McDermott from Donegal County Council and other listeners to discuss...

Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on TV show Friends passed away over the weekend at the age of 54.  People were quick to share their disbelief and sadness online – and there was a real feeling of mourning among some people online.  Iseult White, Psychotherapist and Author and Siobhán, a Friends fan joined Andfrea on Lunchtime Live...

A new study has found that 45 percent of Irish people believe in ghosts with 48 percent of females believing in them compared to 43 percent of males.  Do you believe in ghosts? Andrea was joined by Richard Morrison, co-founder of Paranormal Supernatural Investigations Ireland PJ from Púca Vogue, Paranormal investigator,

An Oireachtas committee has recommended that the State pension age increase should increase to 75. They say their recommendation was ‘in light of the fact that life expectancy has increased from 65 to 82 years old'.   Andrea was joined by Denis Naughten, Independent TD and Cathaoireach of the Committee on Social Protection and listeners to discuss...

The Transport Minister has said that Irish roads are not safe for children to walk or cycle to school on.  Eamon Ryan even said that our roads aren’t even safe enough for experienced cyclists.  Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Halloween is next week and it’s that time of year again to binge horror movies whether you love them or hate them. Why do we enjoy being scared so much? Andrea was joined by Dr. Sarah Cleary also known as ‘The Queen of Halloween’, Deirdre Murtagh from Ghosts of the Manor and Farmaphobia and Ken Carreher, Ken’s Halloween House of Horrors...

The Dublin City Marathon takes place this weekend, 25,000 participants are expected to take part, But what actually happens to your body when you run a marathon?  Andrea was joined by Professor Niall Moyna, Professor of Clinical Exercise Physiology and others to discuss...

Shocking new figures from Foróige Sligo show that more than one in three teenagers currently vape.   Young people aged 13 to 16 who vape say that they never smoked before starting.   Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Samhain, is, of course, the basis of modern Halloween - the time of the year, it is said, when the threshold between the living world and the dead is at its thinnest. But, do we make enough of Halloween here in Ireland? Especially considering that it is a traditionally Irish celebration?   Adrian Kennedy was joined by listeners to discuss...

Donegal has been named the fourth-best region in the world to visit.  Lonely Planet have put it head of places like Southern Thailand, the Swahili Coast in Tanzania and Montana in the United States.   Some of the Donegal wonders they’ve credited are “the highest sea cliffs in Europe at Sliabh Liag, at 601m (1972ft), and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails along the Wild Atlantic...

Have you taken up a hobby in later life? Or at any stage? Where do people find enough time to take up hobbies? Comedian Bernard O’Shea says he has recently started writing poetry. Terrible poetry by his own admission, but poetry none the less.  It’s known that they’re supposed to reduce stress, and help us flex our creative muscles, but how many of us really give them any priority? ...

A study surveying academics at the University College of Los Angeles has shown that Gen Z want to see more emotional relationships in movies and less sex scenes. Is there too much sex in movies these days?  Adrian Kennedy was joined by Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of The Bellissimo Files Podcast and other listeners to discuss...

As the number of road deaths in Ireland continues to rise, what should we do about it?   Is speed the main issue? And if so, are more speed cameras the answer?  Adrian Kennedy was joined by Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty and more to discuss...

Ocotber 20th marks World Osteoporosis Day Osteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to a decrease in bone mass and density, meaning bones become fragile and break easily.  Andrea was joined by broadcasting legend Mary Kennedy to talk about it...

Almost 1 million people in Ireland grew up with a problem drinker in the home.  That’s according to new figures out today from Maynooth University.  They’ve also found that this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  Andrea was joined by Marion Rackard, Aisling Creegan and other listeners to discuss...

Pop princess Britney Spears has released her memoir 'Woman in Me.' Today FM’s Claire Beck joined Andrea Gilligan to chat about the book and her legendary career is

Denise Whelan, a listener got in touch as since getting her teeth done in Turkey she has had to return multiple times due to infections...

Yousef Palani has received two life sentences for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee. The 23-year-old was also handed a separate 20-year sentence for causing serious harm to Anthony Burke. He pleaded guilty to the crimes last year.  At his sentencing hearing today, the court hear how distressing details of how he used dating apps to target gay men living alone in the Sligo area.&nb...

Should we anonymise the early stages of the recruitment process?   Would it help to eliminate prejudices in hiring?   Around half or respondents to a survey from the African Professional Network of Ireland (APNI) backed the idea of anonymising the initial stages of job applications while 70% more diversity among interviewers would be a good thing.  Andrea was joined by lis...

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills. Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts. Aoife Kearns, from our news team has done the hard work and...

Between the dark mornings and short evenings, the effects of a lack of daylight can have a huge affect on our moods. 7 per cent of Irish people suffer with seasonal affective disorder or SAD. Andrea was joined by Dr Anne Kehoe, President of the Psychological Society of Ireland to discuss...

Following the pandemic there has been an increase in students expelled and suspended in secondary schools.   Expulsions and suspensions numbers are creeping back up to pre-pandemic levels, according to new figures from Tusla How can we prevent these numbers from reaching pre-pandemic levels? Andrea was joined by Pat McKenna, Former Principal of Pobailscoil Neasáin Baldoyle and Educationa...

Miriam, a listener, sent an email into Lunchtime Live about her time spent in an industrial school when she was younger. Miriam joined Andrea Gilligan on the show to discuss her experience... Image: Children's Homes