Highlights From Moncrieff

Since the partition of Ireland in 1921, economic and social interaction between the two jurisdictions was limited until more recent times.One effect of partition has been the low number of marriages between people of the two jurisdictions, and since the end of troubles and the signing of the Good Friday agreement, this trend seems to have continued.So, why then do we not tend to marry northerners?Joining Seán to discuss is John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin.

If you look around any town or city, you will see staff wanted posters on the windows of businesses.CSO figures show that Ireland is at full employment. The last time this rate was matched was in the booming Celtic Tiger years.So, how difficult is it for employers to attract workers? Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been finding out.

How well do you know your car?After his beloved Honda Civic was stolen, Ewan Valentine went on the hunt to replace his so-called ‘mid-life crisis car’, and ended up accidentally buying back his exact car in the process…So, what clues gave it away?Ewan joins Seán to tell more.

We’re used to the idea of American or Australian tourists coming here to trace their lineage, but do we really know where our own line comes from, and how far back can you trace an Irish name?The television series Sloinne, which airs at 8.30 on TG4 on Sunday night follows seven guest hosts as they attempt to answer these questions.Bríd Seoighe is the Series Producer of Sloinne, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: TG4

It’s official, millennials are not cool anymore. If you’re a millennial, you can take your avocado toast and your single speed sustainable bike and get out of here!So says TikTok anyway…Joining Seán to defend her people is millennial and Fashion Commentator, Lorna Weightman.

The process of getting a movie from script to the cinema screen, is a lengthy one, especially if it is a major blockbuster, but one aspect of the process which maybe goes under the radar is creating concept art for productions.Seán is joined by Dermot Power, who is a movie Concept Artist, and has worked on such blockbusters as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Batman.Image: Dermot Power

Earlier this week, Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his administration’s 2026 World Cup taskforce, insisting that the tournament will go off without a hitch.However, serious questions remain over how that will happen considering the considerable obstacles the tournament faces…Off the Ball’s David Wilson joins Seán to discuss.Image: AP Photo

Have you got an artistic flair? This week, Dublin Canvas in association with Dublin City Council launched their call out for submissions for people to paint those grey traffic boxes around the city, and show off their creative flair!The project has seen unique artwork transform the grey dull city streets by adding individual art installations across the capital.To discuss, Seán is joined by Siobhan Maher, Administrative Officer at Dublin City Council…Image: Dublin Canvas

Declan Walsh and the staff of The New York Times won the award for International Reporting for their coverage of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, including revealing the role of the United Arab Emirates in the conflict, and its devastating human toll…Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist and Chief Africa Correspondent for the New York Times, Declan Walsh joins Seán to discuss.

In a recent interview, the ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor revealed that her 5 sons, who all have red hair, have been subjected to some level of teasing. But, has acceptance in this area shifted over time?Joining Seán to discuss is Comedian and Writer Emma Doran…

Have you thought about what happens after we die, and would you ever consider donating your body to medical science?Nina Shelton’s dad passed away in 2023 and now two years later, the family are preparing to get his body back after he made the decision to donate his body to medical science so that trainee doctors could learn from his death...Nina is not alone in her experience, but wants to share what it’s been like for their family and the grieving process...She joins Seán to discuss.

More and more of the services we use are subscription based models.From watching our favourite films to our exercise plans, companies have managed to convince us to sign up to monthly fees.But many customers enjoy the convenience and it allows companies to be able to plan ahead. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into the growing trend of direct debit subscriptions.

How much does a tractor cost, and what are the considerations to take into account before you invest?Joining Seán to discuss is Darragh McCullough, Farmer, Columnist with the Irish Independent and recent purchaser of a new tractor.

In our lifetime, the Middle East has seemingly always been a region that has been characterised by conflict, strife and instability.So, is the prospect of democracy in the region dead?Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and author of ‘The Great Betrayal: The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy in the Middle East’ joins Seán to discuss.Image: Princeton University Press

After witnessing the evolution of gym culture in Ireland over many decades, Seán’s guest argues that there is a lot more to be done in terms of making these spaces better for women, and that too often, they remain bastions of masculinity.Joining to discuss is Sports Writer Clíona Foley, who has been writing about these things in the Irish Examiner…

More and more hotels, both domestically and internationally, are going child free. But, how do these hotels work, and why are they popular?Joining Seán to discuss is someone who has stayed in a few: Joan Scales, Travel Journalist…

Who wouldn’t like to work less hours to live a more ‘relaxed’ life?Well, the Spanish government has made the decision to reduce the 40 hour work week to 37.5, meaning that over twelve million workers now have an extra two and a half hours to themselves every week...So, how is this really going to work and are the Spanish delighted?Graham Keeley is a Madrid-based Journalist and joins Seán to discuss.

Male contraception is the wave of the future that has stayed in the future, always about 10 years away no matter what decade you’re living in.But, could that be about to change?Logan Nickels is Chief Research Officer with the Male Contraceptive Initiative. He joins Seán to discuss.

Apparently, the new trend for food is pairing ice cream with wine… It certainly sounds odd, but is meant to be better than you would think!John Wilson, Wine Critic for the Irish Times, joins Seán to discuss.Image: Princess Pinky Girl

Have you booked your summer holidays yet?Well, have you ever considered swapping your home for somewhere in a far flung destination?Patsy Winters has done home exchanges nearly fifty times, and she joins Seán to talk more about why it’s been the perfect way to travel the world for her…