Lunchtime Live Highlights
3,829 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingAndrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live Highlights on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.
You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
'You miss out on a lot of the rights of passage of being a woman' - Being told you're infertile at age 13
December 15, 2023 13:55 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBIsabelle Geraghty is just 26 years of age, yet went through the menopause when she was in her teens. When she was just 13, she was told that she had premature ovarian insufficiency. Andrea was joined by Isabelle on Lunchtime Live today...
Bin wars: 'I'm going on strike' - Columnist Mary McCarthy on why she isn't emptying the bin anymore
December 15, 2023 13:03 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBColumnist with Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy has decided to put her foot down when it comes to emptying the compost bin at home. Writing on X, Mary says: 'My top gripe with the individuals I live with (my lovely family!!) is nobody empties the compost bin & nobody cleans her...except me...So now I'm going to go on strike...let's see what happens' Mary joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...
‘It’s heartbreaking’ - 10-year-old waiting for crucial spinal surgery since 2018
December 15, 2023 12:45 - 18 minutes - 17.4 MBKylie Ann Stewart is a 10-year-old girl who has been waiting for crucial surgery on her spine since 2018. If she doesn’t get the soon, she will become inoperable. Kylie Ann’s mother Catherine joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...
'A knee jerk reaction' - Draft law on the use of facial recognition technology to be published today
December 14, 2023 13:45 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBA draft law on the use of facial recognition technology will be published by the Government today. The proposed legislation would allow Gardaí use the technology when searching CCTV footage, which the Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said is vital when it comes to investigating serious crime. Following the Dublin riots last month, the offences of riot and violent disorder were also included in the legislation. What do you think about this technology being used? Andrea was joined ...
'A world first' - Ireland AM host show produced by artificial intelligence
December 14, 2023 13:12 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MBAvid breakfast TV viewers might have noticed something a bit different if they were watching Ireland AM on Virgin Media One today. The show had a ‘World First’ after it was scripted and produced by artificial intelligence. Ireland AM Presenter Tommy Bowe joined Andrea to discuss... Main image: Ireland AM hosts. Picture via @IrelandAMVMTV on Twitter
'It's a minefield' - Listener's attempt to resell tickets to U2 in Las Vegas
December 14, 2023 12:59 - 10 minutes - 9.75 MBOne of our listeners, Mick, got in touch with the show over an issue he was having reselling tickets for U2 at Sphere in Las Vegas. Mick and Sinead Ryan, presenter on The Home Show on Newstalk joined Adrian Kennedy on the show to discuss…
'You can go whenever you want' - Priest 'warmly welcomes' families at Christmas
December 14, 2023 12:50 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBApparently only just over half of us will go to a Mass over Christmas. A Newstalk Amárach poll says that 57% of us go to some sort of religious ceremony on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Andrea was joined by Fr Paddy Byrne and other listeners to discuss...
'We are suffering' - Partner of the Deliveroo rider seriously injured in an incident with a Garda car
December 13, 2023 14:42 - 8 minutes - 7.4 MBOn Saturday 28 October, Deliveroo Driver Joao Ferreira was seriously injured in an incident with a garda vehicle, losing part of his right leg.
‘He cut through everything’ - Woman left with ‘holes’ in her stomach after botched surgery in Turkey
December 13, 2023 13:35 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBSara Platt travelled to Turkey for a tummy tuck, breast augmentation and uplift after vast weight loss left her with loose skin. However things didn’t go to plan and she has been left with holes in her stomach. She joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to warn other’s about travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery...
'It's a reflection of reality' - Is there too much cursing on TV?
December 13, 2023 13:35 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MBSwearing on TV has skyrocketed in recent years with Succession and other hit series like The Wire, Peaky Blinders and Orange is the New Black ranking among the most foul-mouthed. The annual number of swear words across TV shows and films has surged from fewer than 5,000 in 1985 to over 60,000 last year, according to US recommendation service Enjoy Movies Your Way. Furthermore, a study carried out by Preply found that Succession was the series finale with the most swear words said throu...
Coping With Loneliness After Retirement
December 13, 2023 13:17 - 10 minutes - 9.29 MBAfter retirement a lot of people can find it different to make friends, it can be quite a lonely time for people when they finish up in the workplace. Brendan Kilkenny got in touch with Lunchtime Live because about 10 weeks ago he joined friends of the elderly he says it's changed his life...
Dublin City retailer 'getting robbed every week' calls for clamp down on shoplifters
December 13, 2023 12:37 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBRetailers are saying there’s been an explosion in shoplifting in the last two years. They say there’s also been an increase in the amount of violence and intimidation towards their staff. They met with TDs this morning to see if something can be done. So, I want to hear from retailers today – is this something you’re facing? Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment at 9.30am this morning.
Cooking Christmas Dinner in an Airfryer
December 12, 2023 14:45 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBThe past few years has seen people go mad for airfryers- but could you cook your Christmas dinner in one? The Firefighting Chef Paul Knapp joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live...
Apprenticeships: 'The opportunities are great'
December 12, 2023 13:41 - 19 minutes - 17.9 MBFigures compiled from the Irish Times have found that 80% of school-leavers nationally progressed to third level in 2023. It seems like the standard route for many students but - Do we put too much emphasis on third level education? Should we be encouraging more people into apprenticeships? Andrea was joined by Jonathan Graham, the Headmaster of Dundalk’s Grammar School, Kevin Moran, Owner and Project Manager of Kevin Moran Builders, Maureen Lynch, Managing Director with Hays Irela...
Botox treatments: 'It's life changing'
December 12, 2023 13:21 - 12 minutes - 11.3 MBA self-professed human guinea pig when it comes to aesthetic beauty treatments, Liz Dwyer once said that she had invested more in her face than her pension. Liz Dwyer, co-founder of Future Beauty & Health Show, and co-host of Fess Up Podcast
Coercive control: 'It comes in on every aspect of your life'
December 12, 2023 12:55 - 10 minutes - 9.87 MBDomestic Abuse survivor Nicola Hanney has said major legal and system changes are needed to protect victims of coercive control. She spoke in an RTÉ documentary about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her former partner and father of her child, Garda Paul Moody. Nicola’s decision to relinquish her anonymity was made to help break the cycle of silence that often shrouds victims of domestic abuse and coercive control. Ruth O’De from Women’s Aid joined Andrea to discuss...
Attitudes towards veganism 'are not good' in Ireland
December 12, 2023 12:35 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBAccording to new research, plant-based foods are much more appealing when not labeled as vegan. When a food gift basket said it was 'plant-based' or 'vegan' only 20 percent of people chose it but the same basket labeled 'healthy and sustainable' had a 44 percent uptake. Does it affect your purchases if you see ‘vegan’? Andrea Gilligan was joined by Sandra Higgins, Director Go Vegan World, Conor Sweeney from Dae Ice Cream and more to discuss...
Is it time to stop broadcasting mass on TV?
December 11, 2023 13:55 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBThe numbers of people watching Mass on television has fallen from an average of 47,000 viewers a week in 2022, falling to 35,000 week up to November this year. RTÉ broadcasts Mass every weekday from various churches around the country at 10.30am on the RTÉ News channel. The Sunday Mass is broadcast on RTÉ One at 11am. Is it time to stop broadcasting mass on TV? Adrian Kennedy was joined by Fr Patsy Lynch, parish priest for Ballinskelligs/Prior in Co. Kerry and other listeners to disc...
Cut-the-Cost: Where can you get the best deals on Christmas food?
December 11, 2023 13:11 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MBAs the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills. Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband, food and phone contracts. Aoife Kearns, Newstalk Reporter has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your Christmas Dinner...
'We have nowhere to go' - Leinster Young Carer of the Year and Mother facing homelessness
December 11, 2023 13:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBConor Byrne (19), recently honored as the Netwatch Leinster Young Carer of the Year, now finds himself and his mother, whom he has been caring for since the age of eight, on the brink of homelessness. Conor joined Adrian Kennedy to discuss their current circumstance...
Limerick tornado: 'The whole place just went dark'
December 11, 2023 12:35 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBA clean up is underway today after Leitrim town was hit with a localised tornado yesterday afternoon. The freak weather event happened at 12.30pm yesterday afternoon. It left cars, buildings, boats, and trees badly damaged. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Colette Scollan is a Resident of Carrick-on-Shannon, Cathy Early from Leitrim Inn and Blueway Lodge and Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather to discuss... Image: Barry Whyte
Ask Me Anything: Olympian David Gillick
December 08, 2023 14:55 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBHave you ever wondered what it would be like to be out on the road delivering the nation's post? Today on Lunchtime Live’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ Adrian Kennedy was joined by former Irish Olympian David Gillick...
'Culchie Christmas' has 'fallen out of fashion'
December 08, 2023 13:30 - 7 minutes - 6.96 MBDecember 8th, marks 'Culchie Christmas.' It's the day traditionally associated with rural Ireland descending on Dublin, Cork and other major towns and cities to do the Christmas shopping. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Bronwyn O’Neill, from Stellar Magazine and Maria C Henry, a writer in West Cork...
'They told me they'd break my neck' - Farmers fear for safety amid rise in trespassing
December 08, 2023 13:10 - 14 minutes - 13.6 MBAre there enough protections for farmers to keep them safe on their land? Young farmer Louise Crowley and Rob Lally Northwest VP of Macra na Feirme joined Adrian Kennedy on Lunchtime Live to discuss...
Shane MacGowan Funeral: 'Our beloved son here in Nenagh’
December 08, 2023 12:50 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBThe funeral of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan will be held in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary this afternoon. This morning his cortege has travelled through Dublin in procession, from South Lott's Road to Westland Row and Sweny's Pharmacy. Johnny Depp, Nick Cave and Bono are expected to be among the mourners at St. Mary's of the Rosary Church. Adrian Kennedy was joined by Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie, Labour TD Alan Kelly and more to discuss...
'It's about men being more masculine' - 'Male dating expert' David Meessen
December 07, 2023 13:50 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBLife coach and dating and relationships expert David Meessen held a dating seminar in the city last Saturday to coach men on how to find the ‘right woman’ for them. With many claiming that dating nowadays is so difficult, what does David offer that makes the process more successful. David Meessen joined Andrea in studio today...
Newstalk's Irish Christmas Guide - Food
December 07, 2023 13:10 - 12 minutes - 11.7 MBWe have teamed up with Guaranteed Irish to bring you Newstalk’s Irish Christmas Guide. Over the next 4 weeks we'll feature ideas for gifting, decorations, and festive fare – all from Irish based businesses. Discover the best ideas to make Christmas all about supporting local enterprises, in association with guaranteedirishgifts.ie. This week we put our focus on festive food. Andrea was joined by Kevin Sheridan from Sheridan’s Cheesemongers, Daryl Johnson from Buíoch chocolates, Stefanie Caf...
Disability Payment Reform: 'They expect disabled people to live in poverty'
December 07, 2023 12:57 - 10 minutes - 10.1 MBA protest is currently underway outside Leinster House over a Government proposal to reform disability payments. What does it mean for those living with a disability? Andrea was joined by Daniella and Margaret to discuss...
'They really have to be controlled' - Deer culling to go ahead
December 07, 2023 12:35 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBWith the population of deer growing exponentially, deer culling will go ahead this year to control their population and reduce various issues such as biodiversity and farm management. Many people agree with the culling of these animals while others feel there are more humane ways of controlling the animal population size. Andrea was joined by Animal Rights Activist, Gerry Boland, Damien Hannigan from The Irish Deer Commission and other listeners to discuss...
Organ donation 'changed my life'
December 06, 2023 14:30 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MBDo your family know your wishes when It comes to organ donation when you die? Despite the Human Tissue Bill passing through the Dáil, family consent is still central to organ donation in this country. Andrea was joined by Matthew McNeive, who was the recipient of a kidney when he was just 11 years old, and Colin White, the National Advocacy & Projects Manager with the Irish Kidney Association...
Deposit return scheme for plastic bottles and cans 'may create problems' for smaller businesses
December 06, 2023 13:45 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBDo you agree with the deposit scheme for plastic bottles and cans? The new scheme which comes into effect here on February 1 will see a 15 cent levy added to every aluminium can or plastic bottle sold in Ireland. Customers will then have to return their empties to the likes of these 'reverse vending machines’ in order to get that back. Andrea was joined by Sinead Ryan, presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk and other listeners to discuss...
How to Decide Who to Invite to Your Wedding
December 06, 2023 13:22 - 10 minutes - 9.39 MBLove them or loathe them – there’s nothing quite like an invite to a wedding dropping in the door – but what if you don’t make the cut? Allegedly Meghan and Harry, have not received an invitation to the wedding of their friends the Duke of Westminster Hugh Grosvenor and his fiancée Olivia Henson. But how do you navigate the tricky subject of the guest list? Journalist with the Irish Independent Kirsty Blake Knox and Jessica O'Sullivan from One Fab Day joined Andrea to discuss...
Toll prices increase 'feels like the wrong thing to be doing'
December 06, 2023 13:15 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBThe Transport Infrastructure Ireland have announced that there will be an increase in toll prices which will come into effect starting January. However, many have called on the Government to intervene as this is the second road toll hike in six months. Andrea was joined by Shane O'Donoghue from CompleteCar.ie and other listeners to discuss...
'We want our police to be respected' - Gardaí to trial new baseball caps
December 06, 2023 12:40 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MBGardaí will begin wearing baseball caps from today – and they are asking the public for opinions on the new look. Over 100 Gardaí will be sporting the new caps as part of a pilot programme in three areas. They will try out two different cap options, each for a period of two weeks. Andrea was joined by former Assistant Garda Commissioner, Pat Leahy and others to discuss...
Dublin violence 'could be the catalyst' for far-right candidate in Presidential election
December 05, 2023 13:45 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBIs Ireland on the cusp of a Donald Trump or Argentinian Javier Milei Presidential moment? Last month saw Former TV celebrity economist Javier Milei win the Argentinan President Election, Donald Trump served as the 45th US President, while Boris Johnson served as British Prime Minister, but how close is Ireland coming to this kind of leadership? Andrea was joined by Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer in University of Galway, Paul Treyvaud, Owner of Treyvaud's Restaurant and Fine Gael MEP Seán ...
1 in 5 people will spend more on their pets than their partners this Christmas
December 05, 2023 13:08 - 10 minutes - 9.36 MBOne in five people will spend more on their pets than their partners this Christmas. Almost eight out of 10 people say they don’t ‘want them to feel left out’. Andrea was joined by Shauna Kilduff, the owner of Shauna’s Pet shop,
'Drop-off' in people learning a second language is 'concerning'
December 05, 2023 13:08 - 9 minutes - 8.81 MBA major University in Scotland is considering scrapping it’s modern languages degrees. They say there’s been a steep fall in the number of students studying modern languages. Andrea was joined by Padraig Ryan from the ELC Euro Language College, Melanie May, solo travel writer and 'Talk Travel' presenter on Dublin City FM and more to discuss...
'A good move of solidarity' - Dublin City Hall to fly Palestinian flag
December 05, 2023 12:55 - 22 minutes - 21 MBDublin City Councillors have agreed to fly the Palestinian flag over the City Hall. It will be flown in an “act of solidarity” for seven days starting this morning. Are you happy about City Hall flying the Palestinian flag? Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...
Ageing Disgracefully: 'It's about feeling good about yourself'
December 04, 2023 13:40 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBHow do you plan to grow old? Do we have to do it with grace? Or do you plan on being loud and proud in your old age? Dolly Parton, the Country Music icon dressed as a cheerleader for the Thanksgiving Day halftime show wearing short shorts and with her belly button out. Terry Prone, wrote an article on Dolly Parton and how she’s aging and she joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss. Celia Holman Lee, Model & Stylist, Kerry Hanaphy, Owner for Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic and Mari O...
Cut-the-Cost: How to dress warm on a budget
December 04, 2023 13:07 - 8 minutes - 7.63 MBAs the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite across the country, Newstalk is here to help with a new online series highlighting the best ways to save on your bills. Cut-the-Cost will offer tips and advice on how to save on everything from energy and the weekly shop to modern essentials like broadband and phone contracts. Aoife Kearns, Newstalk Reporter has done the hard work and sourced the best deals to keep you warm this winter...
'I'm not a total Scrooge' - UK Mum charging family members for Christmas Dinner
December 04, 2023 12:55 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MBWould you charge your family for Christmas dinner? It can be a quite costly meal to prepare - but is it ok to ask your family to pay? Carla Bellucci, a Mum in the UK has said she will be charging her guests £150 for dinner. Carla joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live to breakdown what guests can expect for forking out for their Christmas dinner...
GP says rise in prices 'reflects the cost of running the practice'
December 04, 2023 12:45 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBA survey has revealed how one in six are paying between €26 and €50 to see their GP, while over a third are paying between €51 and €75, with prices highest in Dublin. Are GP’s prices too high? Andrea was joined by Siobhan Chidley, GP in Kildare, Sheena Mitchell, Pharmacist, podcaster “A WonderCare Podcast”, Owner Milltown totalhealth Pharmacy and listeners to discuss...
Ask Me Anything: Postwoman
December 01, 2023 14:34 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBHave you ever wondered what it would be like to be out on the road delivering the nation's post? Today on Lunchtime Live’s ‘Ask Me Anything’ Andrea was joined by Emma Langan, Postwoman to chat on Lunchtime Live...
World AIDS Day: 'I'm very grateful that I'm still here today'
December 01, 2023 14:25 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBIf you’re out and about today, you might notice that some buildings across the country are illuminated red – not to kick off the festive season – it’s part of the Glow Red for World AIDS Day. Rebecca Tallon de Havilland and Will Kennedy joined Andrea Gilligan to discuss...
'I've never seen Star Wars or Harry Potter' - Tanya Sweeney
December 01, 2023 13:20 - 9 minutes - 9.09 MBDo you ever get that reaction when you tell people you have never seen Star Wars? Or Harry Potter, or Game of Thrones, or Breaking Bad or the Godfather? Can you believe the shock from some people when you tell them you haven’t seen a particular movie or TV show? Tanya Sweeney was writing about in the Irish Independent today, John Fardy, prsenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Tanya Sweeney joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...
'Once they're 18 you lose everything' - Parents call for better services for children with disabilities
December 01, 2023 13:00 - 15 minutes - 14 MBDo children with disabilities get enough support when they turn 18? Aisling and Lourdes are both mothers to teenagers with disabilities. They joined Andrea to discuss their experiences...
Office Christmas Parties: 'There's too many rules nowadays'
December 01, 2023 12:45 - 17 minutes - 16 MBIt’s the 1st of December, Christmas is officially here. If you’re headed to your Christmas party tonight, we want to know if you love them or hate them. Andrea was joined by Ian O'Doherty, columnist with Irish Independent, Tina Koumarianos, Agony Aunt, Louisa Meehan, HR and Mediation expert with Woodview HRM and Newstalk's Cathal O'Sullivan to discuss...
'It's not a good year for Irish music' - Kiera Dignam remembers Shane MacGowan's
November 30, 2023 16:10 - 5 minutes - 5.2 MBThe Pogues frontman and songwriter Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65. Kiera Dignam, Christy Dignam's daughter joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live this afternoon...
Shane MacGowan 'will be remembered for his brilliant songwriting'
November 30, 2023 14:10 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBThe Pogues frontman and songwriter Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65. His death was announced by his wife Victoria Mary Clarke this morning. MacGowan had suffered health issues in recent years and was only recently released from hospital after reportedly spending time in intensive care. Andrea was joined by broadcaster Dave Fanning, singer Mary Coughlan and more to remember the legendary singer...
Newstalk's Irish Christmas Guide - Toys
November 30, 2023 14:00 - 9 minutes - 8.36 MBWe have teamed up with Guaranteed Irish to bring you Newstalk’s Irish Christmas Guide. Over the next 4 weeks we'll feature ideas for gifting, decorations, and festive fare – all from Irish based businesses. Discover the best ideas to make Christmas all about supporting local enterprises, in association with guaranteedirishgifts.ie. This week we put our focus on festive toys. Andrea was joined by Cogs the Brain Shop Ruth Roberts from Cogs the Brain Shop, James Fallon from Bainisteoir Board Ga...