Lunchtime Live

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year 2001! Image: Smithsonian Magazine

A leading Oncologist has warned that patients on lower incomes are missing out on vital cancer treatment… Are we in danger of developing a two-tier health system like we see in the US? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Bernard Mahon, a Lecturer in Maynooth who was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer. Also joining to discuss is listener Samantha.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by CEO of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, Dr Lorraine Horgan to answer any of your adoption-related questions!

Flowery and embellished language is being overused to describe basic dishes, and apparently, it’s a real bugbear for the Countdown star Susie Dent. So, has the language on restaurant menus become overly pretentious? Andrea is joined by Russell Alford, Sunday Times Ireland Restaurant Critic and Ali Dunworth, Food Writer to discuss.

Should the counselling notes of victims be used in rape and sexual assault trials? A group of survivors are saying they shouldn’t be, and are demanding change… Andrea is joined by Ruth Coppinger, People Before Profit Solidarity TD for Dublin West, as well as listeners, to discuss. If you are affected by this content - help is available: National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778 888 Women’s Aid Nation...

All this week, Iarnród Éireann has running its third annual 'Try A Trade' event. The idea is to introduce students to careers in things like heavy vehicle mechanics and electrical work. It begs the question: is there enough done to support kids into trades, rather than third level education? Conor Doolan, Iarnród Éireann's Apprentice Training Manager as well as listeners join Andrea 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. Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Have you noticed an increase in vaping indoors in Ireland? Vaping in pubs, restaurants, cinemas – has it become normalised? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Professor Luke Clancy, Consultant Respiratory Physician and founder of the Tobacco Free Research Institute, as well as listeners.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to. Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and Off The Ball’s Colm Boohig joined Andrea to review ‘The Louis Theroux Podcast’! Image: Spotify

Many of us strive to be better and do better in life. But, are we putting too much pressure on ourselves? Should we be celebrating being ordinary? Andrea is joined by Dr Claire Hayes, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Lecturer, and author of ‘Finding Hope in the Age of Anxiety: Recognize It, Acknowledge It and Take Your Power Back’ as well as Mark Fennell, Life Coach, to discuss.

Figures this morning reveal that road deaths in Donegal have risen by a staggering 70% last year – just as road policing numbers were slashed by a third. Tomorrow is National Slow Down Day, and Gardaí have announced that they are going to have an increased number of speed checkpoints around the country – but wouldn't we send a stronger message by properly policing our roads year-round? What do you...

This week is Eating Disorder Awareness week.  One eating disorder that you may hear a lot less about is ‘addictive eating’.  Two members of Addictive Eaters Anonymous, Ruth and Isabelle as well as Lynda Duffy, Eating Disorders Therapist, join Andrea to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life. This week, Andrea is joined by Leona McDonnell, Mindfulness and Wellness Coach, who advocates for stepping outside barefoot!

The redevelopment of Dublin’s Victorian fruit and vegetable market is finally happening - to the tune of €26 million. Work will start in June, and will take about two years to finish. By the time it’s done, the plan is to have new shops and restaurants with at least 80 stalls inside. So, what needs to happen? To discuss, Andrea is joined by Food Writer and Editor of Scoop magazine Dee Laffan, Chef...

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

Parental separation and marital breakdown can be an extremely challenging time for children… A new book called ‘It's Not Fair’ helps kids to adjust when mum and dad separate. Deirdre McCarthy, a Social Worker and Lecturer in Trauma-Informed Care at University College Cork and author of ‘It’s Not Fair – Parental Separation Hurts’ joins Andrea to discuss.

Over €54 million worth of plastic bottles and cans have gone unclaimed in a year… So, why are some people refusing to buy into the Deposit Return Scheme? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

The costs associated with weddings can be great, so any financial reprieve for the bridal party would be nice; but would you have your bridesmaids get their dresses from a supermarket? A budget range of bridesmaid gowns are becoming available in ASDA in the UK, can a certain stylish quality be upheld with a cheaper option? Or, is dress rental a sounder financial choice? To discuss, Andrea is joine...

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week, Andrea is joined by Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments, Holly Dalton to learn about her recipes for overnight oats, granola and dumplings! Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Canadians travelling to Ireland have been given a warning by their government that if they’re arriving here to forge a romance that they struck up online, they may in fact be the victim of a scam… Other travel advice such as to avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery as well as carrying large sums of cash as pickpockets may be targeting tourists. Is Ireland particularly uns...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Professor Ciaran Bolger, Consultant Neurosurgeon with Beaumont Hospital joins Andrea to answer any of your brain surgery questions!

For people who can’t sleep, you’ll try anything… There are tons of new “trends” to try, all under the name of ‘sleepmaxxing’. But, what is it, and do any of them work? Dr. Neil Stanley, co-author of ‘A Sleep Divorce: How to Sleep Apart, Not Fall Apart’ joins Andrea to discuss.

Labour TD Eoghan Kenny has questioned the changes to leaving cert claiming that continuous assessment projects disproportionately favour children from affluent families. Andrea is joined by Labour TD and Party Spokesperson for Education, Eoghan Kenny, Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of Teachers Union of Ireland, Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Columnist and Eric Nelligan, Teacher and member of A...

Pets are very much part of the family, but how much are you willing to spend on your furry friend? From private jets and salon treatments to dog yoga and luxury hotel stays, Ireland’s luxury pet industry is booming. Andrea is joined by Laoise Downes, owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service, Adam Golder, founder of K9 Jets and more to explore the lengths people can go to.

From an Irish paramedic saving lives abroad to a dog eating teddy bears, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!