

Moncrieff
Newstalk
The daily dose of madness and intrigue from Sean Moncrieff and his rebel radio crew.CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 21, 2025 • 8min
Why are thongs being banned in Sydney?
A council in Greater Sydney has banned thong and g-string bikinis at its public swimming pools, causing outrage among pool users.Despite the outrage, sales of thongs are up at Marks & Spencer…So, why is there policing on what women can wear?Seán is joined by Édaein O'Connell, Freelance Journalist, to discuss.

Jan 21, 2025 • 14min
Can Ireland handle a wave of espionage?
In the past, Ireland as a country has assumed a certain level of immunity from espionage.It perhaps comes from our neutrality, our geographical location or our alliances, but in recent times, not only is Ireland not without espionage, it is in fact a major target in the 21st century…So, how prepared are we to deal with this threat?Dr Edward Burke is Assistant Professor in the History of War since 1945 at University College Dublin. He joins Seán to discuss.

Jan 21, 2025 • 11min
Are supermarket loyalty schemes worth it?
Does it really pay to be loyal, or are we giving away too much information?The Consumer Columnist for the Irish Examiner, Caitriona Redmond took a long hard look at supermarket loyalty cards, and whether they are really worth having.She joins Seán to discuss.

Jan 21, 2025 • 8min
Citizen science survey aims to map the Irish stoat
What's the difference between a stoat, a weasel, a mink and a pine marten? A citizen science survey of Ireland is currently trying to map the Irish stoat.Joining Seán to discuss is Vicky Knight, Species Conservation Officer with Vincent Wildlife Trust…

Jan 21, 2025 • 20min
Should international surrogacy be banned?
In the last couple of weeks Italy brought in a new law making surrogacy a “universal crime”.This has been seen as part of a larger international reaction against the practice of surrogacy.So, with the Assisted Human Reproduction Act set to be enacted later this year, how will all of this affect Irish couples looking to avail of the practice?Annette Hickey is a Family Law Solicitor and one of Ireland's foremost Solicitors in Surrogacy Law. She joins Seán to discuss.

Jan 20, 2025 • 12min
The world’s oldest fish is aging backwards
In 2019, it was discovered that the Bigmouth Buffalo fish was the world’s longest-lived freshwater fish, surviving to an age of at least 127 years old.But, this wasn’t the most incredible thing that the researchers discovered. The fish actually appears to be aging backwards!Dr. Alec Lackmann is Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: National Geographic

Jan 20, 2025 • 9min
What is ‘eldest daughter syndrome’?
The idea of ‘eldest daughter syndrome’ is the latest trend on TikTok, but what is it, and do first born daughters really carry a burden of responsibility?Joining Seán to discuss is eldest daughter and Freelance Journalist Adele Miner, who has been investigating this for the Irish Examiner…

Jan 20, 2025 • 8min
The history of Ireland’s banking strikes
What happened during the Bank Strikes in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s? And how did people get access to cash when the banks went on strike?To discuss, Seán is joined by Rachel O’Dwyer is a Lecturer in Digital Cultures in the National College of Art and Design, Dublin and author of ‘Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform’.

Jan 20, 2025 • 9min
Star Citizen - the most expensive piece of entertainment ever
The development expenses of blockbuster games have been climbing ever higher over the years towards big Hollywood-style spending.But, a new game has outstriped those film budgets quite substantially: ‘Star Citizen’ might just be the most expensive piece of entertainment ever made…Peter Lynch is a Lecturer in Computer Games in TUD, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Cloud Imperium Games

Jan 20, 2025 • 24min
What did you want to be when you grew up? - Henry McKean Asks
Life rarely works out the way you planned it. When you were younger - did you actually achieve the profession you said you wanted? And, is that such a bad thing?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to share what he’s heard.


