

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
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May 2, 2025 • 8min
Soviet spacecraft set to crash into Earth soon
A Soviet-era spacecraft, that has been in orbit for over 50 years, is set to crash land into Earth at some stage over the next week or so. But, why is this going to happen, and what was the mysterious craft’s original mission?Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland…

May 2, 2025 • 10min
Guinness World Records celebrate 70th anniversary of first book
This year, Guinness World Records is marking the 70th anniversary of the publication of their first book. But, did you know that the origins of this extraordinary story began in Castlebridge in Co. Wexford?Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is John Ryan from the Castlebridge Inspire Group…

May 1, 2025 • 9min
Man tracks down origin of iconic ‘Shining’ photograph
Many horror buffs have puzzled for years over the mysterious photograph that appears at the end of the iconic 1980 Stanley Kubrick classic ‘The Shining’. Well recently, an academic in England has sleuthed an answer!Joining Seán to discuss is Alasdair Spark, retired American Studies Lecturer at the University of Winchester…

May 1, 2025 • 8min
The white Afrikaners lining up to accept Trump’s offer of asylum
Trump's offer of refugee status to white South Africans has, inevitably, proven hugely controversial, in a country with a dark history of apartheid. But, are South Africans taking him up on the offer?Joining Seán to discuss is Rachel Savage, the Guardian's southern Africa correspondent…Image: Reuters

May 1, 2025 • 10min
How many penises are on this medieval tapestry?
There are many important debates among historians. Where did the agricultural revolution start exactly? Would Germany have won World War 2 if they hadn’t invaded Russia?And now, how many penises are there on the Bayeux Tapestry?To answer this burning question, Seán is joined by Dr. Christopher Monk.

May 1, 2025 • 10min
Are poems only for the posh?
It's Irish National Poetry Day!Are poems for the masses, or are they just for the posh?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie sent this in.

May 1, 2025 • 9min
Should we have more cross-generational friends?
Most people’s closest and dearest friends are around the same age as themselves. With us usually making our friends through school or college, it is not surprising that cross- generational friendships are somewhat unusual.But, does having friends of varying ages fulfil needs your peers can't?Joining Seán for more on this is Journalist Sinead Kehoe.

May 1, 2025 • 13min
What is it like to use a driverless taxi?
As driverless taxis begin to take off in the States, what is it actually like to go for a trip in one?Ciara O’Brien, Technology Correspondent for the Irish Times, has done it, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Waymo

Apr 30, 2025 • 9min
Monty Python and the Holy Grail turns 50!
The first movie from iconic British comedy group Monty Python, ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, turns 50 this year!Joining Seán to look back on the film is Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, John Fardy.

Apr 30, 2025 • 9min
Are men worse at remembering birthdays?
In a recent episode of Joe & Stacey on BBC 1, it emerged that Joe Swash couldn’t remember most of the family’s birthdays.But, why is that, and does it have anything to do with gender? Ciara Greene is Associate Professor in the School of Psychology, UCD and author of ‘Memory Lane: The Perfectly Imperfect Ways We Remember’. She joins Seán to discuss.