Lunchtime Live

Following Christmas and the New Year celebrations, your personal finances might have taken a bit of a hit. So  If you’re hoping to be better with money this year John Lowe- The Money Doctor joined Andrea to offer us  a few tips to help budget right in 2026.

Footpaths across Ireland are posing a serious risk to public safety and placing a growing strain on the national economy. Many people can attest to just how dangerous poorly maintained footpaths can be, with trips and falls now a common occurrence in towns and cities nationwide. In Dublin alone, unsafe footpaths have resulted in €18 million in injury compensation payouts over the past three years....

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

As we frantically get our last bits of Christmas shopping done, how much of that will be done in a family-owned business? Unfortunately, not many of them have survived the past couple of decades… One that has is the iconic Kennys Bookshop in Galway which celebrated its 85th birthday last month. So amid all the changes, especially in how we read, how have they survived? Tomas Kenny joins Seán to di...

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Travel Journalist Eoghan Corry to talk about last minute travel around this time of year, and the deals you can avail of!

Christmas is a busy enough time for many, so why add extra stress? Denise O’Donoghue from the Irish Examiner joins Andrea with hacks to make your life easier around this period!

Trains across the country operate later than usual during the Christmas period, with the service being in big demand. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has said that he is in talks with Iarnród Éireann about expanding late night rail services beyond the Christmas and New Year festive period… So, would you like to see trains run later into the night? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Why do we eat turkey and ham at Christmas, and what is behind some of the other common goodies we have? Food Writer Dee Laffan and TV Chef & Lecturer from South East Technological University Edward Hayden join Andrea to discuss the history of Christmas dinner!

How do you dodge the family feuds at Christmas? Sometimes, when you’re all bunched up for that amount of time, it can feel inevitable… There’s no need to worry! Andrea is joined by Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ Brendan Kelly to discuss how you can survive around this time of year!

Nearly 2 million people are travelling through Dublin Airport over Christmas. Henry McKean is live from Dublin Airport in Terminal 2, and joins Andrea to share what he’s seeing!

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

From banging pots and pans at midnight to sweeping the old year out the door - what are some of the weird and wonderful New Years traditions here in Ireland? Author and content creator of Weird Ireland, Brinsley McNamara, joins Andrea to discuss!

Sarah Ryan’s former partner Nathan Grant McNulty has been jailed for eight years for the rape and coercive control of Sarah. Sarah wanted to share her story, and joins Andrea to discuss… If any of these issues discussed impacted you, you can reach Women’s Aid 24 hours a day on: 1800 341 900.

2025 was another great year for entertainment. We have had celebrities going to space, TikTok trends going to new levels, and one of the world's most famous galleries robbed. As we come to the end of the year, we will be looking back at some of 2025’s most iconic entertainment moments. Are there any that stand out to you? Joining Andrea to discuss it all is Entertainment Journalist Brian Lloyd and...

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to. Newstalk’s Ellen Butler and Rory Galvin join Andrea Gilligan to review ‘The Rest is Science’! Image: Goalhanger

With Christmas fast approaching, people will soon be making their way home to spend time with family and friends. What was once a staple of the festive season, attending Christmas Mass is no longer a priority for many. As traditions continue to evolve, we want to know: is going to Mass still part of your Christmas tradition? Joining Andrea to discuss is Parish Priest of Abbeyleix, Raheen & Bal...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, former Detective Garda and host of the ‘Lines of Enquiry’ podcast John Sweetman joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Surfers from around the world gathered in Sigo for some of the best surfing conditions seen in years. So what makes the Irish seas so special? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

WhatsApp groups have become a common part of family and school life, offering parents a quick and convenient way to stay informed and connected. However, as groups multiply, the benefits can be outweighed by constant notifications, off-topic messages and pressure to stay engaged. For teachers, these chats can be particularly challenging, often blurring professional boundaries and creating expectat...

“If men gave birth, maternity hospitals would be palaces and we’d get three years off. And there’d be an awful lot greater attention on maternal care.” So says Aodhán O’Riordán, Labour TD and MEP, after welcoming his premature daughter into the world. He joins Andrea to discuss…

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Should peanuts be banned from enclosed spaces? A listener got in touch with his experience at a gig last night. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Journalist Joe McNamee, Ruth Charles, Founder of the Irish Food Allergy Network, Aoife Quinn, Register Dietician and more.

With Christmas only a week away, you may have not gotten every present just yet. So, what are the best gifts for a home lover? Well, the Home Squad are here to discuss the best presents! 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.

Christmas is a time of huge joy, but it can also be tough for some people, especially for those who have lost someone. If you find yourself in that situation, help is available. Andrea is joined by the CEO of Pieta, Stephanie Manahan and Laura Hallinan, who availed of Pieta’s bereavement counselling services, to discuss. Pieta’s 24-Hour Crisis Helpline & Text Service: 1800 247 247 or text ‘HEL...

Many car parks across the country have allocated parent and baby spaces for parents with young children. These spaces are bigger than the average car parking space, and are usually located close to the front door of the shop. The reason for this is so parents have enough room to get their child in and out of the car seat as well as having space for their buggy. With many people parking in these sp...