Highlights From Moncrieff

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 House. But, what is driving this extraordinary commitment?Joining the show to discuss is musician Martin Leahy.

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 amount of bathrooms they have in them. Does he have a point? Roisin Murphy is an Architect and Artist, and joins Seán to discuss.

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 criticised by Elon Musk and other high profile figures.  But, what is Telegram? And how does it differ from other messaging apps? Joining Seán to discuss is Adrian Weckler, Tech Correspondent at the Irish Independent.

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 where talking is frowned upon. How does that work?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Zoe Coleman, Co-Founder of the Silent Book Club Dublin.

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 ITV. But, what was it like behind the scenes at these type of TV shows? Jim Waterston is a Media Commentator and joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.Image: ITV

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 show to tell more about the life and history of Bertha is Justin Green, Co-Founder of Bertha’s Revenge Gin & Owner of Ballyvolane House.

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 are circumcised, but once you cross the Atlantic, this figure rises to almost 50% of the male population.  So, why is the practice so popular in the United States? Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss this is Harry Guiremand, Spokesman at Bloodstained Men & Friends.

The critically acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s new movie The Room Next Door, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, received a 17 minute standing ovation after its premiere at the Venice Film Festival yesterday. But, why are standing ovations at film festivals so long? And do the people doing all this clapping not get tired!? Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Film Critic Brian Lloyd.Image: @RaminSetoodeh on X

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, Chairman of the Communications Clinic (and an expert on apologising) joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

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 chancers from the competently confident candidates?Joining Tom Dunne to discuss this is Deirdre McCarthy, Director at Leinster Appointments Recruitment Agency.

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 house or should we welcome them with open arms? Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Dr. Michel Dugon from the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway.

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. But if you have comics, how do you know if you have a rare treasure or a dud? Joining guest host Tom Dunne to tell more about the world of comics is Stephen Mooney, Marvel Artist and Comic Collector.Image: Heritage Auctions

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 million hurleys be met? Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Aidan Falconer, Hurley Maker and Chairman of the Irish Hurley Makers Association.

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 some strange things you’ve seen?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss.

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 cream. What are some of your favourite nostalgic foods? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

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 exactly is foie gras so controversial? Joining Seán to unpack this is Tom Doorley, Food Writer and Columnist with the Sunday Times.

Child psychotherapist Joanna Fortune joins Seán Moncrieff to answer your parenting questions…

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 more common than you might think, especially in the workplace or corporate settings.. Seán is joined by Melrona Kirrane, Associate Professor of Organisational Psychology at DCU Business School to discuss.Image: Universal Pictures

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 now built 17 of them on his land! Tommy Earley joins Seán to discuss his love of the pond.

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 down to “order, tranquillity, good connection with family and friends”, among other things. But, some scientists argue that taking longevity advice from centenarians is actually a fool’s errand. Joining Seán to discuss this is Richard Faragher, Professor of Biogerontology at the University of Brighton.