Shows / Moncrieff

Moncrieff
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 entertainment
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Episodes
MoncrieffThe story behind ‘Through the Barricades’
A new documentary looking into the stories behind songs, is focusing on Spandau Ballet’s song ‘Through the Barricades’ and we are delighted to be joined now by…
MoncrieffCould AI be good for education?
There are large concerns around the use of AI in education, but could it be used for good? Dr Cillian Ó Fathaigh, Assistant Professor in Philosophy at the…
MoncrieffWhat are ‘Death Cafes’?
Death Cafes are now popping up all over the world. Seán’s guest went along and found it a transformative experience, but what exactly are they? Elizabeth…
MoncrieffAnimations by children from Gaza to be showcased
Children in Gaza have been deprived of the very basics of life and living, and that includes less tangible things like fun. Haneen Koraz is an acclaimed…
MoncrieffThe man behind the biggest chewing gum wrapper collection in the world
Seán’s guest has been collecting chewing gum wrappers for decades. In fact, he has turned them into paper chains stretching a length of 37,000 metres, but why?…
MoncrieffWhy you should draw a penis in Strava
A few months ago, Seán’s guest decided to draw an enormous digital penis across the English landscape, using GPS art, in order to raise awareness of men’s…
MoncrieffShould pro sports have a fertility policy for women?
The Women’s Tennis Association has announced that it is introducing a new policy in which a player’s ranking can be protected while they take time out for…
MoncrieffPerforming a play for 24 hours straight!
Seán’s guest is about to undertake an extraordinary theatrical marathon during the Cork Midsummer Festival: performing a play for 24 hours! The Second Woman…
MoncrieffHow the way you walk can be an indicator of health
There are certain things you can learn about a person from the way that they walk. Perhaps you might get a sense of what type of person they are, whether they…
MoncrieffWhat do dads really want for Father’s Day?
Whether it is your first father’s day or your 40th, there’s nothing like being celebrated... But, what do dads really want for the day? Journalist and Author…
MoncrieffAre we too prudish for PDA? - Henry McKean Asks
With summer loving in full swing, we often see more Public Displays of Affection, in the streets and at rock concerts. But, is it socially acceptable to snog…
MoncrieffHow to prepare your kids for the 6th year holiday
Many kids are preparing to head off on a 6th year holiday once the Leaving Cert comes to an end. But, how can parents prepare their sons and daughters to…
MoncrieffThe challenges for solo buyers in the Irish housing market
Close to 30% of first-time house buyers are now buying on their own. Solo buyers face special challenges that those buying as a couple don’t face. Joining Seán…
MoncrieffDSPCA issue warning over puppy farms
‘Breeding for profit’ is the modus operandi for many in the animal trade, as investigations show that Ireland has become the puppy farm capital of the world…
MoncrieffHow community and volunteer excavations work
A community archeology project in north Co. Dublin has made a number of remarkable discoveries over the past month or so, including a Roman era pot and a…
MoncrieffShould governments make their own period tracking apps?
Technology has undeniably made life easier, but with many women using period tracking apps to keep note of their cycle, researchers in Cambridge University are…
MoncrieffWhat does it mean to feel ‘culturally Irish’?
Ed Sheeran has said that he identifies as ‘culturally Irish’, but what does that mean exactly, and is it a feeling shared by many people who were born outside…
Moncrieff200 year old condom goes on display in Amsterdam
A 200 year old condom, in excellent condition, has now gone on display in Amsterdam. But, what does this artefact tell us about sexual practices in the past?…
MoncrieffHow accurate is your smartwatch?
Smartwatches promise a lot, from measuring your heart rate to calculating your sleep pattern. But, how accurate are they at counting the number of calories…
MoncrieffKevin Barry on classism in Ireland
When you think of classist societies, the most familiar one you may think of would be the UK, with accents over there maybe leading you to make all kinds of…
MoncrieffWhat should you actually feed the ducks?
A whopping fine for feeding the ducks? One pensioner in England was fined one hundred and fifty pounds after feeding the local ducks biscuits, as councils are…
MoncrieffHave we lost all our manners when it comes to parking?
According to a letter writer in the Irish Times today, ‘’Inconsiderate parking is a perennial problem’’, and we’ve all experienced it... Whether it’s someone…
MoncrieffShould dyslexic students get more time in state exams?
Unlike at university level, there is no extra time given to students with dyslexia while doing the state exams in Ireland. Pádraig Rice, Social Democrats TD…
MoncrieffCould AI translate animal languages?
We've all become very familiar with AI’s ability to master human language in recent years through the likes of ChatGPT. But, if AI can figure out human…
MoncrieffShould California leave the USA?
The National Guard has been sent into Los Angeles in response to protests over arrests by the immigration services in the United States. The gap between…
MoncrieffThe dark truth behind Saudi Arabian "care homes"
In Saudi Arabia, the authorities call them "care homes", when in reality they are institutions for women who are routinely tortured, for something as simple as…
MoncrieffIs modern life too noisy? - Henry McKean Asks
Extended exposure to noise pollution can affect your heart and brain function, disturb your sleep and cause severe annoyance! Henry McKean joins Seán Moncrieff…
MoncrieffThe world of running dating - Henry McKean Reports
Dating in Ireland these days is not easy, with so many people relying on dating apps and social media and getting nowhere. Singles are looking for a new outlet…
MoncrieffWhat was good about the Celtic Tiger?
The Government seems to be unable to hit their housing building targets, with this year's goal being 41,000. Yet in 2006, 93,000 homes were built. Was the…
MoncrieffPop Girl Summer
Now while some of us elder statesmen of the music world might be looking forward to a dose of nostalgia with Oasis in Croke Park this August the summer…
MoncrieffDid Scotland invent football?
If I were to start singing “it’s coming home, it’s coming home, it’s coming…” Most of you could probably reluctantly chime in with the line “football’s coming…
MoncrieffAre cars still marketed for gender?
The Hyundai Santa Fe was recently crowned the 2025 Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year. But, what is a “woman’s car” and are cars still marketed according to…
MoncrieffRare book shrine on display after 39 years of conservation work
Ireland's most important book shrine that was discovered on the bottom of a Longford Lake went on display after 39 years of conservation work. Maeve Sikora…
MoncrieffDo online child safety features actually work?
Child safety online is a big issue and as such it is also big business. Accordingly, a lot of tech companies have made much of their safer offerings for kids…
MoncrieffThe man who manages abandoned tents after festivals
As festival season kicks off, thousands of Irish people will be hauling their tents to various sites across the country. But, will they bring them home…
MoncrieffTinder to introduce new height limits setting
What has height got to do with looking for love? Well now on dating apps, users are being invited to filter by height… Tinder looks set to allow people paying…
MoncrieffAre the youth turning their noses to smelly cheese?
The French are, of course, famous for their cheese, and for good reason! They make some of the tastiest and often smelliest cheeses on the planet. But, are…
MoncrieffHow long does it really take to build muscle?
How long does it really take to build muscle? And is there such a thing as a quick fix when it comes to exercise and getting healthier? Should you really be…
MoncrieffArtificial Moon surface created in Germany
Tom Dunne’s guest has been instrumental in the development of ‘Luna’, an artificially created simulation of the moon. This Saturday, June 7th, Dr Aidan Cowley…
MoncrieffHow Italian Brainrot is making ideology digestible for children
You might have heard of ‘Ballerina Cappuccina’ or ‘Chimpanzini Bananini’ on your TikTok feed, and if you haven’t, well then that's a good sign. It means you’ve…
MoncrieffWhat is ‘Corkness’ as a concept?
What is ‘Corkness’? With Cork due to take on Limerick in the Munster Hurling final, the idea of ‘Corkness’ and that swagger has come up again, but what is it…
MoncrieffThe intersection between Irish Republicanism and music
A new book explores the intersection between Irish Republicanism and music, a very timely publication in the context of the rise of Kneecap and others. Joining…
MoncrieffIs it time for English spelling reform?
Have you ever wondered why enough or through are spelled completely differently to how they are pronounced? This is not just something that has troubled you…
MoncrieffHow to properly pack for a holiday
Going on holiday is one of the joys in life... but for a lot of people, it leads to a bit of a panic when it comes to packing... How many pairs of jocks do you…
MoncrieffTom Kopke talks “risking his life” for Gloucestershire cheese-rolling
German man Tom Kopke was victorious at the Gloucestershire cheese-rolling event for the second year in a row, saying he "risked his life" to win. Mr Kopke, 23…
MoncrieffRiona O’Connor goes viral for her witty bikini reviews to spread body positivity
It’s the time of year again when people are buying and trying on different swimwear and bikinis as they get ready for their holidays, but it’s not always as…
MoncrieffMemorial unveiled for 14 famine orphan girls shipped from Cork to Melbourne
A memorial has been unveiled in Dunmanway in Cork to remember the 14 girls who were orphaned by the Famine and shipped to Australia as part of the dubious Earl…
MoncrieffNew investigation shows majority of culled badgers found negative for TB
The Government’s badger culling programme is coming under scrutiny after an investigation by The Journal has alleged that 80% of culls have been carried out on…
MoncrieffWhat is the etiquette around thank you cards?
Did you know that writing a simple thank you note can improve your mental wellbeing? But, when exactly should we be writing thank you notes, and what are the…
MoncrieffAre you shopping online or on the high street? - Henry McKean Asks
Have you ever bought clothes online, then realised they are the wrong size and they don’t look like they did in the photo, so you send them back? How do you…
MoncrieffIrish Air Force may become part-time - why?
It is being reported that due to resourcing problems, Irish military flight operations will have their hours reduced to a more part-time basis. What is behind…
MoncrieffWhat does outer space smell like?
Have you ever wondered what space smells like? Well, it ranges from rotten eggs to raspberries… Space Scientist Marina Barcenilla, who is recreating the smells…
MoncrieffWhat do we really know about the Virgin Mary?
We know her variously as the Blessed Virgin or the Mother of God. But how much can we actually know about the person Mary of Nazareth? Brendan Butler is a…
MoncrieffWhat does a flexible 4 day work week look like?
There has been a lot of talk in recent years about the possibility that we might switch to a four day working week. One CEO who has embraced this idea in the…
MoncrieffIs the morning after pill too invasive?
While the process through which women go in order to access the morning after pill has liberalised over the years, the consultation process can still be a…
MoncrieffWhat should we do with our old tech?
Are you one of those people who hoard your old mobile phones in a drawer somewhere in the house thinking that someday you might need them? Well, if you are…
MoncrieffPushy airplane passengers set to be fined in Turkey
Pushy passengers – we'll all come across them. The people who get up the minute the plane lands and race to the front in a bid to get off the flight first…
MoncrieffChess Champion Magnus Carlsen Vs The World
It was billed as Magnus Carlsen V The World as the five-time World Chess Champion took on 143,000 people from all around the world. But, how does a game like…
MoncrieffWoman seeking posthumous IVF facing bureaucratic hurdles
Seán's guest lost her husband to cancer just two months ago. While undergoing treatment, he made a donation so that they could have children in the future…
MoncrieffWhat happens to washed up whales?
What should you do if you spot a giant whale washed up ashore? And, what is the risk of an explosion? The public have been warned to stay away from a very…