

Lunchtime Live
Newstalk
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 5, 2025 • 14min
Ask Me Anything: Magician & Mind Reader
For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Magician and Mind Reader Jamie Skelton joins Andrea to answer any of your magic questions!

Dec 5, 2025 • 9min
What are the alternatives to botox?
This festive season, one of Ireland’s leading skin experts Eavanna Breen says needles aren’t necessary to achieve the perfect glow…She joins Andrea to discuss!

Dec 5, 2025 • 19min
Is the GAA another victim of a Dublin-centric Ireland?
The President of the GAA has warned that we could start to lose communities if something is not done to stop people leaving rural communities.As young people leave their towns for cities, falling numbers have placed their clubs at risk of extinction.While in cities there are not enough clubs and facilities to cater for a burgeoning population…So, is the GAA becoming another victim of Dublin-centric Ireland?Joining Andrea to discuss this is President of the GAA, Jarlath Burns, Gareth Coil, Demographics Officer with Monaghan GAA, Conor O'Donoghue, National GAA Development CCC Chairperson & Meath GAA Football Development Committee Chairperson and more.

Dec 5, 2025 • 10min
Over 30 artists face eviction as The Complex announces closure
Dublin’s arts scene has been dealt another blow, as The Complex in Smithfield announces its closure this January.More than 30 artists face eviction after a planned deal to secure the site collapsed due to missing Government funding.The loss of the much-loved venue adds to growing concern over the shrinking number of cultural spaces in the city…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Vanessa Fielding, CEO & Artistic Director of The Complex, George Hooker, artist at The Complex and Dr Anthony Haughey, Artist and Lecturer at TUD Dublin and Chair of Five Stations Artist Studio Board.

Dec 5, 2025 • 13min
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

Dec 5, 2025 • 20min
What is the impact of the taxi protests?
Taxi Drivers Ireland are escalating their action next week with a planned 6-day protest from Monday to Saturday.The protests will majorly disrupt Dublin City Centre and the area around Dublin Airport, as well as Cork and Galway.What implications will this have for those moving around these cities next week?Andrea is joined by taxi drivers and listeners to discuss.

Dec 4, 2025 • 8min
Do you use your Christmas vouchers?
Gift vouchers are often given as a present when we can’t think of what to get someone. Last Christmas, over 60% of people received one.However, over 20% of us have still not used our gift vouchers from last year!The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is now advising us to consider giving cash instead…So, do you use yours?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dec 4, 2025 • 14min
The Home Squad: Ceilings & Mouldings
When you’re renovating or building a home, there are certain things that make a big impact which you might not realise…The Home Squad are here to discuss ceilings and mouldings!Joining Andrea to discuss is Sarah Carroll (@sand.and.deliver on Instagram) and Founder and Creative Director of Arlene McIntyre Design, Arlene McIntyre.

Dec 4, 2025 • 19min
Impact on parents of adult kids living at home
The CSO’s Longitudinal Growing Up in Ireland survey has revealed that two in three 18 to 34-year-olds still live in their family home, often not by choice.What impact does this have on family dynamics, and on the parents who essentially have adult lodgers in their home?Joining Andrea to discuss is Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, Newstalk’s Niamh Dunne, as well as listeners.

Dec 4, 2025 • 11min
How do you donate your body to science?
Organ donation and transplantation save lives. It’s nearly six months since the Human Tissue Act came into effect on June 17, stating that if you are aged 18 or over, and you don’t specify otherwise, you will be considered a potential organ donor.But, what happens if, in a final act of altruism, a person wishes to go one step further and give their body to science following death?Joining Andrea to discuss is Danielle Barron, Health & Medical Journalist and Grace Vaughan, whose mother donated her body to science…


