Lunchtime Live

Aldi is starting to sell wine in aluminum bottles; would you drink it? It has a smaller carbon footprint than glass and could get cold a lot quicker too. Joining Andrea to discuss is owner of the Nude Wine Company, Michelle Lawlor, Director of SIP wine cans Phil Ellison and Tara O'Connor from The Designed Table.

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 Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces… Image: Warner Bros

Today, we're talking about something many people experience, but rarely discuss: the guilt that comes with moving away from home. Whether it’s for college, work, or a fresh start, leaving family behind can bring a mix of freedom and emotional weight. Joining Andrea to discuss is Manon Gilbart, Journalist with the Irish Examiner and listeners who have left the country.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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 Andrea to discuss what the steps are if you are having difficulty c...

Do we shower enough? One Spanish TikToker who spent time living in Ireland was astonished at how little we bathe our children and ourselves! Nacho Barrueco told his followers he had noticed that Irish people seemed to bathe less in comparison to those in Spain... “The kids came to class dirty, with the paint from the day before, with two band-aids on their heads… and I thought, damn, it seems they...

From next year, a new EU directive on pay transparency is set to come into force in June, where employers will no longer be able to ask job candidates about their current salary. And, when advertising job vacancies, employers will have to give a range. Is this a step in the right direction? Do we need greater pay transparency? Joining Andrea to discuss is Columnist with the Irish independent Mary...

Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, affects around 1 in 4 people in Ireland: roughly 1.25 million individuals, including many children. With symptoms peaking from spring through late summer, it can seriously impact daily life, especially in urban areas where pollution may worsen reactions. So, how does hay fever affect people in Ireland and what can be done to manage it better? Joining Andrea to answ...

How much fun do you inject into your life? Apparently 89% of Irish people feel they are just “going through the motions”. Joining Andrea to discuss how they have fun is Today FM Presenter, Alison Curtis and Stylist Laura Mullet.

Women using HRT won’t be reimbursed despite the fact that the medication was supposed to be made ‘free’. Free HRT was supposed to come into effect on January 1st, but it has been delayed in a row between the Government and pharmacists. Today, a new date of the 1st of June was announced. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Loretta Dignam, Founder & CEO of The Menopause Hub, Sheena Mitchell, Pharm...

A Senator in Limerick is calling for consumer protection for concert tickets if an artist fails to fulfill their onstage commitments. Fine Gael Senator Maria Byrne joins Andrea to discuss, along with listeners.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life… Pinball has seen a passionate revival in recent years, and at the heart of this resurgence are community-driven clubs keeping the silver ball spirit alive. Andrea is joined by Donovan Delaney, Founder of Pinbaile: a pinball club that’s become a hub for players of all ages and skill levels! Image: @pinbail...

The number of people travelling from Ireland to the United States fell by 27 per cent in March when compared to the same month last year, figures show. The trend is the same across many other EU countries, caused by Donald Trump’s administration and ongoing trade tensions… To discuss, Andrea is joined by Daniel Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to US, Patti Shields, Chairperson of Democrats Abroad,...

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

Celebrations went on late into the night last night in Holywood after Rory McIlroy became the first Irish man to win the US Masters, and the 6th ever golf player to achieve the career grand slam. Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean is in Holywood, and joins Andrea to share what he’s seen. Image: Reuters

Future increases in the national minimum pay for workers could be put back due to global economic insecurities. The living wage plan, as well as pension auto-enrolment could be delayed as the Government will instead concentrate on boosting competitiveness in light of rising international trade tensions. Does it all make sense? Joining Andrea to discuss is Nessa Cosgrove, Spokesperson on Workers Ri...

Today, Jeff Bezos’ latest Blue Origin space expedition lifts off, carrying an all-female crew: which includes pop star Katy Perry. It's a landmark trip in terms of gender representation, but is it of any benefit to humankind, and is it just an obscene display of wealth? Joining Andrea to discuss is Space Reporter and Writer Niamh Shaw, Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of the National Space Centre and John Gi...

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Music Podcast Dave Hanratty join Andrea to review ‘The Banksy Story Presents: When Banksy Comes to Town’! Image: BBC

There has been plenty of talk over the last number of weeks about people socialising on Drury Street. But, should we be embracing this sort of socialising rather than condemning it? Joining Andrea to discuss is Town Planner Derek Whyte, owner of Drury Buildings Ronan Rogerson, Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael John Crowe, Newstalk’s own Katie Gallagher and more.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Kevin Keyes, Irish & British Superbike Champion, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to being a motorbike racer!

Today marks World Pet Day, and surprisingly, one in ten Irish dogs have a social media account… Do you have one? Joining Andrea to discuss is 98fm Producer Russel Alford, father to Hamilton the Frenchie (@hammyfrenchie on Instagram) and Laoise Downes, owner of Outpaws and Wedding Woofs, a bespoke dog service.

According to the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO), they have received complaints of children as young as three being admitted to movies in Limerick and Dublin that featured 'beheadings and throat-cutting'. Where does the responsibility lie? Is it up to the cinema to enforce the classification, or the parent / guardian who's in charge? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr. Ciaran Kissane,  D...

Ryanair’s baggage policy has long been a point of contention for travelers across Europe. With strict limits on free carry-on items and added fees for larger bags, the airline says it’s keeping costs low and flights on time. But, critics argue it’s confusing and costly for passengers. So, what are Ryanair’s baggage rules? Do they work, why are they in place, and what do they mean for travelers? Jo...

From a budgie in a beer garden to Turkey hotel heroics, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Apparently, young people think they’ve more hope of getting a council house, than ever being able to afford one themselves. How has the housing situation gotten this bad? What can we do to help young people? Joining Andrea to discuss is Charlie Weston, Irish Independent Personal Finance Editor, Newstalk Reporter Barry Whyte, Clement Herron from Clement Herron Real Estate as well as listeners.

When you’re looking to buy a home, how can you estimate what the costs will be to do it up during a viewing? Well, the Home Squad are here to help you train that eye! Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Quantity Surveyor Patricia Power to discuss.