Moncrieff

On Friday many of us here in Ireland will be going to the polls to exercise our democratic franchise. 2024 is a pivotal year for democracies around the world with as many as 2 Billion people world wide taking part in elections. But although these are all taking place in democracies, not all democratic systems are the same. So what is the fairest and how does ours compare? Lee Drutman is a Politica...

Are you looking for love but are having no luck finding it online? Maybe it's time to try something a little more traditional. Personal ads have been a cornerstone of connection for decades, and they are one of the most beloved sections in the Irish Farmers Journal. To discuss why farmers are still turning to these pages to find romance, Seán is joined by Ciara Leahy, Editor of the Irish Country L...

Ireland is prescribing a staggering 50% less hearing aids, per capita, than the UK. Why is this, and what can be done to help more people? Joining Seán to discuss is Brendan Lennon, Director of Advocacy for Chime…

Figures from Eurostat data show that the rate of c-sections in Irish maternity hospitals has jumped to 41% among first time mums. This is double the EU average. So, what is driving this increase? Joining guest host Stefanie Preissner to discuss is Dr Krysia Lynch, Chairperson for the Association for Improvements in Maternity Services in Ireland…

With the holiday season fast approaching, parents are looking for ways to save money, reduce waste, and find toys their kids will truly love. Enter Vicky Noble, the craftswoman behind DluluKaloo Wooden Toys, an eco-friendly Irish enterprise inspired by a similar initiative in Australia. Her solution? Renting toys before buying them! Parents can now “try before they buy,” whether it’s for big-ticke...

Rather than having ‘the big day’ be, well, one day - should a wedding be spread among multiple dates? This is called a ‘deconstructed wedding’, and it's becoming a growing trend. Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by Wedding Planner Tara Fey to discuss.

A new motion in Paris proposes to ban SUVs from the city - should we be doing the same? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins guest host Stefanie Preissner to discuss.

Ever gone on a date where the guy just keeps talking about his gym routine, and you're left wondering if he even knows how to ask a question? Well, you're not alone! Today, we’re unpacking why some men struggle with conversation, from being socially pushed to stay quiet about feelings to the pressure of being 'manly' and emotional all at once. Brendan Kelly, Psychiatrist, joins Seán to discuss.

Until now, the world’s thinnest pasta has been made in a village in Sardinia, the so-called ‘Threads of God’ pasta. But now, a crowd of scientists in London has created one that is 200 times thinner than a human hair! Joining Seán to discuss is Adam Clancy, a lecturer in Materials Chemistry at University College London... Image: Beatrice Britton / Adam Clancy

Few people have a licence of any description in their early teens, and even fewer have their whole career mapped out before reaching the age of 18. 16 year old Muireann Bagley, however, has clocked up 21 flying hours, and will be sitting her Private Pilot Licence exam as soon as she turns 17 next February… Muireann joins Seán to discuss her flying experience.

It’s that time of year again! Whether in a bustling shopping centre, a cosy office party, or you’re listening to your favourite festive playlist, one song reigns supreme: Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas is You.’ But, did you know this holiday juggernaut started as a humble release in 1994? Thirty years on, it’s the defining sound of Christmas, topping charts worldwide and capturing hearts...

The Spanish Armada, while often remembered as a clash between England and Spain, had its impact stretched far beyond the English Channel, leaving a lasting mark on Ireland’s shores. Michael B. Barry’s new book ‘1588, The Spanish Armada and the 24 Ships Lost on Ireland’s Shores’ explores the surprising connections between Spain and Ireland. He joins Seán to discuss. Image: Andalus Press

Restrictions on the movement of vehicles and people have been tightened in Delhi as a toxic smog envelopes the Indian capital. A respiratory Doctor in India has said that being exposed to the smog is the equivalent to smoking 50 cigarettes a day… Rahul Bedia is a Freelance Senior Journalist in New Delhi, and joins Seán to discuss.

A new documentary film, opening in Irish cinemas tomorrow, explores the bizarre story of a curious national television contest called ‘Housewife of the Year’. Joining Seán to discuss is its Director, Ciarán Cassidy.

Apparently, there is a recommended amount of time you should be spending on a toilet. Are there issues with sitting on the loo for too long? And what’s the recommendation? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating and asking about people’s toilet timings, and joins Seán to discuss.

How do you make yourself stand out from the crowd when canvassing for an election? With so many candidates on the ballot paper, you have to create a perception of uniqueness, which means thinking outside the box and getting creative. From Ben Gilroy’s infamous hurley video to Danny Healy Rae’s crayons, there are endless ways to win over voters. Joining Seán to go through some of the most innovativ...

While the remains of Richard III were discovered back in 2012 under a car park in Leicester, a new part of the project has tried to recreate his voice, with surprising results. Joining Seán to discuss is Phillipa Langley, Historian and author who discovered the remains of Richard III... Image: Britannica

Divorce after 50 is on the rise, and it can drastically change your retirement plans. With fewer working years left, declining pensions and assets like your home and retirement accounts at stake. Navigating a ‘grey divorce’ requires careful planning. Joining Seán to discuss this is Family Law Solicitor, Keith Walsh.

‘There is a screaming need for lots more female tradespeople’ - that’s according to Freelance Journalist Áilín Quinlan, who recently made the point that more and more women living alone may feel more comfortable dealing with female tradespeople visiting their homes. Áilín joins Seán to discuss.

A small earthquake was recorded in Cork yesterday. This was a very rare occurrence, with most taking place in Wexford and Donegal. Joining Seán to discuss this is James Granell, Seismic Data Analyst for the Irish National Seismic Network…

In last night’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, N-Dubz star and former XFactor Judge, Tulisa Contostavlos opened up about being demisexual, shedding light on a term many may not know. Demisexuality describes those who only experience romantic or sexual attraction after forming a deep emotional connection with someone. To tell more about what it is to be demisexual, Seán is joined by Sex and...

Cambridge Dictionary has named ‘manifest’ its word of the year for 2024. But can the concept of willing your desires into reality be harmful?  Joining Seán to discuss is Sander van der Linden, Professor of Social Psychology at Cambridge University and author of ‘Foolproof: Why We Fall for Misinformation’...

‘Veggly’ is a dating app made specifically for vegans, but is it necessary? Can vegans and meat eaters not get along? Joining Seán to discuss is Becky Jenkins, Vegan and Animal Rebellion Ireland Activist.

When Sinn Féin published their manifesto today, one part pledged to hold a referendum on extending voting rights for the President of Ireland to citizens in Northern Ireland and beyond. Joining Seán to discuss this is Emma de Souza, writer and Northern Ireland Spokesperson for VotingRights.ie ...

While many parents enjoy yelling tactics and strategy from the sidelines, very few decide to don the whistle and clipboard and take the reins for themselves. But coaching your child’s team can actually be a rewarding process both for your child and for yourself, that’s the view of Ian Mallon, Communications Consultant with Staydia Sports and Sports Business Columnist with Irish Examiner. Ian joins...