Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

Have you tried dipping your cheese in your morning coffee? Well, it might be the new foodie hit in 2024. Joining Andrea to discuss are Kevin Sheridan from Sheridan’s Cheese and Dee Laffan, freelance journalist and Editor-in-Chief at ScoopMagazine.

Following the success of Netflix’s Baby Reindeer, a spotlight has been put on stalking and how being a victim of it can affect you. Jarlath Rice is one of those victims, who was even physically assaulted by his stalker. He joins Andrea to share his story… If you find that you might be a victim of stalking, or want to learn more about the signs, visit https://www.stalkinginireland.ie

LunchtimeLive listener Aaron got in touch with the show to talk about an issue in his daughter’s school: the roof has been leaking for almost a year, leaving many of the rooms out of use due to the water running through them. Most of the students are in wheelchairs.Andrea is also joined by Antonia Maguire, Principal of Fermoy Educate Together National School, to discuss how they do not have the space for Special Needs classes, leaving them no choice but to teach in hallways.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at the perfect recipes for a Communion or Confirmation party - covering everything from nibbles, brownies and beef bourguignon.Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

The minimum legal age for the sale of tobacco will be increased from 18 to 21 under plans due to be approved by Cabinet this week.  It comes amid concerns about a recent plateau in the decline of smoking rates in Ireland.  Do you agree with raising the smoking age? Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes.

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers. Andrea Gilligan was joined by Niall Spelman who, until recently served as the second Governor of Wheatfield Prison, to answer all of your questions.

With the Junior and Leaving Cert exams just a few weeks away, many students are turning to TikTok for study tips and advice. Has this trend changed how we learn? We speak to three Irish teachers who are making a big impact on #StudyTok to discuss their strategies and how social media is transforming exam prep.Stacy Stout has amassed over 12K followers on TikTok, becoming the go-to source for Leaving Cert history study tips and exciting topics like the first-ever moon landing @missstoutshistoryclassKatie Lenehan If you're looking for tips for international language exams, TikTok creator Katie, a French and Spanish teacher, is a must-follow @mslenslanguages1Tadgh O'Donovan, with over 300K followers, this secondary school science teacher is revitalising science for students in Ireland. He offers tips for both Leaving and Junior Cert exams @teachwithtadgh

Andrea was joined by guests to discuss France’s new approach to tackling a decade-long decline in its birth rate. President Emmanuel Macron has introduced a program offering free fertility testing to all 18 to 25-year-olds, including semen analysis and ovarian reserve checks. Is this a measure Ireland should consider adopting?

We've frequently discussed palliative care and elder care on this show, as they often involve challenging and emotional conversations. Simon Chambers, who has created a poignant documentary about his relationship with his elderly uncle, joined Andrea to delve into these topics and share his insights on the responsibilities and burdens of caregiving.

From a Netflix show filming in Ireland to a thatched pub hitting New York – Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has some of the stories from around the country that you may have missed this week.

Andrea talks to Irish fans about the dramatic buildup to this year's Eurovision final in Malmö, Sweden. Ireland’s Bambie Thug has secured a spot in the final for the first time since 2018. However, protests in Malmö and outside RTE headquarters back home have overshadowed the event, primarily due to Israel's participation.

‘Dumbphones’ are making a comeback, but would you swap your iPhone for a Nokia 3210?Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent joins Andrea to explain why people are going old-school with this new trend.

New research from the ESRI reveals that many people are unaware of the environmental impact their diet can have on climate change. While most are concerned about packaging and imports, emissions from red meat are often overlooked. Andrea chats with listeners and asks the question, could you give up meat to help the environment?

May is melanoma awareness month. Paul Darby joins Andrea to share his experience of finding a small mark on his skin.

It's time for Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joined Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live…

Real-life Martha from Baby Reindeer has been interviewed by Piers Morgan to share her side of the story. The woman who has come forward as the inspiration behind the character, and sits down in a tell-all with Piers Morgan. Andrea is asking people whether it’s a good idea to air it or not. She is joined by Sinead Ryan -Presenter of the Home Show, Dr Caroline West - Sexual Violence &, Harassment Prevention and Response Manager with UCC and a number of callers.

From overpaying your mortgage to how to switch;  we’re putting your mortgage questions to Trevor Grant, Chairperson, Association of Irish Mortgage Advisors. From missing luggage to parking, for this week’s Ask the Expert, we’re putting your Dublin airport questions to Graeme McQueen, Media Relations with the DAA. 

Sea swimming spots around Dublin Bay are being lost due to poor water conditions. But what can be done to save our seas and swimming spots? Andrea is joined Green Party Councillor & Member of the Dollymount Dames Donna Cooney to ask are we neglecting our seas? Image credit: rollingnews.ie 

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  Andrea was joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill  and Broadcaster Ciara King to review Ed Gamble and James Acaster's podcast.Image credit: Spotify