Lunchtime Live

Aslan played with Coldplay in a surprise appearance last night in Croke Park. Coldplay included the band as a tribute to Christy Dignam.Christy passed away in June last year after a long battle with cancer.Aslan band member Billy McGuinness joins guest host Clare McKenna to discuss the experience and how it came about.Image: @coldplay on Instagram

Kieran O'Donnell, the Minister with Responsibility for the Office of Public Works has demanded an immediate review around the construction of a new bike shelter at Leinster House which has cost €335,000.What do you make of this?Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Green Party TD & Member of Public Accounts Committee Marc Ó Cathasaigh and more to discuss.

Last night the documentary ‘Rugby on Trial’ aired on BBC One.It examined whether enough has been done to protect rugby players from the devastating impacts of concussions. And whether parents can be sure their children will be safe playing rugby at school.One of the people behind the documentary was Sam Peters from Concussed Media, and he joins Clare McKenna to discuss. Also joining to discuss is Alix Popham, former Welsh Rugby International who was diagnosed with early onset dementia at age 40, and Professor John Fairclough, former President of the British Sports Trauma Association and a spokesperson for Progressive Rugby.

The Department of Education has come under pressure to drop a Junior Cycle textbook containing ‘absurdly misconceived and discriminatory’ depictions of an Irish family.The book, which is part of the SPHE curriculum, contrasts a ‘traditional Irish family’ with another from a mixed background.The Irish family, depicted outside a thatched cottage and all wearing Aran jumpers, eat ‘potatoes, bacon and cabbage every day’, ‘do not like change or difference’ and the children ‘get told off if we mix with people with a different religion from ours as they would be a bad influence on us’.In contrast, the mixed-race family ‘love change and difference’, eat ‘curry, pizza and Asian food’ and spend their time travelling internationally and visiting art galleries…Is it really this bad? Or is it an overreaction?Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Clare McKenna to tackle your medical queries.

From what to have for dinner to what to watch on TV, the typical adult apparently spends the equivalent of 23 days a year making decisions. Do you struggle to make decisions?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosby took to the streets of Killarney to hear people’s thoughts, and guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Psychiatrist Brendan Kelly to discuss.

As children return to classrooms, the challenges facing some are more profound than others.Listener Hannah Daly has multiple neurodivergencies and joins Clare McKenna to discuss if the school system is ill-equipped for neurodivergent students? ADHD Coach Aoife Hughes also joins to discuss.

An investigation shows that some outlets selling electric scooters are openly advising customers how easy it is to flout new safety laws.Safety precautions aren’t being fully explained to people looking to purchase these e-scooters.Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Colin Baker, Managing Director of Back from the Future Tech Support, Cllr. Conor Keelan in Dundalk and more to discuss.

This is Lunchtime Live’s newest segment, Gilligan’s Island! Every Monday, we're going to explore this gorgeous island of ours and all that it has to offer.This week, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Cian Ginty, Editor of Irish Cycle to talk about cycling around Ireland’s Greenways!Image: Discover Ireland

The Oasis ticket saga (unfortunately) continues. There’s been national outrage since last Saturday morning that saw standing ticket prices soar to over €400.  Since then, the Culture Minister and even the Taoiseach have commented on it.What does this mean for other concerts in the future? Is this something we should put up with?Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by listeners to discuss, including Dave Hanratty, Host of the 'No Encore Music Podcast' and Alan Buckley, Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience.