Moncrieff

Newstalk
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Jan 8, 2026 • 10min

Would banning advertising on junk food actually work?

This week, the UK has introduced a total ban on all junk food advertising on TV and online. This means that companies will be prohibited from advertising unhealthy foods before 9pm and at all times on the internet.In the list of banned foods are those with a high sugar, salt, and fat content, which even include porridge, cereal, and yoghurts.Joining Seán to discuss the impact of this is Lana Repar, Lecturer in Food Business at UCC, to give us her take on how marketing strategies will have to adapt…
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Jan 8, 2026 • 7min

Meghan Markle sells a million jam jars - how can you make it at home?

It has been revealed that Meghan Markle’s jams are proving popular with over one million jars snapped up by shoppers...But, just why is jam so sought after, whether it has a royal connection or not, and just how easy it is to make at home?Chef Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School joins Seán to discuss.Raspberry JamMakes 3 x 450g (1lb) potsRaspberry jam is the easiest and quickest of all jams to make, and one of the most delicious.  Loganberries, Boysenberries or Tayberries may also be used in this recipe.900g (2lbs) fresh raspberries790g (1lb 12oz) granulated sugarWash, dry and sterilise the jars in the oven 100°C/Gas Mark 1/4, for 15 minutes. Heat the sugar in a moderate oven for 5-10 minutes.Put the raspberries into a wide stainless steel saucepan and cook for 3-4 minutes until the juice begins to run, then add the hot sugar and stir over a gentle heat until fully dissolved. Increase the heat and boil steadily for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.Test for a set by putting about a teaspoon of jam on a cold plate, leaving it for a few minutes in a cool place. It should wrinkle when pressed with a finger. * Remove from the heat immediately. Skim and pour into sterilised jam jars. Cover immediately.Hide the jam in a cool place or else put on a shelf in your kitchen so you can feel great every time you look at it! Anyway, it will be so delicious it won't last long!*How to Fix It!If the jam overcooks it will be too thick. Just add a little boiling water to loosen.Raspberry and Cassis Preserve Make Raspberry jam as above, add 4 tablespoons of cassis to the jam just before potting.Loganberry, Tayberry, and Boysenberry jams are made in exactly the same way
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Jan 8, 2026 • 5min

Why don’t writers retire?

Why don’t writers retire? Novelist Julian Barnes is bucking the trend having announced his retirement coinciding with his 80th birthday, saying that his next book will be his last, but just why is it so rare for creatives to stop working and instead...’’keep going until the grim reaper cuts you down in your study”.Columnist for the Irish Independent Mary Kenny continues to write and joins Seán to discuss.
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Jan 8, 2026 • 9min

Tesla loses EV war to BYD - what now?

The Chinese electric vehicle company BYD has now overtaken Tesla for the first time to become the world’s biggest selling EV brand.Joining Seán to discuss this, and the future of the electric vehicle market is John Hayes, Lecturer in Electronic Engineering at UCC…
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Jan 8, 2026 • 9min

Does Ireland need to embrace bolder architecture?

Is Ireland too timid when it comes to our architectural ambition? Sinead O’Sullivan, a Business economist, has been writing about this in the Irish Times and joins Seán to discuss…
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Jan 8, 2026 • 14min

US-based Irish therapist on growing anxiety in Trump’s America

A US-based Irish therapist says Trump’s America is causing a rise in depression and anxiety among his clients.Eamonn McKay is a Therapist based in California, and is moving back to Ireland over concerns his US citizenship will be revoked…He joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters
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Jan 7, 2026 • 21min

Parenting with Joanna Fortune

Joanna Fortune joins Sean to discuss listeners' parenting queries...
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Jan 6, 2026 • 11min

Where did the ‘Wilhelm Scream’ come from?

Even if you’ve never heard the name, you would recognise the iconic Wilhelm scream, which has been used in countless movies.But, where does it come from, and why is it used so much?Steve Lee is a Sound Effects Wrangler and Founder and CEO of the Hollywood Sound Museum. He joins Seán to discuss.
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Jan 6, 2026 • 12min

Xi Jinping and the lost Irish novel

During the Taoiseach’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday, the two bonded over the shared love of an Irish novel which is somewhat lost and forgotten here in Ireland, but which has sold millions of copies in Russia.Joining Seán to discuss is Zoe Comyns, Creator of the Lyric FM documentary ‘Ethel Voynich - Music Mystery and Manuscripts’...
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Jan 6, 2026 • 9min

The significance of the 1926 census

The 100th birthday of the first census conducted by the Irish Free State is coming up. What was the significance of this one, and how were they conducted a century ago?Joining Seán to discuss is Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Colin Sheridan.

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