

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 7, 2025 • 10min
RuthAnne on her new book and album!
Andrea is joined by the incredible Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter RuthAnne!RuthAnne has been on the show a few times, usually about her experience with endometriosis and her campaigning for better healthcare.But today, she joins Andrea to talk about not only her new album, but also her new book!

Oct 7, 2025 • 8min
How I Live Well: Medical Tattoos
It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life…This week, Andrea is joined by Aislinn Horgan (@byaislinn.ie on Instagram), who specialises in medical tattoos, to talk all about the practice.

Oct 7, 2025 • 13min
Budget 2026: Carer’s Allowance to increase
Budget 2026 comes out today.One thing that is known ahead of the full announcement is that Ministers are taking the first step towards ending the means test for carers…The Carer’s Allowance means test will increase by €200 to €825 a month for a single person and by €400 to €1,650 a month for a couple.What do carers think of the change?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Oct 6, 2025 • 11min
Ask the GP with Dr Nina Byrnes
Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Oct 6, 2025 • 40min
Jim Gavin drops out! What are your thoughts?
Big news broke last night in the race for the Áras: Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin has withdrawn from the Presidential election, following controversy over an unregistered tenancy linked to his past.It’s a major blow to the party and a shake-up in the race just weeks out from polling day…Joining Andrea to discuss the fallout and what it means for the campaign ahead is Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD for the Wicklow–Wexford Constituency & Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Leanne Mallen, the President of Ógra Fianna Fáil and listeners.

Oct 6, 2025 • 11min
Do big towns get enough resources?
Drogheda campaigners are launching a film today to showcase why they believe Drogheda should be made a city.Drogheda City Status Group has said "Unprecedented residential development in Drogheda and its hinterland means that city status has become an absolute necessity."Achieving city status can unlock a treasure trove of benefits, including increased funding for infrastructure and programs.This begs further questions about other large towns around the country, are they getting left behind? Do big towns get enough resources?Joining Andrea to discuss is Anthony Murphy, Public Relations Officer with the Drogheda City Status Group, as well as listeners.Image: Discover Ireland

Oct 6, 2025 • 11min
The Pod Squad: Therapy Crouch
Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig and Ellen Butler from the Newstalk Newsroom join Andrea to review ‘Therapy Crouch’!Image: Acast

Oct 6, 2025 • 9min
How should you parent teenagers?
Every parent fears their teenage children immediately going off the rails if they’re not kept under constant lock and key.But, does a helicopter strategy make life harder for everyone involved, and do kids do better when left to their own devices?Gwen Loughman wrote in the Journal about being as hands-off as possible with your own children over the summer, she joins Andrea, along with Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast, Clinical Psychologist Tara Logan Buckley and listeners to discuss.

Oct 3, 2025 • 17min
Ask Me Anything: Newsreader
For this week’s Ask Me Anything, John Keogh, Group Director of News at Newstalk joins Andrea to answer any of your newsroom questions!

Oct 3, 2025 • 7min
Top tips for boosting your energy this autumn!
As winter creeps in, you might feel your energy dipping along with the dark and stormy weather.Today, Dr Ravi Gill joins Andrea to give some tips and tricks as to how to keep yourself still feeling fresh this autumn season!


