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
MoncrieffWhat is ‘fridgescaping’?
While many people will have a few magnets on their fridge, a new trend called ‘fridgescaping’ sees people decorating the inside too, for some reason. Joining…
MoncrieffThe spoon made to help with dementia
A new product is in the final pre-production stages to enhance food flavours for people living with dementia. The ‘Tasty Spoon’ uses electro stimulation to…
MoncrieffWhat does your car say about you? - Henry McKean Asks
Four in ten parents say they're embarrassed to offer people lifts because their car is such a mess. Crumbs from crisps and biscuits or stains from drinks spilt…
MoncrieffKing of Swaziland gets engaged to his 16th wife
The King of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, has become engaged to the daughter of the former President of South Africa. This woman will be the king’s 16th wife…
MoncrieffWhy don’t rock stars retire?
From Mick Jagger to Paul McCartney, it often seems that rock stars seem to have more longevity than the rest of us. What’s going on? Joining Seán to discuss is…
MoncrieffThe history of sex
When we think about the history of sex, we may think about marriage and children. However, it turns out it’s quite the contrary, and down through history sex…
MoncrieffThe man who travels to Dublin to sing a protest song once a week
Seán Moncrieff’s guest has been travelling from Cork to Dublin every Thursday for two and a half years in order to sing his protest song outside Leinster…
MoncrieffAre we obsessed with bathrooms?
How many toilets are too many for one home? Kevin McCloud, has been reflecting on 25 years of Grand Designs and says his biggest bugbear with new homes is the…
MoncrieffWhat is Telegram?
A Russian-born co-founder of the messaging app ‘Telegram’ was arrested in France last month, and is currently out on bail. Pavel Durov’s arrest has been…
MoncrieffWhat is a Silent Book Club?
While book clubs are thriving up and down the country, many of them (understandably) descend into a wine-fuelled chat fest! But, there is one particular group…
MoncrieffHow shows like Jeremy Kyle work behind the scenes
An inquest hearing into a man's death following an appearance on the Jeremy Kyle Show is currently underway. After this incident, the show was taken off air by…
MoncrieffWho was Big Bertha the cow?
Big Bertha was a cow who held two Guinness World Records. She was so famous that after her death a wake was held in the town of Sneem in Co. Kerry. Joining the…
MoncrieffThe history of male circumcision
When we think about male circumcision in Ireland, we probably think of it as something performed for religious reasons. Fewer than one fifth of European men…
MoncrieffWhy are film festival standing ovations so long?
The critically acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s new movie The Room Next Door, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, received a 17 minute…
MoncrieffThe art of the apology
Apologising is a fine art, but most people don’t know how to do it. How do you sound sincere, or how do you apologise when you don’t mean it? Terry Prone…
MoncrieffHow to sniff out BS in an interview
We often hear that confidence is the key to success. That said, is there a danger of hiring a confident but incompetent employee? So, how do we sniff out the…
MoncrieffHow to cope with house spiders
Yes, it’s that time of the year when an assortment of house spiders can be found in our homes. But, is there anything that can be done to keep them out of the…
MoncrieffCould you own an extremely valuable comic?
The highest-graded copy of “Fantastic Four #1” ever offered by Heritage Auctions is expected to fetch seven figures when it goes under the hammer this month…
MoncrieffThe crisis in the hurley-making business
There is a crisis in the hurley-making business as Ash Dieback Disease continues to ravage trees around the country. But, how will the annual demand for half a…
MoncrieffWhat weird things have you seen on public transport? - Henry McKean Asks
Ryan Coogan has been writing about shocking behaviour on London’s tube in today’s Irish Independent, but how does it compare to public transport here? What are…
MoncrieffWhat are some nostalgic foods? - Henry McKean Asks
Angel Delight is the food most likely to remind people of their childhood, according to a new survey. With Mr. Whippy came second, followed by jelly and ice…
MoncrieffLab grown foie gras is pushing for EU approval
The first application for EU market access for a lab grown meat has been made, and it’s foie gras, the controversial paté that divides consumers. But, why…
MoncrieffParenting: My 3 year old has started cursing
Child psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…
MoncrieffHow common are psychopaths?
The terms psychopath and psycho are often thrown around. We imagine a psychopath to be like the serial killers that we see in movies. However, psychopaths are…
MoncrieffHow building a pond can increase biodiversity
Ponds are the new wildflower meadow, they are all the rage for boosting biodiversity. One farmer in Co. Roscommon has become so enamoured with them that he has…
MoncrieffShould we take life advice from centenarians?
Less than two weeks ago, the world’s oldest person died. The Spanish woman Maria Branyas Morera lived until the extraordinary age of 117. She put her longevity…
MoncrieffHow social media influences politics
You’ve probably heard of Kamala Harris’ Brat Summer and Simon’s Harris’ ability to jump on TikTok trends. But, how important is social media in upcoming…
MoncrieffIs ‘Empty Nest Syndrome’ so bad?
Empty nest syndrome is a term thrown around when people suddenly find themselves in an empty home because their children have moved out. However, some parents…
MoncrieffWhat are the ‘Gravy Wrestling Championships’?
Hundreds of revellers descended on a pub in England for the annual Gravy Wrestling Championships yesterday. But, how does this unusual sport work? Joining Seán…
MoncrieffWhy are the younger generations worse at typing?
The number of students learning how to touch type is decreasing with the rise in other devices such as smartphones and tablets. However, colleges and…
MoncrieffDublin to get ‘continuous footpaths’ - what are they?
Dublin City Council has announced the roll out of continuous footpaths around the capital. But, what exactly are these, and how do they work? Joining Seán to…
MoncrieffIs sibling rivalry actually a thing?
Oasis have announced a reunion tour - after having been split apart for so long. This is chalked up to sibling rivalry, but is that really a thing, and how…
MoncrieffWould you eat olive oil ice cream?
Popstar Dua Lipa has said that she wants to make her own flavour of ice cream: olive oil and seasalt! Is that as gross as it might sound? Or could it be quite…
MoncrieffAre wind turbines actually ugly?
There are a number of active campaigns around Ireland that are lobbying against wind farms due to their supposed aesthetic deficiencies. But, do we need to…
MoncrieffSicily to ban mafia souvenirs
Sicily is famous for many things, its beautiful scenery, its rich food culture and beautiful vineyards. It’s also known for being the home of the mafia…
MoncrieffIs our bad weather actually a good thing?
Another summer is drawing to a close, and the sun has barely made an appearance. The cooler weather, it seems, is here to stay in Ireland, but, with most of…
Moncrieff30 years of the widget - that little ball in Guinness
This year marks the 30th anniversary of when the widget, that little plastic ball in cans of Guinness, won the Queen's Award for Technological Achievement. In…
MoncrieffThe pros and cons of choosing a modular home
As the housing crisis continues, some listeners might consider the idea of investing in a modular home. But, what exactly is this, and will it save you money?…
MoncrieffWhat would make school better? - Henry McKean Asks
What would you add or change to a school curriculum? A group of science bodies say "essential experiences" will reduce inequalities in subjects like science…
MoncrieffThe worst mistakes wedding guests can make
We know the tradition of not wearing white to a wedding, but in the Irish Times today Emer McLysaght writes that black is also best avoided, because apparently…
Moncrieff120 year old postcard finally delivered!
A postcard that was sent over 120 years ago was finally delivered a few days ago, but not to its intended recipient. This was an extraordinary and unlikely…
MoncrieffWhat makes a good plot twist?
Who doesn’t love a good plot twist? That jaw-dropping moment when a movie pulls the rug out from under you. But, here’s the thing, while a great twist can…
MoncrieffIs it safe to drink ‘raw milk’?
There is a new trend that's stirring up quite the controversy: raw milk. It's gaining popularity across the globe, with even superstar striker Erling Haaland a…
MoncrieffNew platform launched to report sexual harassment
While it is well known that many incidents of sexual harassment go unreported, a new platform aims to make it easier for women to log their experiences…
MoncrieffThe trouble with the gun emoji
Elon Musk, the owner of X [formerly Twitter] has announced that he is bucking the trend and switching the gun emoji on his platform from a water pistol to a…
MoncrieffWhy do we love fast food?
McDonald's is set to open 200 new outlets in Ireland and the UK over next four years, and the American chain Wendy's has announced that it’s opening their…
MoncrieffHow mountain rescue dogs do their jobs
Have you ever wondered what kind of work goes behind handling and training a mountain rescue dog? It’s an incredibly important role our canine friends can…
MoncrieffWhat do Americans think of Ireland? - Henry McKean Asks
With the Aer Lingus College Football Classic on, many Americans are visiting Ireland for the first time - some with roots in the country, others without. So…
MoncrieffAre trigger warnings always necessary?
In an age where we’re more conscious than ever about mental health and well-being, trigger warnings have become a common practice in schools, media, and online…
MoncrieffAre you punching above your weight in your relationship?
Let’s be honest, ‘punching above your weight’ is something that can lead to a lot of teasing, a few raised eyebrows, and some good-natured ribbing, but…
MoncrieffHow are antiques valued?
Ever wondered what makes that old vase in your attic worth a fortune, or just a few euros? Well, it's not only about age, there's an art to valuing antique…
MoncrieffHow to stop your pet cat from killing birds
As cats are natural predators, it can be hard for some owners to stop them from torturing and killing birds when they are released into the garden. But, are…
MoncrieffWhat is ‘jig-acting’?
We Irish are known for our way with words, but is there a danger that some of our most unique phrases might die out if we don’t preserve them? Mairead Ronan’s…
MoncrieffAre cockroaches a problem in Ireland?
A bar on Parnell St in Dublin was recently issued with a closure order by the Food Safety Authority after the discovery of a cockroach infestation. Live…
MoncrieffWhat is a waterspout?
The waterspout that sank a luxury yacht followed storms that have swept through Italy in recent days, but for most people this may have been the first time…
MoncrieffWould you go to a themed Airbnb?
Can you imagine staying in a pirate ship, a vintage 50s diner, or even a cosy Hobbit hole? There’s a new trend that's taking the travel world by storm: themed…
MoncrieffProposal for Dublin’s first public lido
While the residents of many other European cities benefit from the provision of public lidos, Dublin still lags behind. However, a campaign group aims to…
MoncrieffPaying to work on a farm - a fun idea?
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to work on a farm? Well you now can, thanks to an idea from Sinead Coffey from Hidden Hills Waterville, which is now…
MoncrieffWhat is ‘Dopamine Dressing’?
Have you ever noticed how wearing your favourite outfit or a pop of colour can instantly lift your spirits? Well, there's actually some science behind that…
MoncrieffWhy are we spending so much on Champagne?
New figures show that 2023 witnessed an all time high in sales of Champagne in Ireland, with consumers shelling out almost 19 million euro on the high end…