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
Listen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
MoncrieffWhy many small businesses are vulnerable to cyberattacks
When was the last time you backed up your data? New research shows that the majority of small businesses in Ireland don’t have any plan in place to avoid or…
MoncrieffEileen Harkin on fostering 27 children
Eileen Harkin has fostered 27 children so far. This remarkable woman became involved in foster care as a child, when her own mother began taking in children…
MoncrieffTD proposes ‘culture cards’ for 18-year-olds
Fianna Fáil TD, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, joins Seán to discuss his new proposal to give 18-year-olds access to a ‘culture card’, allowing them to spend €100 on…
MoncrieffFighting on the Cambodian-Thai border displaces thousands
Renewed fighting on the Cambodian-Thai border has displaced thousands and shut down schools in some of Cambodia’s poorest provinces. Irish development workers…
MoncrieffWould you get your Christmas tree professionally styled?
There are now a number of organisations across Ireland providing professional Christmas tree styling services. But, how does it work? Joining guest host…
MoncrieffThings originally made for disabled people that we all use today
Bobbie Hickey is fully blind, and she has been writing about the simple things that make the world more accessible, and actually improve things for all of us…
MoncrieffWhen should you introduce smartphones to your kids - if ever?
Have young people’s addiction to their phone gone too far? As Australia prepares to remove access to social media for anyone under the age of 16, several…
MoncrieffWhat role do dance halls play today?
Irish dance halls have been a cornerstone of social life, bringing communities together and sometimes sparking generational debate. The 1935 Public Dance Hall…
MoncrieffIs Trumpism here to stay?
The Director of the Heritage Foundation, the group responsible for much of Trump’s agenda, says in the Telegraph today “There’s sure as hell not going to be a…
MoncrieffThe strange relationship between religion and AI
Over the past year or two there has been an enormous increase in religious AI chatbots, some even taking on the role of an Almighty. But, what are the ethical…
MoncrieffThe history and evolution of the spice bag!
Where did the staple of modern Irish cuisine, the spice bag, come from? And, where is it going? Dr. John Mulcahy, from Technological University Dublin, School…
MoncrieffThe scientific formula to make the happiest Christmas playlist
We generally think of Christmas as a happy time of merriment with family and friends, but of course, it can also be quite stressful. There is shopping to do…
MoncrieffLeon Diop on his mixed-race childhood in Ireland
Author and Founder of the advocacy group Black and Irish, Leon Diop, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss his new memoir ‘Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s…
MoncrieffWhat are ‘micro-compatibilities’ in dating?
Modern dating is chaotic and so too is the latest trend, micro-compatibilities. Apparently, we should be taking note of our partner’s shops, or what time they…
MoncrieffDoes Oscar Wilde belong in St Mary’s Cathedral?
We may all think of Oscar Wilde as a talented writer and gay icon, but what’s less known is his lifelong interest in converting to Catholicism. Mary Kenny…
MoncrieffIs letting your anger out healthy?
Today’s word of the year for 2025 is ‘ragebait’, content designed to spark outrage and keep us clicking. But, with anger now driving so much of our online…
MoncrieffHow to survive Queues-mas!
The Christmas season is upon us, and between busy shops and packed pubs, people will spend more time waiting in line now than at any other time of the year…
MoncrieffThe Irish man planning to row the Atlantic
Galway man Daragh MacLoughlin will be attempting to row across the Atlantic as part of the World’s Toughest Row race. He’ll be setting out on his 4,800 km…
MoncrieffWhat being a war photographer is like
For most people, being caught in a war zone with no weapon would be the stuff of nightmares, but for Pulitzer prize-winning Photojournalist Lynsey Addario…
MoncrieffIs there a problem with pet obesity in Ireland?
With the prospect of American Ozempic-style drugs coming on the market for dogs and cats, just how big a problem is pet obesity in Ireland? Joining Seán to…
MoncrieffIs Ireland too small to matter with climate change?
Have a discussion about climate change in Ireland and almost certainly at some point someone will make the argument that what we do here is too small to…
MoncrieffOffice Christmas Party Stories - Henry McKean Reports
This Friday, most Office Christmas parties are taking place across Ireland. But have we learned anything from last year? The heavy drinking, the inappropriate…
MoncrieffShould we be concerned about digital billboarding?
Apart from the ticker tape ads on the sides of pitches, you may also have noticed an increase in digital billboards in public spaces. This is leading to…
MoncrieffDanny Robbins on his new show 'Uncanny: Fear of the Dark'
Do you believe in ghosts? And what does it really take to be convinced of paranormal stories? Danny Robins has been treating ghost stories like a detective in…
MoncrieffDo we overcommit at Christmas?
You know what it’s like, this time of year is full of Christmas catch-ups and meeting the gang for the annual get together, but are we overcommitting? Do we…
MoncrieffIs Die Hard a Christmas movie?
A recent poll has claimed to have settled once and for all that ‘Die Hard’, the Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman action classic, is definitively not a Christmas…
MoncrieffIreland’s oldest cat found in Co. Clare cave
Ireland's oldest cat has finally been carbon dated, allowing a more accurate picture of our ancient ecology. Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Marion Dowd…
MoncrieffJakarta named world’s most populous city
According to a new UN study, Jakarta has now overtaken Tokyo as the world’s most populous city. But, what is it actually like living in the Indonesian capital?…
MoncrieffWhy do boomers love junk that their kids have to inherit?
Why are boomers addicted to junk? The Daily Mail has been writing about this, and the frustrations facing children worried about what clutter they’ll be…
Moncrieff‘Rage bait’ named Oxford’s word of 2025
‘Rage bait’ has been named the official Oxford word of 2025 after language experts noticed its usage has tripled this year. The word is a sign of the times and…
MoncrieffAre pop stars to blame for a resurgence in smoking?
Are pop stars to blame for a resurgence in smoking? When pop stars like Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter use them in music videos or magazines, or any type of…
MoncrieffHow the World Cup has changed since 1990
With next year’s World Cup on the horizon, a new book explores the impact of the world’s largest sporting event, from its effect on culture to its political…
MoncrieffWhat is the ‘Celtic Curse’?
Feeling exhausted and lethargic can be caused by many things such as lack of sleep, being overworked or having a busy schedule, but for Ellen Troy, feeling…
MoncrieffWhat should you do before you’re 35? - Henry McKean Asks
Michelle Obama says no one should see turning 35 as a deadline for marriage or success. So, what should you have done before that time comes around? Henry…
MoncrieffSkating the Wild Atlantic Way
Artist Becky Gilmour is travelling the Wild Atlantic Way - on a skateboard! She has been skating the West coast to raise funds and awareness for suicide…
MoncrieffWhy do we love terrible TV?
‘All’s Fair’, the new legal drama starring Kim Kardashian and Glenn Close, has been renewed for a second series after receiving the worst critical reviews of…
MoncrieffIs the kettle disappearing?
Are kettles disappearing from our kitchens? The invention of the hot tap and the popularity of minimalist interior design has created a debate on whether a cup…
MoncrieffIs there a normal dry spell balance?
We’re all curious about each other’s sex lives… is everyone really having more sex than you? And are dry spells normal or even encouraged? One Australian chat…
MoncrieffManaging lawn mushrooms at this time of year
A lot of people have been noticing mushrooms popping up on their lawns lately, with the mix of frosty and mild weather contributing to their abundance. But…
MoncrieffDublin City to host its first World AIDS Day Festival
On December 1st, Dublin City will be hosting its first ever World AIDS Day Festival. To mark the occasion, Seán is joined by Robbie Lawlor, who is one of the…
MoncrieffWe lose three days a year looking for our parked car
New research has found that we lose up to three days a year searching for where we parked our cars. So, why do we forget, and how can we improve our memories?…
MoncrieffCan you teach empathy to teenagers?
Can you really teach empathy? The University of Galway have developed a module on empathy, which they are looking to have rolled out in classrooms to assist…
MoncrieffAre the boom times coming back? - Henry McKean Asks
Bank of Ireland is going to offer what they call a ‘trading down’ loan, also known as a bridging loan. What’s significant about this, is that this is the first…
MoncrieffCabbage Patch Kids - the first Christmas toy craze
Every Christmas, for no apparent reason, there's something that your kids will really want. These kinds of fads happen all the time in the digital age, but…
MoncrieffHow can we really bring about change?
“But what can I do?” That could be the refrain of our whole generation. We’re faced with largescale problems and existential issues, but most don't think we…
MoncrieffHow durable is fast fashion?
When you buy a cheap garment, how long do you actually expect it to last? Valerie Flynn, of The Journal Investigates, has been running some tests, and joins…
MoncrieffIs it less stress to have more kids?
A survey of 7000 mothers by NBC television in the United States has found that mums who have more than 4 kids have lower stress levels than those with fewer…
MoncrieffWhy do some of us find photos embarrassing?
Have you ever seen a photo of yourself and thought “I look amazing?” - chances are low, and for many people, getting photos taken is awkward and embarrassing……
MoncrieffSexual orientation to be on next census for the first time
It has been announced that a question regarding sexual orientation will appear on our next census, in 2027, for the first time. But, why is this required, and…
MoncrieffCould AI hurt the job recruitment process?
We’ve all been told about the risks of AI taking jobs away from employees. But is there also a risk for the employers in overuse of AI and allowing it to make…
- Moncrieff
Irish nun on Nigerian school kidnapping
303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were kidnapped by gunmen from St. Mary's School, a Catholic institution in a very remote part of the north west of Nigeria…
MoncrieffDoes Ireland have the best alternative music scene?
For a relatively small country, Ireland has had its fair share of mainstream international success in the music business over the years: U2, Van Morrison…
MoncrieffLife in Lebanon - one year after Israel ceasefire
Thursday will be the one year anniversary of the Israel and Lebanon ceasefire agreement. But, this has been far from a peaceful year for Lebanese people… Sally…
MoncrieffVictoria Mary Clarke on dealing with grief and loneliness around Christmas
Things can feel heightened this time of year, as the run up to Christmas leads to forced cheeriness and merriment, but for so many people, it is also the most…
MoncrieffCould sails replace crude oil on cargo ships?
Seán’s guest spent two weeks aboard the Neoliner Origin, the world’s largest sailing cargo ship, for its maiden voyage from France to the US. But, could sail…
MoncrieffHow does Ireland’s deportation system work?
How does Ireland’s deportation system actually work? Joining Seán to discuss is Cormac O’Keefe, Security Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, who got a rare…
MoncrieffWhen is the best time to break up with someone? - Henry McKean Asks
If you're in a relationship, and aren't really feeling that person a Christmas present, is this the best time to dump them? Do you have a breakup story around…
MoncrieffUnionists for a United Ireland
Can you be a unionist and be in favour of a United Ireland? Well Seán’s guest certainly was a unionist, and has written a book called ‘The Irish Unity…
MoncrieffWhy do rich people have golden toilets?
Golden toilets have been hitting the headlines recently, with Zelensky’s Chief of Staff under pressure after detectives found a golden toilet bowl in his…
MoncrieffThe effort to keep Covid out of Antarctica
Seán’s guest arrived in Antarctica at the height of the Covid pandemic. Part of her role as a Doctor was to try and keep Antarctica as the last continent on…