Highlights From Lunchtime Live

There are no boring Irish people. That was the claim made by Alicia Silverstone whilst appearing on Rob Lowe’s podcast this week.Ireland’s known for its storytellers, wit, and charm, but is it all just a flattering myth? Or is there something in the culture that makes dullness rare? Is this claim ridiculous or true?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss!

We often talk about the struggles women go through when they become a mother, and rightfully so, they undergo huge physical and mental transformations when they become a mother.But, more often than not, new dads tend to struggle with their mental health and the new changes in their roles and responsibilities. Do they get enough support?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

A new incentive is encouraging tourists driving in the highlands to display T-plates. The green tourist plates will be rolled out in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on Scotland’s roads.It comes as many accidents occur due to people being inexperienced with driving on the left-hand side of the road.Is this initiative something Ireland should do too?Andrea is joined by Minister of State & Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae, Brenda Bolger from the School of Motoring in Kilkenny and listeners to discuss.

From the best burgers to new weddings, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

There have been over 1,400 verified incidents on airlines where alcohol was involved, according to the Irish Aviation Authority. That is three times more than what occurred in 2023. So, what is the solution? Should alcohol be banned on flights?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

When you want to add a bit of luxury to your home, how do you balance the budget, and avoid making things look gaudy?Well, the Home Squad are here to talk about adding luxury!Joining Andrea to discuss is Arlene McIntrye, Creative Director of Ventura Design and Sarah Twigg Doyle, Interior Stylist & Design Colour Consultant.

An Post has unveiled a tribute stamp to Irish boy band Westlife, but left out founder member Brian McFadden.The stamp celebrates 25 years of the band, but was it right to leave Brian out?Joining Andrea to discuss is Broadcaster & Westlife fan Clare Ronan, Ronan McGreevey, Irish Times Journalist and Historian and Newstalk’s own Laura Hannon.

Irish grandmother Donna Hughes-Brown, a resident of Missouri who is married to a US Navy veteran, is being held in isolation in a detention centre in Kentucky operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.She was detained following a July visit to Ireland, when they attended a funeral and visited family in Cork and Drogheda.Her husband Jim Brown joins Andrea to discuss what is happening.

RTÉ is considering withdrawing from Eurovision 2026 over Israel’s participation.Do you support this decision? Should Ireland not take part if Israel is involved?Joining Andrea to discuss is Chair of the Irish Campaign to Boycott Eurovision Zoe Lawlor, President of Ireland’s Eurovision Fan Club Frank Dermody, Newstalk’s Henry McKean and more.

Emmy Nolan is a young Carlow actress who everyone is talking about. The 10-year-old plays a pivotal role in the new Warner Bros movie, ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’.Andrea is joined by Emmy and her mum Shauna Ray Lacey to discuss what it was like to be in the film.

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 Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through Hozier’s first album: ‘Hozier’!

US Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at Utah Valley University yesterday. Video footage circulating across various social media platforms shows the 31-year-old father of two being shot in the chest when on stage.Known for his combative college campus appearances, the footage shows the moment the gunshot was fired, and you can see Kirk bleeding profusely.How are these videos allowed to be uploaded to social media sites like TikTok and X, and why are they still circulating hours after the incident occurred?Andrea is joined by Ronan Lupton, Barrister and Senior Council, Stephen O'Leary, Founder of Online News Media and Social Media Monitoring and Analysis company Olytico and listeners.

Today celebrates the 6th consecutive year of #LoveDonegalDay, and what better way to celebrate by getting some of our favorite Donegal voices on!Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s own Ciara Doherty, Kevin Dooher, Content Creator and Photographer and ‘Donegal Daddy’ Michael!

Cancer Revolution, a new exhibition in Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, explores the history and origins of cancer.It covers everything from fossil records of cancer in dinosaurs to today’s cutting-edge breakthroughs in immunotherapy and genetics.The research done to discover this kind of science is helping to pioneer future medicine.Luke O'Neill, Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin and one of Cancer Revolution’s ambassadors joins Andrea to walk through the exhibition!Image: Breakthrough Cancer Research

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…

UNICEF has released a new report looking at global diabetes. The report shows 1 in 5 primary school children are overweight or obese in Ireland, with the figure rising to 1 in 4 in DEIS schools, where children are more likely to experience socio-economic disadvantages.With the cost of living on the rise and technology for children more prevalent than ever, how do we tackle this problem?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dietician Sarah Keogh, Teacher John Sharpson, Content Creator & Personal Trainer Natalie Lennon and more.

Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital 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 what you can expect at your 20 week scan…

Yesterday, we spoke about Traitors Ireland and why we as a nation, and why we love it so much. Well today, Andrea is joined by two very special guests!Eamon McGrath and Katelyn Divilly, two of the contestants, join to talk all things Traitors! Be warned, there will be spoilers!

On Newstalk Breakfast yesterday, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was “open to considering” tax breaks for developers.But, is this a viable solution to the housing crisis?Joining Andrea to discuss is Clement Herron, Real Estate Agent in Portlaoise, as well as listeners.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Joey Donnelly from Crofton Motors to answer any of your motoring questions!