

Moncrieff
Newstalk
The daily dose of madness and intrigue from Sean Moncrieff and his rebel radio crew.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

Jan 22, 2025 • 6min
What is a ‘light box’?
Dublin City Council has this week rolled out light boxes across all libraries in the capital. But, what are they, and why would you use one?Joining Seán to discuss is Ciara Dardis, Divisional Librarian with Dublin City Libraries in charge of events and partnerships…

Jan 22, 2025 • 11min
Does taping your mouth shut help you sleep?
Have you thought about taping your mouth shut to get a better night’s sleep?A new viral craze has seen people put tape to stop themselves breathing through their mouth overnight...Professor Annie Curtis, Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at RCSI, joins Seán to discuss.

Jan 21, 2025 • 7min
The house that survived LA’s wildfires
This month’s LA wildfires may yet prove to be the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history... It is already the country’s most costly wildfire on record.You’ve seen the pictures of devastated neighbourhoods reduced to ashes, with the Pacific Palisades no different to many other neighbourhoods in the LA area. Except for the fact that one house seemed to have survived the onrushing flames more or less unscathed…Michael Kovac is the Founder and Design Partner at Kovac Architecture Studio and the owner of that house. He joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

Jan 21, 2025 • 8min
Why are thongs being banned in Sydney?
A council in Greater Sydney has banned thong and g-string bikinis at its public swimming pools, causing outrage among pool users.Despite the outrage, sales of thongs are up at Marks & Spencer…So, why is there policing on what women can wear?Seán is joined by Édaein O'Connell, Freelance Journalist, to discuss.

Jan 21, 2025 • 14min
Can Ireland handle a wave of espionage?
In the past, Ireland as a country has assumed a certain level of immunity from espionage.It perhaps comes from our neutrality, our geographical location or our alliances, but in recent times, not only is Ireland not without espionage, it is in fact a major target in the 21st century…So, how prepared are we to deal with this threat?Dr Edward Burke is Assistant Professor in the History of War since 1945 at University College Dublin. He joins Seán to discuss.

Jan 21, 2025 • 11min
Are supermarket loyalty schemes worth it?
Does it really pay to be loyal, or are we giving away too much information?The Consumer Columnist for the Irish Examiner, Caitriona Redmond took a long hard look at supermarket loyalty cards, and whether they are really worth having.She joins Seán to discuss.

Jan 21, 2025 • 8min
Citizen science survey aims to map the Irish stoat
What's the difference between a stoat, a weasel, a mink and a pine marten? A citizen science survey of Ireland is currently trying to map the Irish stoat.Joining Seán to discuss is Vicky Knight, Species Conservation Officer with Vincent Wildlife Trust…

Jan 21, 2025 • 20min
Should international surrogacy be banned?
In the last couple of weeks Italy brought in a new law making surrogacy a “universal crime”.This has been seen as part of a larger international reaction against the practice of surrogacy.So, with the Assisted Human Reproduction Act set to be enacted later this year, how will all of this affect Irish couples looking to avail of the practice?Annette Hickey is a Family Law Solicitor and one of Ireland's foremost Solicitors in Surrogacy Law. She joins Seán to discuss.

Jan 20, 2025 • 12min
The world’s oldest fish is aging backwards
In 2019, it was discovered that the Bigmouth Buffalo fish was the world’s longest-lived freshwater fish, surviving to an age of at least 127 years old.But, this wasn’t the most incredible thing that the researchers discovered. The fish actually appears to be aging backwards!Dr. Alec Lackmann is Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: National Geographic

Jan 20, 2025 • 9min
What is ‘eldest daughter syndrome’?
The idea of ‘eldest daughter syndrome’ is the latest trend on TikTok, but what is it, and do first born daughters really carry a burden of responsibility?Joining Seán to discuss is eldest daughter and Freelance Journalist Adele Miner, who has been investigating this for the Irish Examiner…


