Moncrieff

It has been a week of controversy in the world of art with King Charles III’s new official portrait, stirring some conversation with many claiming it looks ‘hellish’. Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart’s portrait has also sparked debates as she has demanded her portrait be removed from the National Gallery of Australia.  Joining Seán to discuss what makes a good portrait is Kathleen James-Chakraborty, Professor of Art History University College Dublin. Image: Jonathan Yeo

Ireland, Norway and Spain have all announced plans to recognise a state of Palestine. But, what is recognizing a state? And how does it work? Scott Lucas is a Professor at the Clinton Institute in University College Dublin, and joins Seán to discuss the process.

Two new roller coasters have just opened in Ireland, promising to thrill and amaze—but do they deliver the excitement that coaster enthusiasts crave? We turned to the experts to find out if these rides are worth the hype. Joining Seán to discuss is Richard Bannister, who is on the Executive Committee of the European Coaster Club. Image: Emerald Park

A furore has developed stateside after OpenAI launched a new iteration of ChatGPT which uses voice technology that seems to resemble that of Scarlett Johansson, in an odd throwback to the 2013 movie ‘Her’. Joining Seán to unpack this legal quagmire is Ciara O’Brien, Tech correspondent for the Irish Times…Image: Open AI

As part of the airport’s expansion plans, two original aircraft hangars from the 1940s and the iconic North Terminal, which was used for many VIPs and Heads of State, will have to be levelled.  Frank McDonald, former Environment Editor of The Irish Times says this shouldn’t happen as these are important elements of our architectural heritage. He joins Seán to discuss.

Today marks World Goth Day, and you might be surprised to hear that the Goth community has witnessed a resurgence over the past few years…Joining Seán to discuss Wesley Whitworth, Founder of Goth Ireland.

After a successful trial last summer, Wicklow Wolf is now going full steam ahead with its appropriately named ‘Sliced Can’ beer, which uses Brennan’s Bread in its ingredients, but how does it all work? Joining Seán to discuss is Quincey Fennelly, Co-founder of Wicklow Wolf.

It seems that Ogham has made a comeback with it recently showing up in a Coventry Garden, and also on Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug in Sweden. But what exactly is Ogham, and why is it being used again?  Joining Seán to explain is Professor David Stifter, Professor for Old and Middle Irish in Maynooth and currently working on the Digitisation of Ogham project ‘Ogham in 3D’.  Image: Florian Thiery

It’s 20 years since we all waited with bated breath to see if Rachel Greene got off the plane, in the final episode of ‘Friends’.  It has gone on to be one of the most successful TV shows of all time, but is ‘Friends' really as good as it’s made out to be? Olivia Fahy is Editor of Geek Ireland and self-declared ‘Friends’ encyclopaedia and joins Seán to discuss.

The Cannes Film Festival recently took place, and to be more sustainable, they banned red meat. However, celebrities still arrived in their private jets. Is Canne's effort to be sustainable impactful or complete greenwashing? Dr Darren Clarke is an assistant professor in Climate and Environmental Sustainability in DCU and joins Seán to discuss.