Lunchtime Live

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 Big Breakfast Co-Host Rebecca Shekleton joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces… Image: @EFprocycling on Twitter

Families visiting Dublin Zoo are frustrated by a new exit route that forces them through the gift shop, putting added pressure on parents to avoid impulse buys after a long day. While some see it as a push to boost sales, the zoo likely relies on retail income to support rising operational costs. What do you think? Is this new location necessary, or is it just added pressure for families? Joining...

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Obstetrician and Clinical Director at the Rotunda, Vicky O'Dwyer 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, Vicky joins Andrea to talk about bonding with your baby.

And Just Like That, the Sex and the City reboot has been getting a lot of mixed reviews since it first went on air in 2021, with many of its die-hard fans slating it for making a mockery of the original. Many say that the show just isn't the same without the iconic Samantha Jones, played by Kim Cattrall, even with her one minute appearance at the end of the first season, for a reported $1 million....

Temple Bar has been named the third biggest tourist trap in the world. The complaints against it are the prices, the dirty streets and being overcrowded. We often hear complaints about the cost of a pint there, or of the mess on the streets, so how do we sort it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Declan O’Brien, Chair of The Temple Bar Resident’s Association, owner of Rory's Fishing Tackle, Mary Harkin...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Corinna Tolan, Co-Owner of Monica Tolan Skin Experts, multi-award-winning Facialist and Ultraceuticals Expert Advocate to answer any of your questions when it comes to minding your skin!

Cork Singer Claudia Rose Long Maguire led emotional tributes to Diogo Jota at a Liverpool friendly game yesterday. She joins Andrea to discuss. Image: Reuters

Today is the final day for GAA Palestine to get visas for Palestinian children to travel to Dublin next week. A team of 33 children and 14 mentors were due to travel to Ireland for a summer tour this Friday 18 July, but were denied entry. So, what has happened to get to this point? Andrea is joined by Stephen Redmond, GAA Palestine Founder, to discuss.

Sinn Féin are calling for more support to be given to women suffering with endometriosis. It comes as 1 in 10 women suffer with this deliberating illness and feel they do not get any support when it comes to both diagnosis and treatment. Uachtaráin Shinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald will host a public meeting today to discuss the motion. Would these government supports help those suffering with endometr...

Social media influencers are renowned for working hard, securing their brand deals and promoting content on their platforms. However, AI influencers are now starting to hijack social media platforms and do the same job, claiming numerous followers and setting unrealistic aesthetic expectations for followers. What does it mean for content creators and their followers when AI influencers take over?

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life… This week, Andrea is joined by Counsellor and Psychotherapist at My Mind Lindita Vani to discuss the benefits of therapy.

Over the last 25 years the structure of households has changed. The 2022 Census found that 23% of households contain just one person, around 426,000 people. That’s a leap higher from 15% at the 1996 Census. So, should single people get extra support to get on the property ladder? Joining Andrea to discuss is Independent Economist David W Higgins, as well as listeners.

Dr Sumi Dunne, GP in Laois, joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Businesswoman Sharon Bannerton was close to death after getting sepsis from a mosquito bite. The PR boss described how she was ‘an hour from dying’ when she caught double pneumonia and blood poisoning, taking 12 months to recover from the health scare… Sharon joins Andrea to tell the whole story.

Rural pubs have fallen in the past 20 years with more than 2,000 pubs closing their doors. It is believed that a further 1,000 are due to face the same fate in the next decade, with little to no government intervention to help them stay open… Have local pubs in your area closed down, and what can be done to help them stay open? Joining Andrea to discuss is Offaly TD, Cllr John Clendennen, Co-owner...

Following Donegal’s spectacular win over Meath yesterday, the hunt is now on to find tickets for the final, especially for Andrea! But, how easy (or difficult) is it to nab a ticket? Joining Andrea to discuss is Off the Ball’s Eoin Sheahan, Katie Gallagher, Daniel Hussey, Freelance Sports Journalist and Cathal Minogue, Today FM Presenter.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke join Andrea to review ‘Persuadable’! Image: CNN

The HSE have said they don’t have the funding to help people stop vaping. There are calls now to make it a priority as the health service sees an increase in people looking for help for vaping, and the use of nicotine pouches. So, should there be a bigger focus on it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Labour TD Conor Sheehan, Columnist with the Irish Independent JJ Clarke, as well as listeners.

It’s time for some summer memories! We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days. Writer and Broadcaster Maia Dunphy joins Andrea to reminisce!

Did you know you could get a grant to live on one of the Irish islands? There are grants of up to €84,000 available, and you can live in some gorgeous spots, if you’re able to! So, what does it entail? Joining Andrea to discuss is listeners living the island life to discuss!

Research suggests that involving chores in a child's routine from as young as three years old has massive benefits. A 20-year study by the University of Minnesota found that doing chores from a young age is the best predictor for having a good education, a solid career and healthy relationships with family and friends in adulthood. It has been shown that having set chores helps improve a child's r...

With this heatwave, temperatures around Europe are regularly reaching 40°C… People are being warned not to holiday in some areas, but what is it like to live in them? Andrea is joined by Irish living in some of the continent’s hottest spots to discuss.

From funny seniors to Ugandan GAA, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Should you get a ‘fit note’ instead of a ‘sick note’? GPs in the UK have been ordered to send people to the gym instead of automatically giving them a sick note for time off work. The new pilot scheme will help to encourage people to get back to work and reduce the number of illnesses across the country. Is this something Ireland should consider and if so, how would we go about it? Joining Andrea...

First impressions are important, so, when you have guests over, how can you leave the best one once they step into the door? Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about making an entrance! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) & Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Róisín Lafferty...