Lunchtime Live

Man to attempt aqua marathon in honour of daughter

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ella Mills tragically passed away in a kayaking accident in Washington last year. This August 25th, her father Ralph is aiming to set a world record i...

Do we actually need cycle lanes?

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has said that she thinks the bike infrastructure in our cities is “authoritarian”. Apparently, they’ve turned Dubli...

Tenacious D - Is it okay to joke about the Trump shooting?

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

When is it okay to make a joke about certain topics?Kyle Gass, from band Tenacious D, found out when not to make a joke this weekend after being prese...

Reasons to be Happy: Denise O’Sullivan, Bray, Return of Liam Mac

17 Jul 2024

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.Today FM...

Are youth matches too competitive?

17 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A Waterford U15 hurling match was abandoned on Monday evening following a brawl involving players, mentors and supporters.An investigation is now unde...

The Pod Squad: No Such Thing as a Fish

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. This week Andrea is joined by T...

Encouraging more women to coach in sport

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do we do enough to encourage girls to get into football coaching?  Laura Heffernan, who manages DLR Waves, is the only female manager in the...

Are there enough Cork trains for the hurling final?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Excitement is reaching fever pitch for this Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final between Clare and Cork.However, there have been reports that Cork fan...

Ireland’s most unique festivals

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today is the launch of Puck Fair, Ireland’s oldest festival.It got us thinking about some of the weird and wonderful festivals this country has to o...

How I Live Well: Irish Dancing

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!She will be joined by a number of different people to find ...

Was the Garda response in Coolock fast enough?

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Following unrest at an anti-immigration protest in Coolock yesterday, Gardaí have arrested 19 people. Taoiseach Simon Harris thanked the Gardai ...

Ask the GP with Dr Nina Byrnes

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries…

Should there be laws around when you can mow?

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty was woken up on Sunday morning - someone nearby was mowing the grass at 8 am! His tweet has people divided o...

Kerry man’s plaque to stillborn son refused by council

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Kerry man Bertie O’Connor's son James was stillborn in 1983. In memory of his son, Bertie would like to erect a plaque at the site where James was b...

Fires set at international protection site in Coolock

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Multiple fires have been lit at a site considered for international protection applicants in Coolock this morning.Andrea Gilligan is joined by local C...

What are your thoughts after the Trump shooting?

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Former US President Donald Trump has said he is “supposed to be dead” after surviving his assassination attempt.All of America, and even the world...

Gilligan’s Island: Wild Swimming Spots

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is Lunchtime Live’s newest segment, Gilligan’s Island!Every Monday we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to...

Why are there Direct Provision protests in Tramore?

15 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Families living in Direct Provision housing in Tramore have been given eviction notices - some were originally told to leave from the 5th of July, wit...

Summer Memories with Luke O’Neill

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Luke O’Neill, Author, Biochemist and Newstalk fixture joined Andrea Gilligan to share some of his favourite summer memories!

Is laughing good for our health? Japan’s new law

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Japan has brought in a new rule that everyone living there must laugh at least once a day. That’s right, they have brought in an actual rule about l...

Listener faces kidney failure without accommodation

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Diane got in touch with the show to tell how she’s facing kidney failure - and, without permanent accommodation, cannot do at-home dialysis treatmen...

Why do we love Hallmark movies?

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Love it or loathe it: Christmas is only 166 days away! And Hallmark is on the search for their new leading man… Nobody can claim that Hallmark ...

Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From a cow making a visit to a nursing home to famous faces visiting Galway– Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has a roundup of some of the ...

Is the XL Bully ban a good idea?

12 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Government is set to ban XL Bully dogs after a spike in the number of attacks in Ireland, including the fatal mauling of 23-year-old Nicole Morey ...

The Home Squad: Wallpaper

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

To wallpaper, or not to wallpaper - that is the question!Joining Andrea to talk all things wallpaper are Irish Examiner Columnist and previous ‘Home...

Passport delays leave listener stuck - his story

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Neil got in touch with the programme because of a problem he has gotten himself stuck in - which involves getting a new passport, and seeming...

Should you bring a +1 everywhere?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever gone to meet your friend for a coffee and a catch up, only to discover that they’ve brought their other half with them? Met a fri...

Woman with HIV struggles to get fertility treatment - why?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In April 2017, Ainara was told she was HIV Positive, she says she never felt stigmatised over her status until she and husband sought fertility assist...

Throwback Thursday: Live Aid, Cave Rescue, Wimbledon

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Rebecca Shekleton, Co-Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast jo...

Do you feel safe in Dublin?

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A survey carried out by Fianna Fáil shows that Dubliners do not feel safe in their own city. 65% of those polled said that they had witnessed anti-so...

Ask the Expert: Midwife

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From pregnancy to postpartum, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by midwife Christine Lane (@myholisticmidwife on Instagram) ...

What is a Rubik’s cube champion?

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ciarán Beahan is 24 from Lucan in Dublin, and is Ireland’s most decorated Rubix Cube Champion. But what does that mean exactly?He joins Andrea...

Irish woman detained in UAE - family speaks out

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tori Towey, a 28 year old from Boyle in County Roscommon, is currently facing criminal charges - including attempted suicide and consuming alcohol - i...

Copenhagen giving free wine to litter-picking tourists!

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Several European cities are exploring ways to manage the level of tourism they’re seeing. Locals are starting to turn on visitors - there were anger...

Reasons to be Happy: Airport Haircuts, Football, Movie Sequels

10 Jul 2024

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.Today FM...

What’s going on at Dublin Zoo?

10 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You may have heard the sad news from Dublin Zoo recently after two Asian elephants died from the same disease within a week.There is an update to this...

The Pod Squad: The Canoe Con

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the Pod Squad – where we troll through the podcast offers to see what we can recommend!This week, we’re talking about British Scandal – a...

Are children losing their conversational skills?

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are we on the cusp of a conversational crisis? Have phones affected how kids learn to talk? The UK Labour party wants all state-school children t...

Domestic abuse leads to murder - daughters of victim speak out

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On the 14th October 2022, Tony Browne was stabbed in the neck by his partner while he slept in his home in Belfast. This week, the killer has been sen...

Are U2 underappreciated in Ireland?

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

U2 are the highest-earning band from Ireland or the UK so far this year.Bono and crew have banked more than €118 million from 23 shows in Las Vegas ...

How I Live Well: Celbridge Boys Club

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to fi...

Why can Transition Year be so expensive?

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A tweet from Psychologist and Author Katriona O’Sullivan shocked many today. Her son told her that 'The poor kids are often the rule breakers & ...

Should you avoid joint bank accounts?

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A listener got in touch with the show 'My wife and I have both pay our salaries into a joint account and have been doing so since we bought our first ...

'You wouldn't hand your ten year old a double espresso' - Should there be restrictions on energy drinks?

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There have been calls to ban energy drinks in Ireland after two men suffered cardiac arrest due to excessive consumption. What do you think?Shoul...

Gilligan's Island: Holidaying as a solo parent

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every Monday we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer. Today, Andrea chats to Yvonne Reddin about holiday...

Ask the GP with Dr Niall Breen

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Niall Breen from Portmarnock GP Clinic to answer listeners' health queries and questions…

'I am sick of seeing people urinating in the street or in my garden!'

08 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Should there be more public toilets provided when there are large public events? Listener Eimear wonders why Croke Park can't put portaloos aroun...

Summer Memories with Glenda Gilson

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Glenda Gilson, Model & TV Presenter joined Andrea Gilligan to share some of her favourite summer memories!

Are politicians afraid to talk about certain issues?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do we risk our politicians being too afraid to speak out about issues because of the backlash they receive?  Apparently, public figures are ...

Have kids parties become too expensive?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have kids birthday parties lost their way? Costing way too much to run? It seems like there is an issue where pressure is put on parents to run the be...

Wexford FC Captain faces racist abuse - what happened?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ethan Boyle, Wexford FC Captain was recently in the local playground with his 18 month-old son when he experienced a racist encounter. He joins A...

Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From pitch invaders to bee invasions – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories you might have m...

Is there no more parking at Dublin Airport?

05 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dublin Airport is warning people not to drive to Dublin airport unless they have parking pre-booked. All the car parks are currently sold out over the...

The Home Squad: Freestanding vs Built-in Furniture

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Built-in versus freestanding furniture – what should you go for?Joining Andrea Gilligan to give their recommendations are Jennifer Sheahan, Irish Ex...

Mum reunited with daughter after 17 years - what happened?

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s a really good news story – a reunion 17 years in the making.Victoria O’Leary’s daughter Fatima was taken to Saudi Arabia by her husband...

Almost one in three early years facilities at risk of closure

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Almost a third of childcare and early years facilities are now at risk of closing. With also 95% of workers in the industry apparently struggling to m...

How bias is shown in UK Election coverage

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Daily Express says you should ‘Vote Tory’, The Daily Mirror says ‘Vote for Labour’ and The Daily Mail says ‘Vote Farage’.You may notic...

Throwback Thursday: Forrest Gump, Ricky Martin, Back to the Future

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Rebecca Shekleton, Co-Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast jo...

Should GAAGO be behind a paywall?

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Taoiseach Simon Harris has re-opened the debate around GAAGO by reiterating his stance that Gaelic games should not be behind a paywall. Has GAAG...

Ask the Expert: Blood Donation

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has issued an appeal for an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next four weeks to help the national blood s...

Why were there celebrities in Donegal?

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Andrea was invited to Donegal to see the launch of Muff Liquor’s new million euro facility, also announcing celebrity investment. Which celebrities?...

Should grandparents be paid to mind their grandchildren?

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Sweden have just launched a groundbreaking new law that would entitle grandparents to get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren...

Insect bites lead to double amputation for Cork grandmother

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Josie Rowley, who has been living in West Cork for over 40 years, had to have both of her legs amputated after getting insect bites at her home.Josie,...

Reasons to be Happy: Our favourite French exports!

03 Jul 2024

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.Today FM...

Mother and daughter die in road crash in Mayo

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You have probably heard the tragic news this morning that a mum and her eight-year-old daughter have died after a car crash in Co Mayo. Andrea Gi...

The Pod Squad: Generation Why

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. This week guest host Anna Daly ...

What is the ‘No Spend’ challenge?

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Could you go a day a week without spending any money?The ‘No Spend’ challenge is the viral trend that involves buying nothing for a day each week....

Should we leave work early on Fridays?

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

UK Labour Leader Keir Starmer has been mocked for saying he won’t work past 6pm on Fridays. Critics have dubbed him ‘Sir Sleepy’ and have sugges...

What is it like to foster as a same-sex couple?

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There is an increased demand and need for foster care in Ireland.The opportunity to foster these days is open to married, single, same sex couples, pe...

How I Live Well: Tea

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Every Tuesday Lunchtime Live learns from someone doing something to make their lives better.Usually it’s Andrea learning how to better herself, but ...

Is it okay to get ‘slightly sunburned’?

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Irish people know about skin cancer risks, but think it's all right to get 'slightly sunburned’?'Studies show that tanned skin is still being seen a...

Ask the GP with Dr Nina Byrnes

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries…

How BookTok is changing the industry for authors

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

‘BookTok’ is a thriving community on TikTok that is completely changing the book industry for authors. It allows authors to snatch up book de...

Should we be complaining more?

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do the Irish complain about bad service?Justine O’Mahoney, Columnist with the Wexford People has been writing about this recently. What do you think...

Wheelchair users cannot access Mayo beach - why?

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Irish Wheelchair Association says its members are being discriminated against on a Blue Flag beach in Iorras, north Mayo, because they have been d...

Gilligan’s Island: Snorkelling!

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is Lunchtime Live’s newest segment, Gilligan’s Island!Every Monday we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to...

Deposit Return Scheme causing waste collection price increases?

01 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Waste collection companies have warned they may increase prices for recycling bin collections to make up for the loss of plastic bottles and drinks ca...

Summer Memories with Billy McGuinness

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Aslan’s Billy McGuinness joined guest host Adrian Kennedy to reflect on some of his fondest summer memories!

Why you should look after your gut

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gut health is one of those important things to look after, and will leave you feeling great if you look after yourself properly!Dr Mary McCreery, Cons...

Swifties take over Dublin!

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Taylor Swift is in Dublin to play three sold out shows at the Aviva Stadium - and because of that, the Swifties (Taylor fans) have taken over the city...

What is it like to be an X-rated couple?

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This couple is quite unique compared to most...Ireland's two most famous adult stars met on the job are now a real-life couple.Northern Ireland OnlyFa...

Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From world record makers in Monaghan to a Liverpool star giving gifts to a Mayo village – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gil...

What did you think of the US Presidential debate?

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last night, round one of the US presidential debates kicked off on CNN – and it was viewed as often-uncomfortable viewing.Joe Biden's performance at...

The Home Squad: Getting outdoor-ready!

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From keeping your patio clean to buying an outdoor heater - it’s important to get your garden ready for the summer!Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy...

What are Terry Prone’s ‘tisks’?

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Writing in today’s Irish Examiner, Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic detailed her experience of her ‘tisks’ saying “I thought...

Record number of calls made to Dublin Rape Crisis Centre last year

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A report released today shows that there were a record 18,605 calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre’s national helpline last year. Rachel Morr...

Wicklow Pride postpones ‘Rainbow Disco’ after threats

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Wicklow Pride Festival committee has postponed an upcoming ‘Rainbow Disco’ for teenagers in Newtownmountkennedy due to safety concerns after r...

Throwback Thursday: The iPhone, Michael Jackson, Lion King

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Rebecca Shekleton, Co-Presenter of 98FM’s Big Breakfast jo...

Should schools give out perfect attendance certs?

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Shane Beatty, Presenter of Breakfast Briefing, posted something which has caused quite the reaction online.He said that you don’t think that schools...

Ask the Expert: House Plants

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

From how to keep them alive to the best places to put them – we’re talking house plants on today’s Ask the Expert. Erin Thomas, Founder of Hopel...

Learning the history of gay Ireland

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Pride month, and many festivals are taking place all over the country this weekend with people flying flags from their homes, businesses and wind...

Do we have an issue with prison overcrowding?

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The number of people in prison in Ireland has reached 5,000 for the first time ever.The Irish Penal Reform Trust say that these numbers show that “t...

The Glastonbury Survival Guide!

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re like Andrea Gilligan, you might be going to Glastonbury for the first time this year! It might seem overwhelming, since it’s on a much l...

Reasons to be Happy: A new arrival to Dublin Zoo!

26 Jun 2024

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.Today FM...

Massive taxi shortages in Dublin this weekend

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dublin is going to be very busy this weekend. There’s Taylor Swift playing three sold out nights in the Aviva Stadium, Longitude in Marlay Park, Sha...

The Pod Squad: To Catch a Scorpion

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. This week Andrea is joined by B...

What makes Limerick great?

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lunchtime Live, as part of Newstalk’s Summer Tour, is live from Limerick! Andrea is joined by two of the county’s community pillars: Richard ...

Natasha O’Brien: ‘Our country is not safe at all’

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Natasha O’Brien joined Andrea Gilligan in Limerick to discuss her assaulter Cathal Crotty walking free with a suspended sentence - and to give her r...

Remembering Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Seán Kelly MEP, former President of the GAA, joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to remember the legendary commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, who p...

Will we see drug injection centres in Limerick?

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Supervised drug injection centres are being considered in Limerick if the pilot programme currently running in Dublin is a success.Some people believe...