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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 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 entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 5, 2026 • 17min
The Making of The Dubliners’ greatest hits!
We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums and bands 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 some of The Dubliners’ greatest hits!

Mar 5, 2026 • 19min
Government abandons derelict homes planned for regeneration
Plans to regenerate two derelict houses in Phibsborough have been abandoned due to the cost.The Government had bought the two houses on Connaught Street for €700,000 seven years ago.Despite the approval of planning in 2023, the work would now cost an expected €1.7 million…Joining Andrea to discuss this is Feljin Jose, Green Party Councillor for Phibsborough, Frank O’Connor, Artist, Designer and Derelict Ireland campaigner, Architect and Director at Maremoto Architects Alfonso Bonilla and listeners.

Mar 4, 2026 • 16min
What are your rights when a flight is cancelled?
Travel chaos caused by the events in the Middle East: what are your rights when it comes to cancelled flights and disrupted plans?Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air & Travel Magazine joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss.

Mar 4, 2026 • 9min
Reasons to be Happy: Grand Stretch, Dancing, CMAT X O’Neills
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 Anna Daly in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Mar 4, 2026 • 18min
How are teacher shortages impacting children?
One in five schools have been forced to drop a subject due to teachers' retention and recruitment issues, according to a survey carried out by the Teachers Union of Ireland.Three-quarters of the schools surveyed had advertised positions in the previous six months for which no teacher applied. A further 60% have unfilled vacancies…Have you or your children been affected by the teacher's shortage?Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss is Paul Cuddihy, teacher of history and geography at Kilkenny College, primary school Principal Simon Lewis and more.

Mar 4, 2026 • 15min
Making Babies: Morning Sickness
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies.Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist joins to cover every area of trying to have a baby. From the very start of knowing how to prepare, right up to pregnancy – and all the bumps in the road in between.This week, Shane joins guest host Anna Daly to discuss morning sickness…

Mar 4, 2026 • 14min
Being diagnosed with MS at 29
29-year-old Olivia McAleenan was diagnosed last week with multiple sclerosis…She joins Anna Daly to share her experience thus far of recognizing her symptoms and receiving a diagnosis.

Mar 4, 2026 • 18min
Storm damage repairs exceed council budgets - what should be done?
An estimated €15.6 million will be needed to repair damaged roads after Storm Chandra.Elected members of Wicklow County Council, one of the worst affected areas, have called on the Department of Transport, Taoiseach and Tanaiste to provide extra emergency funding to aid this.The “extraordinary scale of destruction” caused far exceeds the road maintenance budget for the council.Joining guest host Anna Daly to discuss this is Tom Fortune, Wicklow County Councillor representing Greystones electoral district, Ciaran Feghan, Managing director of PMS Pavement Management Services engineering consultancy, Louis O’Hara, Sinn Fein TD for Galway East and listeners.

Mar 3, 2026 • 7min
Are left-handers more competitive?
According to a new study, left handed people are more competitive than right handed people. Are you left handed? Does this ring true?Joining Andrea to discuss is Phil Smyth, Physicist, Engineer and Science Communicator and Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig.

Mar 3, 2026 • 14min
Ask the Expert: SEAI Grants
Looking to do some home energy upgrades but don’t know where to start?For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Brian McIntyre, Programme Manager at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland to answer any questions you might have!


