

Moncrieff
Newstalk
The daily dose of madness and intrigue from Sean Moncrieff and his rebel radio crew. Listen and subscribe to Moncrieff 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

Aug 1, 2025 • 7min
Enormous stick insect discovered in Australia
A new creature has claimed the title of Australia’s heaviest insect…The discovered stick insect was very difficult to capture, but is proving fascinating to Entomologists.Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Angus Emmott from James Cook University in Australia…

Aug 1, 2025 • 11min
Would you build your home with hemp?
Hemp is used for many things in the world, but did you know that it could be one of the solutions to the climate crisis?The plant can be used to make building blocks, and one of the biggest suppliers of them is based here in Ireland.Ronan McDermott is the owner of Hemp Build, and joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

Aug 1, 2025 • 10min
What it’s like to play in the Poc Fada
On Monday, the annual Poc Fada will take place up the Cooley Mountains in North Louth.The sport has ancient traditions in Irish history, but it wasn’t until the early 1960s where the competition as we know it today developed.So, what is it like to play in the Poc Fada?Joining Tom Dunne to explain is Brendan Cummins, former Tipperary hurler, who holds the record for the most Poc Fada wins.

Aug 1, 2025 • 16min
How the music festival has changed
With festival season kicking off in earnest this weekend with All Together Now, guest host Tom Dunne is joined by Journalist Pat Carty to discuss ahead of it - and much more!

Jul 31, 2025 • 9min
What was the impact of showbands in Ireland?
While today marks the 50th anniversary of the Miami Showband Massacre, a new book explores the extraordinary impact the showbands had on Irish society more broadly, from the pleasure they brought to Irish people’s lives during the dull economic landscape of mid-century Ireland, to the new ways of dancing that they ushered in…Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Rebecca Miller, Author of ‘Are You Dancing: Showbands, Popular Music, and Memory in Modern Ireland’.

Jul 31, 2025 • 9min
Why does Australia celebrate Christmas in July?
Christmas is a good bit away from us, but down under in Australia for many, especially in Sydney, Christmas isn't just celebrated in December, but also July!The tradition apparently has Irish roots, with it originating from 6 Irish men walking into an Australian hotel.Garry Crockett is former owner of the Mountain Heritage Hotel in Sydney, and he joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

Jul 31, 2025 • 11min
How does outside world contact impact isolated tribes?
If you’re a fan of Star Trek, you’ll be familiar with the concept of the ‘Prime Directive’. Put simply, the idea is that you avoid contact with people who haven’t reached your level of technological development.This is more or less the approach of governments that still have uncontacted peoples living within the borders of their country today.But, what do you do when initial contact has already been made? How do you manage that situation without creating a catastrophe?John Reid is a Freelance Writer working with the Guardian on a series about uncontacted peoples and author of ‘Ever Green: Saving Big Forests to Save the Planet’. He joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

Jul 31, 2025 • 21min
The Cost of Dating - Henry McKean Reports
Gen Z adults in the States, those currently in their teens and 20s, are becoming more frugal about what they spend on dates as they deal with higher living costs, according to a Bank of America survey. Is it similar here?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins guest host Tom Dunne to share what he’s heard.

Jul 31, 2025 • 14min
Meta is banning political ads - a good thing?
In October, the EU’s Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising (TTPA) regulation will come into force. The aim of the regulation is to ensure transparency when it comes to political ads on social media.But on Friday, Meta announced that they’re banning political ads altogether.So, is this a victory or a loss for the EU’s new regulations?Clare O’Donoghue Velikić is the Director of ODV Digital, a digital consultancy for the political and campaigning sector, based in Dublin. She joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

Jul 30, 2025 • 6min
Oyster swallowing competition making appeal for women competitors
This Friday will see the annual Oyster Swallowing Competition take place, as part of the Ballylongford Oyster Festival in Kerry. The festival is struggling however to attract women competitors and is currently calling all female oyster enthusiasts to participate…Joining Seán to discuss is Marie Hanrahan O’Neill, PRO of the Ballylongford Oyster Festival…