Moncrieff

Last year, just 213 students from Northern Ireland started university in the Republic, yet thousands went to college in England, Scotland and Wales. Why is there such a discrepancy and should more be done to create more equity between the Leaving Cert and A-Level systems?Joining Seán to discuss is Michael Cairns, the former Head of Comms at the Northern Ireland Assembly and parent who has been writing about this in the Belfast Telegraph…

Not only can ChatGPT help you cheat in a college exam - it might have mystic powers… Why? People seem to be using it for palm readings.Joining Seán to discuss is Ciara O’Brien, Business and Technology Journalist.

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss interesting cases which have remained unsolved to this day…

A survey in the UK has found that a majority of people would prefer a ban on smoking in beer gardens, but would a ban in Ireland work?Joining Seán to discuss is Simon Clarke, Director of Forest Ireland.

Seán’s guest has written a mystery novel - the twist? The titular detective is losing his eyesight, and so is his writer.Author of ‘Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit’ Tom McAndrew joins to discuss the book, which releases today.

Tonight is the 70th anniversary of Eurovision in Vienna. It’s the first of the two semi-finals, with the final on Saturday. However, 5 countries are boycotting it because of Israel’s continued participation, including Ireland. RTÉ will not air it and instead will show the ‘My Lovely Horse’ episode of Father Ted. The creator of the sitcom, Graham Linehan, isn’t happy and says using his show is a tool of “antisemitic harassment”...To discuss further, Seán is joined by Eurovision fan, Newstalk’s Henry McKean.Image: Channel 4

Seán’s guest is the current world record holder for breath holding, having been Guinness certified at an astonishing 29 minutes and 3 seconds. But, how did he do it?Croatian freediver Vitomir Maricic joins to discuss!

If you have the time, you should Google ‘boogie bounce’, you’ll see a lot of people on individual trampolines dancing and bouncing in unison.Emma Weafer, Founder of Boogie Bounce and Sister Squad is attempting to have the largest boogie bounce session in Europe this weekend at WellFest, and joins Seán to discuss!

An intimacy menu is a sexual arrangement that a couple organises in order to spice up their lives, but how does it work?Joining Seán to discuss is Sex Educator Jenny Keane…

There are certain traits that people value, and others that people hate. For some Irish people, being called tight or stingy could be one of the worst things to hear!Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Columnist with the Irish Examiner, joins Seán to discuss.

While awareness around ADHD has grown considerably over the past few years, diagnosis remains low, particularly among adults. Now, a new guide to ADHD in Ireland specifically has hit the shelves.Joining Seán to discuss is Ailín Kennedy, an ADHD Coach from Ballinora, Cork and Mike McGrath-Bryan, a writer and journalist from Mallow, Cork. They are the co-authors of ‘Have I Got Your Attention? A Guide to Adult ADHD in Ireland’...

With Lidl now selling shakti mats in the Middle Aisle, what is behind the rise in popularity of the spiky treatments, and why would someone want to inflict this on themselves?Joining Seán to discuss is Elaine Barry, a Chartered Physiotherapist who specialises in pelvic health and acupuncture, who will conduct this interview while on her shakti mat…Image: Shakti Mat USA

Immersive travel experiences are on the rise, and one offering in Lancashire, called the Retro Bungalow, transports guests back to the 1970s.Seán’s guest, Chris Moss, Travel Writer and author of ‘Lancashire: Exploring the Historic County that Made the Modern World’, visited and joins to discuss his experience.Image: The Retro Bungalow

Many of us have travelled to Disney World in Florida, but there is actually a community that lives next to the theme park, built by Disney. What is life there like?Joining Seán to discuss is Sarah Hyland, a resident of Celebration.

If your preference is to be buried after you die, does it have to be in a graveyard? Would you need special permissions to be buried elsewhere, like in your back garden?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Kate Falconer, Lecturer at the UCC School of Law and the Radical Humanities Laboratory.

An ongoing issue between North and South Korea is the way each country articulates or describes the other. Do they use their official names, or politically loaded names instead?Joining Seán to discuss this is Kevin Cawley, Director of the Irish Institute of Korean Studies at UCC…

Decades ago, long before the era of streaming, one man had the crazy idea to run a 24 hour news channel, which today still exists as CNN. That man, Ted Turner, died yesterday. What impact did he have on television?Joining Seán to look back on his legacy is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer with University of Galway.

Joanna Fortune joins Sean Moncrieff

Ireland signed the Artemis Accords yesterday at NASA headquarters, becoming one of the last EU countries to do so, but what does this mean going forward?Joining Seán to discuss is Peter Gallagher, Director of Dunsink Observatory at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, and a former employee of NASA...

In many towns and cities - there’s an ongoing struggle between those who want more areas pedestrianised, and those who don’t. This is very much the case on Drury Street in Dublin, where one of its pubs has lost its outdoor seating license.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating this, and sends in this report.

In most public places, dogs have to be kept on a lead, but why does it seem like that’s not the case, and how does it impact someone who doesn’t like dogs?Chrisse Russell, Freelance Features Writer with the Irish Independent, has been writing about this and joins Seán to discuss.

If you’re having poor luck in finding love - should you become a handyman? Apparently, women can’t get enough of them!Joining Seán to discuss this is Peter Finn AKA “Pete the Builder” and Journalist Saoirse Hanley.

German Stonecutter Julia Gebel moved to Ireland, where she joined a project conserving the Rock of Cashel.She has since set up her own company and works across multiple conservation projects.She joins Seán to discuss!

“We take our public services a bit for granted in Ireland. And they’re not always as good as they might be. But to be honest, our quality of life as a whole would be a lot poorer without them…”So writes Fergus Finlay in today’s Irish Examiner. Is he right? Do we take our public services for granted?Fergus Finlay, former political activist, the former Head of children's charity Barnardos, and co-host of the ‘Grey Matter’s podcast joins Seán to discuss.

This will sound very familiar to any parents listening who are tired of their children invading their beds; after what feels like years of musical beds, Comedian Julie Jay feels it is time to insist on mammy and daddy sharing a mattress, and keeping their kids out!She joins Tom Dunne to discuss.

A rare oarfish has been spotted on a County Clare beach.The deep-sea eel-like creature was found by a group of Brazilian friends, and in mythology is thought to signal the end of the world.So, could we be in trouble?Phil Smith, Science Communicator and Broadcaster (@philofscience on Instagram), joins Tom Dunne to discuss.

Could your decor decisions be to blame for your ever-lasting lack of a partner?One woman had been single for a decade, until Interior Designer and ‘house whisperer’ Katie Malik told her her ‘virginal’ decor was to blame for repelling men.Katie joins Tom Dunne to discuss.

A new survey has found that 47 is apparently the age where people feel their happiest. So, are you happy? And can you pinpoint when you were the happiest?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

The door from an iconic scene in the Richard Curtis film is up for auction. Why exactly has it been put up for sale now, and who would be in the market for a movie door?Joining Seán to discuss is Dan Muscatelli-Hampson from Omega Auctions.Image: Universal Studios

Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have found a copy of the oldest-known English poem. So, how did they find it, and what is the story behind it?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Mark Faulkner, from the TCD School of English.

There’s always a call for more blood donations, because supply seems to be decreasing while demand continues to go up. So, should we pay people to donate their blood?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Suzanne Crowe, President of the Medical Council and a Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care in Children’s Health Ireland Crumlin.

With rising energy costs making it a struggle for businesses, a pub in Cavan has decided to harness the power of the river which runs alongside it in order to slash their bills. Now, a pilot project is gathering pace and if successful it could be used by other pubs around the country that sit next to rivers…Joining Seán to discuss is Fergus Murphy, owner of Murph’s Gastro Pub in Butlers Bridge, Co Cavan…

Rising veterinary costs are leading to an inflated Surrender Waiting List, with increasing numbers of pet owners struggling to meet the costs associated with maintaining a pet…Joining Seán to discuss is Conor Dowling, Chief Inspector of the NSPCA.

Photographer Meryl Meisler captured New York’s wild disco era at Studio 54 and the gritty streets of Bushwick, but kept her photos hidden for decades.Now finally revealed, her work offers a rare, insider glimpse of a city and culture in transformation.She’s currently in Dublin celebrating queer friendly culture, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Britannica

Mayfly season is almost upon us, but why do they do the very unusual ‘mayfly dance’? Now, researchers think they have found the answer.Joining Seán to discuss is Sam Fabian, an Entomologist with Imperial College London…

While the world and his mother seem to be jumping on the Ozempic bandwagon, is there a danger of getting an ‘Ozempic personality’, a sort of nullifying effect on your behaviour?Joining Seán to discuss is Katie Glass, Feature Writer with the London Times…

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss cases where the person involved may not have been the one to commit the crime…

The discovery of a massive hole in the ozone layer in the 1980s sparked one of the most successful global environmental responses in history. Once-celebrated chemicals known as CFCs were found to be the cause, leading to swift international action…So, when can we see an intact ozone layer again?Joining Seán to discuss is John Gibbons, Environmental Journalist.

With your big wedding day on the way, the stress of organising the event, and the nerves around getting married in general will certainly take a toll. So, is this why ‘wedding therapy’ is becoming a bigger thing?Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and co-host of the Tough Love Podcast joins Seán to discuss.

No matter where you go in the world, you’re never too far from an Irish pub. Seán’s guest has recently released an app for Irish people abroad to find the best pubs in their area, and more importantly, connect with other Irish people in their area.David Murphy, Founder of Irish Yappers, joins to discuss.

With the 2 hour marathon finally getting broken for the first time last weekend, is this form of long distance running actually good for the body, or is it all becoming a bit cultish?Joining Seán to discuss is Christian Vince, Journalist with the Daily Telegraph, who has been writing about it…

AI isn’t just helping us write emails or plan holidays, it’s now being used as a financial therapist…More people are turning to chatbots to unpack their money habits, anxieties and spending behaviours, but can AI really help you understand your financial mindset?Journalist Saoirse Hanley put it to the test, and joins Seán to discuss.

King Charles is visiting Washington D.C., with many British commentators speculating on if the royal can repair the relationship between the US and the UK - including over an afternoon tea.So, what does the perfect afternoon tea look like?Joining Seán to discuss is Noel Cunnigham, Ambassador for Harveys Point Hotel in Donegal.

Today is National Superhero Day, and joining Seán to mark it is someone who has been big into comics since she was 4 years of age, Entertainment Journalist Olivia Fahy!

For over 300 years, public libraries have been at the very heart of communities across the country. However, libraries have been struggling recently, with Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews suggesting that they are being “ripped off” by big publishers. Barry joins Seán to discuss the danger our public libraries are facing, and what can be done about it.

Tanya Sweeney, Columnist for the Irish Independent, joins Seán to discuss her fond childhood memories of Smash Hits magazine, and how it gave a girl from the West Dublin suburbs access to the world of pop…

This is a new slot on the show where we look back on the weekend and look forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions:What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week?Joining Seán to discuss is Doireann O’Connor and Kalle Ryan!

‘Petro-masculinity’ describes a pumped-up gendered form of climate crisis rejection, which is increasingly alarming those who are trying to deal with the ongoing problems of our planet. But, how does it manifest itself?Joining Seán to discuss is Andrew Boyd, a humorist, activist and author in New York, who has been writing about this on his substack ‘The Tragic Optimist’...

The legendary bare knuckle boxer Dan Donnelly will be celebrated at a special event in the National Stadium on May 9th.Joining Seán to look back on his extraordinary life is Historian Donal Fallon…

The Government’s decision to allow modular housing units in people’s back gardens might seem like a good idea on the face of it, but will it lead to a bigger mess than we are already in?Joining Seán to discuss is Lorcan Sirr, Senior Lecturer in Housing at TU Dublin…