Moncrieff

If you want a room full of books, you don’t want them to appear in pristine condition, you want to give the impression that they’ve been well loved and read through! Because god forbid you actually read them all.Sina Najafi, Editor in Chief of Cabinet Magazine, offers a service to help, making the books appear well-read. He joins Seán to discuss.

Because of the warmer weather, we are getting through more wine. Should we go back to the 80s with the bag-in-box wine?Joining Seán to discuss is John Wilson, Wine Critic for The Irish Times.

What makes you left or right handed? The simple answer is that we’re born that way, but a new study suggests that practice might have something to do with it...Ahmet Arac, Assistant Professor in Neurology at UCLA, joins Seán to discuss.

More than a thousand scholars from the Poetry Society of America have voted on the most beautiful word in the English language.The winner? Diaphanous.So, why did this word win, and what were the runner ups?Dr. Gail Flanagan, Communication and Linguistics Lecturer in UL, joins Seán to discuss.

With the kids at home now, it may be a good time to introduce them to the world of cooking. So, where do you start?Jolene Cox, Food journalist and author of ‘Now You’re Cooking! 70 Recipes That Kids Can Make’, and her daughter Lily Mae Cox join Seán to discuss.

An Italian village in Lake Como is to impose €200 fines on male tourists with bare chests walking down the street. Henry McKean went out and asked: should we introduce fines here in Ireland, or is it ok to let it all hang out in the good weather? And, what about wearing sunscreen?He sends in this report.

The following item contains topics of school shootings and suicide. It isn't suitable for little ears and listener discretion is advised.In 2004, John Romano walked into his New York high school with a shotgun, and started firing. He was 16 years old at the time, and thankfully nobody was killed.After serving his prison sentence, he now has a quarter of a million followers on TikTok advocating for mental health, and preventing further gun violence.He joins Seán to discuss…

There was a time in Irish political history when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael believed they were diametrically opposites of each other. Now, it seems hard to believe they could hold Government without a coalition. So, should they remove all pretense, and call themselves centre right parties?David W. Higgins, Economist and Political Analyst, believes they should, and joins Seán to discuss.

From 23-26 July, the Paddy Power Comedy Festival takes place in Iveagh Gardens in Dublin. One of those performing only just recently began his first solo tour!Risteárd Cooper, comedian, actor and writer joins Seán to discuss.

When looking at options for a pint, have you thought about the early house? What exactly are they, and why are they dying out?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Daragh Curran, AKA The Guinness Guru.

With the hose pipe ban coming into effect for many counties from tomorrow, how can you ensure that your veg, herbs, and flowers survive and what exactly is allowed when it comes to the garden?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Mick Kelly, Founder of GIY in Waterford…

New research suggests that going to museums, concerts and the cinema can slow down biological ageing, similarly to exercise.So, how true does this sound?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Rose Ann Kenny, Regius Professor of Medicine, Head of Ageing Research at Trinity College Dublin.

Every Wednesday, Cassie Delaney will join to tell unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss cases where the weather was an accomplice, a witness, and, in one case, the detective!

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews says that a new amendment proposed by Reform would be against the Good Friday Agreement…He joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

The World Cup semifinals start tonight, and they may or may not end with penalty shootouts. When this possibly happens, what are the mental aspects that affect the game?Ian Robertson is a Neuropsychologist and author of ‘How Confidence Works’, and joins Seán to discuss.

A race in which Dublin’s Liberties barmen will compete in running while balancing trays of Guinness will return after 30 years…Joining Seán to discuss is Jill McCann, Community Projects Manager with Diageo.

An airport pilot has written “I’m bored” while doing a test flight.Kevin Byrne, retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Air Corps & Airport Safety and Security Auditor joins Seán to explain just how impressive that truly is…Image: flightradar24

Today is Bastille Day in France, marking the establishment of the French republic, as well as other moments in the country’s history, such as the efforts of the French Resistance.So, what role did Irish people like Samuel Beckett have in helping them during WW2?Joining Seán to discuss is Oliver O’Hanlon, Researcher on Franco Irish Relations in the Department of French at UCC.

The Bayeux tapestry from France has arrived at the British Museum after a historic transfer, but the British Museum won’t give many artefacts back to original owners. Why is that? Do they do these exchanges often? How much of their artefacts do not originate from Britain?Joining Seán to discuss is Laura McAtackney, Professor in Archaeology and the Co-Director of the Radical Humanities laboratory at University College Cork.

Public information ads used to be terrifying when we were children. This is not the case anymore, but Sinead Ryan thinks we should go back to those scary ads.The Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk joins Seán to discuss!Image: RSA

In this heatwave, you are probably sweating. A lot.So, what are the top things to do to stay cool and dry?Joining Seán to discuss is Caitriona Ryan from the Institute of Dermatologists.

Research has found the fastest spider in the world. They can move at the speed of a slow human jog!This was found as part of Shreyas Kuchibhotla’s master's thesis. He is a PHD Student at the University of Oxford, and joins Seán to discuss.

Have you ever wondered what a dinosaur costs? Apparently, up to $30 million dollars, specifically for a T-Rex skeleton. The specimen goes on display in New York before going to auction...Maria McNamara, Professor of Paleontology at UCC, joins Seán to discuss.

As the good weather continues, how are the wild animals in the zoo coping in the heat? Henry McKean visited Dublin Zoo and met the Macaques from Indonesia, an old world monkey and the Dhole, a red type wolf from Asia.He sent in this report!

While solo travelling is becoming more popular, people can still find difficulty booking activities and accommodations that seem to be built around couples. This includes families, where the automatic assumption is that there will be two parents.So, what is it like to travel as a solo parent?Linda O’Sullivan joins Seán to share her experiences.

We’re looking back on the weekend and looking 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 Maia Dunphy and Donal O'Donoghue!

The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland (JRCI) is collaborating with a group called Movement Against Anti Zionism (MAAZ) for a training course this coming Thursday called ‘Anti-Zionism as the New Anti-Semitism'. Seán’s guest is concerned that this is not representative of many Irish Jews, who are proudly anti-zionist themselves - she is against the conflation of antisemitism and anti-zionism.Ria Czerniak-LeBov, Irish Jewish artist and lecturer based in Dublin, joins to discuss.

With the current heatwave, there’s one thing you’re probably going to do in your free time: daydrinking. But, when you’re out and about with friends, how do you do it without eventually falling asleep at the table?Sarah Keogh, Registered Dietitian with Eatwell.ie joins Seán to discuss!

Should chess be recognised as a sport? Why is it not recognised as a sport here in Ireland like it is in other countries?Joining Seán to discuss is Desmond Beatty, Chairperson of the Irish Chess Union.

As the heatwave continues, Irish people will be flocking to beaches, rivers and lakes this weekend. Irish men have traditionally steered clear of the speedo, but is it time to go European and embrace it?Joining Seán to discuss is Stylist Judy Gilroy.

It’s usually customary for a visiting world leader to give a present. President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued this custom at the recent NATO summit, where he gave leaders a revolver, with six bullets…Joining Seán to discuss is James Crisp, Europe Editor for The Daily Telegraph.Image: Reuters

Big companies across the world are now developing their own distinctive fragrances for their offices, but there is a mystery around why they are actually pumping out these aromas.Joining Seán to discuss is Columnist on Corporate Life at The Financial Times, Pilita Clark…

The National Sandcastle and Sand Sculpture Competition returns to Bettystown Beach this Saturday.Joining Seán to discuss is Shauna Murphy, last year's senior sculptor winner at the National Sandcastle and Sand Sculpture Competition.

Audience-measurement company Nielsen estimates the number of “no-TV” households now stands at 424,000, or nearly 21% of the total, the confidential RTÉ briefing to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said. With so many homes now not having a TV set, what do they point the furniture at? And if you do have a TV, how do you fit it into your home design?Joining Seán to discuss is Róisín Murphy, Architect and Interior Designer.

Conor took his family to Brittany recently for a two week family holiday. What they hoped would be a beautiful getaway for his kids turned into a living nightmare when temperatures hit 40 degrees. Everything shut down and he started to fear for his children’s safety, so he made the decision to abandon the trip and return home.Conor Dowling, Green Party Councillor in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, joins Seán to discuss.

You may have seen stories about World Cup fans visiting the United States and going wild for ranch, something big stateside.So, what exactly is ranch, and why is it so popular in America?Joining Seán to discuss is Russel Alford of the Gastro Gays.

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss cases involving cults and different beliefs.

Once upon a time, friendships almost happened by accident. You met people through school, work, or as a childhood friend. Today, we're more connected than ever. We can stay in touch with friends living on the other side of the world in seconds. But making new friends as adults often feels surprisingly difficult. Have we forgotten how to make friends, and has it become easier or harder as time's gone on? Presenter Muireann O'Connell and comedian Pat Shortt join Sean Moncrieff on Then V Now to discuss.

Legend of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship, launched this month, costing $2.3 billion to build.Seán’s guest recently went on its maiden voyage. It has 20 decks and is 364 metres in length. The ship also has 28 restaurants, 17 bars and lounges, 17 pools and whirlpools (including the first suspended pool at sea), 6 water slides and 20 decks on which to house it all…Cathy Adams, News Features Editor for the London Times and the Sunday Times, joins to discuss.

Go to a gig, and you’ll see a lot of the crowd holding up their phones. Is this such a bad thing? Or should people be allowed to film the concert they’re attending if they want to?Jane Cowan, Columnist with the Examiner, is defending the right to film, and joins Seán to discuss.

After the death of a partner, it can be very difficult to consider dating again, but for others, they have the opposite experience. ‘Widow’s fire’ is a phenomenon experienced by a man or woman where they feel intense sexual desire after the loss of a partner.Karen Sutton, Widow Coach based in the UK, joins Seán to discuss.

There has been a noticeable decline in interest in the J1, the US student visa where you can work and travel across America. Once a right of passage, many Irish students have shied away from it. As the cost of living in the States is high, US immigration can ask to look through your social media feed, so some are waiting for a new White House administration.Henry McKean sent this report from the streets of New York City, speaking to bar owners and J1’ers.

It’s hard to beat a Sunday roast, and it has seemed to have a bit of a resurgence recently.So, what makes a great roast?Aisling Larkin, Food Writer and TV Chef, joins Seán to discuss.

You would not think that Irish dancing would be controversial, but the North American Irish Dance Championships & Conference is taking place in Florida - with the authorities there not wanting any transgender dancers to take part…Joining Seán to discuss is Gabrielle Siegel, former competitive Irish dancer who wrote an open letter on this subject.

Do you ever go to someone’s house, and are told to take off your shoes? Or, are you the person making that ask? Is it too much to ask?Jennifer Horgan, Columnist with the Irish Examiner, joins Seán to discuss.

During the World Cup, and many other sporting occasions, it is customary to play the national anthem of the country playing - and it seems that some countries have their own strange tradition around their anthem…Joining Seán to discuss is Daniel Hussey, Freelance Sports Journalist.

There seems to be a perception that anyone who goes against Donald Trump will suffer his wrath. Is it easier to butter him up, or simply ignore him?Joining Seán to discuss is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist at the Journal.ie.

As you’ve probably heard, Swifties around the world are ablaze with speculation that Taylor Swift will be having her wedding in Madison Square Garden in New York. So, with a seemingly big show on the way, what is the line between Taylor the brand and Taylor the person?Joining Seán to discuss is Lorraine Carter, Brand Expert with Persona Design.

Are we better at communicating than we used to be back in the day? We can send a message across the world in seconds, stay in constant contact, and never be more than a phone call away. But are all those ways of connecting actually bringing us closer together? From texting versus calling, to the art of letter writing, Sean is joined by author Barbara Scully and comedian Shane Daniel Byrne to explore whether modern life has made us better communicators or whether we were actually better at it in the past.

Of all the places you might find love, when would the ‘Dull Men’s Club’ cross your mind?For Lili Malatratt, it’s where she met her husband! She joins Seán to share her story, and explain what the group is.