Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Many people will be unwrapping, unwanted gifts on Monday whether they be socks or a gift you may already have. Because gifting can bring about these problems it’s important to know our consumer rights at this time of year Andrea was joined by Sinead Ryan, consumer columnist with the Irish Independent and presenter of The Home Show 

While some may consider 2023 the year of war and tragedies, there were many enjoyable things that also took place. As we look back on 2023, here are a few stories that warmed our hearts, made us laugh and gave us some hope that things aren’t all so bad! Andrea was joined by Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney to look back...

Tablescaping is the new Christmas trend this year.Andrea was joined by wedding planner, Lyndsey Moynagh to find out how to get the perfect Christmas table...

From Dirty Dens revelations in Eastenders to who killed Emmerdale’s Tom King – Christmas Day is when all the big drama happens in the soaps but how did they become such staple viewing? Andrea was joined by Soap Writer Alan Flanagan, Soap Director Jay Brannigan and Broadcaster Gary Brennan to discuss...

As the Irish diaspora continues to travel far and wide, we hear how those who can’t make it back to Ireland for Christmas will be celebrating in their respective countries.   Andrea was joined by Irish all over the world on today's show...

61 year old Robert Kilmartin was in University Hospital Limerick recently, he joined Andrea today to discuss his experience?

Have we lost the run of ourselves with standing ovations at live performances? When is the last time you went to a show that the audience didn’t stand up and cheer in appreciation at the final curtain? Theatre experts in the UK have said that in the West End the display of appreciation once seen as a rare honour for a great performance has become a nightly phenomenon. Has the standing ovation lost all meaning? Andrea was joined by Eilish O'Carroll, Willie White, Claudia Carroll and more to discuss...

Are you the type of person that sets their alarm for Stephen’s Day to get up and beat the queues for the post Christmas sales? Or do you think that shops should remain closed for longer over the Christmas period? Andrea was joined by listeners and business owners to discuss...

Preparations have begun in households across the country for Monday’s Christmas dinner.  TV Chef and Owner of Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, Catherine Fulvio joined Andrea to let us know how to avoid all our Christmas kitchen faux pas...

For a third year in a row, the children of Chernobyl won’t be visiting Ireland over Christmas.  For the last two years Covid has stopped the visits. And this year it’s the war in Ukraine. The visit is supposed to give the kids some rest and recuperation.  These children are all suffering from various health, mental and physical issues as a result of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the region back in 1986, and the trip to Ireland was seen as a vital break for their health and wellbeing.  Adi Roche, voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children International joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live today...

Should the Gaeltacht be protected for Irish speakers? New figures out today say that despite the fact that population of the Gaeltacht has increased since 2016, the number of daily Irish speakers has actually fallen. Most Gaeltacht areas are in the West of Ireland, often in rural scenic areas. And because of that holiday homes and high property prices are a concern with locals. So should new housing policies be brought in to protect Irish speaking areas for Irish speakers? Andrea was joined by John Prendergast, West Kerry language planner with Tobar Dhuibhne and other Irish language speakers on Lunchtime Live...

Dublin City has received a lot of negative attention in the past few weeks and months – but Green Party Cllr Hazel Chu wants people to take back the city. Andrea caught up with her to walk around the capital...

An article by Laoise Neylon in the Dublin Inquirer focuses on Grace, a 16 year old, who is struggling with her mental health . Her family are desperately trying to get her the help that she needs.  Grace’s dad Mick and sister Emma joined Andrea on Lunchtime Live to discuss their current situation...

You may not be cooking the dinner this Christmas, but if you’re hosting festive drinks, you’ll need some tasty canopés to impress your guests. Food Columnist with the Irish Examiner Colm O’Gorman joined Andrea with some tips...

Back in September, Andrea spoke to Ger and her story stopped many people in their tracks. Ger and her family had asked for respite care for her son Jack and when none was available, they had to leave him in an emergency respite facility - a situation she said is “breaking our hearts”. Ger joined Andrea to on the show with an update...

Shoppers visiting Dublin City Centre this Christmas have been urged to watch out for clampers with already 1,200 more clamps issued this year by the start of December than in all of 2022 Is the clamping the best way to deal with bad parking? Andrea Gilligan was joined by listeners to discuss...

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Kildare GP, Dr Siobhan Chidley to answer listeners health queries and questions...

Dublin needs new bylaws to stop people concreting over their gardens for parking space, according to a leading environmentalist.The Irish Times reports some Dublin residents are converting their gardens into driveways, resulting in an overall reduction in the amount of green spaces in the city.Andrea was joined by Irish Architect and Environmentalist Duncan Stewart and other listeners to discuss…

As 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 some money this Christmas.Aoife Kearns, Newstalk Reporter has done the hard work and sourced the best deals for your Christmas Crackers...

In September, Andrea spoke to Maggie Butler, a mother desperately seeking help for her son Alex, who was in hospital following lifesaving surgery.  Maggie joined Andrea today with an update...