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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.You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 10, 2024 • 10min
Kids are reading less - why?
A love of reading is something all parents want to instil in their children, but a new survey from BookTrust shows a drop off in reading once children progress to secondary school.Joining Andrea to discuss this is Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent, Darina Molloy, Senior Executive Librarian based in Castlebar and Sarah Webb, Children's Author.

Oct 10, 2024 • 11min
Throwback Thursday: John Denver, Phantom of the Opera, Birthdays
From the Chilean miners to John Denver, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

Oct 10, 2024 • 16min
What can revive Dublin’s nightlife?
Dublin City Council have launched their new plan to breathe life back into the city's night time economy. The new Dublin City Night-time Economy Strategy aims "to create a dynamic, inclusive, and vibrant nightlife" for both citizens and tourists.What, do you think, would revitalise Dublin’s nightlife?Ray O'Donoghue was appointed Dublin's Night Mayor back in April, and joins Andrea and more to discuss these plans.

Oct 9, 2024 • 11min
Ask the Expert: Mechanic
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Joey Donnelly, owner of Crofton Motors in Dublin, to answer any of your car-adjacent questions!

Oct 9, 2024 • 12min
The problem with being too tall
7-foot-tall Andrew Day talked in the Telegraph about how being so tall can lead to some pretty big disadvantages.Everything from hobbies and holidays to clothes and shoes ends up costing him a fortune because of his height.Are you on the taller side? What disadvantages do you face because of your height?Andrea is joined by listeners, including Ireland’s tallest man, Shaun Aisbitt, to discuss.

Oct 9, 2024 • 15min
Mum of murdered Danielle McLaughlin on delayed trial
(Some details of this story could be distressing for listeners.)Donegal woman Danielle McLaughlin was backpacking in India when she was murdered.That was in 2017, and although someone was arrested at the time, there has still been no trial.Her family have been waiting for justice for seven years, and her mum Andrea Brannigan joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss.

Oct 9, 2024 • 16min
Is it worth it to travel solo?
Travelling solo can be an incredible adventure, but is it worth the cost? From higher accommodation prices to missing out on group discounts, solo travellers often pay a premium.Andrea is joined by frequent solo traveller, Pippa Meehan, Ariana Dunne, Host of the Solo Powered Podcast, Rory from Rory’s Travel Club and more to discuss.

Oct 9, 2024 • 11min
Reasons to be Happy: Love Actually, Mullets, Joe Wicks
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.Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter of 98fm’s Big Breakfast joined Andrea this week to share all the things to make you smile!

Oct 9, 2024 • 11min
Is pocket money a bad thing for kids?
Earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, Dr Richard Hogan, Family Psychotherapist, said that you have to be careful that children understand the value of the money they are getting...When it comes to pocket money, are children losing the value of money? Andrea is joined by listeners, including Siobhan O’Neill white from Mams.ie, to discuss.

Oct 8, 2024 • 13min
The Pod Squad: Broomgate - A Curling Scandal
Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill joined Andrea to review ‘Broomgate: A Curling Scandal’!Image: CBC