Lunchtime Live

You have to start somewhere, and when you’re thinking about doing the floor in your home, what is the right way to go about it? Well, the Home Squad are here to discuss rugs and flooring! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Kate O’Driscoll, @victorianrathmines on Instagram.

We’re only in October, but if you think about it, Christmas is only 10 weeks away! And with Christmas comes the Christmas expenses… To get ahead of the panic buying and the overall stress of spending, Andrea is joined by Michelle O’Hara, National Spokesperson for MABS to give a step-by-step guide on budgeting for Christmas.

HSE Dental Surgeons will head to Kilkenny today to voice their concerns over Government proposals to divert children's dental care to private clinics. It comes after a recent survey found that 90% of private dentists would not sign up for a new Government scheme for children’s dental care. Many feel that they cannot afford to access private dental care and as a result, many children are being left...

Emma Fogarty is the oldest living Irish person born with Epidermolysis Bullosa: an extremely rare and painful disease. When she was born, she wasn't expected to live beyond a week, yet 41 years later she has just released a book called ‘Being Emma: Living my best life with Butterfly Skin’ in which she details the resilience she and those around her have shown throughout her extraordinary life… She...

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 Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Christy Moore’s album 'Ride On'!

The EU is pushing to scrap seasonal clock changes, risking the creation of a “time border” between Northern Ireland and Ireland. If it does become EU law, it would mean two different time zones on the island of Ireland for six months of the year. What do you think? Would this affect you? Is this a good idea? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss…

David Crosby has been through a lot. He has had a double lung and kidney transplant, fought skin cancer, and was placed in a coma from complications after getting Covid-19… And yet, a few days ago, David completed the Chicago Marathon! He joins Andrea to discuss this amazing feat… Image: Road Runners Club of America

Should bonfires be left in the past, or do they just need better regulation? While there are obvious health and safety concerns associated with them, there’s a lack of public Halloween events in Dublin. So, could regulated bonfires fill the gap? Joining Andrea to discuss is Independent Councillor for Dublin Central, Cieran Perry, Connor Ó Buachalla from the Leap Scarecrow Festival in Cork and list...

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. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

We are just 9 days out from the Presidential election. For many young people around the country, it’ll be the first Presidential election they have voted in. There has been an increase in influencers posting about who they are voting for and the importance of voting. This brings up the question: what role social media will play in the election? Andrea is joined by Stephen O'Leary, Founder of Onlin...

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between. This week, Shane joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

A survey shows that a third of Irish workers failed to make full use of their holiday entitlements last year. It also shows that 1 out of 4 people leave over 5 days or more of annual leave… These figures may come as a surprise to you; do you use all of your holiday leave? Andrea is joined by Broadcaster and Celebrant Ruth Scott, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Fáilte Ireland has come out to say that Dublin needs more hotels to reduce the risk of hotel room price inflation. It comes after Dublin City Council has supported plans for a new 143 bedroom apart-hotel for Donnybrook, Dublin 4. With the hospitality sector receiving a VAT cut in the Budget 2026, does this really reflect how this industry is struggling? Does Dublin need more hotels? Andrea is join...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dr Ellen McSweeney, IBTS Donor Consultant, to answer any of your blood donation questions!

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The month serves to honour these babies, support grieving families, and raise awareness about this deeply sensitive issue. The Global Wave of Light will take place tomorrow; people are encouraged to light a candle at 7pm local time in membrane and solidarity. Andrea’s guest sadly lost his baby girl Aodhla when she was just 8 weeks and two days...

Doping is usually a taboo topic in the world of sport, but one new competition is bringing it right into the spotlight. The Enhanced Games not only allow, but encourage athletes to take performance enhancing drugs to boost their performance. They are set to take place next May in Las Vegas, with a number of high-profile athletes already set to compete, including one of Ireland's most celebrated sw...

Irish actor Brendan Gleeson has said that he is tired of watching fatherhood portrayed in negative terms on screens. This comes after he starred in ‘H is for Hawk’ alongside Claire Foy, this film follows Cambridge academic Helen MacDonald who, while coping with the grief of her father's death, builds an unlikely friendship with a stubborn hawk named Mabel. Gleeson went on to say this particular fi...

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life… This week, Andrea is joined by a Financial Consultant with Ask Paul.ie , Paul Merriman, to discuss how you can get your finances in order.

Presidential candidates Heather Humphreys and Catherine Connolly spoke with Pat Kenny today as part of a Presidential debate ahead of the election on Friday the 24th of October. The two candidates gave their sides to why they should be elected as Ireland’s next President. What was the outcome of this debate? Was there anything that stood out to you? Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Politica...

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

You may have seen the footage of the Schalke football fans in Dublin over the weekend… Hooligans were seen marching down streets and attacking photographers. One of those photographers, Carly Clarke joins Andrea and more to discuss what happened…

Dublin and District Schoolboys’ and Girls’ League have announced a silent sidelines campaign that will run once a month until the end of the year. They have said that behavior from the sidelines has a “detrimental effect on the players looking to play and enjoy football”... But, what do you think? Do we need silent sidelines? Joining Andrea to discuss is Jen Hogan, Irish Times Journalist and host...

Over a million tonnes of food are wasted here every year, costing households money and adding to climate change. So, what are some things we can do to reduce food waste? Joining Andrea to discuss is Conor Spacey, Culinary Director of Food Space Ireland and author of ‘Wasted’, Machaela O'Leary Sales Manager with Too Good To Go and Chef JP McMahon.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Laura Donnelly from the Newstalk Newsroom and Newstalk’s Rory Galvin join Andrea to review ‘Death in Dubai’. Image: BBC

A new Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA) has been established by the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. The legislation will aim to protect the rights of all parties involved in assisted human reproduction, including parents, donors, and children born through these technologies. What does it mean for those who use surrogacy when having a child? Joining Andrea to d...