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
MoncrieffShould international surrogacy be banned?
In the last couple of weeks Italy brought in a new law making surrogacy a “universal crime”. This has been seen as part of a larger international reaction…
MoncrieffThe world’s oldest fish is aging backwards
In 2019, it was discovered that the Bigmouth Buffalo fish was the world’s longest-lived freshwater fish, surviving to an age of at least 127 years old. But…
MoncrieffWhat is ‘eldest daughter syndrome’?
The idea of ‘eldest daughter syndrome’ is the latest trend on TikTok, but what is it, and do first born daughters really carry a burden of responsibility?…
MoncrieffThe history of Ireland’s banking strikes
What happened during the Bank Strikes in Ireland in the 1960s and 1970s? And how did people get access to cash when the banks went on strike? To discuss, Seán…
MoncrieffStar Citizen - the most expensive piece of entertainment ever
The development expenses of blockbuster games have been climbing ever higher over the years towards big Hollywood-style spending. But, a new game has…
MoncrieffWhat did you want to be when you grew up? - Henry McKean Asks
Life rarely works out the way you planned it. When you were younger - did you actually achieve the profession you said you wanted? And, is that such a bad…
MoncrieffWhite-tailed eagle shot in Westmeath
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has announced that one of the state’s rare white-tailed eagles has been shot dead in Co. Westmeath. But, why is this so…
MoncrieffWhy is milk a villain’s drink?
Even though “Them bones them bones need calcium!”, why is it that drinking whole milk has become so contentious? In many films and TV shows, milk is often…
MoncrieffWhat happened to GAA Handball?
GAA is such a central part of Irish life that, even if you are not athletically inclined at all, it’s pretty much impossible to avoid its sports. Well, two of…
MoncrieffWhat’s your biggest regret in life? - Henry McKean Asks
Is it healthy to reflect on past mistakes? Should we be wallowing in them? Or is it best to rarely think about things - and move on with our lives? Henry…
MoncrieffWhy do we yawn?
Why do we yawn? Is it our body’s way to tell us we’re tired, or is it an attempt to keep us awake? Also, why is it infectious? Phil Smyth, Physicist, Engineer…
MoncrieffCould a ‘Digital Euro’ be our answer to cryptocurrency?
As a continent, Europe is the least engaged with cryptocurrencies. Are we lagging behind, and if so, could a so-called ‘Digital Euro’ be the solution? Joining…
MoncrieffCould we see Cornish independence?
The amount of people living in Cornwall who now identify as Cornish nationals, as opposed to English, has doubled since 2011. With a Labour government now in…
MoncrieffHow technology has changed death
As technology has infiltrated almost every part of our lives, it may have gone unnoticed to many that it is also infiltrating death… Online grief groups, grief…
MoncrieffWhat is a ‘5 minute city’?
You are probably familiar with the concept of the ‘15 minute city’, where the essential things in our lives aren’t too far away. While we struggle to get…
MoncrieffHas women’s contraception gone backwards?
Free contraception is available in Ireland for women from ages 17 to 35. But, research in the UK suggests that many women are moving away from traditional…
MoncrieffThe legacy of Thomas the Tank Engine’s creator
The woman who turned the Thomas the Tank Engine books into a global TV phenomenon has died. But, how did she pull it off? Joining Seán to discuss is a man who…
MoncrieffNewly-declassified MI5 guidebook is fascinating
A newly declassified guide booklet for new spies reveals fascinating details on how the British trained their new espionage recruits in the middle part of the…
MoncrieffBertie Ahern: How to Broker a Peace Deal
Reports suggest today that Hamas has accepted the Gaza peace deal with Israel, some sources claim it could be finalised by the end of this week. But, what is…
MoncrieffHave we seen the death of nightclubs?
There was a time when people spent their Friday and Saturday nights on the dance floor… Nowadays, there are just over 80 nightclubs open nationwide, a stark…
MoncrieffSpain introduces 100% real estate tax on non-EU residents
Yesterday, the Spanish Prime Minister unveiled a series of measures to attempt to alleviate the housing problem facing the country. Perhaps the most remarkable…
MoncrieffNew campaign seeks to bury the forgotten
There are currently 65 people whose remains are lying in unmarked shallow graves around the country, since the War of Independence. A new campaign is calling…
MoncrieffIs music really as big as ever?
Despite the many predictions of doom in the music industry, the UK trade body for music retailers has just reported a “20 year high for recorded music…
MoncrieffIs technology ruining the human experience?
We can all see that there are pros and cons to the digital age. Where at one point we may gain a convenience, we might also lose a skill. But, has our reliance…
MoncrieffWhat owning the world’s smartest dog looks like
You might hear anecdotally that border collies are the smartest dogs, and in Britain at least, this appears to be the case. A 6-year-old Border Collie named…
MoncrieffShould Dublin change its 20-year rule for statues?
While calls have been made for a statue to be erected to Sinead O’Connor in Dublin, current rules don’t allow a figure to be commemorated until 20 years after…
MoncrieffWhat have you heard on public transport? - Henry McKean Asks
It seems that recently, people have become less aware about their personal conversations, leaving everyone in their vicinity in earshot of their business -…
MoncrieffWhat is 'sleep divorce'?
Last month, figures revealed that a third of Irish couples aren't getting enough sleep. To help fix this, couples have been sleeping in separate beds, and it's…
MoncrieffHow to know if she’s faking it
Babygirl hits screens in Ireland today and depicts a saucy love affair between a female CEO and her 28-year-old intern. The CEO is in a seemingly happy and sex…
MoncrieffFarmers have been digging sheep out of the snow
One of the most remarkable images emerging from the cold snap this week is that of the hill farming community digging out their sheep buried in several feet of…
MoncrieffHow important is a dress code in sports?
After the world’s number one chess player was forbidden from playing a match because he was wearing jeans, questions are now being asked about the dress code…
MoncrieffHow to organise your personal tech for the new year
With lots of devices requiring new passwords for the new year, and the inbox full after the holidays, what can we do to clean up our personal tech? Joining…
MoncrieffHow a name change can affect geopolitics
Trump has announced that he intends to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. What does this mean for geopolitics in the region, and how…
MoncrieffWhat is ‘Gaza Cola’?
With a popular boycott of both Coca Cola and Pepsi across many of the nations in the Middle East, a new product has stepped in, which will use its profits to…
MoncrieffWhy more women are going ‘full bush’!
The full bush bikini movement is the latest trend to hit TikTok and apparently, more and more young women are getting behind body hair positivity. So, are the…
MoncrieffWhat’s the point of small talk? - Henry McKean Asks
Is small talk something that’s necessary in our lives? In Sweden, there's apparently none! Could we ever go without it? And, should we? Henry McKean has been…
MoncrieffIs breakfast really the most important meal of the day?
It’s often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. However, in recent years, with the rise in popularity of intermittent fasting, it is hard…
MoncrieffNewly-married couple’s home is falling into river
A newly-married couple living in Inchicore have been forced to vacate their home due to the danger of it falling into the River Camac, which the property backs…
MoncrieffWhy accents tend to change
Over time, your accents can tend to change. According to research, Queen Elizabeth II sounded more cockney throughout her 70-year reign. So, why does this…
MoncrieffWhy are people against less censorship?
Mark Zuckerberg has announced that Facebook and Instagram in the United States will remove their content moderation. Is this a bad thing? Seán is joined by…
MoncrieffHow human activity impacts animal adaptations
Perhaps the most famous example of observed evolution in a species is that of the Peppered Moth, which largely turned black in some English cities during the…
MoncrieffWhat is Ireland’s ‘pulmonic ingressive’?
Irish people are famous for the so-called ‘pulmonic ingressive’ or ‘inhaled yeah’... but, what is it exactly, and where does it come from? Joining Seán to…
Moncrieff10th anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack
It’s exactly 10 years to the day that a terrorist attack killed most of the editorial staff at France’s satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. The shooting is being…
MoncrieffIs hospital food getting better?
While Ireland has traditionally had a poor reputation for its hospital food, things are changing, especially at one particular maternity hospital. Joining Seán…
MoncrieffWhy ‘fairy porn’ is insulting the Welsh
Fairy erotica is big business these days, but it seems the people of Wales are not too happy about it. They claim that fairy porn is a misrepresentation of the…
MoncrieffThe science behind hula hooping
Were you a dab hand at hula hooping in your youth, and do you reckon you’d still be king or queen of the playground if you were to revisit it in adulthood?…
MoncrieffWhat is ‘pig butchering’? Avoiding online scams
A recent survey concluded that Ireland is the most phished country in the world. At this time of the year, people are particularly vulnerable to online scams…
MoncrieffWhat are ‘Swap Centres’?
The Green Party are motioning a commitment from Dublin City Council to do a case study of Copenhagen's work on localised Re-Use Centres, otherwise known as…
MoncrieffWhat are your snow day memories? - Henry McKean Asks
The current weather might have you looking back on some of your fondest memories when the snow would grace you with its presence. So, what are some of your…
MoncrieffWhen should you take down your Christmas tree?
Simon Tierney joins Sean Moncrieff to discuss some hard life lessons learnt from taking his tree down too early...
MoncrieffAre young people uninterested in farming?
Young people are opting against a career in farming, with a new CSO survey revealing that less than 5% of farmers in Ireland are under the age of 35. Why is it…
MoncrieffHow a simple chat can help with suicide prevention
A group of volunteers in Limerick claim a simple chat could mean the difference between life and death. Volunteers from across the county patrol the River…
MoncrieffWhy some mums regret staying at home
With the financial restrictions today, it can be hard for families to have a stay at home mum. However, those who can, sometimes regret it. Jen Hogan…
Moncrieff25 years since the millennium - Henry McKean Reports
It’s been 25 years since the millennium turned over - back when the Liffey digital clock broke down, and when people were terrified about Y2K. Henry McKean has…
MoncrieffFamilies reuniting for Christmas - Henry McKean Reports
There wasn't a dry eye at Dublin Airport, as families reunite for Christmas from all over the world! Henry McKean sends in this report…
MoncrieffHow the Ancient Romans treated soldiers
While the Ancient Romans waged battle across their empire, how exactly did they treat pain on the battlefield and what sort of medical equipment did they use?…
MoncrieffShould celebrity memoirs recognise ghost writers?
Christmas is a major time for celebrity memoirs: the number one book in the country this Christmas is the autobiography of one of Ireland’s most famous rugby…
MoncrieffHow two brothers beat the Guinness shortage
You may have found it funny to hear about a shortage of Guinness in British pubs in the last while. Well, two brothers have discovered it’s no laughing matter…
MoncrieffWhat was the best decade for Christmas? - Henry McKean Asks
When was the best time to have Christmas? Are they better now than ever - or were things simpler and better back in the day? Henry McKean has been asking the…
MoncrieffWas the Silent Night really that silent?
The nativity, also known as the Christmas pageant, claims to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. However, new research suggests that the so-called…