Lunchtime Live

Do young people these days lack the resilience to deal with life’s difficulties? Following on from a negative reaction to some Leaving Cert exams Mick Clifford, writing in the Examiner, wondered if 'Today's youth have been conditioned to inflate every disappointment into a trauma.' Talking to Newstalk earlier today, Mick Clifford argued that a large portion of the "overreaction" from young people...

Playschools and Montessoris are no longer giving out sweet treats to children in moderation, and have descended into a "free for all." Andrea Gilligan was joined by parents and other listeners to discuss...

Is it hard to be pro-aging in the world of botox? Emer Lysaght wrote a piece in the Irish Times which explained she resents her friends for getting botox and resent them for making her look worse! Are you the odd one out in your friend group? Have they all got Botox and left you behind? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast, Stylist Marietta...

President Higgins has been criticised for speaking out on the topic of Ireland’s neutrality. In an interview with the Business Post, Michael D Higgins said the country is "playing with fire" during a dangerous period of 'drift' in foreign policy - and should avoid 'burying itself in other people's agenda's. Has the President overstepped his role by talking about Government policy? Andrea was joine...

The town of Drogheda, in Co Louth has declared a war on seagulls. A public meeting has been called to find a solution to the seagulls that are causing havoc all over the town. What is the solution to aggressive seagulls? Andrea was joined by Frank Godfrey, Louth Councillor Michelle Hall, Wildlife expert and author Éanna Ní Lamhna and others to discuss...

It’s Fathers Day on Sunday! The role of the father has changed a lot in modern times, We want to know what you have learned most since becoming a father. Andrea was joined by Jamie and Dave of 'From Lads to Dads' and Seamus from 'Irish Gay Dads' to discuss...

Primary schools have warned parents that a growing trend towards taking pupils out of school for holidays is disrupting children’s education and may trigger notifications to social services. New figures compiled by Tusla show the estimated number of such extended absences due to holidays jumped from 60,000-65,000 in 2019 to 350,000 in 2021. What do you make of parents taking children out during te...

Did you feel comfortable taking maternity leave? Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said that she is sure 'some people didn't approve' of her taking maternity leave for a second time. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Clontarf Councillor Catherine Stocker, Dr Niamh Flanagan, Assistant Professor of Social Policy in the Department if Applied Social Studies, Maynooth University, Siobhan O’Ne...

The Leaving Cert is in full swing but should teachers be able to achieve a H1, the highest grade, in the subject that they teach? Andrea was joined by Jonathan Walker, Principal of Ringsend College, Derval, a secondary school and Graham to discuss...

Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond has warned the public to be vigilant after a group of climate change activists deflated car tyres in the Churchtown area of Dublin Dozens of cars were found with all four tyres flat yesterday morning with an accompanying note, that explained: ‘We have deflated one or more of your tyres...We did this because driving around urban areas in your massive vehicle has huge con...

Aslan front man and Irish music ledgend, Christy Dignam, passed away yesterday evening aged 63. His death is a massive loss to the country. I am joined now on the line by fans of Christy’s...

Harry Styles lit up Slane Castle over the weekend, but since the big night, Lunchtime Live has received a number of emails from listeners talking about their experience of buying ‘platinum tickets’. Andrea was joined by Sharon and presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk, Sinead Ryan to discuss...

Five independent Senators say they want to allow the State to award citizens in recognition of exceptional achievement. The proposed system, known as Gradam an Uachtaráin, would comprise of a medal to be worn on special occasions, a lapel button and an entitlement to use the letters ‘GU’ after their name – similar to being ‘knighted in the UK’. The idea is being debated in the Seanad today. Taoise...

A new Oireachtas committee, formed to consider the issue of assisted dying, has held it's first public meeting this morning. Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Denise, Michael, Noel and others to discuss...

Summer is here and everyone is heading on holidays. But would you go away just for one day and would it be worth the price? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by travel writer Joan Scales, Matthew, Michaela and Katie to discuss...

Noel Anderson, Managing Director at The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge joined Andrea GiIlligan on Lunchtime Live after Hollywood Legend Morgan Freeman paid a visit to the pub over the weekend... Image: @NoelAnderson_ on Twitter

A new bike rack has been installed in the outdoor seating area of Dublin’s Street 66 bar. The bar's application for renewal of outdoor seating was rejected last Friday evening. With just days to go until Dublin Pride, the bike rack was erected over the weekend causing outrage online. Andrea was joined by Siobhan Comny, Owner of Street 66 Bar, Liam De Brún, Journalist with Extra.ie, Paul Keville, O...

Gone Girl actress Rosamund Pike has said the wellness industry is a 'con'. Has the wellness industry gone too far? Does it put unnecessary pressure on people to look and behave a certain way? Andrea Gilligan was joined by David Robert Grimes, Scientist, Broadcaster and Author of the Irrational Ape, Newstalk’s wellness guru and Presenter of Alive and Kicking, Clare McKenna, Gillian Hynes from BodyP...

‘Dublin is a dirty, smelly, sticky old town once again’, so says Una Mullally in today’s Irish Times. She argues that during the summer months, in particular, Dublin suffers from a lack of waste management and that the council seem to include ‘rainfall’ as part of their clean up plans. Andrea was joined by listeners on Lunchtime Live to discuss...

Would you bare all for charity? Tomorrow, for the 10th year in a row, over one thousand ladies are braving the elements for the annual Strip and Dip in aid of Aoibheann’s Pink Tie - Ireland’s National Children’s Cancer Charity. Andrea was joined by Anne Howard, Siobhan Gleeson, Catherine Farrell Finan and Siobhan Gregg to discuss… Image: Strip and Dip

Wicklow has become a hub for TV and movie production in Ireland – both for domestic projects and huge international hits. Most recently including the likes of Cocaine Bear, Disenchanted and popular TV series Vikings. But what makes Wicklow the Hollywood of Ireland? Andrea was joined by Elaine Geraghty, Managing Director of Ardmore Studios and Eoin Naughton from Claremont Screenhub...

As part of Newstalks Summer Tour, Lunchtime Live was LIVE from the picturesque village of Enniskerry, nestled in the Wicklow mountains. Famous for Powerscourt house and gardens, but what else has the village got to offer? Lana Condron from the School House for Art in Enniskerry gave Andrea a guided tour. Andrea also met with Peter Norton, the owner of Poppies in Enniskerry...

As Newstalk's Summer Tour continues, Lunchtime Live was LIVE from the Powerscourt Hotel & Gardens in Wicklow. While there, Andrea Gilligan got the chance to sit down and chat with 'Lady in Red' singer and local, Chris de Burgh...

The booze industry is huge in Wicklow – adding to the tourism in the area and taking full advantage of the picturesque surroundings. Wicklow has become known for it’s spirits, beers and even wines as discovered last year on Lunchtime Live. Andrea was joined in the Powerscourt Hotel by Simon Lynch, Co-Founder of Wicklow Wolf, John Cashman, Head of Brand at Powerscourt Distillery and Brett Stephenso...

Lunchtime Live kicks off Newstalk's Summer Tour in Powerscourt Hotel in the Garden County - but what makes Wicklow so special? Andrea Gilligan was joined by gardener, Diarmuid Gavin, journalist, Valerie Cox and broadcaster and author, Emer O’Neill to chat...