Lunchtime Live

Vigil held 'to express solidarity' with those impacted by Dublin Riots

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trade unions will hold a vigil in Dublin city centre this afternoon in solidarity with the woman and children injured in Thursday’s stabbing attack ...

Cut-the-Cost: How to get the most out of your Cyber Monday

27 Nov 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...

'They're not treating players like adults' - GAA club unveils strict rules for players

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A set of rules for a GAA Club in Ireland have been circulating online over the weekend and causing quite the stir in the GAA community. They were sent...

Facial recognition technology 'not the asnwer'

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Government is to fast-track and expand controversial new facial recognition technology following violent scenes in Dublin last week.  Ju...

Ask Me Anything: Stunt Double

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a stunt double in a movie or TV series?Today on Lunchtime Live’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ Andrea was...

Dublin Riots: 'Get out of the bus or we'll kill you'

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Three Garda cars, three buses and a Luas tram were set on fire as the city centre descended into chaos last night – with Gardaí attacked by rioters...

'You act with instinct' - Heroic Deliveroo rider stopped Parnell Square attacker with helmet

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A five-year-old girl is “still in a very serious condition” in hospital this morning after yesterday’s attack outside a school on Dublin’s Par...

USA Travel Tips: 'An amazing place'

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Walsh Jackson, Travel Expert and Ed Finn, Award winning travel journalist joined Andrea LIVE at the Friends Experience in Dublin to give thei...

American football's popularity 'gradually growing' in Ireland

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Amidst all the sports we have in Ireland, American Football is one that seems to be on the rise. There have been several amazing Irish Rugby and Gaeli...

Newstalk's Irish Christmas Guide - Gifts

23 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...

How to Get Along With Friends and Family This Christmas Season

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Having friends with different personality types can be a difficult thing to navigate. Some friends are more fiery than others while some are more timi...

Thanksgiving: 'It's all about getting together with family and friends'

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Thanksgiving! Lunchtime Live was LIVE from The Friends Experience in Dublin today. To celebrate all things Thanksgiving, Andrea Gilligan was joi...

Calls for self defence classes to be taught in secondary schools

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The number of women that have taken up self defence classes has gone up 1,000% (one thousand) percent in the past few years.Some people are calling fo...

'We make it a real celebration about someones life' - Irish people deal with grief better than others

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Journal of Traumatic Stress has published research showing that Irish people deal with grief better than most.Andrea was joined by Brianna Parkins...

'Not even close to enough support' for Irish music artists - RuthAnne

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does Irish music need more play time across Irish radio stations? Today, the Oireachtas Media Committee will to day discuss the importance of airplay ...

Weight stigma 'engrained in generations'

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is fat shaming still common in society? Singer Cliff Richard was on ITV's This Morning yesterday and came out a story in which he commented on El...

Christmas Parties: 'I've learned to say no!'

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are very nearly in the festive season – the Late Late Toy Show is on this Friday and next week we are into December. But, have you found you...

'I've given up' - Renters struggle to find affordable accommodation

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One listener Raymond got in touch with Lunchtime Live because of a situation he’s dealing with in the house he shares...

'There should be no exceptional circumstances' - Legal loophole allowing drivers avoid penalty points

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A legal loophole in the Road Traffic Act means some drivers have been able to avoid penalty points if they just get a disqualification from driving fo...

Being pregnant with an eating disorder: 'It was incredibly mentally hard'

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listeners joined Andrea Gilligan last week on Lunchtime Live to discuss eating disorder services in Ireland. On Friday, parents of children dealing wi...

Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save money on your banking

20 Nov 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 to accept families as they are' - Is there still a stigma around being an only child?

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is there stigma around being an only child?  Writer and commentator Barbara Neeson talked about her experiences of growing up as an only chi...

'A major invasion of privacy': Should Airbnbs be allowed have cameras?

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should Airbnbs be allowed have cameras? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Ian, who recently had an experience where he noticed security cameras i...

Ask Me Anything: Life in Antarctica

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit Antarctica? How about to live in the coldest place on Earth for an extended period? What is...

'There was only one bed’ - International students offered ‘sex-for-rent'

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A survey by the Irish Council for International Students on the impact of the housing crisis on International Students has revealed some stark results...

‘It was a struggle to get help’: Protestors call for reforms in eating disorders services

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Parents of children dealing with eating disorders are taking to the streets of Dublin today for a peaceful protest and march, calling for eating disor...

'It's motivational' - The best music to do household chores to

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Queen’s 'I Want to Break Free' has been voted the best song to clean your house to. The 1984 track has claimed the crown as the ultimate cleani...

Is rural Ireland being left behind?

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Is rural Ireland disadvantaged? Delivering for rural Ireland is the main focus of Fine Gael’s Special Conference tomorrow. Newstalk's Shan...

Newstalk's Irish Christmas Guide - Decorations

16 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...

'I would nearly be afraid to recommend politics as a career to young women'

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Róisín Tracey, who is a Sinn Féin Candidate for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, told Lunchtime Live presenter Andrea Gilligan that she is already began recei...

Should seagulls be given the Pill?

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Seagulls should be put on the pill to stop them destroying towns  according to former politician Frank Godfrey in Drogheda. He says that th...

Alex Kane on becoming a dad at 62

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Office for National Statistics says the average age for new fathers is now 33.7 years – the highest since data collection for paternal age began...

Fatigue from Storm Debi: 'We might not listen when a real storm hits'

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Storm Debi caused much disruption yesterday as it swept across the country.  Red weather warnings were put in place for 10 counties which pl...

'Men are constantly told that hair loss is some sort of disease that needs a solution'

14 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Newstalk’s Simon Tierney says that the hair transplant industry needs to stop portraying baldness as a condition that needs to be cured 

Ask the GP: The relationship between you, your data and your doctor

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

That time of week when you have the chance to put your questions to the GP. Dr Nina Byrnes joined Jess to discuss the benefits of data in medicine as ...

'We need women to tell their stories about careers in STEM'

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A report from iWish has revealed 67% of teenage girls lack information regarding STEM careers. How do we break down barriers and encourage young ...

Best Boxsets to watch this Christmas

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

TV Reviewer Sheena McGinley joined Jess to discuss her favourite boxsets to watch as the days get wintry and the evenings get dark.

'Stop, Think, Check' - How to protect yourself online

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s International Fraud Awareness Week, and we’ve teamed up with Bank of Ireland to help educate and inform how to protect our online profiles.Wh...

Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save on wrapping paper

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every week, Cut-the-Cost offers tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband ...

Wearable tech: Friend or foe?

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Does your wearable tech help or hinder you? Does it encourage you on or just make you feel guilty if you don’t hit your goals?Fitness Goose Andrew M...

'I knew I was in serious trouble' - The reality of a gambling addiction

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There are 130,000 people with a gambling addiction in Ireland.We’re constantly being bombarded with ads to set up online betting accounts. It’s ma...

How do weather warnings work?

13 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We saw much disruption as Storm Debi swept across the country earlier this morning Red weather warnings were in place for 10 counties with power ...

'If you can afford it you have to give it' Is lending money to a friend a bad idea ?

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A letter written into the Irish Independent today detailed how someone had loaned a friend the sum of €600. The letter explained it had been two yea...

Ask me Anything-Animal Handler

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how animals are supplied and trained for Films and TV shows?Well for this week's edition of Ask Me Anything Mairead Ronan was j...

'We lack a lot of Sober spaces' - Are attitudes towards alcohol shifting?

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A sober festival is happening in Cork this weekend. Ecstatic Picnic aims to create a space where people can dance and connect through the medium of ra...

‘We all know an Ashling' Reaction to Ashling Murphy Murder Trail Verdict

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday, Jozef Puska was convicted of murdering the 23-year-old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy who had gone out for a run in Tullamore, Count...

Relocating to the countryside: 'I want to breathe fresh air'

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Would you relocate to the countryside? Mairead spoke to city slickers who made the move to the countryside.

How to avoid medical misinformation

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Afif EL Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital, spoke to Mairead about how we can spot the difference between ...

Reaction to (I Am) Robbie Williams: 'We invited Robbie to Mullingar a few times'

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

'(I Am) Robbie Williams' the four-part Robbie Williams documentary has taken Netflix by storm.Mairead spoke to TV Reviewer Sheena McGinley, Former Xpo...

Are we too tolerant of bad service?

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Daniel got in touch about a poor experience he had in Dublin airport.Mairead Ronan spoke to Daniel and other callers about whether we are too...

Extra fees for primary schools: 'no one speaks about what's going on'

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listener Elaine got in touch in regards to the price she is paying for extra classes and activities in her child's primary school.

'Irish people have taken to SUVs like a duck to water' - John Gibbons

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist John Gibbons posted an image of an SUV taking up half a footpath in Dun Laoighaire which sparked outrage online. Mairead Ronan asked John G...

Swearing is good for you!

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Keele University researchers have found that swearing can increase a person’s pain tolerance by up to 33%. The research found that swearing can help...

Mary Coughlan and Andrew Hendy react to Spotify's decision to adjust it's royalty model

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Spotify is planning to only start paying artists for streams after a track has reached 1,000 streams.  The company is set to adjust its roya...

Living with an eating disorder: 'It consumes your entire life'

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The latest annual report from Bodywhys, The Eating Disorder Assocation of Ireland, found that calls to their helpline have jumped by almost 10% compar...

What does your nickname say about you?

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A Lily O'Brien's survey has revealed the most popular nicknames, which include 'Big Man', 'Ginge' and 'Spud'.Food-based nicknames such as 'Nugget' and...

Is abuse towards referees getting worse?

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Abuse towards referees is certainly not a new story, but is it getting worse? And what needs to be done to deal with the problem? A Tullamore GAA...

'A three trillion dollar industry' - Ireland launches first satellite into space

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s first ever satellite is getting ready to be launched into space. EIRSAT-1, which has been developed by a team at UCD, has left Irish ...

'People say men don't cry. That is complete and utter bull' - men's grief after miscarriage

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When Coleen Rooney spoke about having a miscarriage in 2008, she said the grief knocked her husband Wayne "for six".Do we talk about the impact of mis...

Ask Me Anything with a Soap Director

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For this week's Ask Me Anything, Andrea spoke to Soap Director Jason Brannigan, whose repertoire includes Fair City and EastEnders.

'We've seen the benefits here in Greystones' - possibility of a nationwide smartphone ban in schools

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cabinet ministers are expected to overwhelmingly approve new guidelines on the banning of smartphones in schools. Under the changes, Education Mi...

Ask the GP with Dr Sumi Dunne

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's Ask the GP, Mairead spoke to Dr Sumi Dunne who answered your medical queries.

Are people obsessed with celebrities less intelligent?

07 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you spend your free time consuming celebrity news and gossip then you might be in for some bad news.... A study has found that those obsessed ...

Cut-the-Cost: the Pink Tax

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you heard of the Pink Tax? This week's Cut-the-Cost explains the price differences in products marketed towards women.Companies charge more for e...

'Sport has become incredibly serious for many young children'

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mairead asks: has all the fun gone out of after-school activities for kids?Parents are sometimes guilty of getting involved in football teams or drama...

Ban on E-Scooters for under-16s

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

E-Scooters will be banned for under 16-year-olds, the government has announced.The ban is welcomed by many, but questions have arisen regarding how th...

Dublin City Marathon: celebration or inconvenience?

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every year, the Dublin City Marathon transforms the capital. Some say we should embrace the event more than we currently do, while others complain tha...

"It really doesn't seem like much of an effort was made" Family’s Grief, After it took 6 days to be informed of brothers passing.

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Listener to the show Fiona got in touch, after her brother Jamie tragically died last August by suicide. Jamie following his passing was brought to a ...

"They are judged unfairly." The rise of Male Nannies

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

 Kim Kardashian recently said she had hired a male nanny so her sons could have a male presence in their lives following her divorce from Kanye W...

"Its a huge deterrent" Plans to Increase Parking Charges in Capital

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Plans to hike Dublin city centre on-street parking charges to €4 an hour have drawn criticism. The council reportedly plans to hike charges acr...

'It is something that I had been thinking about for a long time' - Daithi O'Shea on his new hair transplant

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hair loss is an issue that affects a lot of men and it seems that more and more Irish men are seeking out a solution for it. Daithi O'Shea joins ...

Assisted Dying - 'We had to endure watching her deteriorate when there was no comeback'

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today ‘End of Life Ireland’ will gather at the Dail in hopes of bringing their message to politicians about legislation for Voluntary Assisted Dyi...

'You are told you are going to regret it when you are older' - Author Sheila O'Flanagan on choosing not to have children

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Author Sheila O'Flanagan talks to Andrea about the unusual attitudes she has encountered after deciding not to have children. 'If you are making that ...

'He was so quick and witty' - Friends Actor Matthew Perry Remembered

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matthew Perry, who played Chandler Bing on TV show Friends passed away over the weekend at the age of 54. People were quick to share their disbel...

‘It’s absolutely devastating’ - Families may have to abandon homes due to coastal erosion

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands of homeowners could have to abandon their houses in coming decades because of rising sea levels. The Government are now saying we need ...

'People are experiencing paranormal activity' - Almost half of Irish people believe in ghosts

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new study has found that 45 percent of Irish people believe in ghosts with 48 percent of females believing in them compared to 43 percent of males.&...

Should the pension age be increased to 75?

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An Oireachtas committee has recommended that the State pension age increase should increase to 75.They say their recommendation was ‘in light of the...

Roads 'not safe' for cyclists in Ireland

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Transport Minister has said that Irish roads are not safe for children to walk or cycle to school on. Eamon Ryan even said that our roads are...

'It's a dopamine release' - Why do we enjoy being scared?

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Halloween is next week and it’s that time of year again to binge horror movies whether you love them or hate them.Why do we enjoy being scared so mu...

Running a marathon 'hugely demanding on the body'

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Dublin City Marathon takes place this weekend, 25,000 participants are expected to take part, But what actually happens to your body when you run ...

Vaping considered 'trendy' by young people

27 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shocking new figures from Foróige Sligo show that more than one in three teenagers currently vape.  Young people aged 13 to 16 who vape say...

Irish participation in Halloween tradition 'on the rise'

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Samhain, is, of course, the basis of modern Halloween - the time of the year, it is said, when the threshold between the living world and the dead is&...

'You’ll have the best time of your life' - Donegal named 4th Best Region in the World

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Donegal has been named the fourth-best region in the world to visit. Lonely Planet have put it head of places like Southern Thailand, the Swahili...

Taking up a hobby later in life: 'It's a way of keeping your brain active'

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you taken up a hobby in later life? Or at any stage? Where do people find enough time to take up hobbies?Comedian Bernard O’Shea says he h...

'They want more in-depth stories' - Gen Z want less sex on screen

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A study surveying academics at the University College of Los Angeles has shown that Gen Z want to see more emotional relationships in movies and less ...

Regina Doherty: 'We should double the number of speed vans'

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the number of road deaths in Ireland continues to rise, what should we do about it?  Is speed the main issue? And if so, are more speed c...

World Osteoporosis Day with Mary Kennedy

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Ocotber 20th marks World Osteoporosis DayOsteoporosis is a bone disease that leads to a decrease in bone mass and density, meaning bones become fragil...

'The constant fear of threat was brittle' - 1 in 4 grew up with a problem drinker in the home

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Almost 1 million people in Ireland grew up with a problem drinker in the home.  That’s according to new figures out today from Maynooth Un...

Britney: 'I don't think she'd anyone in her life that had her best interest at heart'

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pop princess Britney Spears has released her memoir 'Woman in Me.' Today FM’s Claire Beck joined Andrea Gilligan to chat about the book and her lege...

'I was promised a dream and received a nightmare' - Dangers of travelling abroad for dental care

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Denise Whelan, a listener got in touch as since getting her teeth done in Turkey she has had to return multiple times due to infections...

Sligo murders had 'a devastating impact' on LGBTQ+ community

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Yousef Palani has received two life sentences for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee. The 23-year-old was also handed a separate 20-year se...

Should CVs be anonymous?

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should we anonymise the early stages of the recruitment process?  Would it help to eliminate prejudices in hiring?  Around half or...

Cut-the-Cost: Here's the best way to save money this Halloween

23 Oct 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...

Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Between the dark mornings and short evenings, the effects of a lack of daylight can have a huge affect on our moods.7 per cent of Irish people suffer ...

'My school never did anything' - School discipline on the rise post-pandemic

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Following the pandemic there has been an increase in students expelled and suspended in secondary schools.  Expulsions and suspensions numbe...

Growing up in an Industrial School: 'It still hurts me'

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Miriam, a listener, sent an email into Lunchtime Live about her time spent in an industrial school when she was younger.Miriam joined Andrea Gilligan ...

Being friends with someone with different political views

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Nowadays the world is now more divided than ever. There are a myriad of political and social issues which seem to have split the population. Whether i...

'My house is ruined' - Locals describe 'soul destroying' flooding in Cork

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A clean-up operation is under way in towns and villages in east Cork and west Waterford hit by flooding during Storm Babet The storm caused milli...

Laughing gas being used as 'a stepping stone' to harder drugs

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CEO of Merchant’s Quay, Eddie Mullins has said Ireland Irelands middle class are sustaining Irelands drug trade.  He says there are people...

'We need to clamp down on fireworks' - Mannix Flynn

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Throughout the country during October, people will hear fireworks going off every evening – some even starting in the afternoon. Do they bother...