Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Pets for many of us are beloved part of the family and the loss of a pet can be a deeply upsetting experience. Andrea was joined by Family Therapist Eileen Finnegan, and Philip Nolan Irish Daily Mai, to discuss the process of grieving for a pet.

Listener Michael was in touch with the show to discuss the high price of tolls and if they should be scrapped. Andrea spoke to listeners about why toll booths have not reduced their price even though there’s no cashiers anymore.

It’s one of the biggest weekends’s in the GAA Calander – two of the sport's biggest rivals go head to head on Sunday, while Derry and Galway face off on Saturday – but why is there so little buzz or chat about it? Philly McMahon, Former Dublin Player, John Duggan of Off the Ball, Nadine Doherty, Former Donegal Gaelic footballer & Pundit, and Richard Larkin, Dublin Supporter all joined Andrea Gilligan on the show.

Viv joined Andrea Gilligan on the show this afternoon. We first chatted to Viv back in June, on the 13th to be exact. At that stage she was telling us about how Aer Lingus hadn’t been able to locate your bags – in fact they were already missing a week when we were chatting to her. Since then we touched base with Viv throughout the month as she flew from Kerry to Dublin just to locate her bags. It is now four weeks since we first chatted to her, and five weeks almost since her luggage has been missing. Viv brought us an update on the situation.

Wimbledon draws to a close this weekend, with the men’s singles final on Sunday and the women’s final day earlier. From royals to celebrities and sports A-listers, the tennis tournament is not just a top sports event but a star-studded social gathering of the year. As a tournament celebrates its centenary this year, we take a closer look at its sport and social side with our guests, Conor Nieland, former Irish tennis player and Lorna Weightman a stylist and Wimbledon frequent.

From Heaven is a place on Earth to Leave a light on – Belinda Carlisle’s songs have been filling dance floors for decades! And now, after covid induced postponements – the Songstress is coming to Ireland! Belinda Carlise joined Andrea Gilligan on the show ahead of her gigs in Dublin and Cork next week.

Is childhood obesity a form of child abuse? That is something which has been claimed by fitness guru & owner of Ultimate Performance gyms Nick Mitchell. What do you think about comparing childhood obesity to letting your child smoke or drink alcohol? Is childhood obesity a form of child abuse?

Every week, we give you the chance to get access to an expert to answer your questions all your questions about their area of expertise. This week dental surgeon Dr. Paul O’Dwyer joined Andrea to answer all you're dental queries.

An Irish Hospice Foundation survey of people bereaved during the pandemic has found that 56% said that they were not able to spend the time they wanted with their loved ones before they died. Jean Callanan is the chair of the Irish Hospice Foundation, she joined Andrea and listeners to discuss the trauma felt by those who had to watch relatives die alone.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to step down after 3 years in the job. Andrea was joined by Jarlath Regan, host of the Irish Man abroad podcast, and listeners to discuss his legacy and what might be next for the conservative party.

From GAA to Gigs Corona’s Frontman Danny O’Reilly’s career could have been very different if he’d stuck to playing football. Ahead of the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Championship Final between Galway and Mayo tomorrow evening, Danny joined Andrea to chat about what could have been.

One in three people aged 35-44 won’t own a home by the time they retire, according to new figures from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). The figures are even starker for those in the 25-34 age cohort only half will be homeowners by the time they retire. Andrea was joined by listeners and Sean Moynihan, CEO of Alone, to discuss what an older generation of renters will mean for the country.

The U15 girls gaelic football team have decided to do a sponsored 48 hour phone free weekend. Phones will be handed over to team mentor on Friday July 8th at 7pm and returned 48 hours later on Sunday July 10th at 7pm. Andrea was joined by members of the team and Chris Flack co-founder of Unplug, to discuss the benefits of digital detoxing.

While housing remains an ongoing concern, the issue of facilities and amenities to service young people in this country is also an issue. Michael McLoughlin from Youth Work Ireland, joined Andrea and Mark Fay from the Northwall Community Association, to discuss if there are enough facilities for young people in cities.

It’s 'Write a Letter Appreciation Week' and Andrea was joined by Liz Maguire, a Dublin based antiquarian, who has been collecting old love letters since her teens.

There have been renewed calls for Spinal Muscular Atrophy to be added to the heel prick test for newborn babies, with a view to aiding early diagnosis and treatment. Liz McMahon has two sons with the rare condition, each with very different qualities of life, she joined Andrea to discuss the importance of early diagnosis.

A new hangover prevention pill has gone on sale in the UK. Physicist, engineer and science communicator Phil Smyth joined Andrea to discuss the science of hangovers.

Andrea spoke to listeners about the high cost of hotel prices and if they are due to an issue of supply and demand or price gouging.

Over 300 Deis schools with around 60,000 students in disadvantaged areas will not have access to school meals when they reopen in September. Andrea spoke to Julie Ahern, Head of legal policy and services with the Children’s Rights Alliance and principles about what this will mean for schools and students.

Following news that Ireland’s defence forces may be drawn upon to help with airport security amidst chronic delays and cancellations, many have voiced their concerns at the potential knock-on effects. Retired Regiment Sargeant Major Noel O’Callaghan, joined Aideen and Former Army Ranger, now Independent TD, Cathal Berry, to discuss their concerns.