Moncrieff

It’s 2024 – should we still be solving CAPTCHAs? CAPTCHAs being the online tests where you agonise over a nine inch grid of images to identify traffic lights or bikes to prove you’re not a bot.  Are these tests really necessary in protecting ourselves online? Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, joins guest host Stefanie Preissner to discuss.

Dublin zoo enlisted the help of 30 breastfeeding mothers to help encourage a female Orangutan bond with her newborn.   To tell more about this project, guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by Lizzie Reeves, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Lactation at the National Maternity Hospital.

Letter writing seems to be an art that is dying out, but is that necessarily a bad thing? Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by author and operator of writing.ie , Sam Blake, to discuss.

Nora-Jane Noone secured her breakout role in The Magdalene Sisters at 16, encouraged by her cousin to go to an open audition on the basis that she was “into acting”. Since then she’s had many roles both in Ireland and internationally, and after years living abroad in London and LA, she has now returned to her native Galway to pursue opportunities at home.  Her latest film ‘Bring Them Down’ al...

It’s been reported that legendary footballer Roy Keane plans to ditch punditry and take up farming.  When asked where he sees himself in a decade’s time he said: “A nice house somewhere with a bit of land and a few animals…”   But, is farming all it’s cracked up to be? Or has it been glamourised?  To discuss, Stefanie Preissner is joined by Rachel Donovan, News Correspondent, I...

You may have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights.   But what causes this spectacular display in our skies?  Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by David Moore, Editor of Astronomy Ireland Magazine, to discuss.

It’s the time of year when we’re all trying to cut the cost of the holiday holiday.  But, have you ever considered converting your car into a tiny home to take on holidays with you?  Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by Jennifer Sheahan from the Irish Examiner, who did just that… Image: Vanpackers

We all have our favourite Disney characters, and it can be a passionate subject for many.  Jessica Spencer is a presenter with Spin 1038, and has been putting together a list of some of the greats. She joins Stefanie Preissner to share.

Nearly half of all family households in the EU now consist of a one-child family, according to the German data company Statista. And that trend is likely to increase as births fall. The only child, once the exception, is becoming the norm. So, are there characteristics associated with being an only child, or does it just depend on how you’re raised? Friend of the show Mary McEvoy joins Stefanie Pr...

Most of us don’t discuss our own death, but perhaps we should!  Should we be having conversations around death and how we’d like to be remembered?  Guest host Stefanie Preissner is joined by Joe McNamara, Director of Corrigan & Sons Funeral Home Dublin.

Modern slang words such as ‘sitch’ and ‘noobie’ are among almost 2,000 new entries in the Scrabble dictionary. In a first major update since 2020, officials have spelled out the need to keep the game up to date.  Feargal Weatherhead, Current All Ireland Scrabble Champion, joins Luke O’Neill to discuss.

The 13th of August marks International Left-handers Day! To discuss what it’s like to be in the minority of handedness, guest host Luke O’Neill is joined by proud ciotóg Margaret Leahy, from Fable Tours.

Guest host Luke O'Neill was joined by Dr Eva Orsmond, Medical Doctor and Health advocate to discuss the ever-hot topic of Ozempic, and the rebound effect your weight can have when you stop taking it.

This weekend the Electric Picnic Music and Arts festival returns to Stradbally in Co. Laois, with one of the highlights being the Theatre of Food.  Over the 3 days of the festival, the Theatre of Food will feature the likes of Trisha Lewis, JP McMahon and more. One of those featured is Graham Herterich, also known as the Cupcake Bloke. He joins Luke O’Neill to discuss.

If you’re an avid social media user, then it’s likely you’ve stumbled across the tradwife trend taking TikTok by storm. The trend, which has been dubbed “the real housewives of the internet”, is mostly young women promoting the art of home-making, raising children, baking and keeping a tidy home, while the husband goes to work to provide for the family. This, of course, raises questions in terms o...

Luke O’Neill’s guest is a member of the so-called Smug Hair Club, alongside other hirsute celebrities, such as Cillian Murphy, Brad Pitt and George Clooney. But, is there any evidence to back up their smugness?  Journalist Jonathan de Burca Butler has been writing about this in the Irish Examiner, and joins to discuss.

Luke’s next guest may not be an Olympian, but last week she achieved a feat of athleticism to rival anything accomplished at the Olympics in Paris – and requiring just as much intensive training and support. Luke O’Neill is joined by Una Cameron, World Record Holder for sheep shearing.

In times gone by it was normal for Irish workers to take a fixed lunch hour, often done collectively and often accompanied by booze. Now the routine more often involves a solitary sandwich at one’s desk. But should the lunch hour be revived? Joining guest host Luke O'Neill to discuss is Michael Moynihan, Columnist for the Irish Examiner.

We had Dad Jokes and Dad Dancing, but now we have a new entry to the Dad canon… Dad TV. But, what makes a show Dad-like?  Joining Seán to discuss is Pat Stacey, TV critic for the Irish Independent and the Herald. Image: Amazon Prime

A well intentioned anti-litter campaign has fallen foul of those who seek to preserve the Yorkshire dialect. But, how can a single apostrophe cause so many problems? Joining Seán to discuss is Rodney Dimbleby, Chairperson of the Yorkshire Dialect Society.

‘Sex before coffee” is the go-to cliche of Scandinavian romantic habits, but in each country, it means something different.  In Iceland it literally means every romantic endeavour will start with sex.   So, why is this?  Seán is joined by Zoe Williams, Guardian Columnist, to discuss.

It is the 75th anniversary of George Orwell’s iconic book, 1984. Joining Seán to remember the story, its impact, and what we can learn from it today is Dorien Lysnkey, author of ‘The Ministry of Truths: A Biography of George Orwell's 1984’.

The debs are a rite of passage for most Irish students.   However, traditions and customs around the big night vary across the country.  Joining Seán now to discuss this is Alan McCardle, Managing Director of Debs Ireland.

Next month The Annual Jigsaw Puzzle World Championships kick off in Spain, with hundreds of competitors representing around 75 different countries. But, how does it work, and how can jigsaw puzzles be competitive? Seán is joined by Irish competitor Siobhán Quinn to learn more.

With a record number of people in prison in Ireland, is it time that we looked at alternative options for people who commit low level offences?  Saoirse Brady is the Executive Director Irish Penal Reform Trust, and joins Seán to discuss.