Lunchtime Live

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Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com

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

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277 episodes
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August 14 · 9 min
What do you think about the Irish Athletics success?
What a night for Irish Athletics last night with Mark English winning gold and Rhasidat Adeleke taking silver! Joining Andrea to give their reactions is Chris McNulty from Finn Valley Athletics Club and Cecil Johnston, Tallaght Athletics Club PRO.
August 14 · 12 min
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.
August 14 · 23 min
What support is needed for parents with autistic children?
Yesterday on the show Andrea heard from Dervla Burke O'Connor on her son Paul’s autism and how it has impacted both her and her son’s life. Today, more parents join to speak to more parents who are in a similar situation… Are the supports there for parents of children with autism, and what more needs to be done to help?
August 13 · 10 min
The Home Squad: Spare Room
Do you have a spare room in your home? What should you do with it? This week, the Home Squad are here to discuss spare rooms and what your options are! Joining Andrea 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.
August 13 · 13 min
How difficult is returning to work after maternity leave?
Are you facing returning back to work after maternity leave, and how are you feeling? Whether you’re dreading it or looking forward to the return to routine, it is certainly a daunting prospect for many new mums… Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.
August 13 · 28 min
Dervla Burke O’Connor on leaving career to be full-time carer to son
Dervla Burke O’Connor, who many of you will know as part of the band Crystal Swing with her mum Mary and brother Derek is with Andrea on the line today. Dervla has had to put her music career aside to care for her son, Paul, full time. She discusses her experience…
August 13 · 10 min
The Making of Tom Petty’s ‘Full Moon Fever’!
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 Andrea to discuss is Alan Buckley from the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, who’s going to talk through the Tom Petty album ‘Full Moon Fever’!
August 12 · 11 min
What are your Vinted experiences?
Spending in secondhand shops such as vinted has surged 200% in the past year, but is it all good? You hear the Vinted horror stories, the smelly clothes, unusual packaging and things just not looking the way they're supposed to. Joining Andrea to share their experiences is Elaine Power, host of the ‘What's Trending in F1?’ podcast, Stylist Justine King and Pat Kane.
August 12 · 11 min
Reasons to be Happy: Retirement, Rose of Tralee, Dustin the Turkey
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 Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…
August 12 · 11 min
Do children need more strength training?
According to new research, European children are in worse physical shape than at almost any point in the last 60 years. The study has shown that children and adolescents in Europe are not reaching adequate levels of physical fitness in terms of strength, flexibility and body composition and, as a result of this, it will impact them in later life… John Belton, head coach and owner of No.17 PT and listeners join Andrea to discuss this.
August 12 · 16 min
Should hospitals stop charging for parking?
A recent HSE breakdown has revealed that people in Ireland spent a record €17.76 million on car parking at public and voluntary hospitals in 2025. That’s up from €7.39 million in 2021, an increase of 140% in just four years. But, for people who are already dealing with illness, treatment or supporting a loved one, is the cost of hospital parking adding unnecessary financial pressure and stress at an already difficult time? Have you spent a fortune on hospital parking? Has the cost added to the stress of going to hospital? And should hospital car parking charges be scrapped altogether? Joining Andrea to discuss is Deirdre Bonass, skin cancer survivor of basal cell carcinoma Siobhan O’Neill Whyte from mams.ie and more.
August 12 · 15 min
Making Babies: Home Births
While most babies in Ireland are born in hospital settings, some women choose to give birth at home with the support of specially trained community midwives. So, what does a home birth involve? For this week’s Making Babies, Andrea is joined by Community Midwife Jean Kavanagh to discuss this and answer your questions!
August 12 · 26 min
Sophia Murphy on parental sexual abuse & cruelty
(This conversation contains references to sexual assault and rape.) Sophia Murphy was just an infant when her father started abusing her. 65 year old John Murphy, a former member of the Defence Forces, and formerly of Nephin View Manor, Foxford, Co. Mayo, was sentenced to 18 years for indecent assault, sexual assault and rape in 2018. It's now nearly 5 months since Sophia’s mother, Jacqueline Curran, was sent to prison for failing to act to protect her from that abuse. She was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to two counts of child cruelty for wilfully failing to protect her daughter. Sophia Murphy joins Andrea from Thailand, where she’s now living, to discuss how she is feeling today… If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, please remember the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre 24-hour Helpline is open: 1800 77 8888 www.drcc.ie
August 11 · 12 min
Ask the Expert: Irish Rail
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Barry Kenny from Irish Rail to answer any of your train-related questions!
August 11 · 9 min
Solar eclipse tomorrow - what you need to know
Tomorrow night, many of us will be transfixed by the solar eclipse which is due to be visible here, but people are being warned to be careful... Joining Andrea to discuss is Professor Peter Gallagher, Director of DIAS Dunsink Observatory and Caoimhe Lyons, Science Facilitator at the Blackrock Castle Observatory.
August 11 · 17 min
Children left without school bus ahead of upcoming term
Wexford parents have said they are at the mercy of Bus Éireann as children have been denied tickets for the school bus ahead of the upcoming term. Parents are now scrambling for ways to ensure their children can make it to school each day… Listeners with this problem join Andrea to discuss.
August 11 · 12 min
Should endometriosis be treated as a disability?
Last week, a text from a listener was sent in, saying she has been struggling with endometriosis from a young age, and the pain is so bad it inhibits her ability to work, yet she doesn't qualify for disability benefit… She joins Andrea to share her story.

Showing 261–277 of 277 episodes