Moncrieff

What does it take to join a board?

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you have skills that you think would help a charity organisation?Or have you always thought about volunteering but never got around to it?In this c...

Europe or the US - The geopolitical choice facing Ireland

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland is facing a geopolitical choice that is pulling us in two different directions.We are not just witnessing a drift in the Transatlantic Allianc...

What is the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards?

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The shortlist for this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has been announced. But, what is it about these photographs that captures people’...

The dark side of drinking during the winter months

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With the clocks wound back an hour over the weekend, the days are getting darker, and so is our mood.Seasonal affective disorder is not a myth, and pe...

How easy is it for first time buyers to really buy a home?

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly every day, you see headlines of rising property prices and the lack of supply of homes for people to buy and live in, but at the same time, in ...

What making friends with AI is like

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If sci-fi writers are to be believed, we're only a few years away from a world in which some, or even most, of our friends are artificial. Some might ...

Can the US bullying on climate change be overcome?

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This day next week, world leaders will gather in the city of Belem on the banks of the Amazon to start the Cop30 climate negotiations.And though a sci...

The history of daylight saving time

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As we prepare to turn back the clocks this weekend, you might be surprised to discover the history of Daylight Savings Time and how it all began durin...

Booker Prize announce Children’s Fiction category

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Booker Prize has announced that, for the very first time, they will be including a category for Children’s Fiction, with authors eligible to win...

Hiring an escort for your 70th birthday

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When approaching a milestone birthday, many of us do take time to reflect on life and maybe plan something special to celebrate. For most seventy year...

Is there such a thing as ‘culchie culture’?

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a culchie, and is there such a thing as culchie culture? Writer and Irish Times journalist Patrick Freyne has been musing on this matt...

Life-sized dinosaur animatronics on sale in New Jersey

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

More than 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs in New Jersey are up for grabs on Facebook Marketplace.It follows the imminent closure of the Field Stat...

The growing trend for ‘women’s sheds’

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the men’s shed concept has been an enormous success around the country, there is now a growing trend for women’s sheds, but what’s the dif...

Debunking hair care myths

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You have probably seen ads for hair care products that make huge promises, with ingredients you've never heard of. What should you actually do with yo...

Should Trump be allowed to demolish parts of the White House?

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the wrecking ball eviscerated the East Wing of the White House this week, concern is growing about Trump’s plans for the historic compound.Joinin...

Should you bring your authentic self to work? - Henry McKean Asks

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The former British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg recently shared a story of his first day working at Meta. He told employees not to bring their 'au...

Is raking leaves bad for the environment?

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You might have spent hours raking leaves this week, but from an environmental perspective, should we even touch the fallen leaves?Dr Michelle McKeown ...

New film examines the life of Gerry Adams

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new film on Gerry Adams’ life has hit the silver screen in Irish cinemas.‘Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man’, created and produced by Trisha Ziff...

Séamus Boland on his journey after dropping out of school at 13

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Next summer, you may have a teenager in the house worried sick over their Leaving Cert results. If that’s the case, you can tell them about Séamus ...

Has the humanitarian crisis in Sudan been ignored?

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With a ceasefire ongoing in Gaza, there are questions asked as to why the conflict in Sudan has been largely ignored... So, what is next on the world’...

Should you be a night owl or an early bird?

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Some of us are night owls, some of us are early birds.  But, is it better to be one or the other, can you change your circadian rhythm, and ...

How to spot a deepfake video

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know how to identify a deepfake video?With AI technology now so advanced, the chances are that you have fallen for something online which actua...

The progress being made in diagnosing and understanding austism

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Neil Kenny,  Associate Professor and researcher at the School of Inclusive and Special Education at DCU joined Sean to chat about t...

A fifteen year mision to translate the work of Plato

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An Irish academic has become the first person since the 19th century to translate the dialogues of Plato.  Dr. David Horan, Trinity College ...

Why are parks the hottest place to find love in China?

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Did you know that Parks are where many people in China are finding love? Sean was joined by Mairead Loughman Matchmaker at Love HQ Matchmaking&nb...

The Hypocrisy Trap

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Author of ‘The Hypocrisy Trap’, Michael Hallsworth, chatted to Sean about his new book

Why do Gen Z hate horror movies?

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sean was joined by, Dr Sarah Cleary,  Horror consultant and writer of the myth of harm, to discuss whether the Gen Z  generation a...

Why greater protection for those living in informal rent arrangements is needed

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sean was joined by Valesca Lima  Assistant professor at Dublin City University, researching housing policy and governance, to discuss t...

Has Gaza ever been at peace?

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The fragility of the Gaza ceasefire was all too evident over the weekend, and it’s just the latest incident in the seemingly interminable conflict t...

How do you get stolen museum pieces back?

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seven minutes is all it took for thieves to steal “priceless” jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris, but now as the hours go by - what are the ch...

Should personal finance be taught in schools?

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Should we be teaching personal finance in school?Experiences shared by people looking back on their school days reveal that most students of business ...

Are your 40s really your best decade? - Henry McKean Asks

20 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In an interview this weekend, Colin Farrell described his forties as his most meaningful and beautiful decade.For most people, what is the best decade...

New service lets you view Earth like an astronaut

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A new service has launched which allows you to see the world like an astronaut. With three cameras installed on the International Space Station, you c...

The cathartic role of ghost stories

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Seán’s guest grew up surrounded by ghost stories, and has now written one for kids. But, can spooky tales be good for children, and what role do th...

What is the dinosaur super highway?

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Fossilized remains can tell us all sorts of things about the anatomy of the great beasts of the past like dinosaurs, but they don’t really tell us m...

The man with the longest name in the world

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you thought about changing your name?Laurence Watkins from New Zealand is the Guinness World Record Holder for the longest name, which takes long...

The history of anaesthesia

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Today is World Anaesthesia Day, which marks the first successful demonstration of the inhalation of ether vapour as a means of overcoming pain of surg...

Why do old buildings keep getting demolished?

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While we may say that we love and treasure old buildings, the reality is that many of these are torn down and demolished with new, better fit-for-purp...

Do Irish people have ‘donation guilt’?

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is there any escape from charity chuggers or energy switchers showing up at your door?Doctor and Columnist with the Irish Independent, Máire Treasa N...

Do we need a National Wills Register?

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Government is being called on to create a National Wills Register, in line with the policies of some other EU countries. But, what would be the po...

The politics of family WhatsApp groups - Henry McKean Reports

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you in a family WhatsApp group? If so, what are the criterias to be included? Is there a group for the core family, one for extended relatives and...

New theory challenges the origin of the Book of Kells

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While every Irish schoolchild has traditionally been taught that our most famous book originated on the island of Iona, an argument has now been put f...

Has the gay rights movement and liberalism overreached?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Around Ireland and in Europe, the gay rights movement has had extraordinary success. Many would argue that there is more work to be done.However, Rona...

Should there be a dedicated government agency for returning diaspora?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Roughly 30,000 Irish emigrants return to Ireland each year to live. But, this process is both bureaucratically and emotionally challenging. Now, there...

How harmful is food fear mongering?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re all well used to being told what we should and shouldn’t be eating, and the latest food boogeyman is UPFs, or Ultra Processed Foods.You like...

The remarkable history of regenerative medicine

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While plastic surgery and other tweaks to the human anatomy seem par for the course nowadays, it can be easy to forget that these groundbreaking surge...

What makes a good portrait photo - and why is Trump’s so bad?

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is that photo of Trump on the cover of Time magazine really ‘the worst of all time’?The US President certainly seems to think so, and has been hit...

Starting a music career in your 70s

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Unless you’re the Rolling Stones or you’ve been on the road for decades, the music business is generally something people try to make a career of ...

Who was the best Irish President?

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

You may have been listening to the Pat Kenny show this morning as Catherine Connolly and Heather Humphreys continued to make their respective cases to...

When will the issue of dereliction be solved?

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It was reported yesterday that Cork City Council had collected less than a third of derelict site levies over the last five years.This is just the lat...

Ireland’s national bird is in danger

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know what Ireland’s national bird is? Well, it’s now on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern…Joining Seán to discuss is Nature ...

Daughter takes her own life after using ChatGPT as therapist

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Twenty nine year old Sophie took her own life earlier this year, and in her grief her mother Laura Reiley is putting together the pieces of what happe...

Ireland’s vibrant farming past

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A newly-published book has taken a dive into Ireland’s vibrant farming past.From evictions and land wars, to golden harvests and dancing at the cros...

Is ‘Green Crime’ an ignored issue?

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When we talk about the climate crisis, we often tend to couch the conversation in terms of negligence or poor corporate governance, as if environmenta...

Trinity College’s lesser-known zoological museum

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Trinity College is home to the book of Kells and its iconic Library, which makes it one of Dublin's most popular tourist attractions.But, the universi...

How do you manage rising food costs? - Henry McKean Asks

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is there a supermarket price war coming? The German supermarkets have reduced the price of its home brand 2 litre of milk by 10 cent, the first price ...

How do Israelis feel about the new ceasefire?

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

All eyes are focused today on Israel as the peace deal begins, with Hamas releasing the remaining hostages alive...There have been scenes of celebrati...

Hotel in Poland launches initiative to boost birth rates

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Free Christening parties are being offered to couples who conceive during their stay at a hotel chain in Poland.There’s more – each employee will ...

Would you try yoghurt made from ants?

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Scientists and gourmands in Copenhagen have taken to producing yoghurt using the fermenting properties of ants. But, how does it all work?Seán’s gu...

The history of collecting

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of us will remember collecting stamps or football stickers or stationary or something of that ilk as a child.But, is that a modern phenomenon, o...

Is multitasking a myth, and just how harmful is it for our brain?

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Experts are debunking the myth of multitasking, but in such a fast-paced world, how else can we possibly keep up?Psychology Professor at Stanford Univ...

Travelling on your tod!

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever travelled on your tod? Well, travel agents say solo travel is on the rise - and not just among singletons.Newstalk's Sarah Madden r...

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...