Moncrieff
Episodes
Is ‘teenspeak’ leading changes in language?
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As both Oxford and Cambridge dictionaries announce their Words of the Year, from ‘brat’ to ‘brainrot’, are these phrases simply a product of t...
Talking in the 3rd person relieves stress - Henry McKean Reports
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers have found that talking to yourself in the third person is a stress reliever. When you step outside your own bubble and start treating you...
Ireland’s lost WW2 defenses
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A discovery has been made during a roadworks project in Limerick: ‘pillboxes’ - World War 2 defences built in case of invasion. But, what are they...
Is the Toy Show too consumerist?
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Late Late Toy Show returns once more tomorrow night, but Tanya Sweeney, Columnist with the Irish Independent, is slightly concerned about letting ...
Could Ireland become a green energy superpower?
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could Ireland become a green energy superpower?The German government is keen for Ireland to help supply hydrogen to fuel their manufacturing industrie...
The Irish abroad for Christmas
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of people have started to arrive back home for Christmas.Over the next few weeks, there will be tears of reunions at the airports.Newstalk r...
The many, many ‘Christmas Carol’ movies
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With Christmas creeping up on us all, one of the most told tales around this time of year is Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas carol’. Since its pu...
How should you respond to rudeness?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
From supermarket rows to cinematic queue showdowns, how should we respond to everyday rudeness? A witty comeback, or a dose of unexpected kindness?Est...
The PlayStation turns 30 - looking back at its impact
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Sony PlayStation turns 30 years old today. This video game console sold over 100 million units in its lifetime, being described as a ‘Concorde’...
Why was the deepest hole in the world made?
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The race for green energy solutions has forced many countries to consider the potential of geothermal heat. This approach will require the digging of ...
Living with a sexless relationship
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Can a partnership, relationship or marriage thrive without those steamy bedroom antics?Well, to tell us about all of the reasons why a couple might mo...
Buying second hand clothing as a Christmas gift
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about being a tad more sustainable with your gift giving this Christmas? Buying pre-loved clothing could be a thoughtful and unique way to su...
Why companies are using AI for customer service
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial Intelligence is quickly transforming how businesses handle customer service, making it more efficient and personalized. But, as AI improves...
Does food have a nationality?
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A football coach has found herself in a legal row with a sport governing body over expenses.She claims that spaghetti and chopped tomatoes are “cult...
Do you have facial blindness?
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could you recognize a loved one in a crowd, or would their face be just another blur? Face blindness, or prosopagnosia, affects at least 2% of people ...
What are your legal rights in the workplace?
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you shivering at work, but your boss won’t turn on the heating? Did you accidentally break equipment, only for it to be deducted from your wages...
What is the ‘Celtic Curse’?
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What’s dubbed as the ‘Celtic Curse’ or Haemochromatosis, is an over absorption of iron from the food we eat which can lead to an overload of iro...
The Dublin metro area built in the 1970’s
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The long awaited metrolink will not be operational in Dublin until 2035… However, it seems that in the 1970’s, those in charge of planning an...
The impact China’s one-child policy has had
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when a government controls the size of your family? China's one-child policy changed millions of lives and reshaped society in ways that ...
Why did this goat get a pension?
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The best travelled mammal in the 18th century wasn’t a human… it was a goat! In fact, this goat was so famous she was eventually given a pension.J...
The VR device you can ‘taste’
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever watched a cooking show and wished you could taste the food on screen, scientists may now have the answer. A lickable VR device has been...
The truth behind iconic movie locations
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever dreamed of staying in The Holiday’s cozy Rosehill Cottage, or imagined Gotham City as the gritty streets of New York? Well, think agai...
Notre Dame Cathedral completely restored after fire
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Notre Dame Cathedral has risen from the ashes! Five years after the devastating fire, French President Emmanuel Macron toured the beautifully restored...
Where did tattoos come from?
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new book suggests that the craze for tattoos in this part of the world began with the rich upper classes!Joining Seán to discuss is Matt Lodder, an...
Should the United Nations be restructured?
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the last year or two the international news feeds have been dominated by a number of seemingly intractable armed conflicts.The UN was founded with...
What are your pet peeves? - Henry McKean Asks
28 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scraping fingers down a blackboard, sticking your finger up your nose: there are many things that give people the ick. So, what’s your biggest pet p...
The secret to developing good habits
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We all have habits, whether they be good or bad. But, what if there was a science-backed blueprint to help us not only break the bad ones but make the...
New project examines old Irish recipes from the National Library collection
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Among the thousands of tomes housed in the National Library of Ireland are many cookbooks, stretching back to the 1660s. The recipes inside offer a fa...
How bad is misinformation with influencers?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new survey carried out by UNESCO casts a stark warning on the absence of fact checking among online influencers. But, what can be done to rectify th...
What does a ‘Theatre Fight Director’ do?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years there have been calls to include an award for stunts in the Oscars.The idea being that Hollywood should recognise the creative input a...
Should Northern Ireland’s flag change for the Commonwealth Games?
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's increasing debate over Northern Ireland's flag at the Commonwealth Games, with calls for a change to better represent the region's diversity.J...
Experiencing AIDS in Ireland
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How far have we come in the fight against HIV in Ireland? To mark World AIDS Day, a powerful new documentary, ‘Memorial – The Story of HIV/AIDS in...
Does IQ directly relate to intelligence?
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ten year old Krish Arora has become one of Mensa’s younger members after attaining the maximum score possible.This means that young Krish scored hig...
What cocaine really does to your body
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What really happens to your body when you take cocaine? Dr. Chris Luke, Medical Columnist and Podcaster has seen the harrowing effects of this drug up...
The history of the ‘Shamrock’ car
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The ‘Shamrock’ was a car built in Ireland intended for the American market, but after the tenth car was made, production ceased - making it a very...
Who has the fairest democratic system?
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Friday many of us here in Ireland will be going to the polls to exercise our democratic franchise. 2024 is a pivotal year for democracies around th...
Are personal ads making a comeback?
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are you looking for love but are having no luck finding it online? Maybe it's time to try something a little more traditional. Personal ads have been ...
Why are we prescribing hearing aids at half the rate of the UK?
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland is prescribing a staggering 50% less hearing aids, per capita, than the UK. Why is this, and what can be done to help more people?Joining Seá...
Why are c-sections becoming more popular?
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Figures from Eurostat data show that the rate of c-sections in Irish maternity hospitals has jumped to 41% among first time mums. This is double the E...
Should you rent toys before buying?
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the holiday season fast approaching, parents are looking for ways to save money, reduce waste, and find toys their kids will truly love. Enter Vi...
What is a ‘deconstructed wedding’?
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rather than having ‘the big day’ be, well, one day - should a wedding be spread among multiple dates? This is called a ‘deconstructed wedding’...
Should SUVs be banned in city centres? - Henry McKean Asks
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new motion in Paris proposes to ban SUVs from the city - should we be doing the same? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and ...
Are men bad conversationalists?
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever gone on a date where the guy just keeps talking about his gym routine, and you're left wondering if he even knows how to ask a question? Well, yo...
Scientists create the world’s thinnest pasta!
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Until now, the world’s thinnest pasta has been made in a village in Sardinia, the so-called ‘Threads of God’ pasta. But now, a crowd of scientis...
Getting a pilot’s licence before your driving licence
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Few people have a licence of any description in their early teens, and even fewer have their whole career mapped out before reaching the age of 18. 16...
What makes this Christmas song so popular?
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s that time of year again! Whether in a bustling shopping centre, a cosy office party, or you’re listening to your favourite festive playlist, ...
The Spanish Armada’s relationship with Ireland
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Spanish Armada, while often remembered as a clash between England and Spain, had its impact stretched far beyond the English Channel, leaving a la...
How bad is the smog in New Delhi?
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Restrictions on the movement of vehicles and people have been tightened in Delhi as a toxic smog envelopes the Indian capital. A respiratory Doctor in...
The strange story behind ‘Housewife of the Year’
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new documentary film, opening in Irish cinemas tomorrow, explores the bizarre story of a curious national television contest called ‘Housewife of ...
How long should you sit on the toilet? - Henry McKean Asks
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Apparently, there is a recommended amount of time you should be spending on a toilet. Are there issues with sitting on the loo for too long? And what’...
How people stand out when canvassing
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you make yourself stand out from the crowd when canvassing for an election? With so many candidates on the ballot paper, you have to create a p...
Recreating Richard III’s voice
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While the remains of Richard III were discovered back in 2012 under a car park in Leicester, a new part of the project has tried to recreate his voice...
Navigating divorce after 50
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Divorce after 50 is on the rise, and it can drastically change your retirement plans. With fewer working years left, declining pensions and assets lik...
Why we need more female tradespeople
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
‘There is a screaming need for lots more female tradespeople’ - that’s according to Freelance Journalist Áilín Quinlan, who recently made the ...
What is ‘demisexuality’?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In last night’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, N-Dubz star and former XFactor Judge, Tulisa Contostavlos opened up about being demisexual...
How often do earthquakes happen in Ireland?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A small earthquake was recorded in Cork yesterday. This was a very rare occurrence, with most taking place in Wexford and Donegal.Joining Seán to dis...
Can ‘manifesting’ be harmful?
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cambridge Dictionary has named ‘manifest’ its word of the year for 2024. But can the concept of willing your desires into reality be harmful? ...
The dating app made for vegans
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
‘Veggly’ is a dating app made specifically for vegans, but is it necessary? Can vegans and meat eaters not get along?Joining Seán to discuss is B...
Who should be able to vote for Ireland’s President?
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Sinn Féin published their manifesto today, one part pledged to hold a referendum on extending voting rights for the President of Ireland to citi...
Should parents coach their child’s sports team?
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While many parents enjoy yelling tactics and strategy from the sidelines, very few decide to don the whistle and clipboard and take the reins for them...
Having regrets after cosmetic surgery
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cosmetic procedures, once the exclusive indulgence of the rich and famous, have now become mainstream, with treatments like lip fillers and Botox as c...
Kids are losing their sense of direction
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As so many kids now possess a smartphone, and therefore have access to Google Maps, have they lost their sense of direction, and why is that a problem...
Is the Gaeltacht in danger?
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A lack of affordable housing in a Meath Gaeltacht is ‘preventing Irish speakers from staying’, that’s the call from local residents who fear tha...
How a wrestling organisation is making God cool again
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Church of England is struggling with dwindling congregations, but a wrestling charity is putting on matches with prayer and worship to buck the tr...
Why Christmas is a hotbed for STIs
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the season of joy, celebration, and a sharp rise in sexually transmitted infections across Ireland! Public health officials are urging partygoe...
Will we eventually have pet robot dogs?
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A robot dog named ‘Spot’ has been spotted patrolling the perimeter of President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. P...
Fraudulent honey becoming an issue for consumers
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recent studies in both the EU and the UK have shown an alarming amount of honey on supermarket shelves to be inauthentic, sometimes being bulked out w...
What canvassing is like - Henry McKean Reports
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Henry has been out in the Dublin Bay North constituency following around those canvassing vying for the 5 seats up for grabs. How does it work, and wh...
How the Endurance was found
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The wreck of Endurance, the ship crewed by Ernest Shackleton and Irish seamen including Kerry's Tom Crean and Cork man Timothy McCarthy, was thought l...
Could a cure for hangovers actually exist?
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A potential cure for hangovers is on the horizon. Scientists have developed a pill that, taken before drinking, could prevent hangover symptoms by con...
Do you always wash your hands? - Henry McKean Asks
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Trump has named Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense, someone who has admitted to not washing his hands... How often do you wash yours?Henr...
Book publisher to use AI for translations
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A publisher in the Netherlands has sparked controversy after announcing that it will use AI to translate its commercial fiction division, but can AI r...
Should we have a ‘Department of Government Efficiency’?
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the build up to the General Election, questions are swirling around accountability in public spending, with projects like the €1.4 million Dáil ...
What India and Ireland have in common
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland and India may seem far apart in terms of culture, language and tradition, but Seán’s guest says otherwise. There are, in fact, remarkable s...
How is ‘astrophotography’ done?
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend at Dublin’s Art Source fair, Astrophotographer Tom O’Donoghue brings the wonders of deep space to Earth. After a career change in 200...
Do hospitals need to be more climate conscious?
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hospitals are famously wasteful places, with many things necessarily being thrown out. In fact, 20% of medical care is waste, from plastic biohazard b...
Extremely rare bird still found to be in Ireland
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
According to a new survey carried out in the southeast of the country, evidence has now been produced that one of Ireland’s most elusive birds, the ...
How ‘Indiana Stones’ is bringing back stone lifting
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
David Keohan, also known as ‘Indiana Stones’, is reviving the ancient tradition of stone lifting in Ireland. A hobby he got into during lockdown h...
Why are young men unhappy?
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We live in a society where the term ‘high value man’ is flung around.But, what is a high value man? And what happens to men when they can’t live...
What is ‘ticker tape synesthesia’?
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ticker tape synesthesia is a cognitive state in which those who experience it can actually see the words being spoken to them. But, how does it work?J...
Green Party pledge to subsidise appliance repair costs
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last couple of decades, it has become increasingly difficult to get basic household appliances fixed, with the old adage ‘it would be cheap...
The strangest inventions ever made
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
National Science Week, and in that spirit, what are the world’s most weird and wonderful inventions?Joining Seán to discuss her top picks is Direct...
How does Ireland’s bomb squad work?
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Friday, the Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit was called out to Ballymun to carry out a controlled explosion. But,how exactly does this unit op...
Why do we overshare?
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever caught yourself sharing way too much with someone you barely know and afterwards think, ‘why the hell did I just do that?’ While it can feel ...
Do you believe in luck? - Henry McKean Asks
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Are some of us just more lucky in life compared to others? Can you make your own luck and twist it to your advantage, or is it something you are born ...
The story behind the world’s biggest streaker
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While most people have witnessed the odd streaker here or there, either at a match or watching at home on TV, what is it like to actually do this on a...
Vet performs surgery and saves goldfish
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A vet has dramatically saved a family's 17-year-old goldfish after he was struck down by a killer tumour.Emer O’Reilly from MyVet Lucan carried out ...
The biggest box office flops in history
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Hollywood spends big bucks on a movie, it expects a decent return. But, what happens when a movie flops? Joining Seán to discuss is Tim Rob...
Ivan Yates on what to expect from Election 2024
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Taoiseach Simon Harris has officially kicked off the next General Election today, dissolving the Dáil.With voting set to take place on November 29th,...
The words Ireland contributed to English
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that the Irish gave the world the submarine, the ejector seat and of course, Guinness?But, we’ve also given the English language hundre...
Paul Mescal Lookalike Competition - Henry McKean Reports
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Irish premiere for ‘Gladiator 2’ is happening tonight in Dublin, and beforehand, a much more important event took place: the Paul Mescal Looka...
How to dry your clothes in the winter
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A Twitter user yesterday posted a picture of their laundry hanging out in the garden, asking the question: “It isn't raining, but it is a damp day. ...
What is a ‘sperm donor party’?
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As a society, we’ve really taken to celebrating all of life’s milestones, from baby showers to gender reveals, and now: sperm donor parties…Free...
How to manage and know your allergies
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A 56-year-old man has died after suffering what is believed to be an allergic reaction to wasp stings. Michael Sheehan was cutting a hedge with friend...
Are kids reading enough today?
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new survey in the UK has found that kids are now reading in record low numbers, but is the situation in Ireland different?Joining Seán to discuss i...
What’s behind recent concert injuries?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With both Chris Martin from Coldplay and Olivia Rodrigo both falling through the stage in recent weeks, what is causing a spate of mishaps in live tou...
What is visiting Antarctica like?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Visiting Antarctica is something that not many people get to experience, but when Seán’s guest got the opportunity to do so, she was intrigued by t...
The biggest food faux pas
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a new survey, things such as double dipping and leaving dishes in the sink overnight are some of people's pet peeves in the kitchen.Joining Seán t...
Should we boo ‘God Save the King’?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The FAI has been fined €10,000 after fans booed ‘God Save the King’ before Ireland’s Nations League match against England at the Aviva Stadium...
Smart home devices are spying on you - should you care?
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new survey from Which? Magazine shows that some smart home devices are engaged in excessive surveillance, but should you be worried? Joining Se...