Moncrieff

Hammers, nails and hard hats are some of the tools in bringing the LGBTQ+ community together in Clare as they set up Queer Shed Clare.The shed offers workshops, training and skills in DIY but also helps to build a sense of community among LGBTQ+ people living in Clare, something that has been growing strong in the last few years.Orla Vaughan is Secretary of Queer Clare, member of the Queer Shed Clare, and joins Seán.Image: Queer Shed Clare

The old saying goes, music is the window to the soul, but it’s also a powerful tool for triggering memories for people with dementia. Music And Memory Boxes is a new initiative being rolled out in nursing homes across Cork for dementia patients. The boxes are filled with old photos, books and music of a certain era and it’s proven a success in sparking memories for dementia patients who are striking conversations of old times. Margaret O’Sullivan is executive librarian at the Rory Gallagher Music Library in Cork and the creator behind the Music And Memory Boxes. She joins Seán to discuss.Image: Music Memory Box

150 years ago the now familiar QWERTY keyboard was first used. It has become a staple of every desk and laptop across the country since then, with some letters getting more love than others. Paul Clement has been writing about this in today’s Irishman’s Diary in the Irish Times and joins Seán to discuss the history of the layout.

The importance of men understanding menopause can make all the difference to women going through it.  Men should read, listen and understand what menopause exactly is to support and help women at home and in the workplace. Joining Seán to discuss this is Niki Woods, Midlife Wellbeing Coach, Menopause Expert and Author of ‘The Man’s Guide to Menopause’.

The Minister of State with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail Emer Higgins said she will ask Dublin City Council to pause the plan that is due to come into effect in August. It’s because of concerns about the impact it could have on jobs and retail sales in the city. But what type of planning goes into these big changes in the city? Conor Skehan is a Sunday Independent Columnist, former Chair of the Housing Agency, Lecturer in Planning at Technological University Dublin and joins Seán to discuss.

The digitisation of The Dublin Gazette, a treasure trove of historical narratives, brings the vibrant stories of past centuries to life, from juicy local gossip to pivotal events. This project breathes new life into old pages, making centuries-old issues accessible for public exploration and scholarly research. Joining Seán to discuss is Ciarán Wallace, Deputy Director of Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland.

Last week, you might have seen the images of a sinkhole that went viral. The hole collapsed in on itself in the middle of a football field in Illinois. But what are sinkholes exactly? And how do they come about? Dr Siobhán Power, Geologist with Geological Survey Ireland, joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

Whether at work, school or a fancy restaurant, everyone comes across dress codes during their lives, but what do you think about them? Should it be suit and tie wherever you go? Or should you be allowed to wear Crocs in the office?Newstalk’s Henry McKean joined Seán to share what he has heard from the public.

This might surprise you, but Michael Jackson’s chimp, Bubbles, is still alive! In the years since the popstar’s passing, what has his pet been up to?Joining Seán to discuss is Patti Ragan, Founder of ‘The Center for Great Apes’. 

A seemingly minor neighbourhood dispute has led to an unexpected tourist attraction in Sheffield!Joining Seán to share the details is Ashley Pemberton, News Editor at SWNS Press Agency in Leeds.