Moncrieff

Photographer Steve Pyke on his portraits of Irish writers

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seán’s guest has photographed everyone from dictator August Pinochet to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, but his new book is a collection of portraits...

The pros and cons of sober-dating

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sober-dating is all the rage now, but what does this mean for the future of socialising?New Google search trends revealed that December 2024 marked an...

Palestinian filmmaker Lexi Alexander on her new film

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Palestinian filmmaker and former martial artist now living in Ireland has been sharing her story as her new movie hits streaming platforms this week...

Will we ever see women priests in the Catholic Church?

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Although she is now happily married, Seán’s guest has always felt a calling to the priesthood, and has spent decades trying to change the Church’...

Dealing with condensation season

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Condensation season has arrived… hurray?As the weather turns colder, you will find water vapor building on the insides of your windows, especially i...

How education saved refugee Islam Borinca’s life

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A visiting lecturer at UCD has been speaking about the pivotal role Ireland played in helping him process his survivor’s guilt after fleeing war-tor...

The importance of teaching children creative writing

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From Stephen King to George Saunders ,there is no shortage of authors willing to put their insights on how the greats write and how you can do it bett...

Have we reached peak social media?

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Be honest, how many hours are you spending scrolling, tapping and watching social media?Are you permanently attached to your phone, or have you decide...

How do cigarette sting operations work in Ireland?

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, Revenue seized 112 million illicit cigarettes in Ireland. The black market trade in tobacco products is big business. So, how do tobacco co...

The ecological consequences of Lapland tourism

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, over 14,000 Irish people visited Lapland. Over the past 30 years, tourism to the northern Finnish territory has exploded. Now, a new invest...

Why are cases of TB skyrocketing?

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a disease which many of us thought had been fairly much eradicated, but cases of TB are at their highest level since 2018, and could hit 300 by...

The American woman who found love in Lisdoonvarna!

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seán’s guest decided, on a whim, to visit Ireland last month for the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival after hearing a reference to it on the hit T...

Remembering author Jilly Cooper

06 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Author of ‘Riders’ and ‘Rivals’, Jilly Cooper, has passed away. Perhaps best known for her bingeable bonkbusters, she brought joy to millions ...

Can ‘swag gap’ relationships last?

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can ‘swag gap’ relationships truly last?This new ‘gap’ that’s been circling on social media refers to when one partner is much cooler than t...

What is ‘Gilmore Girls Season’?

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was this very week a quarter of a century ago when Gilmore Girls premiered. It’s also ‘Gilmore Girls Season’, when every autumn devoted fans ...

Should you cook with your toddler?

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Would you let your 2 year old cook? Well, Jamie Oliver thinks you should! So much so, he is bringing out a new series of cookbooks aimed at toddlers a...

The role animals play in politics

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From Putin’s alsatian to an alligator in the White House, pets have played a surprising role in politics.Joining Seán to discuss is Peter Cardwell,...

Will Ireland win the World Porridge Making Championships?

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This Saturday will see the annual World Porridge Making Championships take place in Scotland.Mayo’s Rebecca Holohan will be representing Ireland, an...

Maynooth University celebrates 25 years of its Psychology Department

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘Change is possible’ - that’s the message of Doctor and Neuroscientist Brian Pennie, who is about to deliver his first talk at Maynooth Universi...

Have we gotten ruder? - Henry McKean Asks

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are we ruder in traffic than before? Have we lost our manners? Have we lost all courtesy and decency, and have we stopped saying thank you to the bus ...

What is life like in Gaza currently?

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We saw overnight the detention, by Israeli forces, of activists on the Sumud Flotilla headed for Gaza, including a number of Irish citizens...It comes...

Are the Simpsons still relevant?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Simpsons is the longest-running sitcom in US history, but is the world’s favourite yellow family still relevant?US-based Journalist and Simpsons...

Why are we obsessed with drinking water?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are we obsessed with drinking water?Hydration has been at the centre of social media trends and even has its own hashtag on TikTok: #WaterTok.Buzzy ne...

How to set up a bird table for the winter

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the cold evenings close in, now is the ideal time to set up a bird table in the garden, or even attached to a window if you live in an apartment. B...

Migrant nurses falling victim to visa scams

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine uprooting your life, spending thousands of euros, jumping through every hoop - only to land in a country with no job waiting for you. That’s...

Should we call Ireland a ‘kip’?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There’s one thing that unites Irish people everywhere: we love to give out about the state of the place… but, heaven help anyone else who dares do...

US Government shuts down - what does that mean?

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The U.S. Federal Government has ground to a halt in what’s known as a ‘shutdown’. But, what exactly does that mean, and why does it keep happeni...

Is wallpaper making a comeback?

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Wallpaper is back in, and it’s louder, bolder and more vibrant than ever.Wallpaper is all the rage for 2026, and have been hailed by interior design...

Have you ever had a paranormal encounter?

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever seen or heard something unusual or unnerving that you can’t explain, have you ever had an encounter with paranormal activity? Well if ...

The causes and effects of CTE

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Increasingly, in cases of death by suicide or mass shootings, CTE is a factor. It's a condition that can bring dramatic changes to someone, more likel...

New Picasso exhibition to be showcased in Ireland

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A brand-new exhibition showcasing the breadth of Picasso’s work will be opening at the National Gallery of Ireland.‘Picasso: From the Studio’ wi...

Why do we love to gossip? - Henry McKean Asks

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A survey has revealed just how much people like to gossip. Here in Ireland is it a part of the fabric of society?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been ge...

New edition of Elizabeth Shaw’s memoir published

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While Elizabeth Shaw may not be well known here in Ireland, the Belfast-born author has been a household name in Germany ever since she travelled to t...

The importance of complaining

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

People are being reminded about the importance of complaining.According to Irish Examiner Consumer Columnist, Caitríona Redmond, complaining can actu...

Are car ads selling a myth?

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whenever you see an advert for a car brand on television, the visuals usually centre on open roads in a vast landscape, with the driver emanating a se...

Making conception sex more fun

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Davina McCall’s new book, she talks about the challenge of keeping sex interesting and less functional while couples try to conceive. So, how do ...

Corkman receives award for tending to unclaimed Air India grave

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A man who has spent the past four decades tending to the graves of the only two unclaimed victims of the 1985 Air India disaster has been honoured by ...

Dealing with the scourge of ‘shoddy signage’

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Councillor in Limerick city is calling for businesses to take more responsibility for their shopfronts and to reduce the scourge of shoddy signage.J...

Why is Biden’s Presidential portrait an Autopen?

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the White House released a video of the new ‘Presidential Walk of Fame’, featuring portraits of American Presidents. But, one particula...

Is the Riyadh Comedy Festival whitewashing a regime?

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the Saudis have invested enormously over the past few years into sports such as soccer and golf, they are now stepping into the cultural arena, ...

What is it like to be an erotica voiceover actor?

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You know those saucy books your nana might read on holiday? What is it like to voice the audiobook for them?Joining Seán to discuss the world of erot...

What are AI ‘Griefbots’?

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI griefbots are personas made to fill in for a deceased individual. They can be used to help people grief a loved one’s death, by talking to an AI ...

Exploring deaf culture with ‘Her Father’s Voice’

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A Dublin-based Playwright is exploring deaf culture with a creative, innovative spin in his new play.Shane O’Reilly’s play ‘Her Father’s Voice...

How do you make a ‘human tower’?

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Human towers, or ‘castells’ as they are known in Catalonia, are hugely popular in their home country, but now there is a club in Dublin.So, how do...

Why is Rihanna’s baby’s middle name ‘Irish’? 

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Rihanna has posted on her socials that her new baby is called Rocki Irish Mayers. So, what’s the connection to Ireland, and is it unusual to name a ...

The Art of Small Talk

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

People who engage in small talk have the potential to live longer than those who don’t.An article recently published in the Irish Examiner explored ...

Why special needs education needs to be more inclusive

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the Government commits to establishing more places in special needs schools and special needs classrooms, John’s guest is calling for a different...

Why does Trump have beef with the UN building?

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

During a lengthy digression of his address to the UN yesterday, US President Donald Trump complained that the floors in the UN building are terrazzo i...

Do younger generations always get criticised by older ones?

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The pile on against Gen Z is unrelenting, but have older generations always looked at young people with a sense of distaste?Corkonian Ross Frenett, CE...

Could data centre heat be the answer for our energy crisis?

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Could heat generated from data centres be the answer for our energy crisis?Heat produced in an Amazon data centre in Tallaght is already being used to...

How fashionable is Limerick?

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When you think of Fashion you think of New York, London, Milan, but what about Limerick?Well, plans are afoot for Limerick to get its very own fashion...

Why you shouldn’t wear shoes indoors!

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you wear shoes indoors? It might be time to stop, unless you enjoy carrying in bacteria from the less hygienic outside world…Dr Primrose Freeston...

How do ordinary people in Israel live with next door’s genocide?

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One question that many find hard to understand is how ordinary Israelis can go about their daily lives with a genocide happening or their doorstep…P...

Harry Styles runs marathon in under 3 hours - how hard is that?

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is there anything Harry Styles can’t do?The musician impressed fans by running the Berlin Marathon in under three hours… So just what kind of a fe...

How the Irish gay rights movement was organised

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new book chronicles how the gay rights movement was organised in Ireland, and examines what lessons can be learnt from its losses and successes, and...

Coping with the loss of a parent

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The loss of one’s parents can be a ‘deeply traumatic’ experience for both young and old.That’s according to Journalist Deirdre O’Shaughnessy...

Free cloth nappy scheme rolled out to maternity hospitals

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme is now being rolled out to more and more maternity hospitals around Ireland, with Cork being the latest to introduce ...

Are smaller beds better for your marriage?

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

According to the actor Matthew McConaughey, sleeping in a smaller bed really helped his relationship with his wife.Is this something we should all be ...

Having survivor’s guilt after leaving Gaza

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Faten Alsourani left Gaza to come and study in Ireland, and continues to work here today. However, she still has family living in Gaza, including her ...

“No bum hole needed” for prostate cancer exam - Henry McKean Reports

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Marie Keating Foundation is trying to raise awareness around prostate cancer, including how you now only need to take a blood test to check for it...

Would you homeschool your child?

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the number of families choosing to homeschool their children has risen over the past few years, does the national curriculum matter for these ki...

Road bowling is making a comeback!

22 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's road bowling season, and a major international event: the King and Queen of the Roads just wrapped up.One of the event organisers, Séamus Ó Tua...

Why are you not allowed to swim in Venice’s canals?

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A couple from the UK have been banned from Venice after they were caught swimming in the Grand Canal. They were spotted by gondoliers and reported to ...

What is ‘Extended Reality’ in film?

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

‘Extended Reality’ is the new coming of age thing at the Venice Film Festival.The Venice immersive section of the Venice International Film Festiv...

How parents can benefit from ‘adult-only’ time

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is an adult-only getaway the key to keeping your marriage alive, and where does AI come in? And, how difficult is it for parents of young children to ...

How a few drinks can make you speak a language better!

19 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If you've ever been on holiday and found yourself speaking the local language with the waiter a little too well, it may be because of the few drinks y...

Rare Saturn celestial event to take place this weekend

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This Saturday morning will bear witness to a once in every 15 years celestial event, the passage of Titan in front of Saturn, and will be visible from...

Are young people afraid of causing offence?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are young people more consumed with self doubt and a fear of causing offence than other generations? And if so, what can be done to make them more res...

Could electronic conveyancing help the housing crisis?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Electronic conveyancing could cut the time taken to buy a home to as little as four weeks.Secure, paperless and electronic conveyancing processes woul...

What it’s like travelling with a ‘bad’ passport

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you dread the hassle of travel?Well, if you’re an Irish passport holder, you may take for granted being able to travel without the panic of a vis...

Why can’t students cook?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A recent survey in the UK shows that over half of college students admit to only being able to cook up to 5 meals – and these include the likes of i...

Gender reveal parties - here to stay or a flash in the pram?

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cover your ears, superstitious listener, because this new generation of parents will cause you to toss all the salt and make you bless yourself into o...

How a ‘claw shoe’ helped pole vaulter break world record

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When Mondo Duplantis broke the world pole vaulting record this week, attention turned to his unusual ‘claw shoes’...So, what are they, and how do ...

Is Trump hurting free speech by suing the press?

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Donald Trump has announced that he will sue the New York Times for 15 billion dollars for alleged defamation. The US President now has several major a...

The most public company breakups

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Jerry Greenfield has quit the ice cream maker after almost 50 years at the company; this is over the brand's new ties w...

Why the Steve Biko case is being reopened

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was almost 50 years ago when the anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko was viciously beaten to death while in custody. His story became the subject of...

Why you shouldn’t scroll on the toilet!

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new medical study has found that people who spend time scrolling social media while sitting on the toilet are far more likely to develop hemorrhoids...

Climate change to blame for 16,500 deaths in Europe this summer

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Extreme temperatures caused by global warming may have caused 16,500 deaths across Europe this summer.New research from the Grantham Institute in the ...

How mobility dogs are helping children with mobility issues

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A study led by Trinity College has shown improvement in physical activity and social engagement in children with mobility issues when a specially trai...

Remembering Robert Redford

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Redford, American actor and Director, has died at the age of 89.Joining Seán to look back on his legacy is Esther McCarthy, Film Critic.

71 year old wins the Liffey Swim!

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Having completed the Liffey Swim 55 years in a row, Dublin native Derek ‘Bimbo’ Wilkes has once again claimed victory for the first time since 198...

Are you still stuck in your childhood bedroom?

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There are now more adults living at home with their parents than ever before...And as the housing crisis deepens, the latest 2022 census data showed t...

The problems with ‘Supercar Season’ in London

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As ‘Supercar Season’ in London draws to a close, Mark Paul, London Correspondent for the Irish Times, has been prowling the streets of the UK capi...

What role should the President play in public life?

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Ireland looks ahead to the next presidential election, we face an important question: what role should the President play in public life?Traditiona...

Long Kesh - what was life in a 1970s internment camp like?

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The University of Galway has unveiled a new digital archive revealing what life was like in an internment camp in the 1970s. The journals and photo al...

Kristin Hannah on her recent book ‘The Women’

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seán’s guest is a multimillion bestselling author. Her recent book ‘The Women’, based during the Vietnam War and examining the role of American...

What are the office romance rules in Ireland?

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past couple of months, a number of high profile corporate executives have either been fired or resigned over romances with their employees. B...

Will the Government pass the Occupied Territories Bill?

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Irish Government is once again being urged to prioritise the Occupied Territories Bill.This comes as a report was released today, signed by 80 hum...

How did kids starting junior infants get on? - Henry McKean Reports

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Around 60,000 kids from around Ireland started school for the first time recently. We decided to follow junior infants from their first day and then r...

Phill Jupitus on returning to the Galway Comedy Festival

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Marking the return of the Galway Comedy Festival, which takes place this October Bank Holiday, Seán is joined by Comedian Phill Jupitus!Image: Off th...

What is the World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship?

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland isn’t exactly overflowing with world champions, but we could potentially have a new one next week…Emma Quirke is the world’s 3rd best Di...

Is there life on Mars?

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

NASA’s Perseverance Rover has been on Mars since February 2021.Its mission is to seek signs of ancient life and collect samples of rock and regolith...

What is ‘Shrekking’ in the dating world?

12 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you heard the term ‘Shrekking’ before?It seems to be the latest buzzword in dating, where women go on dates with men they consider to be much...

Would you get a robot massage?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While you might love the precision pressure of a massage, would you surrender your body to the tentacles of a robot masseuse? This is exactly what Seá...

How different are outdoor sculptures to indoor art?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s biggest sculpture event, Sculpture in Context, is currently taking place at the Botanic Gardens in north Dublin, with all the pieces locat...

How three men in Cork delivered the news of Abraham Lincoln’s death

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was 160 years ago when President Abraham Lincoln was shot dead in a theatre in Washington DC. However, it took 12 days for this news to arrive in E...

Does it pay to be passive aggressive?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Offices can be notorious places for passive aggressive behaviour, as can people’s homes. But, can this type of action ever be truly effective?Journa...

What does a legal support boat do?

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which is currently sailing through international waters towards the shores of Gaza in an attempt to break Israel’s illega...

Developing Dublin, little by little

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An underground metro service, a city centre lido - many impressive proposals have been suggested to transform life in the capital.But while we wait fo...

Should you build a pond in your garden?

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While a garden pond might be something nice to look at, they are also a bountiful source for biodiversity. But, how do you build one, and what assista...