
Lunchtime Live Highlights
Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com
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Latest episodes

Jun 25, 2025 • 17min
How to care for a loved one going through cancer
A cancer diagnosis is terrifying for the person who gets it.But it’s also a huge shock for that person’s loved ones – and knowing what to do or say can be really hard.So, how do you get it right?Joining Andrea to discuss is Founder of the Good Glow and Podcaster, Georgie Crawford, Founder of Olivia’s Gift Olivia Carpenter and Therapeutic Lead in Arc Cancer Support, Helen Hughes.

Jun 25, 2025 • 11min
Reasons to be Happy: F1 Movie, 90’s Fashion Comeback, Zach Bryan
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.98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Jun 25, 2025 • 14min
Would you drive a car with a Donegal reg?
A TikTok posted by car dealer David Tobin has amassed almost 90k views.He claims that no one wants to drive a car with a Donegal reg. Would you? Andrea is joined by David Tobin of David Tobin Cars, Joey Donnelly, owner of Crofton Motors and Nadia Adan, owner of Ashford Motors to discuss.

Jun 25, 2025 • 9min
Making Babies: Listener Questions
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins Andrea to answer all of your questions!

Jun 25, 2025 • 14min
Should vegan foods be renamed?
Irish farmers have welcomed a proposed restriction on using terms like “sausage” and “burger” for vegan products, arguing that such labels can mislead consumers and unfairly borrow from traditional meat branding. They see this as a “cynical” marketing tactic by plant-based producers.However, vegan advocates argue these terms simply describe the product’s shape or style, not its ingredients, and help consumers understand how to use them. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between the meat industry and the growing plant-based sector.Joining Andrea to discuss is Deputy President of the Irish Creamery Association and Milk Supplier Association and Chair of the National Dairy Council, Eamon Carroll, Chef at vegan and vegetarian restaurant Glas in Dublin, Malte, Political Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal, Pat O’Toole and more.Image: Beyond Meat

Jun 25, 2025 • 18min
Are you impacted by transport noise?
Do you live near a busy road? Or a loud trainline?More than 1 million of us are apparently exposed to high levels of transport noise.The noise exceeds the thresholds set under EU reporting rules around harming health.So, how is it affecting you?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dr Eoin King, a Noise Specialist based at the University of Galway, Cathal Crowe TD & Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Aviation and Logistics and listeners.

Jun 24, 2025 • 11min
Ask the Expert: Guidance Counsellor
With today being the end of the Leaving Cert exams, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Laura Walshe, Career Guidance Counsellor with FindYourPath to discuss students’ next steps, including the CAO Change of Mind.

Jun 24, 2025 • 13min
Should Irish wool have its own trademark?
Irish-grown wool has now been a loss maker for farmers for many years.That's despite it being such an iconic feature of the country’s craft heritage and traditional clothing.So stakeholders across the country are trying to establish an Irish wool brand mark to protect it.President of the Wool Council, Barrister and Farmer, Brian McInerney and Pat Kane, Sustainability Advocate and Strategist join Andrea to discuss.

Jun 24, 2025 • 19min
Speeding on smaller roads - how should it be policed?
Speed cameras can be a help and a hindrance on our roads, with many people slowing down when they see a camera up ahead, only to increase again when they pass it.One in four admit to speeding: so how do we police speeding on smaller roads?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Jun 24, 2025 • 13min
How popular has the Irish language become worldwide?
The Irish language has taken the world by storm in recent years. Films like An Cailín Ciúin and bands as big as Kneecap have launched Gaeilge to a whole new demographic. The new TG4 Irish crime series Crá has become a global phenomenon, reaching 68 countries worldwide.What has caused this spike in interest? Andrea is joined by Ciaran Charles, Producer of Crá, as well as Screen Ireland Spokesperson Louise Ryan and Entertainment Journalist Brian Lloyd to discuss.Image: TG4