Moncrieff
Episodes
How to make Ferrero Rocher at home amidst shortages
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Turkey, the world’s largest producer of hazelnuts, had a bad harvest this year, there are now fears of an impending shortage of Ferrero Rocher. Silv...
Making Movie Monsters
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bryan Campbell and his movie monsters creations bring a slice of Hollywood to Ireland. Bryan, who grew up with a love of the Predator movies made the ...
Scientist risks losing his job over climate change
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gianluca Grimalda has spent the last six months travelling around the largest island in the Soloman Islands archipelago, finding out how its people ha...
Is 'depressive realism' the antidote to toxic positivity?
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You have heard of 'toxic positivity' but one philosopher is putting forward the alternative – 'depressive realism'. Dr Julie Reche is fro...
Hitler's birthplace is to become a police station
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Austrian government has finally made a decision on what to do with the house that Hitler was born in. Nearly 8 decades after Adolf Hitler’s suic...
Donating your body to science with Philomena McAteer
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Chief Technical Officer of Anatomy at Trinity College Dublin, Philomena McAteer, spoke to Sean about how one can go about donating their body to scien...
Cleaning the house is good for your mental health!
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new study by eBay suggests everyday tasks are the best way to wind down. Watering plants and hanging out the washing were deemed the most popular ta...
'The dogs know they are special’ K9 Jets: The Private Jet Charter for Pets
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An airline which offers bespoke travel services for dogs and other pets is drawing the attention of climate campaigners. K9 Jets operates a number of ...
'It could mean they are in jail for a year just for not buying a ticket' The German man buying public transport ticket swindlers out of jail
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In Germany, those who fail to pay for public transport can face prison time. Most ticket swindlers are incarcerated as they can't afford to pay the fi...
'It was enough to take down a city block' Fergal Keane on finding Gelignite
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Former broadcaster Fergal Keane when renovating an old farm shed discovered a large batch of unexploded ordnance. Specifically, Gelignite thought to t...
"I was still hungry" Man breaks World Record, eating 50 carolina reaper peppers
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mike Jack of Canada has broken the record for consuming the most amount of Carolina reaper peppers, the world’s hottest pepper with 1.64m Scoville h...
One Hundred Years of Brendan Behan
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrating 100 years of Brendan Behan, the Museum of Literature Ireland has remembered the literary giant's life through an audio-visual tribute. The...
Why nature's calendar is different to ours
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the first week in October, and according to Nature’s Calendar of mircoseasons, it is Beech Nuts Fall season. Which, is one of the 72 microsea...
'It took over my life': Westmeath hurler Davy Glennon on battling his gambling addiction
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new ESRI report shows Ireland's gambling problem is far worse than previously thought, with 130 thousand people considered problem gamblers, a figur...
‘If she’s a good actor she could play it’ - Eve Hewson criticised for playing a working class character
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bono's daughter, Eve Hewson plays a working class mum from the flats. There has been some criticism online over her casting in this role.Henry McKean ...
Stop MSG Sphere London Campaign
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
By now, we’ve all heard of or seen the pictures of the Sphere in Las Vegas where U2 were the first act to perform in the $ 2.3 billion venue. Outfit...
'Cultural shift' in coffee consumption in recent years
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past few decades, The way we consume coffee has changed dramatically in Ireland, with the lazy method of milk and sugar being replaced in pop...
Christopher Columbus' letter announcing his 'discovery' of America to go on sale
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A letter written by Christopher Columbus after his return to Europe after his time in the Carribean is up for auction later this month. But why is thi...
'It inspires you to be healthier' - Keeping your fridge tidy
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
They say that your skin and teeth are a good indicator of your overall health but as it turns out so is your fridge. If your fridge is chaotic an...
How to get rid of bed bugs
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
“Don’t let the bed bugs bite” is becoming more of a manifestation rather than a nice sentiment in Paris as the city is facing a bed bug epidemic...
Pen friend service for Irish prisoners overseas 'has huge benefits'
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last few years there has been an increase in the number of US prisons using social media in order to recruit people to write to their inmates...
'A very violent teacher' - Pupils taught by former Nazi SS officer demand apology
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Former students of St. Conleth’s College in Dublin are seeking an apology from the school as their French teacher was a former member of the SS duri...
‘It’s part of your childhood’ - RTÉ Aertel service to close
03 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Aertel, Ireland’s teletext service is coming to an end next week after nearly 40 years. What impact did it have on us and will we miss it?Henry McKe...
Ciarán Cuffe: County Councils 'don't have enough' authority
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know much about your local council? Would you want to see them take more responsibility in your area? In last week’s Irish Times, ...
'It is worthwhile changing' - Cork cousins develop compostable PPE aprons
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Irish hospitals produce an extraordinary number of plastic medical grade aprons for incineration every week. But a start up in Cork is attempting to d...
Where do we feel love?
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
People often say that they “feel the love” but where exactly do we feel love? Well, researchers from Aalto University in Finland set out to do exa...
'It's like trying to catch lightning in a bottle' - The Best and Worst Social Media Campaigns
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is the worst or best social media campaign that you’ve ever seen? The market to compete with social media advertising is huge and businesses le...
Woman ‘sent home to die’ after botched weight loss surgery in Turkey
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight a new documentary on Virgin Media One will look at the serious consequences of Irish people travelling to Turkey for medical procedures. ...
Scarecrow Robots: Here's how they work
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many farmers around the Irish countryside still use scarecrows to deter unwanted pests but a crowd in the US are developing a robotic version, that is...
U2 in Vegas: 'Would a greatest hits show not have been better?'
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tonight, Bono and U2 kick off a 25 date residency in Las Vegas. But is it not the antithesis of rock n roll to follow in the footsteps of Celine Dion ...
The 36-Year-Old Virgin
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian and entertainer Sonali Chandra decided to stay a virgin until she got married. Sonali is now 36 and hasn’t had sex yet but says that she fa...
The World's Most Expensive Knickers
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How expensive are your boxers? Well Emma Corrin, familiar actor from The Crown series, was modelling for Miu Miu in Paris wearing a $5,600 pair of bri...
Using Viking techniques to make 'jewellery and knives'
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While once upon a time this island was full of blacksmiths, nowadays they are sadly few and far between. But one man in Co. Tipperary continues to use...
Pet-friendly cabins on ferries: 'The smell is fairly shocking'
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you’re wracked with guilt leaving your dog in the kennels while you go on your holidays, then Stena Line may have a solution to your woes. P...
'His kids are his charity' - Should Mick Jagger leave his back catalogue to his children?
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mick Jagger has announced he is to give his €500m Rolling Stones back catalogue to charity and not his 8 kids. Is he right to do so? Henry McKean we...
Using a full-size horse skeleton to make music
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Artist, producer and composer, Matthew Herbert, bought the skeleton of a horse and then turned its bones into musical instruments. His new album, The ...
170 year-old pear tree in the Liberties used by NCAD students 'to pick at fruit and make jam'
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a pear tree in Dublin that’s seen 170 years of culture, industrial revolution and urban development. And it is nestled in the Liberties, D...
Travel Hacks with Joan Scales
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ‘2024 Air Travel Hacks Report’, which contains some handy money-and-stress-saving hacks for Britons for future holidays, from the best day to ...
'Wrong place at the wrong time' - Brother of murdered Jill Dando explains his theory
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
24 years ago, Jill Dando was murdered on her London doorstep. It was a crime that shocked the UK, and a massive man hunt for her killer was launched. ...
The History of British Cake
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all love a bit of cake. It comes out at all major events; weddings, birthdays, leaving a job – but have you ever wondered where it came from? Wel...
Studying to be an Influencer: 'It's captured the imagination of young people'
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While many people roll their eyes at the word “influencer”, there is no denying that it’s an industry that’s growing rapidly. In re...
‘You can have one wife, and perhaps lovers!’ - Henry McKean looks at infidelity in France
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many French people are still having more than one lover at a time. Husbands having a mistress is tolerated and still socially accepted in Paris. Hotel...
The Ethics of Animal Research
26 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
They say you shouldn’t kill animals just to wear them, but how do you feel about the killing of animals for medical research? Some 120,000 animals u...
The Irish Tailor at the Boston Tea Party
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that an Irish tailor played a huge part in the Boston Tea Party? Thomas White from Kilkenny took part in the Boston Tea Party which happe...
'The leadership did a fantastic job': Writers Guild and studios reach provisional deal
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Screenwriters have reached a tentative deal with studio bosses that could see them end a strike that has lasted nearly five months. The Writers G...
'The Last Godfather': Italian Mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro dies
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matteo Messina Denaro of the Sicilian mafia has died after a long illness, Italian media have reported. Known as ‘The Last Godfather’, he was...
Irish Army team wins international sniper competition
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An unusual competition took place in the Wicklow Mountains over the past few days, involving sharpshooters from all over the world. The International ...
'There's pros and cons': Sainsbury launch bridal collection with £22 dresses
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A wedding dress for the price of a Sunday roast. That’s what’s on offer from Sainsburys, who are the first supermarket to introduce a b...
'You feel like you're in the TV show' - new owner of 'The Brady Bunch' house
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Here’s the story of a lady named Tina, who bought the Brady Bunch house for 3.2 million dollars. The famous family home which was seen on telev...
Are we washing incorrectly?
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A TikToker by the name of Madame Sweat, who is a self-proclaimed hygiene expert, says that we aren’t washing ourselves currently. In one of her...
The World's Heaviest Onion
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your average onion is around the size of a tennis ball but Gareth Griffin from the island of Guernsey has now become the grower of the world’s heavi...
Neck size influences perceptions of a man's fathering skills, study finds
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers have found that our perception of how protective or nurturing a man will be towards his children is affected by the size of his trapezius ...
'I do have a spare!' - Henry McKean searches for a ticket for Ireland v South Africa
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The wait is finally here, The World’s Number 1, Ireland, play the 2019 Rugby World Cup Winners South Africa. The problem is tickets are like gold du...
Who was behind the Leinster House protests?
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The headlines since yesterday have been filled with reaction to yesterday’s protest at Dail Eireann. But who were the protesters? How was...
New pilot scheme will see coffee shops in the Netherlands source cannabis legally
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dutch officials have announced that the country’s cannabis legalisation experiment will begin its pilot phase before the end of the year. Initially ...
The fight to save Marilyn Monroe's final residence from demolition
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Would you make a trip to the home of one of the world’s most recognisable Hollywood stars? Well you might be short on time to make it Marylin Monroe...
Northern Lights: Here's how to see the equinox from Ireland this weekend
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that you don’t have to travel to Iceland or Alaska to see the Northern Lights? Just stick your head out of your bedroom window any day ...
Singapore airport will soon go passport-free
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is nothing more annoying then travelling through an airport and constantly having to whip out your Boarding Pass and Passport. Well, it is ...
30 Years of Christian Louboutin's Red Sole
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did you know that the very famous red bottom Louboutin heels have been strutting down the runway for 30 years? The luxury shoes are celebrating their ...
Erectile Dysfunction: 'It felt like there was something wrong with me'
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For most men in their 20’s, having sex is an enjoyable experience that you look forward to, but not for Bob McQuiad. From the age of 12, he kne...
'I take whatever luck I can get' - Henry McKean asks 'why are we so supersitious?'
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A survey conducted by a bingo company has found that superstitions are alive and well in our secular society, but it's not the only time that his has ...
'There's a lot of different nuances involved': Fair City photographer defends her role
19 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The photographer on Fair City is not usually in the one in the spotlight, but the role was suddenly thrust front and centre last week during an Oireac...
The Hist: The world's oldest college debating society
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What do Wolfe Tone, Robert Emmet & Mary Robinson all have in common? They were all members of The Hist in Trinity College, which has been confirme...
Cures of Ireland
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many of you, especially those of you living in rural Ireland, will have been the beneficiary of a cure. These are carried out by healers. But this old...
Can you erase a breed of dog?
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The UK is progressing fast with a plan to ban the American XL bully breed after a number of horrific attacks and fatal maulings. However we...
The Oldest Pub in Ireland
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes you find a pub so good that you just must build a town around it. Sean’s Bar in Athlone is officially the oldest pub in Ireland and was es...
Keith Barry: 'I'm pretty banged up'
15 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Keith Barry, Barretstown Ambassador, Mentalist, Magician & Subconscious Mind specialist joined Sean LIVE at the Athlone Springs Hotel...
The Price of Happiness
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
They say you can’t put a price on happiness. Well, a recent survey has done exactly that for 137 countries around the world. The study by...
Childism: The discrimination of children in society
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Childism is a phenomenon that was first coined in the 1970s and refers to the discrimination of children. A new book claims that both parents and soci...
‘If you buy the first one, you don’t buy the last one’: The tradition of buying rounds
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
‘I’d rather go down to Murphy’s bar and buy a round of drinks than pay my TV licence,’ those were the words of TD Brendan Griffin telling RTÉ...
'Language is always changing' - Young people opting for less formal language
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time you saw an email open with 'Dear' or finish with something like 'Yours Sincerely'? It seems younger people are denouncing the t...
Jenni Murray: Young people shouldn't be given the impression that smoking is cool
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrities like Kate Moss and Phoebe Waller-Bridge smoking outside cafes in London has enraged one journalist, who thinks this is going to do no good...
'It's the mark of a great person': Dublin marathon medal misquotes Yeats
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It isn’t uncommon for well-known quotes to be misattributed to famous writers. This appears to be what has happened on the medals for the upcoming D...
What happened to music videos?
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Last night, the MTV Video Music Awards took place in New Jersey, with some of the biggest stars in the world arriving to pick up their gongs. But the ...
Buying a Home with a Dark Past
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
They say when you are looking for a new home, sometimes you just know when you walk through the front door that this is the one for you. On...
Rise in number of people using 'loyalty testers' on their partner
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever suspected your spouse of infidelity? Well, a new phenomenon of so-called ‘loyalty testers’ is kicking off in the UK, the US and othe...
'First impressions are so important' - Henry McKean tries small talk
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everyday we might have to do a little small talk at work or at the supermarket, that awkward moment at the photocopier or at the coffee machine, chatt...
'Increasing growing concerns' around links between glyphosate and cancer
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Glyphosate has been found in samples taken from all but one of a group of Irish volunteers tested for the controversial weedkiller. The exercise has d...
Playing Childhood Games as an Adult
12 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Adults have so much going on in their lives that they rarelt have time to play. Author Edel Coffey has been looking at a group of women in the US who ...
EU flags waved at Last Night of the Proms to highlight difficulties for musicians post Brexit
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At the Last Night of the Proms event over the weekend, a concert associated with nationalistic renditions of Rule Britannia and the like, controversey...
Calls for the establishment of Ireland's first pet cemetery
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When your family pet sadly dies, what do you do with the body? There are three pet crematoriums in Ireland, but no pet cemeteries.Cllr Audrey Buckley,...
'Record breaking numbers' of students voting in favour of meat-free university campuses
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The chicken fillet roll could be a thing of the past in Irish Universities if some students at the University of Galway and Trinity College get their ...
Time Keeping: Why are some people always late?
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Reddit is divided after a user revealed that he left his wife in the airport because she wanted to stop and grab a Starbucks, while they were rushing ...
Montenegro’s Lying Down Competition
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An unusual competition is currently taking place in Montenegro, in which competitors are attempting to be crowned the country’s Laziest Citizen, thr...
Woman eating Guinness with a spoon may be 'a gimmick'
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A video has gone viral of a woman who enjoys her pint of Guinness...by using a spoon.The footage was filmed by a bar man at a restaurant in Belfast re...
The world’s longest competitive female mullet
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As you will no doubt have seen, the mullet is currently enjoying a period of resurgence, especially among young men. However, one woman in Tennessee h...
'They cannot become a baby': Israeli lab creates models of human embryos from stem cells
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Scientists in Israel have created an entity that mimics an early human embryo. But from a biomedical ethics perspective, what are the concerns? Joinin...
'I am Irish' - Henry McKean becomes an Irish Citizen
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today is a big day! After 33 years living in Ireland, Henry McKean has become an Irish Citizen. He joined Sean in studio to discuss..
Can Tucker Carlson say what he wants on his new show?
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tucker Carlson is planning to air an interview with the convicted con artist who claims he engaged in drug-fueled sex acts with Barack Obama. In a p...
France attempts to ban meat names for plant-based food
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The French government has issued a new decree putting either an outright ban or heavy restrictions on meat terms such as ‘steak’ and ‘sausage’...
Why do we break rules?
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You’ll have been hearing today that speed limits are going to be reduced and some of the penalty point system will be reformed as a way of tackling ...
Donegal priest to shave beard after 31 years
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Raphoe-based priest Fr Eamonn Kelly hasn't used a razor since the day before Donegal won the All-Ireland in 1992 - now, 31 years on, he's set to ditch...
'Blessed art thou among women': Working in a female dominated profession
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland has one of the highest percentages of female primary teachers in the EU, at 85.8%. This skewed statistic highlights the cultural values that d...
Are we too enslaved to Google Maps?
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With the widespread use of Google Maps, it seems now more than ever that almost everywhere is navigable. But are we too enslaved to the app when we’...
Making To-Do Lists: Why do men and women differ?
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Lists are a big part of many people’s lives, whether it be that all-important shopping list for your weekly supermarket visit or the ‘to do’ lis...
Thank You For Holding: Episode 3
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Simon Tierney joined Sean Moncrieff for the third installment of Thank You for Holding, our miniseries about the culture and practice of telephone cus...
Syrian protests: 'The regime are coming under pressure from everywhere'
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An unprecedented series of protests have been taking place in Syria’s southern province. But what they are protesting is less clear cut than you mig...
Ireland among world's least body confident countries
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A survey has been carried out among 65 countries by Anglia Ruskin University in England. Their aim was to discover people's sense of happiness with th...
'I fell madly in love with him' - Are summer romances a thing of the past?
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As we continue this Indian summer until the weekend it got us talking about summer romances. And how hot weather can lead to steamy affairs.Henry McKe...
25 years of Google - The cool stuff they do
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It's hard to remember a time when internet searches were not synonymous with Google. That very company was actually founded on this day 25 years ago. ...