Newstalk Weekend

Joining Anton to run through the main stories from the Saturday papers is Tanya Ward, Children's Rights Alliance Chief Executive and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer with the Independent

Today is May the 4th, otherwise celebrated by some as Stars Wars day, which is very popular with a lot of Irish people.  The historical and remote Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry has become renowned for screen tourism ever since its popular appearance in the most recent Stars Wars trilogy. Since its appearance in 2015, the old monastic island has been visited by fleets of tourists with lightsabers in hand. Today neighboring village Portmagee plays host to the second annual May the 4th Sci-Fi Film Festival, celebrating the galaxy far, far away. But has the whole thing become a little bit tired? Or is there still an appetite for all things Star Wars? To answer that Anton was joined by Nuri Albakri and Dave Byrne

Today marks 30 years since Riverdance made is debut on TV. Anton is joined by barrister and former RTÉ presenter, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú to look back on the night and what it was like to co-host with Gerry Ryan.

This week Vision Ireland said that there is a critical need for a national eye health strategy over the lifetime of the next Government with waiting lists for eye care being among the longest in the health system. One area that I wanted to look at more closely is that of laser eye surgery and how they actually work. Joining Anton to discuss is Dr. Arthur Cummings, Ophthalmologist from the Wellington Eye Clinic 

As we continue on into this new era of generative AI, global liberal democracy faces a near-unprecedented laundry list of digital threats with the rampant spread of disinformation threatening the integrity of elections this year in more than 60 countries. But how prepared are we to meet those threats head on and what is the state of the political landscape in Ireland generally? Joining Anton to discuss is Stephen O’Leary, Managing Director at Olytico & Newstalk Breakfast host, Shane Coleman 

Joining Anton to review the main stories in the Sunday papers is Theresa Lowe barrister and former broadcaster, Paul Williams, Crime Journalist with the Irish Independent, and Craig Hughes, Political Editor with Irish Daily Mail

The Ideal Home Show 2024 is taking place all weekend in the RDS Simmonscourt with over 200 exhibitors, advice theatres, dozens of interior designers & home improvement experts. One of the people who will be on hand to give one of the many expert talks is the one and only, Diarmuid Gavin - he joins Anton to discuss.

Joining Anton to answer all of your finance related questions is Robert Whelan, Rockwell Financial Management.

68 is the number of people who have died on Irish roads this year, which is an increase of a third compared with the same period last year. While speed remains the primary factor in these incidents, alcohol, and drug consumption are also major contributors to the kind of numbers we are now seeing. Joining Anton to discuss the issue is Dr. Chris Luke Columnist with the Irish Medical Times and Retired consultant in emergency medicine & Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.

Two Irish authors make up one-third of this year’s shortlist for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Anne Enright has been shortlisted for her seventh novel, 'The Wren, The Wren', with Claire Kilroy getting the nod for her novel, 'Soldier Sailor'. Claire joins Anton to discuss.