Moncrieff

The scientific formula to make the happiest Christmas playlist

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We generally think of Christmas as a happy time of merriment with family and friends, but of course, it can also be quite stressful.There is shopping ...

Leon Diop on his mixed-race childhood in Ireland

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Author and Founder of the advocacy group Black and Irish, Leon Diop, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss his new memoir ‘Mixed Up: An Irish ...

What are ‘micro-compatibilities’ in dating?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Modern dating is chaotic and so too is the latest trend, micro-compatibilities. Apparently, we should be taking note of our partner’s shops, or what...

Is letting your anger out healthy?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s word of the year for 2025 is ‘ragebait’, content designed to spark outrage and keep us clicking. But, with anger now driving so much of ...

Does Oscar Wilde belong in St Mary’s Cathedral?

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We may all think of Oscar Wilde as a talented writer and gay icon, but what’s less known is his lifelong interest in converting to Catholicism.Mary ...

How to survive Queues-mas!

08 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Christmas season is upon us, and between busy shops and packed pubs, people will spend more time waiting in line now than at any other time of the...

The Irish man planning to row the Atlantic

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Galway man Daragh MacLoughlin will be attempting to row across the Atlantic as part of the World’s Toughest Row race. He’ll be setting out on his ...

What being a war photographer is like

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For most people, being caught in a war zone with no weapon would be the stuff of nightmares, but for Pulitzer prize-winning Photojournalist Lynsey Add...

Is there a problem with pet obesity in Ireland?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the prospect of American Ozempic-style drugs coming on the market for dogs and cats, just how big a problem is pet obesity in Ireland?Joining Seá...

Office Christmas Party Stories - Henry McKean Reports

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This Friday, most Office Christmas parties are taking place across Ireland. But have we learned anything from last year? The heavy drinking, the inapp...

Is Ireland too small to matter with climate change?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have a discussion about climate change in Ireland and almost certainly at some point someone will make the argument that what we do here is too small ...

Should we be concerned about digital billboarding?

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Apart from the ticker tape ads on the sides of pitches, you may also have noticed an increase in digital billboards in public spaces. This is leading ...

Danny Robbins on his new show 'Uncanny: Fear of the Dark'

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you believe in ghosts?And what does it really take to be convinced of paranormal stories?Danny Robins has been treating ghost stories like a detect...

Do we overcommit at Christmas?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You know what it’s like, this time of year is full of Christmas catch-ups and meeting the gang for the annual get together, but are we overcommittin...

Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A recent poll has claimed to have settled once and for all that ‘Die Hard’, the Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman action classic, is definitively not ...

Ireland’s oldest cat found in Co. Clare cave

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland's oldest cat has finally been carbon dated, allowing a more accurate picture of our ancient ecology.Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Marion Dow...

Jakarta named world’s most populous city

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to a new UN study, Jakarta has now overtaken Tokyo as the world’s most populous city. But, what is it actually like living in the Indonesi...

Why do boomers love junk that their kids have to inherit?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why are boomers addicted to junk? The Daily Mail has been writing about this, and the frustrations facing children worried about what clutter they’l...

‘Rage bait’ named Oxford’s word of 2025

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘Rage bait’ has been named the official Oxford word of 2025 after language experts noticed its usage has tripled this year. The word is a sign of ...

Are pop stars to blame for a resurgence in smoking?

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are pop stars to blame for a resurgence in smoking? When pop stars like Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter use them in music videos or magazines, or any...

How the World Cup has changed since 1990

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With next year’s World Cup on the horizon, a new book explores the impact of the world’s largest sporting event, from its effect on culture to its...

What should you do before you’re 35? - Henry McKean Asks

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Obama says no one should see turning 35 as a deadline for marriage or success. So, what should you have done before that time comes around?He...

What is the ‘Celtic Curse’?

01 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling exhausted and lethargic can be caused by many things such as lack of sleep, being overworked or having a busy schedule, but for Ellen Troy, fe...

Why do we love terrible TV?

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘All’s Fair’, the new legal drama starring Kim Kardashian and Glenn Close, has been renewed for a second series after receiving the worst critic...

Skating the Wild Atlantic Way

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Artist Becky Gilmour is travelling the Wild Atlantic Way - on a skateboard! She has been skating the West coast to raise funds and awareness for suici...

Is there a normal dry spell balance?

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all curious about each other’s sex lives… is everyone really having more sex than you?And are dry spells normal or even encouraged? One Au...

Is the kettle disappearing?

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are kettles disappearing from our kitchens? The invention of the hot tap and the popularity of minimalist interior design has created a debate on whet...

Managing lawn mushrooms at this time of year

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of people have been noticing mushrooms popping up on their lawns lately, with the mix of frosty and mild weather contributing to their abundance...

Dublin City to host its first World AIDS Day Festival

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On December 1st, Dublin City will be hosting its first ever World AIDS Day Festival. To mark the occasion, Seán is joined by Robbie Lawlor, who is on...

We lose three days a year looking for our parked car

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

New research has found that we lose up to three days a year searching for where we parked our cars. So, why do we forget, and how can we improve our m...

Can you teach empathy to teenagers?

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can you really teach empathy?The University of Galway have developed a module on empathy, which they are looking to have rolled out in classrooms to a...

Are the boom times coming back? - Henry McKean Asks

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bank of Ireland is going to offer what they call a ‘trading down’ loan, also known as a bridging loan. What’s significant about this, is that th...

Cabbage Patch Kids - the first Christmas toy craze

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Every Christmas, for no apparent reason, there's something that your kids will really want. These kinds of fads happen all the time in the digital age...

How can we really bring about change?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“But what can I do?” That could be the refrain of our whole generation.We’re faced with largescale problems and existential issues, but most don...

How durable is fast fashion?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you buy a cheap garment, how long do you actually expect it to last?Valerie Flynn, of The Journal Investigates, has been running some tests, and ...

Is it less stress to have more kids?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A survey of 7000 mothers by NBC television in the United States has found that mums who have more than 4 kids have lower stress levels than those with...

Why do some of us find photos embarrassing?

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever seen a photo of yourself and thought “I look amazing?” - chances are low, and for many people, getting photos taken is awkward and e...

Sexual orientation to be on next census for the first time

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It has been announced that a question regarding sexual orientation will appear on our next census, in 2027, for the first time. But, why is this requi...

Could AI hurt the job recruitment process?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all been told about the risks of AI taking jobs away from employees.But is there also a risk for the employers in overuse of AI and allowing i...

Irish nun on Nigerian school kidnapping

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were kidnapped by gunmen from St. Mary's School, a Catholic institution in a very remote part of the north west of ...

Life in Lebanon - one year after Israel ceasefire

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Thursday will be the one year anniversary of the Israel and Lebanon ceasefire agreement.But, this has been far from a peaceful year for Lebanese peopl...

Does Ireland have the best alternative music scene?

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For a relatively small country, Ireland has had its fair share of mainstream international success in the music business over the years: U2, Van Morri...

Victoria Mary Clarke on dealing with grief and loneliness around Christmas

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Things can feel heightened this time of year, as the run up to Christmas leads to forced cheeriness and merriment, but for so many people, it is also ...

Could sails replace crude oil on cargo ships?

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seán’s guest spent two weeks aboard the Neoliner Origin, the world’s largest sailing cargo ship, for its maiden voyage from France to the US. But...

How does Ireland’s deportation system work?

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How does Ireland’s deportation system actually work?Joining Seán to discuss is Cormac O’Keefe, Security Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, wh...

When is the best time to break up with someone? - Henry McKean Asks

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you're in a relationship, and aren't really feeling that person a Christmas present, is this the best time to dump them? Do you have a breakup stor...

Unionists for a United Ireland

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can you be a unionist and be in favour of a United Ireland?Well Seán’s guest certainly was a unionist, and has written a book called ‘The Irish U...

Why do rich people have golden toilets?

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Golden toilets have been hitting the headlines recently, with Zelensky’s Chief of Staff under pressure after detectives found a golden toilet bowl i...

The effort to keep Covid out of Antarctica

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seán’s guest arrived in Antarctica at the height of the Covid pandemic. Part of her role as a Doctor was to try and keep Antarctica as the last con...

Woman breaks record for world’s largest afro

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seán’s guest stopped straightening her hair a number of years ago and began to grow it out. Now, the Guinness World Records has just certified that...

Why is an Italian Minister upset over carbonara?

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Italian Minister of Agriculture has called for an “immediate investigation” after he discovered a supermarket in Brussels selling jars of pre-...

New documentary shares stories of Magdalene laundry survivors

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new documentary ‘Testimony’ is out in cinemas today, and tells the compelling stories of the survivors of the Magdalene laundry, in their own wo...

Are we in the next step of human evolution with space travel?

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Around 500 million years ago, animals first ventured out of the oceans and onto land…Since then, life has evolved in wondrous and unforeseeable ways...

Should philosophy be taught in Irish schools?

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today is World Philosophy Day. Seán’s guest believes that philosophy should be taught in Irish schools, just as it is in Italy, France and Germany,...

Daragh Morgan on being the first person to swim around Ireland

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Endurance swimmer Daragh Morgan has been making headlines as the first person to swim around Ireland. The feat took 338 hours over the course of 5 mon...

Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There’s a new authorised biography on Monty Python star Terry Jones: ‘Seriously Silly: The Life of Terry Jones’. The comedy legend’s biography...

Are you jumping on the World Cup bandwagon? - Henry McKean Asks

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Republic of Ireland are playing the Czech Republic on March 26th in a World Cup play off, which makes us want to go down memory lane…Are you jum...

How to wash a wool jumper

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the cold weather starts to bite, many listeners will be reaching for their winter woolies, but with complex labelling, how can you know if what you...

What to expect from the IFI French Film Festival

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The 26th year of the IFI French Film Festival kicks off today, featuring 22 Irish premieres and 34 titles across the twelve days. But, what else can p...

Are Irish fizzy drinks making a comeback?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are Irish fizzy drinks having a revival? Ali Dunworth, Food and Drinks Writer, and author of ‘A Compendium of Irish Pints’, seems to think that mi...

Should we share our failures online?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Recently, Kim Kardashian has been drawing attention for her portrayal of a lawyer in ‘All’s Fair’, but unfortunately for her, the success of her...

Is scheduling sex the secret to a healthy relationship?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To get the spark back in Lotte Brundle, Feature and Lifestyle Journalist living in London’s relationship, she started creating space in her google c...

Have musicals become cool again?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you noticed a swathe of musicals and musician biopics consistently releasing in the cinema? What’s behind the amount of them, and why are they ...

Is Ireland taking the right approach to climate change?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is Ireland on the right track when it comes to dealing with climate change?Guest host Fionnuala Jones is joined by Dr. Tadgh O’Mahony, Assistant Pro...

Are we ‘phone zombies’?

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How often do you check your phone every day? Dr Clare Moriarty, Visiting Fellow in Trinity College Dublin, has picked up on her habits, and is asking ...

Joe Philpott on his new memoir

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Dunne’s guest enjoyed success with his band Rubyhorse, touring the States in 2002 and even appearing on Conan O’Brien and David Letterman. His...

Being 35 and stuck in your childhood bedroom

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government has made promises to solve the housing crisis, and have stood by a long term plan on the basis that it will likely take fifteen years b...

How age progression portraits are made for missing people

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered how portraits of missing people are done years later, as families desperately renew appeals for information about a loved one?T...

The cultural and historical significance of the Irish pub

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Where did the Irish pub come from? How is it changing? And why is the traditional Irish pub so common overseas?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss...

Following the Swedish war survival guide for 72 hours

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Dunne’s guest decided to follow the instructions of the Swedish government’s 72 hour survival guide by holing up in his garden shed in complet...

What can be learned from President inauguration menus?

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Many of us would have watched the Presidential Inauguration last week to get a sense of what Catherine Connolly would bring to the role.We expect that...

How Irish revolutionaries negotiated murky world of ‘spies and scoundrels’ in the fight for independence

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new book explores the extraordinary escapades undertaken by diplomats and revolutionaries to forge alliances abroad in support of Irish independence...

Graduating college at 82

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever thought about going back to college?Well James O’Reilly has just graduated from Dublin City University with a degree in history and li...

The Irishman Who Buried Himself Alive

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What would you do to be famous?For some people, it doesn’t matter. For others, it’s their greatest ambition.In 1968 Irishman Mick Meaney decided h...

Have we gotten better at showing our emotions in public?

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a famous win for Ireland yesterday, beating Hungary 3-2 to reach the playoffs for the World Cup, screams and tears engulfed the nation as Troy P...

Paul McCartney’s silent protest song

17 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The vinyl release of a protest album entitled ‘Is This What We Want?’ will be launched on December 8th and will feature an extraordinary contribut...

“Secretive” artist sneaks AI-generated print into museum

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A contemporary artist took the world by surprise this week when he snuck an AI-generated print into the National Museum of Cardiff.Elias Marrow, who m...

A brief history of the aphorism

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

"All that glitters is not gold", "Do or do not, there is no try". The first quote is from Shakespeare, and the other is from Yoda. Both are examples o...

What is ‘Death Cleaning’?

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘Death Cleaning’ is the Swedish practice of getting rid of stuff you don’t need before you die. But, why bother? And, is there more to it than m...

Writer Jane McNeice on breastfeeding her grandchildren

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jane McNeice did not expect that her admission that she has breastfed her children and grandchildren would cause such strong reactions. To her, there ...

New immersive serial killer exhibition coming to Dublin

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A brand-new exhibition coming to Dublin is set to take visitors on a gripping psychological journey into the darkest corners of the human mind...‘In...

New documentary ‘BOOBS’ celebrates the reality of female bodies

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A brand-new short documentary celebrating boobs has been sparking conversations and sweeping awards around the globe.The film, ‘BOOBS’, follows Du...

Did Hitler really have only one testicle?

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It has long been debated as to whether or not Adolf Hitler had just one testicle. Now, a new documentary on Channel 4 explores this and other intimate...

What are your driving icks? - Henry McKean Asks

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There's nothing that inflames our judginess more than getting behind the wheel and judging other people on the road.So, what are your biggest driving ...

Opting out of religion in schools - do kids get accommodated?

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As parents of primary school children around the country participate in the largest ever survey of attitudes to school ethos, Seán’s guest has been...

Home hacks to treat a winter cold

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As flu and cold season descends on us, what are the best home hacks to treat a cold, and does the old ‘Wine & Garlic’ method actually work?Joi...

How terrorism has changed since the 1970s

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From the extensive hijackings of the 1970s to the emergence of suicide bombers in the 1980s, a new book traces the evolution of terrorism in the mid t...

Why are women banned from the sumo ring?

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Controversy has erupted in Japan as to whether or not the new female Prime Minister will step into the sacred sumo ring to present a prestigious troph...

Why this Cork gym is focusing on fitness accessibility

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Cork gym is breaking barriers in fitness accessibility. Elite Fitness Cork has just introduced a new hyperbaric chamber to support people with ...

The science behind trauma

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What defines trauma, and why are people more vulnerable to it than others? This will be the main focus of a talk happening at the Sugar Club in D...

Why do we yawn?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What makes us yawn? We all do it, but few of us actually know why. Even today, scientists are still puzzled by the recurring action. Wrongly attribute...

The history of Armistice Day

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today marks Armistice Day, the signing of negotiations which brought the end of World War I.It is also known as Remembrance Day, Veterans’ Day, and ...

Is Gen Z ditching the bra?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is Gen Z going ‘braless’ and what does this mean for the future of lingerie?Social media has recently been taken by storm when actress Sydney Swee...

Is sightseeing at night the best way to be a tourist?

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You know what it’s like, when you go to a new city you can end up spending hours in queues and being stuck in crowds with the masses...Actor Richard...

Watching democracy in action - and why it’s happening less

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You may have been watching today’s inauguration of Catherine Connolly as Ireland’s 10th President.Seán’s guest was there in person to see this ...

CIÉ digitises and releases public archive of records

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) has digitised its records, and is making them available to the public, with many documents going back to the glory days...

Why hate speech and extremism is driving women away from politics

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hate speech and extremism causing women to be driven away from politics is putting our democracy in “serious danger”.It follows the resignation of...

How many meetings are actually necessary?

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How much of your working day is spent in meetings?We tend to think of them as a necessary evil, but are they all really necessary?Joining Seán to dis...

Are the Irish good with compliments? - Henry McKean Asks

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Designer Paul Costelloe said “I really love Irish people... they are so quick to pay you a compliment”, but is he right? Do we give out enough com...

Why is Israel still blocking aid into Gaza?

10 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One month into the ceasefire in Gaza, how have things actually improved on the ground? Has the fighting halted completely, can people return to t...