Lunchtime Live

A Sunday Times survey has found sharp generational differences when it comes to attitudes to the Troubles. A third of young people here in the Republic of Ireland say they think it is socially acceptable to say “up the Ra”. Half admit they don’t fully understand the history of the Troubles. While, almost a third of young Irish people think there was no alternative to violent resistance to British...

As technology advances and fast fashion takes over, some of the professions we knew and loved are starting to fade. Lots of traditional jobs that we would have known and loved are becoming a dying art. Andrea was joined by Jim Flanagan, Phoenix Park lamplighters, Nora Finnegan, Lacemaker from Kenmare Lace, Phil Doran, a roof thatcher in Laois and Isaac Jackman, Shoe Repair Technician to discuss th...

According to new research, the cost of an average funeral in Ireland is over six thousand euro. Is that something we prepare for enough? Or are we likely to be taken by surprise at the worst possible moment? Andrea was joined by Lisa Clancy, Charlie McClafferty, McClafferty Funeral Directors in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, Sara and other listeners to discuss…

In the last number of years we have been seeing a rise in the number of people with mental health issues. Destigmatising mental health has been welcomed by medical professionals and charities. But, are we sometimes guilty of over-pathologising emotional health? By adopting mental health language so liberally and casually in our everyday lives are we trivialising mental health? Andrea was joined by...

Ellen Fitzpatrick, from Her.ie has just returned from her first solo travel experience. Have you ever travelled solo? How would you feel about going on a holiday on your own? Andrea was joined by Ellen Fitzpatrick and other listeners to discuss...

New statistics revealed today show that the average price in Dublin is now over €2,200 a month and that there is an ‘extreme shortage of rental homes’. And of course the issue isn’t just in Dublin, it’s all over the country. People are struggling to find somewhere to live. And if they can, they’re often struggling to pay rent. Andrea was joined by listeners around the country to discuss...

Is enough being done to protect our Gardai? A shocking video emerged of 2 Gardai being assaulted in Ballyfermot in Dublin last night. Sinn Féin Councillor for Ballyfermot and Drimnagh, Daithi Doolan, Garda Mark Ferris is the DMR West GRA Representative, Sunniva Finlay is the CEO of Ballyfermot STAR and other listeners to discuss...

More than half of nine-year-olds now own a phone. That is according to new research from the ESRI which also found that owning a mobile phone is associated with less time reading and lower levels of involvement in cultural activities. What age is it right to give a child a phone at? Andrea was joined by listeners to discuss...

Stirling University in Scotland have voted to ban meat and dairy from their campus, however campaigners argue that it’s an ‘attack on freedom of choice’. Would you like similar introduced on campuses here? Andrea was joined by Aisling Cullen, the founder and CEO of Thanks Plants, Amanda Norris, auditor of the NUIG Agricultural society, John Downey from UCC Macra na Feirme, Kaley Nolan, from the ve...

Keith Russell was just 12 years of age when his struggles with body dysmorphia and disordered eating began. Now, years on, he wants more men to speak out about their body image struggles. Keith joined Andrea in studio to discuss...

Every year nurses, teacher and many other professions have to pay a retention fee to stay registered in their profession. With a shortage of healthcare staff in Ireland, what is this fee being put towards? Andrea was joined by nurses, Ciara, Ralph and Caroline...

Motorists are set to be hit again with increased toll prices – some going up by 60 cent per journey. Inflation is blamed on the rising cost. Andrea was joined by road users around the country to discuss...

We kick off our ‘Buying Irish’ series today, with thanks to Champion Green, Ireland’s Support Local Campaign. Champion Green and Lunchtime Live are encouraging local people to support local business and jobs this Christmas. First up, Irish toys. Andrea was joined by Damien Murtagh, Founder of Arckit, Kevin from Gosling Gifts & Games, Jenel from Clever Tots Toy Club, Michael from Ro Óg and Sharon K...

Jason, a listener, got in touch with the show to highlight bullying his 13-year-old son received in his secondary school. His son who has dyspraxia and autism and was being bullied by others in his class and Jason had difficulty with the staff at the school about resolving the issue... Other listeners John, Ciarán and Tracy also got in touch with their experiences...

Children in Need, one of the biggest TV events in the UK kicks off this weekend. Andrea was asking should kids have to go on national TV and disclose their illness or trauma in order for people to donate to helping charities? Andrea was joined by Carmel Doyle, CEO of Jack and Jill, Bernard Mulvaney from Access for All and Evie to discuss...

Broadcaster, Síle Seoige has revealed her and her partner have made the decision to no longer show their son Cathal's face on social media. Do you share photos of your children on social media or is it something that is off-limits? Andrea was joined by Caroline Foran, author and host of the Stretch Marks podcast and other listeners to discuss...

Gambling ads are to be banned on television and radio until late at night under plans to be approved by Cabinet today. The Gambling Regulation Bill, likely to come into effect next summer, will fundamentally change the rules of gambling in Ireland. Under the new law people will have to opt-in to receive gambling ads online and those who fail to protect children from gambling could face up to eight...

The Irish Dental Association have given a stark warning to people against travelling abroad to get your teeth done. Amanda Turner and Noreen Keegan Kavanagh joined Andrea to tell her about their experiences of botched dental procedures they had abroad...

Residents of the George’s Quay area in Dublin are getting increasingly worried about the growing levels of local violence from young teenagers. Reports say incidents involving gangs are happening weekly in the area and that it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. Andrea was joined local Councillor Ray McAdam, Local Resident Mark Fay and Alan Robinson, Dublin Docklands Business...

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has died at the age of 48. She passed away at Milford Hospice in Limerick in the early hours of this morning. Clare McKenna was joined to remember Vicky by Senator Lynn Ruane, Newstalk's Frank Greaney, Louise O'Reilly TD, Orla O'Connor from the National Women's Council, John Wall, cancer advocate and others...

Clare McKenna was joined on Lunchtime Live by Síle Seoige, Broadcaster and Host of Ready to be Real and Former Mayor of Limerick Daniel Butler to remember Vicky Phelan, who sadly passed away at the age of 48...

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has died at the age of 48. David Brennan, lifelong friend of Vicky Phelan joined Clare McKenna on Lunchtime Live to remember his friend and the legacy she has left behind... Image: vickyphelanportrait.com

E-bikes and e-scooters are a common topic of discussion with a huge rise in the numbers you see on our roads. A tweet by Katie Harrington has suggested that we should give every child in the country an e-bike when they turn 16 in a bid to cut down on cars on the road, and cultivate a cycling culture. Katie and other listeners joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss the idea…

How do age gap relationships work? Michael and Aaron Flynn-Shore met in New York and instantly hit it off, despite their 37 year age gap. They have just celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary and joined Adrian Kennedy in studio to chat about how they met and life since marriage...

The price of your pint could be going up. If you’re a Heineken drinker, or any of their other brands like Birra Moretti, Orchard Thieves, Coors, Fosters, Beamish and Murphy's - your pint is likely going up by about 50 cent next month. This is due to Heineken increasing the price of a keg by 9 per cent. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Michael Coyne, owner of Coynes Gastropub in Kilkieran, Connemara in...