Lunchtime Live

Following Christmas and the New Year celebrations, your personal finances might have taken a bit of a hit.So  If you’re hoping to be better with money this year John Lowe- The Money Doctor joined Andrea to offer us  a few tips to help budget right in 2026.

After a fire broke out in a home in Finglas on Wednesday. One man jumped into action to save the young children trapped in the burning home.  Joining Andrea was Emmanuel Bello, who, along with neighbours, helped 5 people escape the burning house.

Footpaths across Ireland are posing a serious risk to public safety and placing a growing strain on the national economy. Many people can attest to just how dangerous poorly maintained footpaths can be, with trips and falls now a common occurrence in towns and cities nationwide.In Dublin alone, unsafe footpaths have resulted in €18 million in injury compensation payouts over the past three years.What measures need to be taken to improve our paths and reduce preventable injuries?Joining Andrea were the Independent Councilor for Dublin, Mannix Flynn, as well as listeners who have firsthand experience of poor footpaths.

Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea Gilligan with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

As we frantically get our last bits of Christmas shopping done, how much of that will be done in a family-owned business? Unfortunately, not many of them have survived the past couple of decades…One that has is the iconic Kennys Bookshop in Galway which celebrated its 85th birthday last month.So amid all the changes, especially in how we read, how have they survived?Tomas Kenny joins Seán to discuss.Image: @kennysbookshop on Instagram

Eoghan Corry, a seasoned travel journalist and author, shares his insights on last-minute winter and Christmas travel. He highlights airport tips amid new liquid rules and discusses the surge in holiday travel. Discover sunny getaways in the Canary Islands and Egypt, alongside advice on snagging cheaper post-Christmas flights. Eoghan contrasts the skiing experiences in France and Austria, while recommending enchanting family-run hotels in Austria. He also suggests ideal post-Christmas trips to Lapland for a snowy adventure!

Denise O’Donoghue, a journalist from the Irish Examiner, shares her top holiday hacks to simplify the festive season. She recommends a cooking timetable and slow cookers for stress-free meals. Learn how to revive turkey moisture and manage defrosting effectively. Denise also suggests using vinegar for streak-free glassware and foil plus baking soda for tarnished silver. Discover practical wrapping tips and fun kid-friendly ideas for a smoother Christmas morning. Say goodbye to holiday chaos with these clever strategies!

Trains across the country operate later than usual during the Christmas period, with the service being in big demand. Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has said that he is in talks with Iarnród Éireann about expanding late night rail services beyond the Christmas and New Year festive period…So, would you like to see trains run later into the night?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Why do we eat turkey and ham at Christmas, and what is behind some of the other common goodies we have?Food Writer Dee Laffan and TV Chef & Lecturer from South East Technological University Edward Hayden join Andrea to discuss the history of Christmas dinner!

How do you dodge the family feuds at Christmas? Sometimes, when you’re all bunched up for that amount of time, it can feel inevitable…There’s no need to worry! Andrea is joined by Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘The Science of Happiness’ Brendan Kelly to discuss how you can survive around this time of year!