Lunchtime Live

“For most of us, our phone is now our most important, most used possession. It’s our alarm clock, our wallet, our diary, our workspace, our health assistant.” So writes Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly. But, she wants to take us back to a simpler technological age – the year 1996, when she got her first phone. She joins Andrea to chat about the nostalgia of getting your first phone, as well as...

On Tuesday, Andrea spoke to Donna about her experience of domestic abuse, and the difficulties in getting a Barring Order. Is the system fit for purpose, or does more need to be done to protect victims? Mary Louise, Founder of SiSi & Emma Jane Byrne, domestic violence advocate and volunteer with SiSi join to discuss.

When was the last time you went to the cinema? And would you pay extra for a more luxurious cinema experience? The Stella Cinema in Rathmines in Dublin offers armchairs, food directly to your seat and a cosy setting - and it has now been voted the second best cinema in the world. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Karl Geraghty, Head of Stella Cinemas and Adam Smyth, TikToker and moviegoer.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums and bands to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through some of The Dubliners’ greatest hits!

Plans to regenerate two derelict houses in Phibsborough have been abandoned due to the cost. The Government had bought the two houses on Connaught Street for €700,000 seven years ago. Despite the approval of planning in 2023, the work would now cost an expected €1.7 million… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Feljin Jose, Green Party Councillor for Phibsborough, Frank O’Connor, Artist, Designer and...

Travel chaos caused by the events in the Middle East: what are your rights when it comes to cancelled flights and disrupted plans? Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air & Travel Magazine joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss.

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. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined guest host Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

One in five schools have been forced to drop a subject due to teachers' retention and recruitment issues, according to a survey carried out by the Teachers Union of Ireland. Three-quarters of the schools surveyed had advertised positions in the previous six months for which no teacher applied. A further 60% have unfilled vacancies… Have you or your children been affected by the teacher's shortage?...

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist joins to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Shane joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss morning sickness…

29-year-old Olivia McAleenan was diagnosed last week with multiple sclerosis… She joins Anna Daly to share her experience thus far of recognizing her symptoms and receiving a diagnosis.

An estimated €15.6 million will be needed to repair damaged roads after Storm Chandra. Elected members of Wicklow County Council, one of the worst affected areas, have called on the Department of Transport, Taoiseach and Tanaiste to provide extra emergency funding to aid this. The “extraordinary scale of destruction” caused far exceeds the road maintenance budget for the council. Joining guest hos...

According to a new study, left handed people are more competitive than right handed people. Are you left handed? Does this ring true? Joining Andrea to discuss is Phil Smyth, Physicist, Engineer and Science Communicator and Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig.

Looking to do some home energy upgrades but don’t know where to start? For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Brian McIntyre, Programme Manager at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to answer any questions you might have!

Barring Orders and Protection Orders, have you ever tried to take one out against someone? Andrea’s guest spent decades living in fear, subjected to emotional and sexual abuse by her ex partner. He was ultimately convicted and is serving time for rape, but she was never granted a Barring Order to protect her during that time. Donna joins Andrea to share her story… HELPLINES: www.womensaid.ie Phone...

Thousands of passengers are left in limbo as they try to get home, or get some certainty from airlines as to what will happen... Tony is worried they won’t get home from Australia, and joins Andrea, along with other listeners, to discuss.

It's How I live well time! Andrea will be joined by experts to discuss ways you can improve your life… This week, Andrea is joined by Endocrinologist Professor Mary Ryan to talk all things testosterone.

Ireland has already seen an increase over the weekend in fuel prices after the US-Israeli attack on Iran… Petrol and diesel have both increased by about 2 cent per litre, and kerosene has increased by 2.5 cent. As the conflict widens across the Middle East, how will fuel prices impact us?  Joining Andrea to discuss is Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie , Darragh Cassidy, as well as listener...

Who lays down the laws in your house? The age old “Just wait until your father comes home” is apparently a thing of the past, with fathers now seen as pushovers. Is that the case in your house? Are you a pushover dad? Joining Andrea to discuss is Adrian Barry from Off the Ball and Joey Donnelly and more.

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

Conflict in the Middle East has caused chaos with missile strikes on airports causing closures and much uncertainty. So, what are the experiences of those impacted by this travel disruption? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Last month, Andrea spoke to the Oyekanmi family, who were facing deportation back to South Africa. Their local community had been protesting against their deportation, one of those was Finbarr O’Brien, from De La Salle Rugby Club. He joins Andrea to discuss.

Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Anton Savage spoke to Sinn Féin Councilor Aoife Rose O’Brien on the mass eviction notice served to 36 households in Wexford. The eviction will impact about 100 people living in the Hazelwood estate in Bridgetown… Andrea is joined by some of those affected to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘The Mel Robbins Podcast’! Image: SiriusXM

How have missile strikes in the Middle East affected those living there? Andrea is joined by Irish people both living and stranded in Dubai to discuss their experiences… Image: Reuters

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, State Pathologist Linda Mulligan joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!