Shows / Lunchtime Live
Lunchtime Live
Andrea Gilligan invites callers to have their say on the topics of the day - get in touch by emailing lunchtimelive@newstalk.com
CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment
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Episodes
Lunchtime LiveAre you worried about AI?
US President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns raised about AI being too powerful. This comes as warnings from industry insiders that the technology has a…
Lunchtime LiveShould you already be budgeting for Christmas?
With 101 days to Christmas, have you started saving for the festive season? It is the most expensive time of year, and now is when you should put a plan in…
Lunchtime LiveAre you nervous to drive on the motorway now?
Data shows that thousands fewer journeys have been taken on Ireland’s motorways in recent weeks. The decline comes after the fatal M9 crash last month that…
Lunchtime LiveWhat are your memories of 9/11?
25 years ago today, a devastating terrorist attack cost the lives of almost 3,000 people in the United States, and with their families, witnesses and first…
Lunchtime LiveHave You Been To? - The best of Kildare
We continue a county-by-county journey across Ireland, exploring all 32 counties that make up this remarkable island. Have you been to some of these places and…
Lunchtime LiveAre concert tickets worth the money anymore?
It has been announced that Harry Styles will take to the stage in Croke Park next August for two nights. The concert will see fans young and old flock to…
Lunchtime LiveRegional Roundup with Shane Beatty
Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.
Lunchtime LiveThe Home Squad: Furniture Placement
When you’re buying furniture for the home, are you ever thinking about how it will look exactly in your home? And what is feng shui anyway? This week, the Home…
Lunchtime LiveWestlife residency begins! Are you going?
Tonight kicks off Westlife’s residency in the 3Arena. The ‘World of Our Own’ group will be taking to the stage for 13 nights where they will perform some of…
Lunchtime LiveShould inheritance tax change?
Inheritance Tax is likely to be changed with wider bands, but only modestly. Does it go far enough for you? Should inheritance tax be changed? Michael Houghton…
Lunchtime LiveMichael O’Leary’s airline “rapists” comment - are you offended?
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has faced backlash today after calling other airlines “high fare rapists” - and doubling down on that comment. Are you offended by…
Lunchtime LiveThe Making of Sufjan Stevens!
We're doing a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the…
Lunchtime LiveHow bad are our public toilets?
One listener got in touch to discuss the state of the public toilets at The Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary… What is your experience, how bad are public…
Lunchtime LiveDelays in cancer treatment - listener experience
Patients are facing delays in cancer treatment as issues in care have been highlighted with figures released to Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice… So what does…
Lunchtime LiveReasons to be Happy: Crisp Sambos, Harry Styles, Home Alone
Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. 98FM’s Cathal…
Lunchtime LiveDo we have too many vape shops?
Everywhere you go across the country, you will come across one if not more shops targeted to selling vapes and vape products. The main streets in towns and…
Lunchtime LiveMaking Babies: Early Signs of Labour
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to…
Lunchtime LiveAre Gen Z ruining the Sunday roast?
What makes a good Sunday roast? From a classic carvery to delicious roast potatoes, many of us look forward to one, but it seems that the younger generation…
Lunchtime LiveIs the GAA really inclusive?
Mary McAleese has resigned as chairperson of the Steering Group on Integration, tasked with amalgamating the gaelic games associations. She has said she does…
Lunchtime LiveAsk the Expert: Mechanic
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Joey Donnelly from Crofton Motors to answer any of your mechanic questions!
Lunchtime LiveHow important is body language - and what can it tell us about someone?
Denis’s eagle eye picked up on Paraic’s body language around the round table last night, and helped in getting him banished from Traitors, so how important is…
Lunchtime LiveAre bike lanes ruining our roads?
Construction on Ireland's first 'middle-of-the-road cycle path is set to begin in Dublin City Centre. Steel barriers have been erected to block off one traffic…
Lunchtime LiveWhat is your scariest life achievement?
A study has shown that most people do not feel ready for life milestones. 60% feel they learn as they go, with 74% of people saying they have pretended to have…
Lunchtime LiveDon’t Miss: Real Housewives of London, Bad Apples, Gift List
Katie Gallagher, Spin News Anchor, has her finger on the pulse for what’s happening and she joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week!…
Lunchtime LiveHave you cancelled your health insurance?
The number of people with health insurance has fallen for the first time in six years. This follows after a number of price rises from the main players in the…
Lunchtime LiveAsk the Medic: Physiotherapy
It’s time for Ask the Medic! Where an expert joins to answer any of your health-related questions. This week, Andrea is joined by Andrew Dunne, Senior…
Lunchtime LiveMarriage in hospice care - listener experience
Andrea’s guest got married to her husband Damien shortly after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. In May 2025, Wicklow hospice facilitated the wedding that…
Lunchtime LiveHow big of an issue is clamping?
Clamping can be necessary to prevent illegal or unsafe parking, but sometimes people are caught out for something they didn’t realise they were doing wrong…
Lunchtime LiveWhat should be done with abandoned churches?
An old church in Cork has hit the market for €375,000. Often hard to sell, but protected from demolition, what should be done with these old buildings? Joining…
Lunchtime LiveConsumer Corner: Climate Change & Grocery Prices
It’s time for Lunchtime Live’s consumer slot, where this week, we will be discussing groceries, and the relationship prices have with climate change. The UN…
Lunchtime LiveNew citizenship rule changes - do you agree with them?
New rules to gain Irish citizenship will be introduced this week. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan will bring new measures to cabinet on Wednesday for…
Lunchtime LiveHave You Been To? - The best of Kerry!
We continue a county-by-county journey across Ireland, exploring all 32 counties that make up this remarkable island. Have you been to some of these places and…
Lunchtime LiveAre you excited for Katie Taylor’s final fight?
Katie Taylor will take to the stage for one final bout tomorrow night in Croke Park. The homecoming of all homecomings will see Katie Taylor fight French…
Lunchtime LiveRyanair special assistance issues - listener experience
Listener Ann Marie got in touch about an issue she had while traveling this week with Ryanair. She joins Andrea to discuss what happened…
Lunchtime LiveShould we dramatise murder cases?
RTÉ has announced a new drama ‘Mr Moonlight’ based on the book by Irish Independent Special Correspondent Catherine Fegan. It begs the question: should we…
- Lunchtime Live
Regional Roundup with Shane Beatty
Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joined Andrea with a roundup of some of the stories from across the country this week.
Lunchtime LiveHow much parking should be expected with high-density housing?
Residents of the Montpelier development on the site of the former O’Devaney Gardens flats in Dublin are caught up in a parking dispute, with the development’s…
Lunchtime LiveThe Home Squad: Home Office Design
Do you want to set up your own home office or study? What is the best way to go about it, and what should you be aware of? This week, the Home Squad are here…
Lunchtime LiveThe biggest slang words in Ireland - do you know any of them?
Do you know what ‘67’, ‘Rizz’ and ‘Maxxing’ mean? No? Well, you’re not alone! Google search data for 2026 reveals the most searched slang words in Ireland…
Lunchtime LiveWhat is lipoedema and its impact?
Lipoedema affects many women, yet it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, leaving them living with pain and uncertainty for years… Andrea is joined by three…
Lunchtime LiveHow does school refusal affect children?
Yesterday on the show, Andrea spoke about school refusal and the reality that many children, parents and families face every September… But, what exactly is…
Lunchtime LiveThe Making of Britney Spears!
We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them. What did the artists really think of each other? Where did…
Lunchtime LivePublic transport fares to increase by 15% - how are you impacted?
The National Transport Authority has today announced price hikes on buses and trains. Fares are to increase by about 15 per cent, and we will see the 90 minute…
Lunchtime LiveSchool refusal: why are children experiencing this?
With the school term back in full swing, many children are excited to see their friends and return to routine, but for some families, the return to school can…
Lunchtime LiveReasons to be Happy: September, Teeth, Jack White
Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic. 98FM’s Cathal…
Lunchtime LiveShould pets be allowed on public transport?
Following an NTA consultation, dogs, cats and other pets are expected to be allowed greater access to bus, trains and trams… Is that good news for you? Should…
- Lunchtime Live
Making Babies: Twins & Multiple Pregnancies
Every Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be talking Making Babies. Andrea will be joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, to…
Lunchtime LiveWhat makes Slane Castle so special?
Fontaines D.C. have announced a second night at Slane Castle next summer. How big is this for the band, and what makes a venue like Slane so special? Danny…
Lunchtime LiveAre car parks becoming prohibitively expensive?
From today, Cork city car parking fees will rise by up to 30%. This impacts two multi-storey city-centre carparks; North Main Street and Paul Street. Are car…
Lunchtime LiveAsk the Expert: Health Insurance Questions
For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Expert with totalhealthcover.ie to answer any of your health insurance…
Lunchtime LiveCan you make lifelong friends through work?
Are you friends with your colleagues? And over the years have you formed lifelong friendships through work? According to research, women are more likely to…
Lunchtime LiveShould the driving test include motorway competence?
Should the Irish driving test be revamped to include motorway competence? Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Sean Canney believes that the…
Lunchtime LiveAre gym memberships too expensive?
How much do you pay for your gym membership? And how much is a yoga or pilates class setting you back every week? Do you think they have become too expensive?…
Lunchtime LiveDon’t Miss: The Traitors, Aontas, Katie Taylor
Entertainment News Content Creator Holli Breslin joins Andrea with the things you don’t want to miss this week!
Lunchtime LiveHow bad are hospital waiting lists?
Hospital waiting lists could pass one million this winter, with medics warning the situation may get even worse next year. Overall treatment waiting lists have…
Lunchtime LiveAsk the Medic: Breastfeeding & Formula Feeding Tips
It’s time for Ask the Medic! Where an expert joins to answer any of your health-related questions. This week, Andrea is joined by Katie Mugan Nursing Mama…
Lunchtime LiveFontaines D.C. to play Slane Castle - will you be going?
As Fontaines D.C. closed their set at Electric Picnic, it was revealed that they’d be headlining Slane Castle next year. Are you excited for this, and how big…
Lunchtime LiveIs it too early to get excited for Christmas?
When you hear someone say the ‘C’ word at this time of year, does it fill you with excitement or dread? Irish Independent journalist Tanya Sweeney has been…
Lunchtime LiveDo we need better emergency response times?
Andrea’s guest got in touch to share his recent experience on the M50. Maurice was driving on the motorway when another motorist, travelling in the opposite…
Lunchtime LiveMoney Matters: State Savings Scheme
Are you determined to finally get on top of your finances once and for all? For many, looking at your bank account is something you dread, but how should we…