Moncrieff

Ireland in the 1970’s and 80’s could feel a bit grim, and the country could feel a bit stuck - and the media was often too nervous to push against the norm. That is, of course, an exception with the publication Magill and Journalist Vincent Browne, who helped change journalism and the country itself. Kevin Rafter, author of ‘Fearless! Vincent Browne's Magill and Ireland in the 1980s’, joins Seán t...

Haircuts 4 Homeless was set up by veteran hairdresser Stewart Roberts in England, who brought the concept to Ireland where skilled hairdresser volunteers give haircuts to homeless people. Once a month in the Capuchin Day Centre, Peter Mark hairdresser Trevor Hynes leads a team of stylists, hairdressers and barbers with Haircuts 4 Homeless Ireland - giving stylish haircuts, bringing back dignity an...

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes… This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss cases involving weird and unlikely accomplices!

The kids are back in secondary school, and the fact that free secondary school education exists in the first place is because of Donogh O'Malley, who introduced this 60 years ago… Michael O’Dwyer, co-ordinator of the Remembering Donogh O’Malley Programme, joins Seán to discuss.

As part of its continued budget cuts, the BBC has announced that it has axed Ski Sunday, a show dedicated to winter sports, which has been airing since the 1970’s. Joining Seán to discuss this is Eddie Edwards, AKA ‘Eddie the Eagle’.

For various reasons, Ian Smith, Journalist with the Irish Independent, left Ireland and for about 8 years lived in different European cities. When he eventually returned, he wondered if that was the right choice… He has been writing about his experience, and joins Seán to discuss.

Many people enjoy shopping, many people enjoy alcohol. Mix the two: what could possibly go wrong? One US survey estimated that the drunk shopping industry is worth about €38 billion a year!  Eoin McGee, Presenter of the ‘Understanding Money’ podcast, joins Seán to discuss.

A number of students from Gaza hoping to study here have had their visas refused for a multitude of complicated reasons. For Seán’s guest, he was lucky enough to receive an education in Ireland. Abdallah Aljazzar, English Literature Student originally from Gaza, joins to share his story.

If you live in a town or city and regularly walk through it, are there things about the experience that annoy you? People walking with their heads in their phones, and, god forbid, tourists? Kelly Earley, columnist with The Journal and co-host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast, joins Seán to discuss.

Every year, the likes of Vanity Fair and Vogue publish a list of the best dressed celebrities. This year, Pope Leo XIV was featured for his wearing of runners and a baseball cap. So, is the Pope trying to become a new fashion icon? And how has Pope fashion changed over the years? Patsy McGarry, Journalist with the Irish Times, joins Seán to discuss.

In Ireland and in many other countries around the world, birth rates are dropping. Singapore, which has one of the lowest rates, is throwing grants and increased parental leave in an attempt to boost this. But, what is the right answer here? Joining Seán to discuss is Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times.

For the first time in 40 years, the Annals of Inisfallen will go on display in UCC. At nearly a thousand years old, it is an account of the history of Ireland. Pádraig Ó Macháin, Professor of Modern Irish at UCC, joins Seán to discuss. Image: University College Cork

We’re looking back on the weekend and looking forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions: What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week? Joining Seán to discuss is Maia Dunphy and Donal O'Donoghue!

US President Donald Trump will be arriving in Ireland next Saturday. He will have a meeting with President Catherine Connolly and the Taoiseach, before spending time in his golf course in Doonbeg for the Irish Open. Of course there will be protests, but what should our Government do about his visit? Should self interest take place over principal? Joining Seán to discuss is former Irish Ambassador...

Occasionally, you might hear about people who are super fit, but develop an illness normally associated with someone who is overweight. What is this ‘skinny fat’ phenomenon? Personal Trainer John Belton joins Seán to discuss.

The UN general assembly is due to vote on changing the world to move away from the traditional Mercator map, which shrinks the size of Africa and exaggerates northern landmasses, for a design that more accurately reflects the true size of countries. Joining Seán to discuss William Durkan booked, Lecturer in Geography and GIS at UCC.

If you’re painting or repainting your home, how should you choose your colours? Is it based simply off your favourites, or do certain colours suit a room better? Róisín Murphy, Architect and Artist, joins Seán to discuss!

A recent study found that half of Irish parents said it was a “challenge” to find “appropriate and enjoyable” books for their children and nearly a quarter of parents feel that reading with their child is a “chore”. Joining Seán to discuss how to get your child to want to read is author of ‘Milly McCarthy and the Doggy Daycare Drama’, Leona Forde…

It’s just been revealed that earlier this year the National Parks and Wildlife Service captured and destroyed seven skunks in Kildare, with the potential of there being more… Patricia Devlin, Investigative Reporter with The Journal Investigates, joins Seán to discuss.

Ireland’s first-ever solar-powered racing car has been unveiled by a team of engineering and technology students from DCU! Joining Seán to discuss the achievement and how the car works is Rían Gill, Team Manager at DCU Solar Racing. Image: @dcusolarracing on Instagram

Are the Irish friendly, or is there a deep rooted guarded side to us? Why are the Irish secretive when it comes to emotions and family matters? Are friendship circles closed to outsiders with indirect masking? And, is this based on our dark history or British Rule and the Catholic church? Henry McKean has been out asking these questions to the public, and joins Seán to share what he has heard…

Having a difficult-to-spell name, unless you legally change it, is a reminder to parents to choose carefully when picking a name for their child. Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh has been writing about this, and joins Seán to discuss.

Many of you will be aware of the pressure put on mental services in the country, but in six locations in Ireland, an additional service is offered: a solace café. Ciara Glynn is Operations Manager of the Aware Solace Café in Dublin, and joins Seán to discuss how it works. Helplines: Samaritans 116 123 Pieta House 24-Hour Crisis Helpline:1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444

According to a recently published scientific study, the blackbird has the sweetest birdsong, but is that really true? And why do we like the sounds birds make? Niall Hatch, Head of communications and development with Birdwatch Ireland, joins Seán to discuss.

It’s been widely reported by the daughter of French First Lady Brigitte Macron, who is 42, has a new boyfriend 20 years younger than her. This follows the pattern of her mother, who is 25 years older than Emmanuel Macron. It begs the question: do these relationships last? How much of a factor is age, and when does it become an issue? Joining Seán to discuss is Mairead Loughman, Matchmaker with Lov...