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 search for missing Malaysian Airline flight resumes
The search for Malaysian Airline MH370 has resumed over a decade since it disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 2014… Joining Seán to discuss is Kevin…
MoncrieffWhat working on Countdown is like!
In the biggest shakeup in 3 years on Channel 4’s Countdown, Mathematician Tom Crawford is currently filling in for Rachel Riley as the show’s math wizard. Tom…
MoncrieffWhy ‘walking pads’ are becoming a trend
Have you bought yourself a walking pad? Rather than head out for a walk on a dark winter’s evening, it seems that people are snapping up stationary treadmills…
MoncrieffHow ‘The Apprentice’ almost didn’t happen
The 97th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday night (early Monday morning Irish time). One person who will be in attendance is Ruth Treacy, a Producer on…
MoncrieffFirst human with a Neuralink speaks on his experience
Telekinesis has been a staple of mythology, fantasy and science fiction probably for as long as human beings have been telling such stories, but it’s always…
MoncrieffHow to charge your phone properly
Ever worry that you’re not charging your phone properly? Is it really not a good idea to charge to 100%? Joining Seán to debunk the myths and to offer his tips…
MoncrieffDealing with menopause at 34
It took Seán’s guest a long time to figure out why she was struggling with pain. Eventually, she discovered that she had entered menopause early, at the age of…
MoncrieffWhat does it mean to be a Blasket Island caretaker?
A newlywed couple has landed the much-coveted position of caretaker to the Great Blasket Island. But, how will they cope without electricity and what exactly…
MoncrieffThe struggles of parenting with ADHD
Being a parent can be overwhelming, chaotic and challenging, but if you’ve got ADHD - then the chances are that staying on top of things can feel even…
MoncrieffDoes Europe need its own nuclear deterrent?
It’s clear for all to see that a major rupture now exists between the USA and Europe in relation to mutual security. So, with the US backing away from its role…
MoncrieffIs there a ‘female tax’? - Henry McKean Asks
Writing in today’s Irish Times, Sarah Moss wants to know why she has to pay over €50 for a simple haircut, when her friend could do it in 5 minutes for free…
MoncrieffThe history behind shredding
The Department of Public Expenditure is currently welcoming tenders from service providers for a four year shredding contract. The seven million euro project…
MoncrieffAre donkeys portrayed accurately in film?
From ‘Aesop’s Fables’ to ‘Shrek’ and the ‘Banshees of Inisherin’, donkeys have often been represented in popular media, but has their representation always…
MoncrieffThe importance of a good speech
The idea of winning an award like an Oscar for acting is seen by some as a futile attempt to turn art into sport. Some people have argued that comparing…
MoncrieffMark McCabe on ‘Manic 2000’ turning 25!
It’s hard to believe it now, but Mark McCabe’s ‘Maniac’ turns 25 this year. So, let’s wind back the clock! Joining Seán to look back is Mark himself, DJ on…
MoncrieffThe psychology behind lying
We have been hearing a lot about ‘untruths’, but is an ‘untruth’ just the same as a lie? Do we have a hard time admitting to lying, and how does our perception…
MoncrieffHow gross is your kitchen sponge?
Just how gross and disgusting is your kitchen sponge? And is your kitchen sink actually dirtier than your toilet seat? Dr Primrose Freestone, Associate…
MoncrieffWhat is ‘Platonic Co-Parenting’?
Seán’s guest has written a new book about pursuing her life as a committed singleton, and how this led to her having a baby with a gay man, whom she lives…
MoncrieffWill renting out allotments work for farmers?
Teagasc is recommending that farmers diversify by renting our parcels of their land as allotments to the local community. But, is this a pragmatic idea?…
MoncrieffIs it okay for kids to cry in public? - Henry McKean Asks
Whether it’s a public space - or even a wedding - when a child cries in public, it’s hard to deny that it’s annoying! So, what should be done when it happens?…
MoncrieffThe ‘Matrilocal’ Celtic Societies
You may have heard of the female ruler in Celtic Britain, Boudicca, who fought a rebellion against the invading Roman Empire. To the Romans, and perhaps to us…
MoncrieffSpilling the Murdoch family secrets!
As a family in control of one of the most powerful media empires in the world, there has long been a fascination with the Murdochs. But, as Rupert Murdoch’s…
MoncrieffWhen your husband decides to become a cyborg
Susanna Cappellaro was having a tough year in 2016. Having acted in films by Tim Burton and Peter Strickland, work had somewhat dried up. It was a time when…
MoncrieffWhy is there a fight over the James Bond trademark?
There hasn’t been a new James Bond movie since 2021, and with no sign of a replacement to Daniel Craig being announced anytime soon, the franchise seems to…
MoncrieffIs there political apathy towards transgender people?
Donald Trump has made his opinions on trans issues very clear through a number of executive orders designed to combat what he calls “gender ideology”. What’s…
MoncrieffAre Gen Z giving up on capital letters?
With singers such as Billie Eilish and products targeted at young people increasingly using exclusively lowercase letters, are Gen Z giving up on capitals?…
MoncrieffAre airships on the way back?
With more and more attention on the negative environmental impacts of airplane travel, is it time to bring back the blimp? Joining guest host Tom Dunne to…
MoncrieffNew record for the world’s longest storytelling session!
Tom Dunne’s guest has recently returned from participating at the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival 2025, in which she and her fellow storytellers…
MoncrieffIreland’s first pet dialysis machine! How does it work?
Ireland's first pet blood dialysis machine is currently being set up, but now the vets behind the project are looking for dogs and cats to donate blood…
MoncrieffAre career breaks a good system?
Are you planning a career break, or would you love the opportunity to take time away from your job, knowing that you have one to go back to? The career breaks…
MoncrieffWhat American summers in the 1980’s were like
What do you remember about your childhood summer holidays? Writer Emer Roche spent her Summers with her grandparents in the Hamptons every year, a far cry from…
MoncrieffWhy are Irish and British funerals so different?
In Ireland, we are used to a very quick turnaround between the death of a loved one and their funeral. However, people in the UK have a much longer process…
MoncrieffWhat are ‘carbon negative’ foods?
There are probably many of you out there who have reduced our meat consumption in recent years to try to achieve a more carbon neutral lifestyle. But, why…
MoncrieffIs it possible to live plastic-free?
We all know that plastic is a bit of a plague on the environment, and we all know we should be cutting it out if at all possible… But, is that something that’s…
MoncrieffCan retinol damage your skin?
Retinol is the new buzz word in skin care, with many people influenced to add it as a daily step in their skincare routine, but what exactly is retinol, and…
MoncrieffFather Ted turns 30 - behind the scenes stories
As Father Ted marks its 30th anniversary, guest host Tom Dunne is joined by a woman who has a unique insight into what went on behind the scenes of the iconic…
MoncrieffCould AI replace relationships?
Over the weekend, a lot of you would have been out wining and dining, and hopefully having a great time with your significant other, but in the age of AI -…
MoncrieffThe popularity of children's books ahead of Ireland Reads Day
We are all encouraged to try and pick up a book this month, and in particular this week, as Saturday is Ireland Read's Day. Last year, Children's books were…
MoncrieffIs coddle actually good?
Disgusting or delicious? The Dublin dish coddle has been dividing opinions for decades... But, what makes the perfect coddle, and what ingredients are people…
MoncrieffHow the same word can mean different things in Ireland
The word ‘now’ is something that is both a statement and a weapon in Ireland. It’s the mark of satisfaction, a warning, and sometimes even a time bender. To…
MoncrieffOne in five species in Ireland are at risk of extinction
When you think of endangered species, your first thought may be of the Red Panda or an exotic animal, but in fact, in Ireland - one in five species are at…
MoncrieffMitigating the negative effects of conspiracy theories
In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic we’re all aware of the negative impacts conspiracy theories can have on a global level… But, they can also be hugely…
MoncrieffWhen should you celebrate your anniversary? - Henry McKean Asks
When should you celebrate your anniversary? Should it be the first time you met? The first date? The first time you are going steady? The engagement or the…
MoncrieffPinball is on the rise in Dublin!
Not since ‘Tommy the Musical’ by The Who has there been such an interest in pinball in Ireland. Now that things have settled down after the Irish National…
MoncrieffIs international justice actually possible?
There are a number of world figures with international arrest warrants - but what are the actual odds of Putin or Netenyahu going to court? Is international…
MoncrieffCelebrating language diversity in Ireland
According to the CSO, at least 72 different languages are spoken in Ireland - the Mother Tongues Festival intends to celebrate that! Taking place on the 21st…
MoncrieffGen Z are driving demand for big knickers - why?
Underwear outlets are reporting an explosion in demand for big knickers, and not just because Bridged Jones is back this week. So, what is driving all this?…
MoncrieffDealing with mental health problems in prison
People with mental illnesses are more likely to be in prison, and for vulnerable adults, spending time in jail does not help them and costs the taxpayer a lot…
MoncrieffThe search for Ireland’s first talking picture
Long before ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ or even ‘The Quiet Man’, the American movie industry came to Ireland to make a film. ‘Sweet Inniscarra’ was the first talkie…
MoncrieffStudy finds that cockatoos flavour their food!
A new study in Austria shows that cockatoos are among the only known animals to flavour their food. Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Alice Auersperg, Cognitive…
MoncrieffWhat is the ‘8am club’?
Do you feel the pressure to get up at 5am and be productive? The people who get up early in the morning have for many years been hailed as the successful ones…
MoncrieffWhat does a national tree strategy look like?
Last week, Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice called for a tree-free corridor of 35m from transmission lines in forests and 30m on roads. But with Ireland…
MoncrieffHow you can save for an early retirement
Retiring early is a dream for many - but to do so requires a lot of sacrifices. Michael Houghton decided to make those drastic changes, and is now looking at…
MoncrieffRescued first edition of Harry Potter sells big at auction
A chance encounter with a famous novel that was missing a letter has led to a sizable auction sale… Joining Seán to discuss is Daniel Pearce from NLB Auctions…
MoncrieffThe real life ‘50 First Dates’ story
What would you do if you couldn’t remember your partner or how you fell in love? Canadian Nesh Pillay and her other half, JJ, have been dubbed the real life…
MoncrieffDo you keep a diary? Should you?
With the way technology is now, have we lost the art of diary keeping? Do you still write in one? Bridget Jones is one character whose dedication to her diary…
MoncrieffThe story behind Ireland’s first Michelin Star
Later today, Ireland might have its first ever three Michelin Star restaurant, with Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen rumoured to be in line for the accolade -…
MoncrieffWhat is the best hotel in Dublin?
Seán’s guest is a hotel reviewer and stayed overnight in 40 hotels across Ireland’s capital last year. She is writing about her conclusions in tomorrow’s…
MoncrieffPerformers queue up to audition for Disneyland roles
More than 150 people are auditioning to work at Disneyland Paris in Dublin today. Singers, dancers, and all-round performers are competing in the hope of…
MoncrieffWould you sleep in a human-sized dog bed?
If you are a dog owner, you may be used to your pet sneaking into your bed… But, what if you reversed things and slept in the dog bed instead? There is a 6ft…