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Lunchtime Live

Newstalk

Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com Listen and subscribe to Lunchtime Live on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.

CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment

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  • 78 episodes
  • Avg 14 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • Yesterday · 8 min

    The Traitors returns! What can we expect?

    The infamous ‘Traitors Ireland’ returns to our screens this Sunday evening, with many of us glued to our TVs at 9:30pm to discover who will be chosen as the new Traitors, and who will take on the role of the Faithfuls… Clare McKenna is joined by some of last year’s contestants to give the inside scoop on life in the castle, the challenges of the game, and how deception can leave even the most observant players questioning who they can trust… Eamon O’Keefe, Faye Brennan and Esther McCarthy from the Irish Examiner join to discuss!

  • Yesterday · 12 min

    Have You Been To? - The best of Fermanagh

    We continue a county-by-county journey across Ireland, exploring all 32 counties that make up this remarkable island. Have you been to some of these places and hidden gems? Today, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Travel Content Creator Will Murphy to find out what the best things to see and do are in County Fermanagh!

  • Yesterday · 19 min

    Have you lost friends because of grief?

    Losing someone you love can make grief impossible to navigate. Sadly, it can also affect your relationships, with friends or family sometimes distancing themselves because they don’t know what to say or how to support you… Have you lost friends or family members through grief? Clare McKenna is joined by listeners to discuss.

  • Yesterday · 9 min

    A wet Electric Picnic - how are people getting on?

    80,000 fans are heading to Stradbally this weekend for what looks to be a very rainy Electric Picnic... So, how are festival goers down there already getting on? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Spin News Anchor Katie Gallagher and listeners.

  • Yesterday · 14 min

    Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty

    Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined guest host Clare McKenna with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.

  • Yesterday · 15 min

    Flooding in Killarney - were you impacted?

    Killarney in County Kerry was hit with flash flooding last night after what locals are describing as “biblical” rain… Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by some of those impacted to discuss.

  • Thursday · 13 min

    The Home Squad: Kids Bedrooms

    If you’re looking to design or do up your child’s bedroom, where do you start, and what should you look out for? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss all things kids bedrooms! Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Jenny Sheehan, Co-Host of ‘Rip it up: The Renovations Podcast’ (@workerscottage on Instagram) and Jenny Butler, Interior Architect & Design Director of Jennifer Anne Interior.

  • Thursday · 8 min

    Do we need ‘zombie’ crosswalks?

    Do you walk along while looking at your phone? We’re all guilty of being distracted, but because of people’s smart phone dependency now further measures are being implemented to add new ground level traffic lights at zebra crossings. So, is this really what’s needed to deal with distracted pedestrians? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Colin Baker, Managing Director of Back from the Future tech support and listeners.

  • Thursday · 15 min

    What is the impact of lower organ transplant levels?

    A report has shown that transplants have fallen significantly, having failed to return to pre-pandemic levels. So, what impact does this have on those on the transplant list? Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Maureen O'Donnell, CEO of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association, Colin White, National Advocacy Manager with the Irish Kidney Association and listeners.

  • Thursday · 11 min

    How important are online reviews?

    How important are reviews to you when choosing a restaurant or any form of accommodation? Do you swear by reviews you read online? What impact do they have on businesses and should we monitor them more closely to ensure the information given is accurate and fair? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Barry Duff from Lock & Brew café and restaurant and Food Writer Dee Laffan.

  • Thursday · 8 min

    The Making of Van Morrison!

    We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from? Joining guest host Clare McKenna to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through the life and work of Van Morrison!

  • Thursday · 16 min

    Should the Gardaí bring back retired members?

    The former General Secretary of AGSI is calling for retired Gardaí to return on a voluntary basis to help tackle the force’s soaring overtime bill, which rose from €97m in 2020 to €197m in 2024. Could bringing experienced retired members back help ease pressure on serving Gardaí and increase their presence on Irish streets? Guest host Clare McKenna is joined by listeners to discuss.

  • Wednesday · 15 min

    Reasons to be Happy: Electric Picnic, Rain, Dog Day

    Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. 98FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined guest host Clare McKenna in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

  • Wednesday · 19 min

    Do men not talk about their weight with friends?

    Do you talk about your weight with your friends? A survey reveals that men are typically embarrassed and feel stigma opening up about their weight and trying to lose it among their pals. Joining Clare McKenna to discuss this is Michael O’Malley, Podcast Producer and content creator, as well as listeners.

  • Wednesday · 11 min

    Making Babies: Physical Symptoms After Birth

    For this week’s Making Babies, guest host Clare McKenna is joined by Advanced Midwife Practitioner from the National Maternity Hospital Caroline Brophy to discuss ongoing physical symptoms or complications after childbirth.

  • Wednesday · 11 min

    Aisling Sharkey on her Ted Lasso experience!

    Irish actress Aisling Sharkey has recently joined the cast of the two-time Emmy Award-winning comedy series Ted Lasso, where she plays footballer Niamh Harrigan, who finds herself under the management of the charismatic American coach Ted Lasso. She joins Clare McKenna to discuss the experience! Image: Apple TV

  • Wednesday · 20 min

    Are we in a college accommodation crisis?

    CAO offers are out today, which officially ushers in the new academic year. However, while new or returning students should be excited, many are stressed as they struggle to secure accommodation… Listeners join guest host Clare McKenna to share their experiences.

  • Tuesday · 14 min

    Ask the Expert: Dublin Airport ins and outs

    For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager with the DAA, to answer any of your questions about Dublin Airport!

  • Tuesday · 15 min

    How to fill the lunchbox for fussy eaters!

    Back to school time is upon us, but how do you deal with lunchboxes when it comes to fussy eaters? Louise Lennox, Children’s Feeding Therapist and Aileen Cox Blundell, Nutritionist & author join Clare McKenna to give their tips!

  • Tuesday · 13 min

    HSE approves offer on Skyclarys drug for Friedreich's Ataxia patients

    The HSE today has approved a new offer from drug firm Biogen over ‘Skyclarys’, which will now be available with reimbursement to Friedreich’s Ataxia patients. This comes after mounting pressure, and months of campaigning… Joining Clare McKenna to discuss this is Teresa Kane, a mother of two children with Friedreich’s Ataxia and Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird, who lives with Friedrich’s Ataxia…

Showing 1–20 of 78 episodes