Moncrieff

When we visit a new place, we can often become consumed with seeing all it has to offer. But, do we really stop to soak up the culture, experience the language and taste the food? That’s where the concept of ‘slow travel comes’ in… Joining Seán to discuss is Gemma Tipton, Journalist with The Irish Times.

Hundreds of umpires are set to be out of a job. It follows a decision by Wimbledon to replace them with new AI technology.   Seán is joined by Hebe Lawson, former Ball Girl at Wimbledon, to discuss. Image: Wimbledon

It’s hard to walk down a main street in Ireland without seeing an Italian chipper. They are a staple of Irish culture.  But, did you know that they are also a staple of Italian culture? Each year, the village of Casalattico hosts ‘Irish Fest’, which celebrates the long standing relationship between that area and chippers. Joining Seán to discuss is Maria Fusco, from the Fusco chipper family.

Twins often say that they can read each other's minds, or can sense when the other is in danger. However, is there any real scientific evidence to back this up? To discuss, Seán is joined by Nancy Segal, a Psychologist who specialises in the study of twins.

A Dutch museum has recovered an artwork that looks like two empty beer cans, after a staff member accidentally threw it in the rubbish bin thinking it was trash… Was the project wasted on this staff member, or have we gone too far in terms of what we call art? Joining Seán discuss is Lecturer at UCD’s School of Art History and Cultural Policy, Dr Roising Kennedy. Image: Paramount

Some sniffer dogs uncover drugs, and others recover missing people, but Lorg - a three-year-old labrador retriever, is Ireland’s only mink-detection dog. Seán is joined by Lorg’s owner, Senior Project Manager of the Breeding Waders Project, Owen Murphy, to discuss the work of Conservation Detection Dogs.

US officials have confirmed they are considering breaking up Google's "illegal monopoly" of internet searches. Joining Seán to discuss the implications of this is Tech Editor for the Irish Independent, Adrian Weckler.

For many in the Defence Forces, their job is a vocation. They live a life less ordinary than most, yet one of order, discipline and battle. This type of career is not without its struggles, but what happens when it ends? Seán is joined by Chris Donovan, Irish Veteran and ONE Resident, to discuss.

Ryan Holiday will be speaking in the Dublin Convention Centre on a philosophy that is over two and a half thousand years old: stoicism. But, what exactly is it? Seán is joined by Ryan Holiday, author and podcaster, to discuss.

A mural of the late Shane McGowan was revealed in Tipperary over the weekend. Mural Artist, Neil O’Dwyer, is behind the new piece, and Seán to discuss the painting process. Image: @irishmurals Instagram

The first Mormon Temple in Ireland has been given the green light for construction following an announcement by the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints. Joining Seán to discuss this is Ben O’ Farrell, local member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints.

‘On The Trail Of The Golden Owl’, a book of riddles published in 1993, contained 11 clues, and a hidden 12th one - leading treasure hunters to search for the long sought-after prize. Now, the 31-year-long treasure hunt has come to an end! While the winner has not yet revealed themselves, Seán is joined by the founder of GoldenOwlHunt.com , Jo Bartley, to tell more about the hunt’s cult following…...

From an early age, we are told to be positive and look on the bright side of life. After all, with all the hunger and suffering in the world we should be grateful, right? However, toxic positivity can be bad for our health, and maybe we’re gaslighting ourselves... Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Claire Hayes, Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

A survey in the UK has found that AA was called out to almost half a million breakdowns caused by potholes in the first nine months of this year… So, how do Ireland’s roads compare, and can you claim insurance if your car is damaged by a pothole? Seán is joined by Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent, to discuss.

Michael O’Leary has invested just over €140,000 installing solar panels and 90kW of batteries at his 2,000-acre home in Gigginstown, Co. Westmeath. It comes after what has been a noticeable shift in the opinion from Irish people about panels as a way to power their homes. Ciaran Marron is Founder of Activ8 Solar and joins Seán to discuss.

This Thursday, a Philosopher named Pablo Fernandez will give a talk in Trinity College about how animals should be given a voice through elected representatives to defend animal rights. So, should this be a thing? Gerben Uunk, Co-Founder and Party Secretary for the Party for Animal Welfare joins Seán to discuss.

Kristen Bell has apologised to parents for getting ‘Let It Go’ from ‘Frozen’ “stuck in their head”. It is one of the most popular earworms in the world. But, what exactly is an earworm? And how do you get it out of your head? Dr Naomi Lavelle is a Science Consultant who has been investigating this, and joins Seán to discuss. Image: Disney

Whitewashed walls and grey couches could soon be a thing of the past. Pink walls and green curtains are making a comeback. According to the experts, maximalism is back in fashion. Joining Seán to discuss this trend is Róisín Murphy, Architect and Artist.

Actor Al Pacino recently revealed that he was so sick with covid in 2020, that his pulse stopped for multiple minutes. When he was revived, he didn’t see anything in between that time. So, is there an afterlife? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

While most vehicles, from cars to buses, are progressively going electric, one area remains sluggish to change: airplanes. Seán’s guest did a test flight in the UK’s first approved electric aircraft. Greg Dickinson, Senior Travel Writer with the Telegraph, joins the show to discuss. Image: The Telegraph

A new botanical study has suggested there are still over 100,000 undiscovered plant species in the world, mostly concentrated in so-called ‘dark spots’. But, where are these dark spots, and what can be done to save the unknown species before they go extinct? Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Sam Pironon, a biodiversity scientist at Queen Mary University in London and Honorary Research Associate at Ke...

20 years ago this week, Desperate Housewives premiered on ABC in America. It went on to become the number 1 TV show in the USA, and lasted for 8 seasons, featuring more than 180 episodes. Like every big show, it also had its dedicated fanbase, with one of those being Ryan Evans, who has spent in the region of $10k on memorabilia for his website Wisteria Lane Collection. Ryan joins Seán to discuss.

It’s National Potato Day! Joining Seán to talk about the most obscure things you can do with this country’s prized vegetable is Chef Jack O’Keeffe.

When method actors take on a role, they live with the character they are portraying. But, when filming ends - how long do they continue being that character before they snap back to reality? Movie Reviewer Brian Lloyd joins Seán to discuss.

It’s Rut Season, and that means the male deer of the country are gearing up for a big October. But, why is this such a spectacle, and why are there watch parties taking place? Joining Seán to discuss is Gillian Stewart, Supervisor Guide at Wicklow Mountains National Park…