Lunchtime Live

Christmas ads are almost as big a part of Christmas as Santa Claus these days!And now, Irish pubs are getting in on the action... From drunk Santas to heartbreak, they’re covering it all.Joining Andrea to discuss why they made their own Christmas advertisements is Ger Hough, owner of Hough's Pub in Bangher, Co. Offaly and Una Burns, co-owner of Charlie’s Bar in Enniskillen.

Is there a magic to living with friends, and is it something that the younger generation are going to miss out on?Writing in today’s Irish Independent, Saoirse Hanly is getting set to leave a share-home with her friends, and take the plunge into living with her partner.Saoirse, along with Ciara Treacy, Newstalk Digital Content Creator and Barrister Aileen Hickie join Andrea to discuss.

What is it like to find out that you were conceived from a sperm donor?Anne Crossey joins Andrea to share her story.

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 Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

The Irish Parking Association say that they have been excluded from the Mobility and Public Realm Committee - formed to shape transport policy for Dublin City.They believe the committee is excluding motorists’ views.What do you think? Are cars being pushed out of cities?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Today FM’s Shelly Grey and 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea to review ‘Who Killed the Video Star: The Story of MTV’.Image: Audacy

The face of rural farming is changing – and it’s down to ‘Girls Who Farm’.That’s the hashtag used on TikTok and Instagram to show what the farming life is like for young women.So, what’s it all about?Andrea is joined by some of the people using that hashtag to discuss, as well as Rachel Donovan, News Correspondent at the Irish Farmers Journal.

Mary Regan passed away on November 29th at the Hillview Nursing Home in Carlow.A statement on Death Notices Carlow said that after Mr Lang passed away, Ms Regan did not have many visitors to her nursing home and has no next of kin. An appeal from the Funeral Director said “Let’s not send Mary off from Carlow alone”.Rory Healy, Funeral Director for Healy Funeral Directors joins Andrea to discuss why he made the appeal, and what the result was like.

The Transition Year has garnered the interest of the international media, as a formative experience for young students. With Oscar winner Cillian Murphy giving his support also to the programme, offering an oasis between junior and senior exam cycles.But, particularly where expense is concerned, has it become too much?Is the cost of another school year worth it? Or should the programme be centrally funded before it properly earns the nickname of a ‘doss year’?Joining Andrea to discuss is Kevin Shortall, Principal of St. Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght, Barbara Ennis, Principal of Alexandra College Dublin and more to discuss.

Over the next few weeks Andrea will be talking to Irish producers across the country about the wonderful things they have on offer, and why it’s important to buy Irish for Christmas!Today, she is joined by Ruth Cahill from Duck Blue, Jill Duggan from Fiesta Designs and Nicola McGuinness from Rowan Beg Designs to talk all things decorations.