Moncrieff

When was the last time you got your shoes repaired instead of just buying a new pair? Within your answer to that you may recognise the plight of the cobbler… There are less than thirty left in the country. So, is this a dying trade, or could talk of the circular economy begin a revival of business? Michael Rossiter is a Cobbler in Kilkenny, and joins Seán to discuss.

The days of drinking instant coffee from a flask are over! Enter spreadable coffee from a tube… Joining Seán to discuss is Philippe Greinacher, Co-Founder of No Normal Coffee… Image: No Normal Coffee

Speaking yesterday, the UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen made clear the global organisation’s desire for a pluralist democratic Syria. But considering the unpopularity of the UN on the ground in the country ,and the factionalised nature of the political landscape there, is that a realistic aim? Dr Rahaf Aldoughli is Lecturer in Middle East and North African studies at Lancaster University, and joins...

Dublin City Council has this week rolled out light boxes across all libraries in the capital. But, what are they, and why would you use one? Joining Seán to discuss is Ciara Dardis, Divisional Librarian with Dublin City Libraries in charge of events and partnerships…

Have you thought about taping your mouth shut to get a better night’s sleep? A new viral craze has seen people put tape to stop themselves breathing through their mouth overnight... Professor Annie Curtis, Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at RCSI, joins Seán to discuss.

This month’s LA wildfires may yet prove to be the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history... It is already the country’s most costly wildfire on record. You’ve seen the pictures of devastated neighbourhoods reduced to ashes, with the Pacific Palisades no different to many other neighbourhoods in the LA area. Except for the fact that one house seemed to have survived the onrushing flames...

A council in Greater Sydney has banned thong and g-string bikinis at its public swimming pools, causing outrage among pool users. Despite the outrage, sales of thongs are up at Marks & Spencer… So, why is there policing on what women can wear? Seán is joined by Édaein O'Connell, Freelance Journalist, to discuss.

In the past, Ireland as a country has assumed a certain level of immunity from espionage. It perhaps comes from our neutrality, our geographical location or our alliances, but in recent times, not only is Ireland not without espionage, it is in fact a major target in the 21st century… So, how prepared are we to deal with this threat? Dr Edward Burke is Assistant Professor in the History of War sin...

Does it really pay to be loyal, or are we giving away too much information? The Consumer Columnist for the Irish Examiner, Caitriona Redmond took a long hard look at supermarket loyalty cards, and whether they are really worth having. She joins Seán to discuss.

What's the difference between a stoat, a weasel, a mink and a pine marten? A citizen science survey of Ireland is currently trying to map the Irish stoat. Joining Seán to discuss is Vicky Knight, Species Conservation Officer with Vincent Wildlife Trust…

In the last couple of weeks Italy brought in a new law making surrogacy a “universal crime”. This has been seen as part of a larger international reaction against the practice of surrogacy. So, with the Assisted Human Reproduction Act set to be enacted later this year, how will all of this affect Irish couples looking to avail of the practice? Annette Hickey is a Family Law Solicitor and one of Ir...

In 2019, it was discovered that the Bigmouth Buffalo fish was the world’s longest-lived freshwater fish, surviving to an age of at least 127 years old. But, this wasn’t the most incredible thing that the researchers discovered. The fish actually appears to be aging backwards! Dr. Alec Lackmann is Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and joins Seán...

The idea of ‘eldest daughter syndrome’ is the latest trend on TikTok, but what is it, and do first born daughters really carry a burden of responsibility? Joining Seán to discuss is eldest daughter and Freelance Journalist Adele Miner, who has been investigating this for the Irish Examiner…

What happened during the Bank Strikes in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s? And how did people get access to cash when the banks went on strike? To discuss, Seán is joined by Rachel O’Dwyer is a Lecturer in Digital Cultures in the National College of Art and Design, Dublin and author of ‘Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform’.

The development expenses of blockbuster games have been climbing ever higher over the years towards big Hollywood-style spending. But, a new game has outstriped those film budgets quite substantially: ‘Star Citizen’ might just be the most expensive piece of entertainment ever made… Peter Lynch is a Lecturer in Computer Games in TUD, and joins Seán to discuss. Image: Cloud Imperium Games

Life rarely works out the way you planned it. When you were younger - did you actually achieve the profession you said you wanted? And, is that such a bad thing? Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to share what he’s heard.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service has announced that one of the state’s rare white-tailed eagles has been shot dead in Co. Westmeath. But, why is this so significant? Joining Seán to discuss is Niall Hatch from Birdwatch Ireland…

Even though “Them bones them bones need calcium!”, why is it that drinking whole milk has become so contentious? In many films and TV shows, milk is often portrayed as the villain’s drink... Newstalk’s Own, Sarah McKenna Barry, joins Seán to discuss.

GAA is such a central part of Irish life that, even if you are not athletically inclined at all, it’s pretty much impossible to avoid its sports. Well, two of them at least. Whereas Hurling and Football are ubiquitous, we almost forget that Handball exists. Why? And what happened to this once popular Irish pastime? Ailill Martin is a Documentary Filmmaker and Director of ‘Hit The Wall’, he joins S...

Is it healthy to reflect on past mistakes? Should we be wallowing in them? Or is it best to rarely think about things - and move on with our lives? Henry McKean has been out asking the public for their biggest regrets, and joins Seán to share what he’s heard.

Why do we yawn? Is it our body’s way to tell us we’re tired, or is it an attempt to keep us awake? Also, why is it infectious? Phil Smyth, Physicist, Engineer and Science Communicator joins Seán to discuss.

As a continent, Europe is the least engaged with cryptocurrencies. Are we lagging behind, and if so, could a so-called ‘Digital Euro’ be the solution? Joining Seán to discuss is Billy Kelleher, Fianna Fáil MEP and member of the EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee…

The amount of people living in Cornwall who now identify as Cornish nationals, as opposed to English, has doubled since 2011. With a Labour government now in power in Westminster, is the opportunity for devolution around the corner? Joining Seán to discuss is Joanie Willett, Associate Professor of Politics at the University of Exeter and Co-Director of the Institute for Cornish Studies…

As technology has infiltrated almost every part of our lives, it may have gone unnoticed to many that it is also infiltrating death… Online grief groups, grief bots and QR codes on gravestones are all becoming aspects of the modern grieving process. But, are they doing us any good? Margaret O’Reilly-Carroll, Grief Counselor and Psychotherapist, joins Seán to discuss.

You are probably familiar with the concept of the ‘15 minute city’, where the essential things in our lives aren’t too far away. While we struggle to get anywhere near that in Ireland, the Scandinavians are once again showing us up! Copenhagen’s Nordhavn district is a ‘5 minute city’ and it’s been operating successfully for over a decade. Anne Skovbro is the Managing Director of By & Havn, the...