Highlights From Lunchtime Live

If you’ve a sick family member, you know the struggles of keeping things going while they’re in hospital, the expense, finding accommodation and possibly long commutes. The Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation have taken on an ambitious project to open Tranquility House in Rathgar by the end of summer and make it a place where families can stay free of charge whilst their loved one is receiving treatment in hospital. Julian Benson and Brandon Duarte, the project manager joined Andrea to discuss...

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live... 

Cork county councillors have raised the issue of what they say is a worsening bus service in the county. Have you been having issues with the number of cancelled and late buses in your area? Andrea was joined by Marcia D’Alton an Independent Councillor based in Passage West in Cork and others to discuss...

A new survey by HelloFresh has revealed that two-thirds of people believe the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach! So, what better thing to discuss this Valentines Day than aphrodisiacs. Regina Sexton, food historian & lecturer at University College Cork joined Andrea to discuss...

Michelle, a listener, got in touch with Lunchtime Live about a topic she wanted to discuss.She would like people to stop using the term Ladies Football.Andrea was joined by Michelle, Aisling O’Reilly from Off The Ball and Brid Stack, Former Cork footballer to discuss...

It costs nearly €1,000 more a month to be single than it does for people in relationships. Singles shell out more than €2,300 a month on general expenses such as housing, bills and food. The same lifestyle costs couples about €2,500 a month, between them. Andrea was joined by Ariana Dunne, host of the Solo Powered podcast and Michael to discuss...

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.  Newstalk’s own Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in studio to put a smile on your faces...

Comments made by broadcaster Ivan Yates have caused a backlash among Gaeilgeoirí online. He was featured on The Six O'clock Show on Virgin Media Television alongside Sile Seoige when he made comments about the Irish language.People were further upset that presenter Brian Dowling shook Ivan Yates’ hands while he was criticising the money put into the Irish language  Andrea was joined by Broadcaster Ivan Yates, Síle Seoige, broadcaster and presenter of the Ready To Be Real podcast and others to discuss...

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Jess Kelly and Elaine Burke to talk about the Newstalk Original, Inside the Crime, season 3...

Farm owners are living in fear after a spate of robberies. What more can we do to stamp out rural crime? Andrea Gilligan was joined by farmers and people living in rural Ireland to discuss...

Sheila Duffy was forced to sell her family home after the death of her partner of 35 years after she was refused the widows pension. Sheila and Sinéad Murray from Treoir joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live today...Image: Alamy

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.The Holistic Gardener Fiann Ó Nuallain joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

Child benefit payments will be extended to include 18-year-olds who are still in full-time education from May 1st.  Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys will bring the proposals to Cabinet this morning. Do all 18-year-olds need child benefit? Andrea was joined by Suzanne Rogers, Research and policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland and others to discuss...

Millions of Americans tuned in to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, but many were more likely to be watching Taylor Swift than the game.Alexandra Ryan, CEO of Goss.ie and Gina London, leadership communications expert and Sunday Independent columnist joined Andrea to discuss...

Aimee Campbell was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) in 2017. The condition has left her paralysed in 3 limbs.  She’s now 28 and her application for assistance at home was denied by the HSE. Aimee joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live today...

More than 31,000 people were waiting to take their driving test in Dublin at the end of January, according to new figures from the Road Safety Authority. The RSA has previously said “unprecedented” waiting times for tests need to be addressed, but how are drivers coping with this wait? Andrea was joined by Tara, Lea and Brenda Bolger from the Bolger School of Motoring in Kilkenny...

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at recipes for Meatballs and Fluffy Pancakes...Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

A new advertising campaign is hoping to encourage Irish construction workers living abroad to return home to help with the housing crisis. The Government are hoping it’ll help increase the supply of homes in Ireland. The plan will aim at cities like London, Sydney and New York to see what incentives they might need to move home to Ireland. Andrea was joined by Barry in New Zealand, Damien in Perth and Ciaran Breen from Ciaran Breen Construction to discuss...

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting background or working in different jobs.  Today on the show Andrea was joined by former jockey Jamie Codd on Lunchtime Live...

Despite the countless number of sports in Ireland – interest in American Football seems to be on the rise.  Things are gearing up for the 2024 showdown on Sunday between the Kansas City Chiefs and The San Francisco 49ers. Andrea was joined by Shane Brady, South Dublin Panthers player, Cian Fahey from Off The Ball and Greg Johnson, Star Player wiht Dublin Rebels Club and Club Committee member & Social Media Manager...