Lunchtime Live

Ciarán Beahan is 24 from Lucan in Dublin, and is Ireland’s most decorated Rubix Cube Champion. But what does that mean exactly?He joins Andrea to discuss the recent Rubik’s Cubes Championships that took place in Ireland, and why it’s so fun to finish the puzzle as quickly as possible.

Tori Towey, a 28 year old from Boyle in County Roscommon, is currently facing criminal charges - including attempted suicide and consuming alcohol - in the United Arab Emirates. With the Taoiseach’s announcement that Tori’s travel ban has been lifted, her family are desperately trying to get her home. Tori’s aunt, Ann, joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss.Image: Detained in Dubai

Several European cities are exploring ways to manage the level of tourism they’re seeing. Locals are starting to turn on visitors - there were angered protestors spraying tourists with water pistols in Barcelona this week, and places like Venice have added a tax to limit the amount of people that can visit the city daily.For a positive spin, the city of Copenhagen is now going to reward tourists who take part in climate-friendly tasks when they holiday there. They’ll get things like free lunches, coffees, glasses of wine and kayak rental in return for things like litter picking and using public transport.Should we be doing the same? Andrea is joined by Travel Journalist Ed Flynn, Gwen Leyden, Landlord of George’s Street Arcade and Melanie May ‘Talk Travel’ Presenter on Dublin City FM to discuss.

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…Image: Dreamworks

You may have heard the sad news from Dublin Zoo recently after two Asian elephants died from the same disease within a week.There is an update to this story, Newstalk reporter Stephanie Rohan joins Andrea to tell what she has learned. Also, Gerry Boland from Animals Behind Closed Doors, James who runs the National Reptile Zoo and more join to discuss if we should have zoos at all.

It’s the Pod Squad – where we troll through the podcast offers to see what we can recommend!This week, we’re talking about British Scandal – a podcast that explores famous scandals, in a country that loves scandal. The series we’ve listened to is The Canoe Con.Andrea Gilligan is joined by Laura Donnelly and Elaine Burke to discuss. Image: Wondery

Are we on the cusp of a conversational crisis? Have phones affected how kids learn to talk? The UK Labour party wants all state-school children to be taught speaking skills as part of the curriculum.  What do you think? Have you noticed a fall in conversational skills? Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Developmental Therapist & Founder of COGNI Kids joins Andrea to discuss.

On the 14th October 2022, Tony Browne was stabbed in the neck by his partner while he slept in his home in Belfast. This week, the killer has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.His twin daughters, Shannon and Bobbi-Leigh McIllwaine join Andrea Gilligan to discuss the tragedy and life since.If you think you are a victim of domestic abuse, you are not alone. Below are resources that can help:mensallianceni.co.ukmensaid.ie National Confidential Helpline – 01 554 3811

U2 are the highest-earning band from Ireland or the UK so far this year.Bono and crew have banked more than €118 million from 23 shows in Las Vegas and playing to 382,000 fans.U2 have been on the go since 1976 and it is clear that almost 50 years later they are still one of the biggest bands in the world.So why aren’t they more celebrated here?Andrea is joined by Jackie Conboy from the Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland, Newstalk’s Jess Kelly, singer Paul Byron and more to discuss.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.This week, Andrea is joined by Darren Scanlon to talk about Celbridge Boys Club.Image: @celbridge_boys_club