Moncrieff
Episodes
Are we a nation of eavesdroppers? - Henry McKean Asks
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do we like to listen to people in public? With the trend of people talking out loud on the phone - isn’t it impossible to avoid? What have you heard...
Should children invest their Communion money?
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Communion season rolls on, many parents will be wondering how their child should manage cash gifts. The average cash a child receives cumulatively ...
Shane Daniel Byrne and Killian Sundermann talk comedy and Young Hot Guys
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Seán’s guests would be well known to listeners from their podcast ‘Young Hot Guys’ and their own stand up shows.Comedians Shane Daniel Byrne an...
Cathal Berry talks life after politics
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Seán’s guest is a man who wears many hats: he’s a doctor, a former member of the defence forces and a former Independent TD in Kildare.Joining Se...
What is the ‘Drake Equation’?
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This Sunday, Newstalk is airing a Futureproof documentary special on the ‘Drake Equation’ and the scientists searching for signs of life in distan...
What is the origin of music?
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every human has an innate sense of rhythm. It may not feel that way when you’re trying to throw some shapes to Funky Town at 1am, but we all do.But,...
GamerFest to showcase new gaelic football video game
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
GamerFest takes place this weekend - and among the highlights is the launch of the new Gaelic Football 2025 video game.Gaming Content Creator Chris O’...
Is Dublin one of the best cities in the world? - Henry McKean Asks
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to the Oxford Economics Global City Index, Dublin is the 13th best city in the world, but falls to 100th when it comes to quality of life an...
Should the Normans be celebrated?
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week, the Government approved plans for Ireland’s Norman heritage to be celebrated as part of a European-wide cultural initiative calle...
Should we all be going for ‘fart walks’?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Fart walks, they’re exactly what they say on the tin...Should we all be going for a walk after we eat our dinner so that we release all the gas we’...
Is Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ idea feasible?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Those old enough to remember Ronald Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ will be familiar with the idea of a space based missile defence system, but perhaps we ...
Mother and Baby Homes to be taught about in schools for first time
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time, a formal curriculum resource on Ireland’s mother and baby institutions, industrial and reformatory schools and Magdalene laundri...
Proposal to shut Swan Alley to curb antisocial behaviour
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all know the ones, the laneways that you would be afraid to walk down at any time of the day or night...Well, this afternoon, Dublin Councillors wi...
Drummer with The Who fired for “overplaying”
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Who’s drummer Zak Starkey has been fired for apparently “overplaying”, but what does this mean, and how do drummers strike a balance between...
How should you deal with lazy colleagues?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In any job, it’s likely that you’ll encounter a lazy colleague or two, so what can you do to ensure that they don’t get on your absolute nerves ...
Auschwitz Memorial launch digital replica intended for movies
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Auschwitz Memorial has announced a multi-million euro project, in which they have created an exact digital replica of the concentration camp for u...
Why youth clubs need to be saved
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There was a time when there were many youth clubs dotted around the country, but as smartphones take over, is it time to save these institutions as th...
Is the semicolon dying out?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to research, the death of the semicolon is near; with its usage in English books plummeting by almost half in two decades. But, what is the ...
What’s behind the recent boom of silk webs?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve been spending time in nature recently or been going on hikes or walks thanks to the nice weather, you might’ve come across large silk we...
The man behind Kneecap’s balaclavas
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered who is behind the knitting needles for Kneecap’s famous tricolour balaclavas?Lewis Kenny joins Seán to discuss how he starte...
Should children get pocket money?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most of us probably remember getting a pound off your mother or the old man to go down and buy some comics or one hundred penny jellies.It’s probabl...
Are Irish drivers guilty of ‘middle lane hogging’?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do middle lane hoggers drive you mad?Motorway driving can be stressful at the best of times, but the phenomenon of people sitting in the middle lane i...
‘The Elders’: a theatre group for over 65s
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What started off as a once-off community project in 2018 has now turned into a vibrant community performance group for over 65s.To discuss, Seán is j...
What does a will look like if you are single?
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Deciding how to split up your wealth among loved ones and family can be quite daunting and confusing, but creating a will helps to iron out any confus...
Going back to education in your 50s
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to go back to education in your 50s?Dr Suzanne Crowe recently went back to college to study law afte...
What we can learn from the history of droughts in Ireland
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the long absence of rain begins to have a serious impact on the country, Seán’s guest has been exploring what the history of droughts can teach ...
Quitting your job - Henry McKean Reports
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The BBC has confirmed Gary Lineker will leave his presenting roles sooner than planned.His departure comes after he shared an Instagram post about Zio...
Does TikTok teaching work?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This time of the year, young people are turning to TikTok to study for their exams!But, how well does this method of learning work?Katie Linehan, Fren...
How this group use JCB diggers to dance
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the highlights of the Balmoral Show this year, one of Ireland’s largest agricultural shows which is currently taking place in Co. Antrim, is ...
The story behind ‘The Balcony Movie’
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An odd reality of urban life is that although those who reside in big cities are surrounded by other people, they rarely get to know a lot of their ne...
Record number of Irish beaches awarded Blue Flag status
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A record number of Irish beaches have been awarded with a Blue Flag, announced this morning. But, what exactly does a blue flag mean, and where are th...
GPO Museum announce new Pride Tour event
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new event at the GPO Museum seeks to highlight the contribution of the LGBTQ community to the struggle for Irish independence.Joining Seán to discu...
Why you need a digital detox
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what it might feel like to go more than a few minutes without checking your phone and to go completely offline?Rosanna Irwin, F...
Magna Carta copy discovered to be an original is worth millions
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An apparent copy of the Magna Carta, bought by Harvard university in 1946 for next to nothing, has, after extensive analysis, turned out to be an orig...
What songs are more likely to win Eurovision?
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, Ireland will compete in the Eurovision semi-final, with Emmy Kristiansen performing ‘Laika Party’.But, have you ever wondered what it tak...
What are the worst presents to give to a child?
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While you might think the pot of neon green slime you got for your godchild is the greatest gift ever, spare a thought for the parents who will inevit...
Separating Zionism from Judaism - an Irish perspective
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a Jewish and Irish woman, Seán’s guest feels that the non-Zionist perspective from her community has not been properly represented in the public...
Pilgrimage to every fallen soldier from Sligo
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While Ireland’s soldiers who died on the fields of Flanders were long unacknowledged, this has shifted over the past while. For 11 years, Seán’s ...
Why do men pollute more than women?
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We know by now that It’s important for all of us to do what we can to curb the negative effects of climate change.Of course, some people can do more...
The Traitors announce celebrity series line up
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The TV phenomenon that is the Traitors has now announced its celebrity version line up, coming in the autumn.Joining Seán to examine it all is Orlait...
Why mad morning routines are bad for you
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you up like a lark and jumping out of bed first thing to start the day?Well, you may just have been influenced or targeted on social media by some...
Kashmir Sapphire sells at Dublin auction for €550,000
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A Kashmir Sapphire sold at an auction in Adams in Dublin for €550,000. That is the most expensive price ever seen in Ireland for such a ring.Claire-...
The history of the far right in Ireland
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new book explores the history of the far right in Ireland, from the Italian community in Dublin in the 1920’s, to the Dublin Riots more recently.J...
How fair is a coin toss actually?
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how fair the coin toss actually is?Research has shown that perception of how fair the outcome is depends entirely on who led th...
Should buildings in town open their toilets for the public?
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The lack of public toilet facilities in Dublin city has been an ongoing issue for many years. However, the Green Party are pushing for more and more p...
The town that banned smartphones until you turn 14
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last week Tánaiste Simon Harris said that a ban on social media for under 16s is under serious consideration.But, around a year ago, the primary scho...
The history of Ireland’s fairy forts
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new book about fairy forts saw the authors traipsing up and down the country to find these mysterious places. But, what are they for and why shouldn...
Why are men shaving their eyelashes?
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Beauty trends come and go over the years and what may have been considered the height of beauty in the past can often seem ridiculous in the fullness ...
Are we really getting too old for this ****?
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Just like Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon, as we get older, we often discount our ability or our suitability to do certain things on account of our age....
Restoring an original Orient Express carriage
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Orient Express railway carriages that now host a restaurant in Galway have just undergone a major restoration. But, how exactly do you retain thei...
How certain do you have to be to have children?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you really know if you want kids?This is a question that many people ask themselves, particularly women when they are told that they’ve got a...
Ireland’s rarest bee is under threat
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Changes to agriculture practices and climate change have put our native bee population under threat.The great yellow bumble bee, which was once seen q...
Man won’t cut his hair until Manchester United win 5 games in a row
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday, Manchester United lost 2-0 to West Ham. For one fan, Man Utd losing really matters.Frank Ilett from @theunitedstrand on Instagram has been ...
How art galleries can improve your health!
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that art galleries can be good for you?A recent study revealed that just by looking at art can relieve you from anxiety and support your ...
Why don’t we marry people from Northern Ireland?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since the partition of Ireland in 1921, economic and social interaction between the two jurisdictions was limited until more recent times.One effect o...
How difficult is it for businesses to hire staff?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you look around any town or city, you will see staff wanted posters on the windows of businesses.CSO figures show that Ireland is at full employmen...
The man who accidentally bought back his stolen car
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How well do you know your car?After his beloved Honda Civic was stolen, Ewan Valentine went on the hunt to replace his so-called ‘mid-life crisis ca...
The history of Irish surnames
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re used to the idea of American or Australian tourists coming here to trace their lineage, but do we really know where our own line comes from, a...
Millennials aren’t cool anymore, apparently
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s official, millennials are not cool anymore. If you’re a millennial, you can take your avocado toast and your single speed sustainable bike an...
Why concept art is needed to make movies
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The process of getting a movie from script to the cinema screen, is a lengthy one, especially if it is a major blockbuster, but one aspect of the proc...
2026 World Cup - is Trump up to the task?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier this week, Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his administration’s 2026 World Cup taskforce, insisting that the tournament will go o...
Calls for artists to paint Dublin traffic boxes
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you got an artistic flair? This week, Dublin Canvas in association with Dublin City Council launched their call out for submissions for people to...
Irish Journalist wins Pulitzer Prize for Sudan coverage
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Declan Walsh and the staff of The New York Times won the award for International Reporting for their coverage of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, inclu...
Is there still a stigma around red hair?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a recent interview, the ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor revealed that her 5 sons, who all have red hair, have been subjec...
What it’s like for families after bodies are donated to science
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you thought about what happens after we die, and would you ever consider donating your body to medical science?Nina Shelton’s dad passed away i...
The rise of subscription services
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More and more of the services we use are subscription based models.From watching our favourite films to our exercise plans, companies have managed to ...
Why does a new tractor cost so much?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How much does a tractor cost, and what are the considerations to take into account before you invest?Joining Seán to discuss is Darragh McCullough, F...
Is democracy in the Middle East dead?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In our lifetime, the Middle East has seemingly always been a region that has been characterised by conflict, strife and instability.So, is the prospec...
Are gyms too focused on masculinity?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After witnessing the evolution of gym culture in Ireland over many decades, Seán’s guest argues that there is a lot more to be done in terms of mak...
Why more and more hotels are going child-free
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More and more hotels, both domestically and internationally, are going child free. But, how do these hotels work, and why are they popular?Joining Seá...
Spain to have a shorter work week - will it work?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Who wouldn’t like to work less hours to live a more ‘relaxed’ life?Well, the Spanish government has made the decision to reduce the 40 hour work...
Is male contraception becoming viable?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Male contraception is the wave of the future that has stayed in the future, always about 10 years away no matter what decade you’re living in.But, c...
Why wine with ice cream is a new trend - and better than you’d think!
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Apparently, the new trend for food is pairing ice cream with wine… It certainly sounds odd, but is meant to be better than you would think!John Wils...
Would you ever do a home swap for your holiday?
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you booked your summer holidays yet?Well, have you ever considered swapping your home for somewhere in a far flung destination?Patsy Winters has ...
How much of a risk is kissing with allergies?
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is kissing safe if you’ve got coeliac disease or a nut allergy? New breakthrough research has been looking at couples to test out how food stay...
The story behind the Dublin Songwriting Circle
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dublin has no shortage of open mic nights, but once a month, the Black Sheep Pub on Capel street hosts an altogether more interactive experience.The D...
Court access to counselling notes - what should be done?
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The 2025 Programme for Government contains a commitment to amend the law regarding the provision of a sexual abuse complainant’s counselling notes, ...
Can ‘AI friends’ replace the real thing?
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Founder of Facebook and CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg has said that in the future he can see how AI could help us address loneliness. Although, he d...
Would you buy a shipwreck from Facebook Marketplace?
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re looking for a second-hand car, or a set of used golf clubs, Facebook Marketplace might be a good place to look.But, would you consider buy...
Why the BBC are using an AI version of Agatha Christie
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Agatha Christie is one of the most known and celebrated authors in modern history, being a pioneer of the crime fiction genre. Today, BBC Maestro are ...
Soviet spacecraft set to crash into Earth soon
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A Soviet-era spacecraft, that has been in orbit for over 50 years, is set to crash land into Earth at some stage over the next week or so. But, why is...
Guinness World Records celebrate 70th anniversary of first book
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This year, Guinness World Records is marking the 70th anniversary of the publication of their first book. But, did you know that the origins of this e...
Man tracks down origin of iconic ‘Shining’ photograph
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many horror buffs have puzzled for years over the mysterious photograph that appears at the end of the iconic 1980 Stanley Kubrick classic ‘The Shin...
The white Afrikaners lining up to accept Trump’s offer of asylum
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Trump's offer of refugee status to white South Africans has, inevitably, proven hugely controversial, in a country with a dark history of apartheid. B...
How many penises are on this medieval tapestry?
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There are many important debates among historians. Where did the agricultural revolution start exactly? Would Germany have won World War 2 if they had...
Are poems only for the posh?
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's Irish National Poetry Day!Are poems for the masses, or are they just for the posh?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie sent this in.
Should we have more cross-generational friends?
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most people’s closest and dearest friends are around the same age as themselves. With us usually making our friends through school or college, it is...
What is it like to use a driverless taxi?
01 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As driverless taxis begin to take off in the States, what is it actually like to go for a trip in one?Ciara O’Brien, Technology Correspondent for th...
Monty Python and the Holy Grail turns 50!
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first movie from iconic British comedy group Monty Python, ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, turns 50 this year!Joining Seán to look back on...
Are men worse at remembering birthdays?
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In a recent episode of Joe & Stacey on BBC 1, it emerged that Joe Swash couldn’t remember most of the family’s birthdays.But, why is that, and...
Will a ‘Peter’ Pope end the world? St Malachy’s Prophecy
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a good chance that by the end of next week we will have a new Pope.There’s also a reasonable chance that the new Pope’s name will be Pet...
Is it ever okay to wear shorts in the office?
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the good weather continuing, is it ever ok to wear shorts to the office, and are blazers too old fashioned nowadays?Joining Seán to discuss this...
Why there is a need for anti-racism education in Ireland
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A recent study, commissioned by the Policing Authority entitled Still Not Heard, Still Not Safe, reveals that people of African descent, and Brazilian...
Do you like nicknames?
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a nickname?And is it one that you were given, or something you embraced over the years?Nicknames can be weird, wonderful and often complet...
New theory on meaning of spiral symbols at Newgrange
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A new theory on the meaning of the spiral symbols at Newgrange might mean that the site is more of a “cosmic calendar” than we may have thought be...
Why DIY is having a resurgence with women
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How handy are you with power tools?Whether you’re fed up waiting to get a tradesperson out, or are trying to save money, it seems there’s a big ch...
Should you go to more gigs on your own?
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There is something of a social stigma that we have about attending certain events or doing certain activities on our own.In particular, a gig or a con...
Has the adverb gone out of fashion?
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s over a week since many of us would have first heard that Pope Francis had “sadly died”.And this particular phrasing may have reminded those...
Could ChatGPT help with dating advice?
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Who do you go to for advice?And what do you do when your friends are fed up with listening to you? Well, could ChatGPT prove to be a listening ear?Ede...
The mysteries behind the Dublin Whiskey Fire of 1875
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happened in the Great Liberties Whiskey Fire of 1875 and what mysteries surround it one hundred and fifty years later?Historian Donal Fallon join...