Lunchtime Live

“I’ll just Klarna it”.  Have you gotten into the habit of using ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ services? And from big ticket items to takeaways, just why are these services so popular, and do people realise they are actually getting into debt? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Dr Shane Timmons, Senior Research Officer with the ESRI’s Behavioral Research Unit and Laura Jordan, Founder of St...

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins guest host Clare McKenna with the things you don’t want to miss this week! Image: Netflix

The company behind the Sphere in Las Vegas, Yankee Stadium in New York and the Aviva Stadium has released computer-generated images of its proposed events arena in Cherrywood, south Dublin. The Prime Arena is planned as the home of a professional ice hockey team, while also hosting concerts, winter sports and a wide range of other events. The venue would feature two Olympic-sized ice rinks and an...

We all say we’re going to eat better, get more active or finally get around to those health checks, but too often, we put it off. Irish Life Health gives you practical ways to act today, from a wide range of digital health services to access to ExpressCare Clinics in Dublin and Cork. For more information, see irishlifehealth.ie . For this week’s Health Reset, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by...

We're nearing the end of summer, and thus the end of the first holidays without mum or dad for many young people. A survey done in Britain claims one-third of young people think their mum and dad should never stop footing the bill for the family holiday. But, is this really feasible, should you have to pay for your children's holidays? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Anne Marie Mack...

For many working parents, finding affordable childcare has become one of the biggest barriers to returning to work. A recent Irish Independent survey found that 117 of 142 creches had waiting lists of at least a year, while the average monthly fee was €845 before State subsidies. For families needing full-time care, the cost can feel like a second mortgage, while the lack of available places leave...

Opening up about your mental health struggles is not easy, and many men in particular suffer in silence. Fitness coach Domhall Hyland is 30 and has been sharing about his own experience of OCD, anxiety and depression. He joins guest host Clare McKenna to discuss.

Are you determined to finally get on top of your finances once and for all? For many, looking at your bank account is something you dread, but how should we best manage what’s coming in and what’s coming out? For this edition of Money Matters, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk, to discuss everything you need to know about SUSI grants if you o...

Figures from the NTA’s annual report on how public transport users feel about their personal security reveal that almost half of passengers have felt unsafe using public transport… The report also revealed that 46% of people believe antisocial behaviour was worse on buses, trains and trams during 2025, an increase of three percentage points on the previous year. With this in mind, do you feel safe...

We continue a county-by-county journey across Ireland, exploring all 32 counties that make up this remarkable island. Have you been to some of these places and hidden gems? Today, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Travel Content Creator Tony Smyth to find out what the best things to see and do are in County Galway!

Do you and your other half like the same music? Or is it a clash between heavy metal and classic pop in your home? A new study suggests that having the same music taste is an indicator of a successful relationship. Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss this is musician Aoife Scott and Psychotherapist with the Coast Counselling in Malahide, Helen Vaughan…

Ahead of Breast Cancer Ireland’s Very Pink Run, we’re highlighting the importance of early detection and how genetic factors play a role in breast cancer... Sisters Aisling and Aine join Clare McKenna to share their extraordinary story.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined guest host Clare McKenna with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

A ban on under 18s using e-scooters due to be introduced this month has been deferred following advice from Attorney General Rossa Fanning. The Cabinet agreed to a series of new restrictions following a report that showed one third of all paediatric traumatic brain injury admissions to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street this year were related to e-scooters. What do you think of this...

Does your house need a few maintenance jobs to be done, but you’re too lazy to do them? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss low-stress home maintenance tips and tricks! Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Martin Glynn, Founder of the DIY Academy.

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has bought Strancally Castle in County Waterford, but is there a big castle market in Ireland? And what is the history of the castle? Joining Clare McKenna to discuss is Willie Fraher, Curator of Waterford County Museum and David Byrne, Managing Director of Lisney Sotheby International Realty.

Wanting children, but not being lucky enough to have them, is unfortunately an issue that affects many couples… Life Coach Mark Fennell recently spoke very honestly about his and his wife’s experience. He joins Clare McKenna to discuss.

Do you know the basics when it comes to finances? From mortgages to interest rates and rainy day funds, the CCPC have announced that new lessons on financial literacy will be available for teens... Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss this is Kel Galavan AKA Mrs Money Smart, Financial Educator and TJ Hegarty, Founder of online maths school Breakthrough Maths.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through the life and work of Kneecap!

Have you or someone you know been affected by long ambulance wait times? HSE figures show average ambulance response times deteriorated to 21 minutes and 43 seconds in 2023. What needs to be done to improve ambulance services, support frontline paramedics and prevent avoidable deaths? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Vice Chairman with Blessington AFC, Alan Moore, Owner of Lifeline A...

Model, Author and Advocate Monica Walsh has used the tragic death of her aunt in the 90s, at the hand of her husband, to try and lift the silence surrounding domestic abuse… Monica joins Andrea to discuss.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. Ciara Treacy from the Newstalk Digital Team joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces!

The mandatory retirement age for inter-county GAA referees is 50 years old. Once an official on the National Referees Panel reaches this age, they must step down from officiating at the inter-county level, though many continue to referee local club games. But, should we extend the referee retirement age? Joining Andrea to discuss is Rory Hickey, former Intercounty GAA Referee and Referee Administr...

For this week’s Making Babies, Andrea is joined by International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Maria O’Sullivan, to discuss the best ways to go about breastfeeding and bottle-feeding!

Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh, alopecia advocate and newly-crowned Rose of Tralee joins Andrea to discuss her win! Image: @roseoftraleefestival on Instagram