Moncrieff

In the build up to the General Election, questions are swirling around accountability in public spending, with projects like the €1.4 million Dáil bike shed and the delayed Greystones cliff walk facing costly, bureaucratic hold-ups. Across the Atlantic, Donald Trump has tapped Elon Musk to lead a new ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ to cut through red tape and drive results. So, do we need a...

Ireland and India may seem far apart in terms of culture, language and tradition, but Seán’s guest says otherwise. There are, in fact, remarkable similarities between the cultures that, once noticed, are impossible to ignore. Author Manchán Magan joins Seán to discuss his latest book: ‘Brehons and Brahmins: Resonances between Irish and Indian Cultures’. Image: Mayo Books

This weekend at Dublin’s Art Source fair, Astrophotographer Tom O’Donoghue brings the wonders of deep space to Earth. After a career change in 2008, Tom began capturing stunning images of galaxies, nebulae, and solar eclipses from around the world. One highlight is ‘The Rho Ophiuchi Nebula,’ photographed over 25 nights in Spain. Tom joins Seán to discuss more.

Hospitals are famously wasteful places, with many things necessarily being thrown out. In fact, 20% of medical care is waste, from plastic biohazard buckets to glass vials. So, how can this change in order to help the climate crisis? Joining Seán to discuss is Professor Seamus O'Reilly, Consultant Medical Oncologist in Cork University Hospital, who has been carrying out research in this area…

According to a new survey carried out in the southeast of the country, evidence has now been produced that one of Ireland’s most elusive birds, the nocturnal nightjar, is indeed still present in Ireland.  Joining Seán to discuss is John Lusby, Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland… Image: BirdWatch Ireland

David Keohan, also known as ‘Indiana Stones’, is reviving the ancient tradition of stone lifting in Ireland. A hobby he got into during lockdown has now encouraged people across the country to put themselves to the test of lifting some of Ireland’s ancient stones to win the glory and honour historically attached to them.  David joins Seán to discuss. Image: Nick Bradshaw

We live in a society where the term ‘high value man’ is flung around. But, what is a high value man? And what happens to men when they can’t live up to this standard? And, ultimately, are young men these days unhappy?   Joining Seán to discuss is Joe Humphreys, author of The Irish Times Unthinkable philosophy column...

Ticker tape synesthesia is a cognitive state in which those who experience it can actually see the words being spoken to them. But, how does it work? Joining Seán to discuss is Mark Price, Professor in Cognitive Psychology at the University of Bergen…

Over the last couple of decades, it has become increasingly difficult to get basic household appliances fixed, with the old adage ‘it would be cheaper to buy a new one’ being said more and more. A new proposal aims to make repairing a viable option again.  Joining Seán to discuss is Ossian Smyth, Green Party TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Circular Economy…

National Science Week, and in that spirit, what are the world’s most weird and wonderful inventions? Joining Seán to discuss her top picks is Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland, Ruth Freeman. For more information on events across Science Week, check out scienceweek.ie . With thanks to Research Ireland. Image: Ostrichpillow

On Friday, the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was called out to Ballymun to carry out a controlled explosion. But,how exactly does this unit operate, and what danger are these men and women putting themselves in? Joining Seán to discuss is Ray Lane, a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Ordnance Corps in the Irish Army and author of ‘Only a Soldier Knows’...

Ever caught yourself sharing way too much with someone you barely know and afterwards think, ‘why the hell did I just do that?’ While it can feel good to open up, oversharing can actually lead to awkwardness and misjudgment but how can you stop yourself from being way too open with relative strangers? Joining Seán to discuss this is Dr Claire Hayes, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

Are some of us just more lucky in life compared to others? Can you make your own luck and twist it to your advantage, or is it something you are born with? Like being born on the right side of the tracks, or with pretty privilege? Henry McKean has been out asking the public if they believe in luck, and joins Seán to discuss.

While most people have witnessed the odd streaker here or there, either at a match or watching at home on TV, what is it like to actually do this on a regular basis in front of thousands of people? Mark Roberts is the world’s most prolific streaker, having carried out naked streaks at everything from Wimbledon to the Champions League Final. He joins Seán to discuss.

A vet has dramatically saved a family's 17-year-old goldfish after he was struck down by a killer tumour. Emer O’Reilly from MyVet Lucan carried out a rare and intricate operation on the pet, and joins Seán to discuss.

When Hollywood spends big bucks on a movie, it expects a decent return. But, what happens when a movie flops?  Joining Seán to discuss is Tim Robey, Film critic with the Daily Telegraph and author of ‘Box Office Poison: Hollywood’s Story in a Century of Flops’... Image: Disney

Taoiseach Simon Harris has officially kicked off the next General Election today, dissolving the Dáil. With voting set to take place on November 29th, Ivan Yates joins Seán to discuss what we can expect.

Did you know that the Irish gave the world the submarine, the ejector seat and of course, Guinness? But, we’ve also given the English language hundreds more words and phrases. Colin Murphy, Author of ‘Who Gives a Focal?’, joins Seán to discuss.

The Irish premiere for ‘Gladiator 2’ is happening tonight in Dublin, and beforehand, a much more important event took place: the Paul Mescal Lookalike Competition! Henry McKean went down there to enter - and sent in this report.

A Twitter user yesterday posted a picture of their laundry hanging out in the garden, asking the question: “It isn't raining, but it is a damp day. Does laundry actually dry in these conditions, or is it pointless hanging it out?” So, in the winter season, what are the best ways to dry your clothes, and what should be avoided? For example, letting your laundry dry in an unventilated room can cause...

As a society, we’ve really taken to celebrating all of life’s milestones, from baby showers to gender reveals, and now: sperm donor parties… Freelance Journalist, Édaein O’Connell, joins Seán to discuss her experience of going to one.

A 56-year-old man has died after suffering what is believed to be an allergic reaction to wasp stings. Michael Sheehan was cutting a hedge with friends at his home in Cork, when he was stung on the back and neck several times on Tuesday. Clinical Director of Allergy Ireland, Dr Iseult Sheehan, joins Seán to discuss allergy management and awareness.

A new survey in the UK has found that kids are now reading in record low numbers, but is the situation in Ireland different? Joining Seán to discuss is award-winning Children’s Author, Sarah Webb.

With both Chris Martin from Coldplay and Olivia Rodrigo both falling through the stage in recent weeks, what is causing a spate of mishaps in live touring, and what can be done to safeguard performers? Joining Seán to discuss is Milad Highani, Senior Lecturer at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of New South Wales in Sydney…

Visiting Antarctica is something that not many people get to experience, but when Seán’s guest got the opportunity to do so, she was intrigued by the prospect. What she didn’t expect was how the experience was so akin to visiting a different planet. Joining Seán to discuss is Science Communicator Niamh Shaw, who will be delivering a talk about her experiences at the University of Galway on Tuesday...