

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

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

Oct 8, 2024 • 8min
Bantry flooding - is enough being done?
Up to 65mm of rain fell in Bantry in Cork over the course of just 12 hours at the weekend.Bantry is a high risk area, having flooded four times in 18 months between 2018 and 2020. A flood relief scheme is currently in planning, but is it coming soon enough?Andrea is joined by Susan Shepherd of Philip Dix Jewellers, Eddie Wiseman from Wiseman's Clothing Shop to discuss the damage.

Oct 8, 2024 • 19min
Has tipping culture become too much in Ireland?
Tipping culture is annoying, unfair and worst of all, American. And it is starting to creep into Europe…That is according to Columnist for the Guardian Europe, Alexander Hurst.What do you think about tipping culture creeping into Ireland? Andrea is joined by listeners, including Brenda Hyland Beirne from the Irish school of Etiquette, to discuss.

Oct 8, 2024 • 11min
What you can do to avoid breast cancer
Cancer is something that will touch everyone’s lives, either through your own personal experience or that of a loved one.But, are there things we can do to prevent it? And if so, how achievable are they?Breast Cancer Surgeon and survivor Liz O’Dwyer joins Andrea to discuss.

Oct 8, 2024 • 9min
How I Live Well: Learning an Instrument
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, Andrea is joined by David Baker, who took up a musical instrument later in life…

Oct 8, 2024 • 18min
Is religion a barrier for primary school teachers?
Is religion a barrier to getting a job as a primary school teacher?In interviews for teaching jobs at many primary schools, a certificate in Religious Studies is a requirement for teaching religion.However, some say that this means many new teachers are having to uphold something they don’t believe in…Should teachers have to have this certificate?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Peter Melrose, Primary Teacher and Soc Dem Cllr, Aoife Cassidy, Parent Representative and qualified Solicitor, Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Irish Examiner columnist and Simon Lewis, Principal and host of the ‘If I was Minister for Education’ podcast.