Lunchtime Live
Episodes
Should this migrant boat bonfire go ahead?
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A bonfire in Co Tyrone has sparked controversy ahead of the twelfth of July celebrations. It comes after a boat containing more than a dozen life-size...
Adult education teachers to hold emergency protest - why?
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Adult education teachers will protest at the Dáil today over cuts to their teaching hours and growing job insecurity. Many have been told they won’...
Reasons to be Happy: Heatwave, Wimbledon, Obama
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Are Irish school holidays too long?
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Long school holidays widen the gap between those enjoying trips, camps and excursions, and those left with nothing to do, according to Mary McCarthy, ...
Making Babies: Fetal Movement
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospita...
Christian Horner sacked from Red Bull - what went wrong?
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christian Horner, the Team Principal of Red Bull’s Formula 1 team, has been sacked. What led up to this, and what does the future look like for the ...
Cancer care delays causing serious concern
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Irish Cancer Society has voiced deep concern over alarming delays in access to life-saving chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.Patients urgen...
Ask the Expert: Getting a mortgage
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Trevor Grant, Chairperson of the Association of Irish Mortgage Advisors to answer any of your qu...
Should you have a ‘running away fund’ in a relationship?
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the cost of living constantly rising, financial independence is more important than ever. But, when you're sharing groceries, bills, and a mortga...
Should car parking charges be abolished?
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Almost €19 million was raised last year from discretionary parking fees at hospitals.So, should parking charges at hospitals be abolished?Joining An...
Are we dressing too casually?
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Milan’s La Scala theater has warned that they will ban anyone who shows up wearing shorts, tank tops and flip flops. Has fashion gone out the window...
How I Live Well: Mental Strength Training
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 Mental Fitness Expert ...
Would you be a Guard?
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Garda recruitment numbers this year are down.They had a target of about 1,000, but numbers are looking closer to 650…So, what would make you want to...
Ask the GP with Dr Nina Byrnes
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…
Listener can’t go on holiday due to wheelchair limitations
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last Friday, the topic of issues facing people in wheelchairs when they travel was discussed.One listener, Carmel, got in touch with her frustrations ...
Could reducing apartment sizes improve the housing crisis?
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Housing Minister James Brown has proposed changes to building guidelines that would allow for smaller, more affordable apartments.Sinn Féin has stron...
Are you still looking for holiday inspiration?
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A heatwave is coming for Ireland this week, but it’s still nice to get away – spend some time by the beach or exploring a foreign city.But apparen...
The Pod Squad: Stick to Football
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Ciaran Bradley from Newstalk’s Digital team and...
Did this GAA scoring issue change the course of the game?
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The GAA has issued a statement clarifying the final score of Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final, revising the official score to: Tipperary 4-20 Kil...
Summer Memories – Hugh Wallace
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Architect and Home of the Year judge Hugh Wallace joins Lunchtime Live to share his summer memories.From travels to Zimbabwe to his favourite holiday ...
Oasis Tour Begins
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Carty, freelance arts journalist, joins Lunchtime Live to discuss the return of Oasis — what’s real, what’s rumour, and whether Liam and Noe...
Is It Hard to Make Friends in Your 30s?
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Ann-Marie Creaven, psychologist at University of Limerick, joins Lunchtime Live to explore why making new friendships gets harder with age — and ...
How Accessible Is Travel?
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Edel Carey, school liaison officer with the Irish Wheelchair Association, and Joan Carthy, National Advocacy Manager with the IWA, join Lunchtime Live...
Regional Round-Up
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s Regional Roundup, Shane Beatty checks in with stories and voices from across the country.From #lovedonegal day reaching 99 million pe...
Was Banning Bedsits a Mistake?
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Independent Senator Michael McDowell joins Lunchtime Live to argue that banning bedsits may have made housing less accessible. He’s joined by listen...
Home Squad: Minding Your Plants
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pat Keville from Plantstore.ie joins Lunchtime Live to help listeners with their summer planting dilemmas, from wilting herbs to container vegetables....
Why We Get Insect Bites
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the summer holiday season in full swing and temperatures climbing across Europe, many of us are reaching for insect repellent to avoid those pesk...
Have GAA tickets become too expensive?
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week tickets went on sale for the All-Ireland hurling semi-finals in Croke Park, with stand tickets for either day costing €60 each. &n...
The Grip of Childhood Sexual Abuse
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Joyce, June and Paula Kavanagh are three sisters born into a large family of ten children in the late 1950’s-early 1960’s in a disadvantaged area ...
The Making of Abbey Road
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's The Making of, we do a deep dive into The Beetles' iconic, influential and incredible Abbey RoadJoining Andrea today is Head tour guide...
Are You a Serial Returner?
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With fast fashion increasingly under fire for its environmental impact, online retailer ASOS has taken a firm stance against 'serial returners’ ...
Calls for Greater Funding for Community Cafés
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea speaks to Mary Fogarty and Leoni Maher from The Cottage café in Loughmore, Co. Tipperary, who were in Leinster House campaigning for long-term...
Reasons to be Happy
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
98FM's Cathal O’Sullivan joins Andrea for a look at some of the good news stories of the week, including Luas 2050 plans, a crisp festival, the Devi...
Should RTÉ Broadcast Electric Picnic?
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
RTE have confirmed that they won’t be broadcasting any of Electric Picnic this year. They used to have live coverage and highlights from it for...
Making Babies
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, joins Andrea in studio to answer listeners’ questions about pregnancy, fertility...
Should Flight Check-ins Be Scrapped?
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Simon Calder, Travel Editor at The Independent (UK), joins Lunchtime Live to make the case for abolishing traditional airline check-ins—and what it ...
Is the Modern Irish Diet to Blame for Rising Allergies?
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea speaks to consultant allergist Dr Ranbir Kaulsay about changing food habits in Ireland and the possible links to increasing allergy rates.The r...
Are Water Charges the Only Way to Ensure Sustainable Water Use?
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea hears from listeners across the country on whether reintroducing water charges would help cut down on waste. Colin O’Byrne from VOICE Ireland...
Ask the Expert: Divorce
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle Browne, divorce consultant, mediator, and author of Scars of Divorce, joins Lunchtime Live to answer listener questions about separation, leg...
Six Traits That Define If You’re Cool
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, joins Lunchtime Live to break down the science of being cool.Things like comfortabil...
Is It Too Hot to Travel?
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Akshay Deoras, research scientist at the University of Reading, joins Lunchtime Live to explain what’s behind Europe’s latest heatwave and what...
Dublin Bus Records 1,000 Incidents of Antisocial Behaviour
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Blake Boland from Dublin Bus joins Lunchtime Live to explain the nature of this antisocial abuse and behaviour across the Dublin Bus network. Suzanne ...
How I Live Well: Roller Derby
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Elaine Snowden and Melissa “Argie Bargie” join Andrea to talk about the culture, community and sport of roller derby.Listen here to hear all about...
Voluntary Contributions in Schools
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Seamus Mulconry from the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association speaks to Lunchtime Live about rising “voluntary” school contributions as...
Ask the GP
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Louise Fitzgerald of Grafton Medical joins Lunchtime Live to answer listeners’ medical queries — from Summer allergies to prescription side eff...
Are Left-Handed People More Creative?
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A recent study has shown that only 10% of the country is left-handed. But are Ciotog’s really smarter and more creative? Margaret Le...
The BBC Says It Regrets Not Pulling Bob Vylan Set
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The BBC has said it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set, during which a band member shouted "death to the IDF" - as Ofc...
On Stage with Alanis Morissette
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine what it would be like to sing Ironic, on stage, with Alanis Morissette.Well, Andrea is joined by one woman who had such a privelege Grainne Gi...
Is Cutting the Grass an Outdated Concept?
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Burke, Naturalist and Founder of the Micro Wild biodiversity project in Blessington and Fiann Ó Nualláin, The Holistic Gardener, join Lunchtim...
Pod Squad – Stalked
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today FM's Cathal Minogue and Elaine Burke from the For Tech's Sake Podcast join Lunchtime Live to review the podcast Stalked, how a relentless campai...
How Long Does It Take to Get an Appointment with Your GP?
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Parts of the country are at risk of becoming GP blackspots as family doctors retire, according to a new report for the Department of Health.The repor...
Summer Memories with Helen Steele
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Designer Helen Steele joins Andrea in studio to reflect on her favourite summer memories — from holidays and music to summer jobs and more.Listen he...
Ticket Scams on Concert Season
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mary D’Arcy, Financial Crime Lead with FraudSMART, joins Lunchtime Live following comedian Joanne McNally’s revelation that she lost thousands in ...
What Age Should We Talk to Our Children About Sex?
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Stella O’Malley, psychotherapist and parenting author, joins Andrea alongside Irish Times journalist and mother of seven Jen Hogan, and Newstalk’s...
Why Do Irish Households Waste So Much Food?
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chef Holly Dalton and Machaela O’Leary of the app Too Good To Go join Lunchtime Live to unpack why the average Irish household throws away €660 wo...
Regional Round-Up
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From Palestinian GAA clubs touring the country, to all the great gigs across the island.Shane Beaty joins Lunchtime Live to go through the regional ro...
Should Supports for Long COVID Be Extended?
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Long Covid continues to impact the lives of many across the country.It was recently announced that those eligible for the Long COVID Support Scheme wi...
Home Squad
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For The Home Squad this week we look at some of the biggest trends in interior design with Jenny Sheahan, former Home of the Year winner and creator o...
A Good Night’s Sleep in the Heat
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep expert, Erica Hargaden, joins Andrea to offer advice on how to sleep well during summer heat — from managing body temperature with warm shower...
Are There Enough Facilities for Campervans Across the Country?
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tadgh Kennedy, owner of Ballinapark and Jack Whites Pub in Brittas Bay, joins Lunchtime Live to discuss why he added motorhome facilities to his venue...
Top Tips for Traditional Italian Food
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Monica and Daniela Venturi — better known as The Two Nonnas — join Lunchtime Live in studio to share their kitchen wisdom, family recipes, and tip...
The Making of Joshua Tree
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Alan Buckley, head tour guide at the Irish Rock 'N' Roll Museum Experience, joins Lunchtime Live to explain how U2 created the ever legendary The Josh...
How Bad are The Potholes in Your Area?
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea is joined by guests to discuss the state of Ireland's roads.This comes after there has been a massive jump in complaints about potholes right a...
How to care for a loved one going through cancer
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A cancer diagnosis is terrifying for the person who gets it.But it’s also a huge shock for that person’s loved ones – and knowing what to do or ...
Reasons to be Happy: F1 Movie, 90’s Fashion Comeback, Zach Bryan
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Would you drive a car with a Donegal reg?
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A TikTok posted by car dealer David Tobin has amassed almost 90k views.He claims that no one wants to drive a car with a Donegal reg. Would you? ...
Making Babies: Listener Questions
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospita...
Should vegan foods be renamed?
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Irish farmers have welcomed a proposed restriction on using terms like “sausage” and “burger” for vegan products, arguing that such labels can...
Are you impacted by transport noise?
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you live near a busy road? Or a loud trainline?More than 1 million of us are apparently exposed to high levels of transport noise.The noise exceeds...
Ask the Expert: Guidance Counsellor
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With today being the end of the Leaving Cert exams, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Laura Walshe, Career Guidance Counsellor wit...
Should Irish wool have its own trademark?
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Irish-grown wool has now been a loss maker for farmers for many years.That's despite it being such an iconic feature of the country’s craft heritage...
Speeding on smaller roads - how should it be policed?
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Speed cameras can be a help and a hindrance on our roads, with many people slowing down when they see a camera up ahead, only to increase again when t...
How popular has the Irish language become worldwide?
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Irish language has taken the world by storm in recent years. Films like An Cailín Ciúin and bands as big as Kneecap have launched Gaeilge to a w...
How I Live Well: Kombucha
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 SynerChi Kombucha Foun...
New GPO revamp - what can fix O’Connell Street?
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
New proposals going to cabinet this week suggest an entire revamp of the GPO complex.According to early plans, the site would house a major museum, wi...
Ask the GP with Dr Sumi Dunne
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sumi Dunne, GP in Laois, joined guest host Adrian Kennedy to tackle your medical queries…
Should you split the bill on the first date?
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Holt McCallany has claimed his Irish mother would’ve “berated” him for trying to split the bill with a woman.Do you agree?Should a man alw...
Should there be consequences for driving test no-shows?
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There have been more than 3,000 no-shows for driving tests so far this year.Which means 3,000 working hours of RSA testers being wasted so far this ye...
Are you guilty of ‘performative socialising’?
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever taken part in something you have no real interest in just for the sake of posting it online? Maybe you went to a concert for an artist y...
The Pod Squad: Ireland Said Yes
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Broadcaster Padraig Wilson McCarthy and host of t...
Are summer camps being used as babysitters?
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As schools are coming to a close for summer holidays, summer camps are becoming a necessity for parents. Like a ticketed event, many working parents a...
Summer Memories with Sonya Lennon
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our summer memories series is back!We chat to some well known names and faces and reminisce over those long summer days.Sonya Lennon joins Andrea to r...
Why is everything in Ireland so expensive?
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland ranks as the second most expensive country in the EU, just behind Denmark. The cost of living is driven primarily by steep prices in alcohol a...
Do Irish women forget to look after themselves?
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do Irish women tend to put others in front of their own needs? Whether it be a friend, husband or child, what is the right balance so you’re not loo...
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From free repairs to therapy dogs, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!
Should jury duty expenses be paid?
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Being called for jury duty means making significant adjustments to daily life, taking time off work, arranging childcare, covering travel and meal cos...
The Home Squad: Estimating the cost of jobs
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you need a bit of work done to your home, how can you guess how much a job should cost?Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about estimating cos...
Are people still using sunbeds?
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Despite widespread efforts to discourage the use of sunbeds for achieving a bronzed tan, tanning salons continue to emerge nationwide, with many peopl...
The impact of large classes on young students
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Parents at a school in Clontarf have been given some unsettling news: starting in September, their senior infants' classes will be merged from three i...
Is it still taboo to be gay in the GAA?
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Being gay is really the last taboo in the GAA…That’s according to footballer Kevin Penrose, who joins Andrea, along with Hannah Tyrrell, Dublin fo...
The Making of ‘Super Trouper’
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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? ...
Sky warns of "consequences" from use of dodgy boxes - does it put you off?
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The owners of dodgy boxes are coming under new threats from Sky Ireland.They’re warning there’ll be “consequences” if people are caught stream...
Sailing in Sligo
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea hits the ocean to sail on the coast out to Sligo Bay with local sailor Colm O'Flaherty.Get all the sights and sounds here.
Tourism in Sligo
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea speaks to the people behind Sligo’s adventure and heritage tourism: Seamus McGoldrick of Sligo Surf Experience and Adventure Sligo, Barry Mot...
Success Stories of Sligo
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea speaks with some of Sligo’s greatest success stories: Finbarr Filan, newly appointed national chair of ISME and head of Sligo BID; Andrew Dar...
Sailing with MS and Building a School in Tanzania
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Shirley Foley, who lives with MS and is part of the international sailing initiative Oceans of Hope; and Pam Scanlon, a retiring school accounts worke...
Sligo on a Plate
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea meets the people behind Sligo’s thriving food and drink scene: Aisling Kelly Hunter of Sligo Oyster Experience, Paul Mullin, co-founder of Th...
Living in Sligo
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation about the joys and virtues of life in the northwest with former TD Marc MacSharry, travel content creator Kevin Dooher of Wild Atlantic...
Ask the Expert: Dealing with a child’s emotions
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Cliona Cosgrove to answer any of your questions when it comes ...
Is thatching a dying tradition?
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Thatching is a time honoured Irish Tradition that is at risk of dying out., according to the Donegal Thatching School.They have called for more fundin...