Moncrieff

When Bill Gates set his coders to work on Microsoft Excel, his ambition was to woo the world’s accountants. 40 years on, and it’s now being used for everything from planning weddings, to children’s parties. Seán is joined by Stephen O‘Leary, Founder at Olytico to discuss why it’s so widely used.

A headset, which zaps the brains of people suffering from depression, was able to improve symptoms in over 64% of the patients involved in the trial. This therapy is known as transcranial direct current stimulation, and differs from the more commonly known electroconvulsive therapy or ECT. To tell more about this, Seán is joined by Sarah Kittel-Schneider, Head of the Department of Psychiatry at UC...

A recent survey by Capital Credit Union reveals that one in ten Irish adults have no savings, while 65% have less than €5,000 set aside for emergencies. Worryingly, over three in ten people in their 30s have less than €500 put away. But, how much should we really be saving at different stages of life? In your 20s, 30s, or even planning for retirement: what's the right target? And, if you're thinki...

You might love looking at pictures of your favourite artists performing on stage, but did you ever wonder what it’s like to be the person behind the camera? Seán’s guest has toured with the likes of Hozier, and had her pictures of Glastonbury used across the globe. Photographer Ruth Medjber joins to discuss. Image: Ruthless Imagery

Boxty is an Irish potato favourite, but a campaign is gathering speed to secure Protected Geographical Indication status for its home in the northwest of the country. Joining Seán to discuss is Marian Harkin, Independent TD for Sligo Leitrim and one of the leaders of the campaign. Image: Ian Knauer

While communal television viewing was part and parcel of several generations of Irish children, the same cannot be said of today, where streaming, the diminishment of live TV and the rise of smartphones has made this collective experience rarer and rarer. But, what has been lost? Joining Seán to discuss is Colman Noctor, Child Psychologist and Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

Tomorrow marks International Stuttering Awareness Day. It is believed that about 50,000 people in Ireland currently have a stutter, but is there a right way and a wrong way to help someone who is struggling to get their words out? Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Jonathan Linklater, Speech Therapist and Development Manager for the Irish Stammering Association.

The people of Seaview near Kilmore in Wexford have been watching the coast encroach on their homes over the past five years. They’ve been allocated over €650,000 to help stop this erosion, but unfortunately this is not a long-term solution, as it will move the problem up the coast. Joining Seán to discuss is Lisa McDonald, Fiana Fáil Cllr for Rosslare.

Despite the experiences of a global pandemic, many people continue to insist on coming into the office when they’re sick. So, is this a valiant and impressive show of strength, or are they putting everyone else at risk? Joining Seán to discuss is Pilita Clarke, Columnist with the Financial Times.

Britney Spears has announced that she's married again... to herself. The singer posted a video on social media wearing a white dress and veil, while carrying a bouquet. She's captioned it by telling fans it's the "most brilliant thing" she's ever done. So (maybe not as much as Britney), do you like your own company? Do you go to the cinema on your own or even go on holiday on your own? Henry McKea...

After a six-year hiatus, the Victoria Secret Fashion show returned this week. It has faced massive controversy in the past for glamourising weight loss and perpetuating unrealistic standards of beauty… But, has it changed? Joining Seán to discuss is Laura Mullet, Journalist and Celebrity Fashion Stylist.

According to a new survey, aggressive car beeping has become more common, as well as offensive hand gestures and giving out, but why is this? And what are our worst driving habits? Eugene Drennan, Spokesperson for the Irish Road Haulage Association, joins Seán to discuss.

Over in the UK, an emu that was abandoned by her parents has been raised by a chicken, named Nugget. But, how does that work? Joining Seán to discuss is Polly Bramham, Living Collections Manager, Birdworld.

Earlier this week, the TD Mick Barry produced a bottle of tap water in the Dáil chamber in order to support an argument he was making. But, what exactly are the rules around prop use in our parliament? Joining Seán to discuss is Paul Hosford, Deputy Political Editor of the Irish Examiner… Image: Oireachtas TV

Many pet owners get concerned at this time of the year about what is the best way to shield their dogs from exploding fireworks. One expert believes that playing reggae music to your pets may well be the solution. Joining Seán to discuss is Dog Behaviourist and Trainer, Suzie Walsh.

The world of competitive conkers erupted in controversy after questions were raised about the integrity of a conker belonging to the winner of the annual championship. Joining Seán to discuss is Neil Horton, Landlord of the Southwick Shuckburgh Arms in Northamptonshire and Committee Member of the World Conker Committee…

Writing in the Irish Examiner, Bernard O’Shea claims that bromances are “tighter than your jeans after Christmas dinner”. How true is this? And how hard are they to form? Henry McKean has been out asking the public about their bromances, and joins Seán to discuss.

This week is Baby Loss Awareness week. One charity is paving the way for families to remember their babies through the gift of photography. Joining Seán to discuss this is Ann Marie Gillooley, Volunteer at ‘Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.’

In a significant escalation of tensions between North and South Korea, some of the historic roads that used to connect the two parts of the country, divided since the war in the 1950’s, have been blown up! So, what does this mean geopolitically? Joining Seán to discuss is Professor Hazel Smith from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) and author of ‘North Korea: Markets and Military R...

Today is World Restart a Heart Day. Figures show that well over 200 lives were saved last year because someone started CPR. So, joining Seán to discuss how to perform CPR is David Hall, CEO of Lifeline Ambulance Service.

While many people will describe themselves as huggers, is the quality of a hug more important than the hug itself? Céire Sadlier, a contributor to the Irish Times, thinks this is the case, and as a lifelong hugger herself, she has been writing about her experience. She joins Seán to discuss.

You probably never give a second thought to cleaning our kettle. Boiling water kills all the bacteria anyway, right? Well, apparently not! Joining Seán to explain what could be lurking in the waters of kettles is Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester.

The Dutch prison population has fallen by more than 40% recently, to the point where they are closing some facilities down as prisons, and turning them into other amenities, like cinemas.  It comes off the back of the news that Irish prisons are at breaking point due to overcrowding… So, how good is it in the Netherlands? Renate Van Der Zee is a Journalist and Writer who has been writing abou...

A world first took place recently as a three-armed robot conductor carried out its duties at a special classical music concert in Germany. Joining Seán to discuss is Markus Rindt, Artistic Director of the Sinfoniker in Dresden…

An exhibition celebrating the contribution of community midwives in early 20th century Ireland has opened at the Museum of Country Life in Co Mayo.  The programme also showcases the valuable work of volunteers around the country in documenting their local history.  Emma Laffey is the Curator of the Exhibition, and is also Health Care Assistant at the Maternity Unit in Portiuncula Univers...