Lunchtime Live
Episodes
How To Overcome Gym Anxiety
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We hear a lot in January about getting fit and exercising, but how easy is it really? It can be quite intimidating to go into a gym when you have...
Throwback Thursday: Introducing the Euro, Whitney at No. 1 and Phil Lynott Dies
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Stefanie Pr...
Is the NCT fit for purpose?
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is the NCT fit for purpose? Figures show that nearly half of the 1.5 million cars failed the full NCT test in Ireland last year. What has yo...
The Pod Squad: The Pact
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing a new slot for Lunchtime Live – The Pod Squad. We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.&n...
2023 In Numbers: EVs, Baby Names and House Prices
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From the most popular names in Ireland to the amount of EVs sold – the Central statistic office figures for 2023 were released today.Alex Rowley fro...
'There's a lot of physical skill involved' - Is darts a real sport?
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Luke Littler, the 16-year-old who has enjoyed a historic run to the final of the World Darts Championship He is now just one win away from becomi...
How to tackle misinformation and disinformation
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday the Minster for Environment Eamonn Ryan stated that disinformation is being accepted as gospel. With the new year upon, the growt...
Reasons to be Happy: Luke Littler, Free Contraception and Murder on the Dancefloor
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We have made a new year’s resolution on the show this year to look on the brighter side of life. Our new item Lunchtime Live's Reasons to...
'It's becoming more popular' - Should all Irish primary schools be Gaelscoils?
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Should all Irish primary schools be Gaelscoils? Estonia has announced a new law to ensure that over the next 10 years all primary schools that st...
Toll prices increase 'another blow to the pockets of Irish motorists'
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From today, tolls on ten routes across the country will increase. Most road users will the charge increase by 20c, with heavy good vehicles incre...
Are New Year's resolutions outdated?
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you make new year’s resolutions? According to a new survey - 7 in 10 of under 29's think resolutions are outdated. What do you think? H...
How I Live Well: Laughter Yoga
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Coming back after January, Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will ...
'It's absolutely disgraceful' - Standards of food 'very poor' in Irish hospitals
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
'If you would not eat it yourself, then don’t serve it up’ That is the message from health campaigner Jillian McNulty to hospital cater...
How to make the perfect Christmas cheese board
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Prepare for Christmas with ease as our cheese expert is here to show us how to whip up the perfect board for the day! Kevin Sheridan, owner of Sh...
Families 'blessed' with babies through surrogacy in time for Christmas
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For some families, there’s extra celebrations this Christmas as they’ve welcomed babies in the past few months. However it’s been a l...
Christmas Consumer Advice with Sinead Ryan
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many people will be unwrapping, unwanted gifts on Monday whether they be socks or a gift you may already have. Because gifting can bring about th...
Good News of 2023 with Eamonn Torsney
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While some may consider 2023 the year of war and tragedies, there were many enjoyable things that also took place. As we look back on 2023, here ...
Tablescaping: How to create the perfect Christmas dinner setting
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tablescaping is the new Christmas trend this year.Andrea was joined by wedding planner, Lyndsey Moynagh to find out how to get the perfect Christmas t...
'It's a very dramatic time of year' - Do you only watch soaps at Christmas?
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From Dirty Dens revelations in Eastenders to who killed Emmerdale’s Tom King – Christmas Day is when all the big drama happens in the soaps but ho...
Living Abroad at Christmas
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the Irish diaspora continues to travel far and wide, we hear how those who can’t make it back to Ireland for Christmas will be celebrating in the...
Man (61) spends 16 ‘nightmare’ hours in hospital chair at UHL
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
61 year old Robert Kilmartin was in University Hospital Limerick recently, he joined Andrea today to discuss his experience?
'It's lovely when it happens' - Are standing ovations too common nowadays?
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have we lost the run of ourselves with standing ovations at live performances? When is the last time you went to a show that the audience didn’...
'Give your staff the day off!' - Should shops be open on St Stephen's Day?
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you the type of person that sets their alarm for Stephen’s Day to get up and beat the queues for the post Christmas sales? Or do you think that ...
Catherine Fulvio's tips for avoiding mistakes with Christmas Dinner
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Preparations have begun in households across the country for Monday’s Christmas dinner. TV Chef and Owner of Ballyknocken House & Coo...
'We want to be able to make a difference' - Adi Roche
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For a third year in a row, the children of Chernobyl won’t be visiting Ireland over Christmas. For the last two years Covid has stopped t...
'No doubt about it' - Should housing in Gaeltacht areas be reserved for Irish speakers?
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should the Gaeltacht be protected for Irish speakers? New figures out today say that despite the fact that population of the Gaeltacht has increa...
'Dublin is welcoming, it's our city' - Andrea meets Hazel Chu in the city centre
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dublin City has received a lot of negative attention in the past few weeks and months – but Green Party Cllr Hazel Chu wants people to take back the...
‘She can’t understand why we won’t let her die’ - Family appeals for help with daughter suffering with her mental health
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An article by Laoise Neylon in the Dublin Inquirer focuses on Grace, a 16 year old, who is struggling with her mental health . Her family are desperat...
Christmas Canapés with Colm O'Gorman
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You may not be cooking the dinner this Christmas, but if you’re hosting festive drinks, you’ll need some tasty canopés to impress your guests.&nb...
'We had to stay strong' - Mum shares update after respite care found for son
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Back in September, Andrea spoke to Ger and her story stopped many people in their tracks. Ger and her family had asked for respite care for her son Ja...
Clamping fines 'are too expensive' in Dublin city
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shoppers visiting Dublin City Centre this Christmas have been urged to watch out for clampers with already 1,200 more clamps issued this year by the s...
Ask the GP with Dr Siobhán Chidley
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Kildare GP, Dr Siobhan Chidley to answer listeners health queries and questions...
'It makes sense to me' - Calls to restrict people paving over their gardens
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dublin needs new bylaws to stop people concreting over their gardens for parking space, according to a leading environmentalist.The Irish Times report...
Cut-the-Cost: Where are the best deals on Christmas crackers?
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best w...
12-year-old who was stuck in hospital 'coming home in time for Christmas'
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In September, Andrea spoke to Maggie Butler, a mother desperately seeking help for her son Alex, who was in hospital following lifesaving surgery.&nbs...
Galway hotel fire: ‘There is no consultation’ - local Councillor
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Ross Lake House hotel in Rosscahill in Galway which was due to accommodate 70 asylum seekers this week, was set on fire over the weekend.The incid...
Ask Me Anything: Airline Pilot with Aer Lingus
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.&n...
'There's problems with how we produce and socialise dogs in Ireland' - Dog attacks on the rise
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hospital admissions for dog bites soared by more than 50% in a decade, a new study has found. Of the 3,158 patients receiving treatment bet...
'You miss out on a lot of the rights of passage of being a woman' - Being told you're infertile at age 13
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Isabelle Geraghty is just 26 years of age, yet went through the menopause when she was in her teens. When she was just 13, she was told that she ...
Bin wars: 'I'm going on strike' - Columnist Mary McCarthy on why she isn't emptying the bin anymore
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Columnist with Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy has decided to put her foot down when it comes to emptying the compost bin at home. Writing on X, Mary...
‘It’s heartbreaking’ - 10-year-old waiting for crucial spinal surgery since 2018
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Kylie Ann Stewart is a 10-year-old girl who has been waiting for crucial surgery on her spine since 2018. If she doesn’t get the soon, she will beco...
'A knee jerk reaction' - Draft law on the use of facial recognition technology to be published today
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A draft law on the use of facial recognition technology will be published by the Government today. The proposed legislation would allow Gar...
'A world first' - Ireland AM host show produced by artificial intelligence
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Avid breakfast TV viewers might have noticed something a bit different if they were watching Ireland AM on Virgin Media One today. The show had a ‘W...
'It's a minefield' - Listener's attempt to resell tickets to U2 in Las Vegas
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of our listeners, Mick, got in touch with the show over an issue he was having reselling tickets for U2 at Sphere in Las Vegas. Mick and Sinead Ry...
'You can go whenever you want' - Priest 'warmly welcomes' families at Christmas
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Apparently only just over half of us will go to a Mass over Christmas. A Newstalk Amárach poll says that 57% of us go to some sort of religious ...
'We are suffering' - Partner of the Deliveroo rider seriously injured in an incident with a Garda car
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On Saturday 28 October, Deliveroo Driver Joao Ferreira was seriously injured in an incident with a garda vehicle, losing part of his right leg.
'It's a reflection of reality' - Is there too much cursing on TV?
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Swearing on TV has skyrocketed in recent years with Succession and other hit series like The Wire, Peaky Blinders and Orange is the New Black ranking ...
‘He cut through everything’ - Woman left with ‘holes’ in her stomach after botched surgery in Turkey
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Platt travelled to Turkey for a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and uplift after vast weight loss left her with loose skin. However things didn’...
Coping With Loneliness After Retirement
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After retirement a lot of people can find it different to make friends, it can be quite a lonely time for people when they finish up in the workplace....
Dublin City retailer 'getting robbed every week' calls for clamp down on shoplifters
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Retailers are saying there’s been an explosion in shoplifting in the last two years. They say there’s also been an increase in the amount of ...
Cooking Christmas Dinner in an Airfryer
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The past few years has seen people go mad for airfryers- but could you cook your Christmas dinner in one? The Firefighting Chef Paul Knapp joined...
Apprenticeships: 'The opportunities are great'
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Figures compiled from the Irish Times have found that 80% of school-leavers nationally progressed to third level in 2023. It seems like the stan...
Botox treatments: 'It's life changing'
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A self-professed human guinea pig when it comes to aesthetic beauty treatments, Liz Dwyer once said that she had invested more in her face than her pe...
Coercive control: 'It comes in on every aspect of your life'
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Domestic Abuse survivor Nicola Hanney has said major legal and system changes are needed to protect victims of coercive control. She spoke in an ...
Attitudes towards veganism 'are not good' in Ireland
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
According to new research, plant-based foods are much more appealing when not labeled as vegan. When a food gift basket said it was 'plant-based' or '...
Is it time to stop broadcasting mass on TV?
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The numbers of people watching Mass on television has fallen from an average of 47,000 viewers a week in 2022, falling to 35,000 week up to November t...
Cut-the-Cost: Where can you get the best deals on Christmas food?
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best w...
'We have nowhere to go' - Leinster Young Carer of the Year and Mother facing homelessness
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Conor Byrne (19), recently honored as the Netwatch Leinster Young Carer of the Year, now finds himself and his mother, whom he has been caring for sin...
Limerick tornado: 'The whole place just went dark'
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A clean up is underway today after Leitrim town was hit with a localised tornado yesterday afternoon. The freak weather event happened at 12.30pm...
Ask Me Anything: Olympian David Gillick
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be out on the road delivering the nation's post?Today on Lunchtime Live’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ Adri...
'Culchie Christmas' has 'fallen out of fashion'
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
December 8th, marks 'Culchie Christmas.' It's the day traditionally associated with rural Ireland descending on Dublin, Cork and other majo...
'They told me they'd break my neck' - Farmers fear for safety amid rise in trespassing
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are there enough protections for farmers to keep them safe on their land? Young farmer Louise Crowley and Rob Lally Northwest VP of Macra na Feir...
Shane MacGowan Funeral: 'Our beloved son here in Nenagh’
08 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The funeral of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan will be held in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary this afternoon. This morning his cortege has travelled ...
'It's about men being more masculine' - 'Male dating expert' David Meessen
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Life coach and dating and relationships expert David Meessen held a dating seminar in the city last Saturday to coach men on how to find the ‘right ...
Newstalk's Irish Christmas Guide - Food
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We have teamed up with Guaranteed Irish to bring you Newstalk’s Irish Christmas Guide. Over the next 4 weeks we'll feature ideas for gifting, d...
Disability Payment Reform: 'They expect disabled people to live in poverty'
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A protest is currently underway outside Leinster House over a Government proposal to reform disability payments. What does it mean for those living wi...
'They really have to be controlled' - Deer culling to go ahead
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With the population of deer growing exponentially, deer culling will go ahead this year to control their population and reduce various issues such as ...
Organ donation 'changed my life'
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do your family know your wishes when It comes to organ donation when you die? Despite the Human Tissue Bill passing through the Dáil, family con...
Deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans 'may create problems' for smaller businesses
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you agree with the deposit scheme for plastic bottles and cans? The new scheme which comes into effect here on February 1 will see a 15 cent l...
How to Decide Who to Invite to Your Wedding
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Love them or loathe them – there’s nothing quite like an invite to a wedding dropping in the door – but what if you don’t make the cut? A...
Toll prices increase 'feels like the wrong thing to be doing'
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Transport Infrastructure Ireland have announced that there will be an increase in toll prices which will come into effect starting January. &...
'We want our police to be respected' - Gardaí to trial new baseball caps
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gardaí will begin wearing baseball caps from today – and they are asking the public for opinions on the new look.Over 100 Gardaí will be sporting ...
Dublin violence 'could be the catalyst' for far-right candidate in Presidential election
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is Ireland on the cusp of a Donald Trump or Argentinian Javier Milei Presidential moment? Last month saw Former TV celebrity economist Javi...
'Drop-off' in people learning a second language is 'concerning'
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A major University in Scotland is considering scrapping it’s modern languages degrees. They say there’s been a steep fall in the number of st...
1 in 5 people will spend more on their pets than their partners this Christmas
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One in five people will spend more on their pets than their partners this Christmas. Almost eight out of 10 people say they don’t ‘want them ...
'A good move of solidarity' - Dublin City Hall to fly Palestinian flag
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dublin City Councillors have agreed to fly the Palestinian flag over the City Hall. It will be flown in an “act of solidarity” fo...
Ageing Disgracefully: 'It's about feeling good about yourself'
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you plan to grow old? Do we have to do it with grace? Or do you plan on being loud and proud in your old age? Dolly Parton, the Count...
Cut-the-Cost: How to dress warm on a budget
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best w...
'I'm not a total Scrooge' - UK Mum charging family members for Christmas Dinner
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Would you charge your family for Christmas dinner? It can be a quite costly meal to prepare - but is it ok to ask your family to pay? Carla...
GP says rise in prices 'reflects the cost of running the practice'
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A survey has revealed how one in six are paying between €26 and €50 to see their GP, while over a third are paying between €51 and €75, ...
Ask Me Anything: Postwoman
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be out on the road delivering the nation's post?Today on Lunchtime Live’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ Andr...
World AIDS Day: 'I'm very grateful that I'm still here today'
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re out and about today, you might notice that some buildings across the country are illuminated red – not to kick off the festive season –...
'I've never seen Star Wars or Harry Potter' - Tanya Sweeney
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever get that reaction when you tell people you have never seen Star Wars? Or Harry Potter, or Game of Thrones, or Breaking Bad or t...
'Once they're 18 you lose everything' - Parents call for better services for children with disabilities
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do children with disabilities get enough support when they turn 18? Aisling and Lourdes are both mothers to teenagers with disabilities. They joi...
Office Christmas Parties: 'There's too many rules nowadays'
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the 1st of December, Christmas is officially here. If you’re headed to your Christmas party tonight, we want to know if you love them or hate...
'It's not a good year for Irish music' - Kiera Dignam remembers Shane MacGowan's
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pogues frontman and songwriter Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65.Kiera Dignam, Christy Dignam's daughter joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live th...
Shane MacGowan 'will be remembered for his brilliant songwriting'
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pogues frontman and songwriter Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65.His death was announced by his wife Victoria Mary Clarke this morning.MacG...
Newstalk's Irish Christmas Guide - Toys
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We have teamed up with Guaranteed Irish to bring you Newstalk’s Irish Christmas Guide. Over the next 4 weeks we'll feature ideas for gifting, d...
'There'll never be another like him' - Shane MacGowan Remembered
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Pogues frontman and songwriter Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65.His death was announced by his wife Victoria Mary Clarke this morning.MacG...
'My identity was stolen' - Listener at 'wits end' after Facebook profile hacked
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Grainne, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live about an issue she wanted raise regarding her Facebook profile being hacked...
Patrick O'Donovan: Rioters should face tough financially penalties
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Junior Minister Patrick O’Donovan has told a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting that those involved in the riots last week should be “punished ...
'It's unfair' - Woman calls for once-off disability payments for pensioners
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Antoinette, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live about an issue she wanted raise regarding disability payments from this years Budget...
'It's fun but terrifying' - Why do we love scary reality TV shows
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Between Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge and I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here – contestants are putting themselves through absolute torture...
'Absolutely ludicrous' - Senator slams plans to limit lay-bys to professional drivers
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Proposals by Transport Infrastructure Ireland will see lay-bys on Ireland's major roadways being used by professional drivers only. Is this ...
Should election posters be banned?
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Councillor Joe Leddin is campaigning for Limerick City to become an election poster free zone. With local elections, European Parliament elections, an...
'Swap, donate, rotate' - How to have a more sustainable Christmas
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you looking to have a more sustainable Christmas? Do we make enough efforts to reduce or waste this Christmas? Saman...
'Lack of support' for breastfeeding mothers in Ireland
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Is Ireland a good country to breastfeed in? In a global report in to breastfeeding - Ireland achieved a mediocre ranking, coming 56th out of 100,...
Calls for dedicated police force in Dublin 'a knee-jerk reaction'
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Since the rioting in Dublin last week there has been a lot of conversation about policing in Ireland. Do the Gardai need to be more heavy handed?...
Ask the GP with Dr Nina Byrnes
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Nina Byrnes joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries...
Fermanagh pub's Christmas advert 'resonates with so many'
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen unveiled its festive advert on Friday, which shows an older man with a sad expression on his face, walking through town...