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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

Feb 6, 2025 • 9min
How easy is it to make a viral video?
What does it take for a video to go viral?Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie, accidentally made her son viral at the start of lockdown, playing football against the wall as both the striker and goalkeeper!She joins Andrea to tell the story!

Feb 6, 2025 • 21min
What homelessness looks like in Ireland today
If you were listening to Lunchtime Live yesterday you would have heard caller Emmet Kelleher who joined Andrea to discuss his experience of homelessness in Ireland...A lot of people got in touch with the show following Emmet’s story, including listener Mal who said that he is facing losing his rented accommodation this weekend…Today, listener Jane joins Andrea to discuss her own experience of homelessness, and Fr Peter McVerry from the Peter McVerry Trust joins to discuss the landscape of homelessness in Ireland today.

Feb 6, 2025 • 10min
Religion in Ireland: Hare Krishna
Every Thursday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea will be joined by followers of different religions in Ireland to learn more about them.This week, Martin ‘Manu’ Krishna joins Andrea to discuss his faith: Hare Krishna.

Feb 6, 2025 • 11min
Throwback Thursday: Pac-Man, John Lennon, U2
For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year 1980!

Feb 6, 2025 • 23min
Many still left without power following Storm Éowyn
Two weeks after Storm Éowyn, there’s still thousands of people across the country without power. Local communities have started to set up hubs in parish halls and centres to allow people to charge their phones, get a hot meal and, where possible, take a hot shower.Andrea is joined by some of those affected to discuss what their experience has been.

Feb 5, 2025 • 10min
Ask the Expert: RSV
GP Dr Máire Finn from Ennis Centric Health joins Andrea for this week’s Ask the Expert to discuss how you can recognise the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and answer your questions!

Feb 5, 2025 • 18min
What is the solution to Ireland’s homeless problem?
Following Andrea’s conversation with Emmet Kelleher, who finds himself homeless at 59 - there is clearly a problem in this country with homelessness. But, what solutions are there, and what kind of supports exist?Andrea is joined by Senator Aubrey McCarthy from the Lighthouse Café and more to discuss.

Feb 5, 2025 • 15min
Are soaps dying out?
January 2026 will see popular TV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale return as 30-minute episodes in a bid to retain audiences and to make shows more “streamer-friendly”...The decision is a reversal on a 2022 schedule change which saw Coronation Street move to three one-hour episodes midweek. Now, the soap will play as part of a special ‘Soap Power Hour’ weekday evenings from 8pm.ITV Boss, Kevin Lygo, has said it is viewer-led, but will it be enough to save ratings?Andrea is joined by Mikie O'Loughlin, RSVP Magazine’s Showbiz Editor, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Feb 5, 2025 • 12min
Samantha Mumba on competing for a spot at Eurovision!
It might be hard to believe that it is that time of the year again, as Ireland gets ready to choose an act to represent the country at this year's Eurovision! Among the six artists competing is a very well known Irish popstar: Samantha Mumba.She joins Andrea to discuss…

Feb 5, 2025 • 6min
Reasons to be Happy: Super Bowl, Spice Girls, Irish Eurovision
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…