Lunchtime Live

While you will no doubt be cheering on Norwegian singer Emmy who will be representing Ireland at the Eurovision semi finals on Thursday – there will be no harm in bopping to Croatia’s entry ‘Poison Cake’ appearing in the first leg of the semi-finals from Switzerland tonight.  That is because the song was co-written by Balbriggan school teacher and singer-songwriter Ben Pyne, who joins Andrea...

The Vintners Federation of Ireland has called for a 40% rebate in excise on pints of beer sold in pubs. They say a rebate on draught beers would help protect rural pubs as the sector struggles with high costs. What do you think? Should rural pubs be given a tax rebate? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Petmania Pet Store is hosting their inaugural ‘Ruby Heart Awards’ in which, among other categories, they will honour pet-friendly workplaces. One of the suggestions of how a workplace might be more pet-friendly includes offering employees pet bereavement leave. What do you think? Should businesses offer so-called ‘pet-ernity leave’? Caroline Reidy, Managing Director of the HR Suite, and HR & E...

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 General Secretary of the Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others in Ranelagh Anne, Marie Genin, as well as player Monika Kurowska Tazbir. It’s a fun, non-competitive way for women to get active, meet new people, and enjoy Gaelic Football, no matter their skill level!

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

Kanye West’s track ‘Heil Hitler’ was swiftly removed from major streaming platforms in recent days, raising questions about censorship, platform responsibility, and the limits of artistic expression. Joining Andrea to discuss this is Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum and Dave Hanratty, Podcast Producer at the Independent and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Podcast.

Two teenage boys tragically died after drowning off the coast of Buncrana at the weekend. Matt Sibanda, 18, and Emmanuel Familola, 16, were playing football on Saturday when they went into the sea to retrieve a ball. Tributes have been pouring in from the Taoiseach and locals. Local Sinn Féin Councillor Jack Murray and more join Andrea to discuss.

As the cost-of-living rises, I’m desperately clinging to the ‘frivolous’ spending that gives me joy, so says Saoirse Hanley, writing in the Independent. Saoirse joins Andrea, along with Newstalk’s Ciara Tracey and Financial Adviser behind askpaul.ie , Paul Merriman, to discuss.

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 Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill join Andrea to review Comedian Katherine Ryan’s ‘Telling Everybody Everything’. Image: Acast

Tributes have flooded in for Garda Kevin Flatley, who was killed on Sunday while trying to flag down a motorcyclist at a speeding checkpoint. The father-of-two, who had served in the force for 26 years, was conducting speed checks in Lusk, Co Dublin, when he was struck by the motorcyclist. The Taoiseach, Tánaiste, President and more have paid tribute to Mr Flatley, with Garda Commissioner Drew Har...

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Stylist Corina Gaffey joins Andrea to answer any of your questions when it comes to styling the stars!

As the date has closed for late CAO applications, a lot of people will be wondering what their future holds… But, the path isn’t always straight and obvious, there are many ways to skin a cat! Joining Andrea to discuss is one half of the ‘Talking Bollox’ podcast, Calvin O'Brien and Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor, Irish Times Columnist and Editor of Education Matters Yearbook.

Andrea is joined by the experts - tradespeople sharing simple DIY jobs you can safely tackle at home. Quick fixes, smart tips, and what to leave to the pros. Pete the Builder, Martin Glynn, Chief Executive of the DIY Academy and Painter Oisin Butler join to discuss!

If you’re looking for some healthy inspiration of any kind, then we have the guests for you! Wellfest is kicking off this weekend: Europe’s largest outdoor health and wellness festival, and there’ll be loads of amazing experts giving talks… Andrea is joined by three people attending: Sex Educator Jenny Keane, Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd and Dancer Lapree Lala.

From beach jobs to headbutts, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Dublin city centre’s only public toilets, installed at the top of Grafton Street five years ago, are to be shut. Dublin City Council say they have decided to remove the facility – which costs almost €400,000 a year to operate, due to reduced demand. What do you think about the public toilet situation in Dublin? And, indeed, throughout the country? Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

With the gorgeous weather, you might be dreaming about weekend breaks… Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about all things campervans and holiday homes! Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Roisin Lafferty, Founder & Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty Design House.

A new maths app is taking Ireland by storm! Andrea is joined by David Carr, Founder of the maths app Pi-Squared, to explore how his app is reshaping maths learning through technology, and what inspired its creation.

Over the last week, pressure has been increasing on the Camogie Association to reverse the rules around mandatory skorts. Today, the Camogie Association has called a special congress to vote on the issue… Joining Andrea to discuss this is Sinéad Wylde, Dublin Camogie Player.

Support for Ireland’s membership of the European Union has dropped to its lowest level since 2013, according to a new opinion poll. The European Movement Ireland poll by Amarach Research found that 34% feel the EU is not upholding its core values, and 26% are dissatisfied with its direction. What do you think? What, do you feel, has the European Union done for Ireland? Andrea is joined by Kieran A...

Mobile saunas have really grown in popularity in Ireland in recent years. Local authorities seemingly have no uniform bylaws to facilitate, license and regulate these businesses. Wexford has a ‘blanket ban’ on applications for mobile beach-side saunas, while Kerry is licensing two on a pilot basis. Is lack of clarity threatening to kill off this business in Ireland? Joining Andrea to discuss is Cl...

Food waste is something that affects our wallets, our environment and our kitchens… Well, joining Andrea to share practical tips, surprising facts and simple habits to help you waste less and save more is Sophie Truman from Too Good to Go!

This evening there’s a march in Dublin against the ‘manosphere’. But what is that? How can someone march against a ‘manosphere’? And what could they hope to achieve? Joining Andrea to discuss is Dean McDonald, Lecturer in Cyberpsychology, ROSA Spokesperson Harper Cleaves, Eli from United Against Racism and Podcast Host Keelin Moncrieff.

Inexperienced climbers could be banned from scaling Mount Everest to reduce deaths and overcrowding. Overcrowding has become a huge issue on Everest; pictures have been shared on social media recently of long queues to the summit, and massive amounts of litter left on the mountainside. Earlier this year there was a 36% increase in climbing fees for foreign climbers on the mountain. Joining Andrea...

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… Image: Disney