Lunchtime Live
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Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 23, 2025 • 17min
Kennys Bookshop on being family-owned for 85 years
As we frantically get our last bits of Christmas shopping done, how much of that will be done in a family-owned business? Unfortunately, not many of them have survived the past couple of decades…One that has is the iconic Kennys Bookshop in Galway which celebrated its 85th birthday last month.So amid all the changes, especially in how we read, how have they survived?Tomas Kenny joins Seán to discuss.Image: @kennysbookshop on Instagram
Dec 23, 2025 • 10min
Ask the Expert: Last Minute Travel
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Travel Journalist Eoghan Corry to talk about last minute travel around this time of year, and the deals you can avail of!
Dec 23, 2025 • 13min
12 Christmas hacks to make the festive period less stressful!
Christmas is a busy enough time for many, so why add extra stress?Denise O’Donoghue from the Irish Examiner joins Andrea with hacks to make your life easier around this period!
Dec 23, 2025 • 14min
Should late night trains run all year?
Trains across the country operate later than usual during the Christmas period, with the service being in big demand. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has said that he is in talks with Iarnród Éireann about expanding late night rail services beyond the Christmas and New Year festive period…So, would you like to see trains run later into the night?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.
Dec 23, 2025 • 19min
The history behind Christmas dinner
Why do we eat turkey and ham at Christmas, and what is behind some of the other common goodies we have?Food Writer Dee Laffan and TV Chef & Lecturer from South East Technological University Edward Hayden join Andrea to discuss the history of Christmas dinner!
Dec 23, 2025 • 11min
How to survive your family around Christmas!
How do you dodge the family feuds at Christmas? Sometimes, when you’re all bunched up for that amount of time, it can feel inevitable…There’s no need to worry! Andrea is joined by Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ Brendan Kelly to discuss how you can survive around this time of year!
Dec 23, 2025 • 12min
Emotional reunions at Dublin Airport - Henry McKean Reports
Nearly 2 million people are travelling through Dublin Airport over Christmas.Henry McKean is live from Dublin Airport in Terminal 2, and joins Andrea to share what he’s seeing!
Dec 22, 2025 • 16min
Ask the GP with Dr Niall Breen
Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.
Dec 22, 2025 • 7min
What are some weird New Years traditions in Ireland?
From banging pots and pans at midnight to sweeping the old year out the door - what are some of the weird and wonderful New Years traditions here in Ireland?Author and content creator of Weird Ireland, Brinsley McNamara, joins Andrea to discuss!
Dec 22, 2025 • 21min
Sarah Ryan shares domestic abuse experience
Sarah Ryan’s former partner Nathan Grant McNulty has been jailed for eight years for the rape and coercive control of Sarah.Sarah wanted to share her story, and joins Andrea to discuss…If any of these issues discussed impacted you, you can reach Women’s Aid 24 hours a day on: 1800 341 900.
