Lunchtime Live

Your hallway is one of the first impressions people get of your house, so how do you make it stand out?This week, the Home Squad are focusing on hallways, and how to get the most out of yours!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Jenny Butler, Interior Architect,  Designer & Director of Jennifer Anne Interior.

Online dating can be full of highs and lows, but what is it like swiping when you’re in your 70s and the dating pool is even smaller?Journalist Elaine Kingett is 76, and she wrote a piece about her experience dating for the Daily Mail. She joins Andrea to discus…

Do you enjoy family holidays? Or is it just parenting away from home with less resources...Host of the ‘Stretch Marks’ podcast, Sinead O’Moore, is just back from Rome with her two young children and she found herself airtagging the kids to make sure they were safe…She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as Yvonne Reddin, Travel Journalist, Newstalk’s Adrian Barry and more.

Why are cruise ships prone to disease outbreaks? Between the hantavirus and now another cruise ship in Bordeaux with an outbreak of norovirus - why are we hearing of so many outbreaks?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr. Vikram Niranjan, Assistant Professor in Public Health in the University of Limerick.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through the Calvin Harris album ‘18 Months’!

Earlier this week, footage emerged of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern canvassing door to door.The footage, which has sparked controversy, shows Bertie sharing his views on immigration in Ireland. Regardless of the comments themselves, it raises a broader question for listeners: is it fair to record and release footage of someone without their consent?Andrea is joined by Barrister and Senior Council, Ronan Lupton, author and Journalist, Valarie Cox and more to discuss.

With Eric Clapton ending his concert early after being struck by a vinyl record while performing in Madrid, we want to know: has concert etiquette gone to the dogs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Hothouse Flowers Musician and Broadcaster Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Claire Howlin, Assistant Professor in University College Dublin in Psychology and Newstalk’s Ciara Treacy.

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

More than 200 websites targeting Irish consumers were identified as scams last year, including fake online stores and fraudulent loan providers falsely claiming regulation by the Central Bank of Ireland.Financial scams in Ireland have surged by 52% in just one year, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of online fraud targeting consumers…Have you ever been scammed? What did you do about it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Chair of Cybersecurity at Munster Technical University, Hazel Murray, as well as listeners.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to discuss everything around monitoring fetal movement.

You may remember over the last number of months that Andrea has been speaking to Tony Murray and many parents like him talking about how they are worried about what will happen to their children with intellectual disabilities after they die...Sinéad McGrath from the Before We Die campaign joins Andrea to discuss as the group are doing an information event for parents.

Tipperary County Council has passed a motion calling for the abolition of the Universal Social Charge.USC was introduced as a temporary measure 15 years ago, so do we still need to be paying it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Independent Economist Jim Power, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail to answer any of your train-related questions!

Author and baker Graham Herterich never loved the length of a novel but found his niche with culinary reads. He reads cookbooks for fun! Do you?Graham joins Andrea to discuss.

The National Ambulance Service personnel will stage a 24-hour strike today over pay disputes.Have you had an experience of calling an ambulance? Have they helped you? What do you think of this strike?Joining Andrea to discuss is Angie Baily, Fine Gael Councillor in Tralee, David Hall from Life Line Ambulances and listeners.

Knock Airport celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. What has the impact been on the people in the west of Ireland since?Joining Andrea to discuss is Joe Gilmore, Managing Director of Knock Airport, Paddy Judge, the pilot of the first commercial flight into Knock airport with Aer Lingus and Terry Riley, author of ‘On a Wing and a Prayer’.

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week!Image: Disney+

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

For 40 years, The George has been at the heart of Dublin’s LGBTQ+ community and nightlife scene. As the iconic venue marks this major milestone, Andrea is joined by General Manager Daragh Flynn, Davina Devine and more to reflect on its history, its impact, and the memories made there over four decades.

Are you determined to finally get on top of your finances once and for all?For many, looking at your bank account is something you dread, but how should we best manage what’s coming in and what’s coming out?For this first edition of Finance Matters, Andrea is joined by Paul Merriman of Ask Paul to discuss tackling your finances, and answer any of your questions!

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Investigations Editor at the Sunday World, author and podcaster Nicola Tallant, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions about gangland journalism!

One of the most recognisable and loved voices on the planet, Sir David Attenborough, turns 100 today!How much of a fan are you? Have you ever met him?Joining Andrea to discuss is Éanna Ní Lamhna, Biologist, Environmental and Wildlife Consultant, Tina Claffey, Wildlife Photographer and listeners.Image: BBC

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a ‘silent’ cancer, because its symptoms can be vague and easily mistaken for everyday issues. In Ireland, hundreds of women are diagnosed each year, often at a later stage…Joining Andrea to share her experience is listener Dee Flannelly, as well as Dr Claire Thompson, a Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.

When is the right time to move home? This is a question facing many Irish emigrants, whether they be living in Sydney, Singapore or Seville - this decision is not one taken lightly...Mum of two, Andrea, has been documenting her family's move home from Australia on Tiktok (@homeandfaraway).Andrea is joined by listeners, including Andrea, to hear their stories…

Eamon Torsney from the Newstalk Newsroom joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week you might have missed!

With the rising cost of tickets, many people are missing out on sporting events and concerts…Have you missed out on any of these events due to ‘ticketflation’?Joining Andrea to discuss is Siobhan O’Neill Whyte from Mams.ie, as well as listeners.

The good weather is certainly returning, and hopefully here to stay, so it’s time to get the garden furniture out of the shed!This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all things garden furniture.Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Brian Burke, Woodie’s DIY & Garden Expert and RTÉ Super Garden Judge.

Andrea’s guest has been expected to pay €276.42 in custom’s charges for her own Kindle after leaving it in a hotel in London…Celeine joins Andrea to explain what happened, and Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Caitríona Redmond, joins to discuss.

Social Media Executives from platforms including TikTok and Snapchat faced questioning from TDs and Senators this morning over the measures they are taking to protect children online.The investigation’s aim is to establish whether so-called “dark patterns” are being used to discourage users from opting out of recommender systems based on the profiling of their data and behaviour, in breach of EU law.Do you know what your children are exposed to online, and should we bring in more bans to protect young people from social media platforms?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, Columnist for the Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy and more.

With the Atlantic cruise ship suffering from an outbreak of hantavirus docking in Tenerife - how are locals feeling about it?Are you worried about hantavirus?Joining Andrea to discuss is local resident Dee Daniels and Andrew, AKA @The Knights-trider on Tiktok and Instagram.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through the life and work of The Strokes!

There’s growing pressure on the FAI to boycott the Ireland v Israel football match after two major figures in Irish football, Brian Kerr and Louise Quinn, joined a campaign for the Nations League games not to be played. The FAI says it has no choice, and that refusing to play would seriously damage Irish football.So, should Ireland be refusing to play the game? If it goes ahead, will you watch it?Joining Andrea to discuss this is Daniel Lambert from Irish Sport for Palestine and Bohemians FC Chief Commercial Officer, Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and listeners.

With hospital goers around the country spending a whopping 17 million euro on car parking charges, callers chat to Andrea about the additional parking expenses when going to hospital.

Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynecologist at the National Maternity Hospital joins Andrea this week to discuss the 20 week scan.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Katie Mugan Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding & Formula Feeding Specialist to answer any of your breastfeeding questions!

Many people will have flocked to the cinema this weekend to see the Devil Wears Prada 2, and you might have spotted some very stylish outfits, including gloves by Irish Designer Paula Rowan!Paula joins Andrea to discuss.Image: 20th Century Studios

Ahead of the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in Limerick next September, some local residents are up in arms after the allocation of tickets...1,500 complimentary passes have been handed out, but these are only for people living in the postcode, rather than the Parish of Adare.Andrea is joined by Bridie Collins, Fianna Fáil Councillor for the area and listeners to discuss this.

Labour Councillor Alison Field has been fighting for a suitable school place for her son James, who has autism. Despite assessments confirming James' needs, suitable schooling options are either unavailable or oversubscribed…Now, she’s decided to take her fight to the European Parliament.Alison joins Andrea to discuss.

Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week!Image: NEON

James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, is today introducing a Bill to significantly expand and streamline the use of CCTV across Dublin.Do you agree with this, or is it considered an invasion of people’s privacy?Joining Andrea to discuss is Willie White, Artistic Director at the Dublin Theatre Festival and listeners.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Dr Daryl Hendley Rooney, Museum Curator at the Little Museum of Dublin, joins Andrea to answer any of your questions around being a Museum Curator!Image: Little Museum of Dublin

While it’s customary to see people eat on their own around town, where do we stand about a night in the town with only ourselves as company?Would we rather be surrounded or do we embrace the table reservation for one? Would you go for a drink or dinner on your own?Joining Andrea to discuss this is Lise Hand, Journalist and Commentator, as well as listeners.

Around 26,000 people have applied for HSE funding to take Saxenda, one type of weight loss drug, since 2023. But, if you’re already on weight loss medication - how has it affected you?Joining Andrea to discuss their experiences is Writer and Director Amanda Brunker, as well as listeners.

A number of residents who have installed EV charging bollards in Adamstown have been given notice to remove them, but why exactly?Joining Andrea to discuss is Derren Ó Brádaigh, Sinn Féin Representative for Lucan, Derek Reilly from Nevo.ie and Bhauna Rana, a resident who has been impacted by this.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

First time buyers will now be able to borrow up to 5 times their salary to buy a home, under new proposals by Nua Money. This would be a change from the standard 4 times your salary, and would potentially return to Celtic Tiger lending patterns...So, is this a good move?Joining Andrea to discuss is Ray Cooke from Ray Cooke Auctioneers, Chrissy Hughes, who runs @firsttimebuyersireland on Instagram and listeners.

Inbuilt furniture is having a moment again, from fitted wardrobes and window seats to media walls, but when does it work, and when should you avoid it?This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all about built-in spaces!Joining Andrea to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Jenny Butler from Jennifer Anne Interiors.

Oprah Winfrey has announced that she is coming to Dublin for a special event in the 3Arena. Would you be interested in going?Joining Andrea to discuss is Alexandra Ryan, CEO & Founder of Goss.ie and Norma Murphy, Co-Founder and Creative Director of ‘Up Close With’.

Once again, public transport options are limited for the bank holiday weekend. For DART users, there will be no dart from Connollly to Malahide to Howth, with a number of stations closed, and no additional buses being put on…Do these closures impact your weekend plans?Joining Andrea to discuss is Social Democrats TD for Dublin Bay North Cian O’Callaghan, Alex Garvey, Committee member of Dublin Commuters, Barry Kenny from Irish Rail and listeners.

What makes a perfect host?Is it providing dressing gowns or providing a blanket for dog guests? Is there something we’re all missing?Joining Andrea to discuss is Tara O’Connor from the Designed Table, James Kavanagh, Host of The Simper Life with James and William Podcast and Hazel Burton from the Home Reset.