Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Having twins can prove a much bigger financial hit, it has emerged.New research from charity Twins Trust and Per Capita suggests parents of twins or triplets are paying almost €24,000 more in the first year after their childrens’ birth compared with those who had two babies in succession.Joining Andrea to discuss these costs are listeners with twins.

Are you heading out to eat this weekend?Once the pinnacle of culinary art, the traditional world of white tablecloths and multi-course tasting menus seems to be on a decline in recent years.So, has dining out become less formal?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Darina Allen, Founder of Ballymaloe Cookery School and Ballymaloe Organic Farm School, Dee Laffan, Food Writer and host of the Beár Bia podcast, Brenda Hyland Byrne from the Irish school of Etiquette and JP McMahon, Chef, Restaurateur and Author.

From the cost of a round of drinks to Emmys as Gaeilge – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has a roundup of the stories from around the country this week.

Hundreds of parents are left ‘in limbo’ as children across the country still haven’t received school bus places. Why is this happening?To discuss, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín as well as parents.

Whether you’re trying to pick paint colours or do a hidden TV wall – our home squad are here to help! Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY and Interier Designer Sarah Twigg Doyle of Retwiggd join Andrea to discussPhoto by Wang Ming

The new 2025 Guinness World Record Book is due out and is celebrating the platinum anniversary of the world's biggest-selling annual book. Andrea chats to some of the Irish record holders including - the longest hug, the largest gathering of Dolly Partons and the greatest distance covered driving on ice We also hear from Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief of the Guinness Book of World Records

From Scooby Doo to Marilyn Monroe – 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor has loads to chat about on this week’s throwback Thursday. 

Andrea hears from listener Bob who paid over €50 for two adults for a 50-minute train ride each way. Are train fares too expensive in Ireland? Image: A train pictured leaving MacBride station in Drogheda. Image: Anze Furlan / Alamy Stock Photo 

Every week- we give you the opportunity to put your questions to the Experts- this week- we're looking at wills. From making them to contesting them, guest presenter Clare McKenna chats to Susan Murphy from MakemyWill.ie

Music superstar Taylor Swift has endorsed vice president Kamala Harris for US president following her debate with Republican rival Donald TrumpBut, how important are celebrity endorsements? And, do they make a difference when it comes to elections?   Guest presenter Clare McKenna chats to Stephen O'Leary, Founder of Online News Media and Social Media Monitoring and Analysis company Olytico Image: Taylor Swift performing on stage at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, 28/06/2024. PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

After 60 years of performing, the Wolfe Tones are set to hang up their mics this year.  But is their music respected enough? Should we acknowledge the importance of rebel songs more? Guest presenter Clare McKenna chat to Wolfe Tone's Brian Warfield and hears from listeners Image: Brian Warfield from 'The Wolfe Tones' performs in Belfast, Northern Ireland in August 2015. Picture by: Stephen Barnes/Music / Alamy Stock Photo

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.Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined guest host Clare McKenna in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Picture by: Alamy.com

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has announced he fathered a child "outside of my marriage".  In a statement he put on his Instagram page, he said: "I've recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage. I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her."  We went on to say: "I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness. We’re grateful for your consideration toward all the children involved, as we move forward together."  Can a relationship survive something like this? Photo: Suamy Beydoun/AGIF (via AP)

It’s time for the Pod Squad! Every week, we review a podcast to see if it’s worth your precious time or not!This week guest host Clare McKenna is joined by host of the ‘For Techs Sake’ podcast Elaine Burke & Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig to talk about 'Sixteenth Minute (of Fame) Image: Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Ireland Paralympic Athletes returned from Paris yesterday to great fanfare. Thirty-five athletes were selected to compete in nine different sports and they came away with six medals. Guest presenter Clare McKenna chats to Paralympic medalists Linda Kelly, Orla Comerford, Eve McCrystal & Katie-George DunlevyPhoto: Henry McKean

Asos have ruffled feathers by introducing a new £3.95 returns charge for shoppers. Customers will now have £3.95 deducted from their refund if they keep less than £40 worth of their items. Are people right to be annoyed? Or has fast fashion just become too easy for shoppers? Should more places introduce charges to cut down on people overbuying?Photo by Kai Pilger

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Elaine Rowe from Carlow Rowing Club

YouTube will stop recommending videos to teenagers that idealise fitness. It will still allow 13- to 17-year-olds to view the videos, but its algorithms won't push young users down “rabbit holes” of related content afterwards. It comes after experts warned it could be harmful to their health and self image. Photo by Karolina Kaboompics

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined guest host Anna Daly to tackle your medical queries…

Star Trek fans have launched a petition calling for a statue to be built in Killarney in honour of the Chief Miles O’Brien.The character was played by Irish actor Colm Meaney in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and was apparently born in Killarney.The petition says:‘This statue would shine as a beacon of hope for our world standing at the centre of one of the most beautiful regions of Ireland, if not the galaxy...’Guest host Claire McKenna is joined by Seán Ferrick, host of Trek Culture, to discuss.