Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Over the next few weeks Andrea will be talking to Irish producers across the country about the wonderful things they have on offer, and why it’s important to buy Irish for Christmas!Today we’re talking about buying Irish gifts with Ann Chapman from Stonechat Jewellers, Sinead Gallagher from Skin Krush LED Masks, Miriam from Mimitoys, Fintan Ó Cuanaigh - founder of My Games Sports Memoirs & Kevin Dooley from Dooley’s Wool!

It’s How I Live Well time: where we learn how to live a little better from someone who has mastered it!Catherine Merrigan tells Andrea about her unusual living arrangements on Skellig Michael as an Office of Public Works (OPW) guide who safely corrals visitors up the 600 steps to the monastic remains.

The GAA has announced that it will charge for under 16s to attend higher-division League games for the first time next year.   What do you think about the idea? Photo: Sportsfile

In 2008, photographer Tara Keane contracted a mysterious viral illness that placed her into intensive care and led to the amputation of her right leg below the knee. She shares the story of her illness and recovery and the extraordinary life she has been leading since Photo by Pixabay

Dr Niall Breen from the Portmarnock GP Clinic joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries.

People are losing out on “moments of togetherness” watching TV because they are streaming shows on separate devices, the bishop of London has said. Rev Dame Sarah Mullally said the profusion of choice meant that watching TV had become a “more solitary and insular” experience. Have streaming services killed the togetherness of watching TV?Photo by Ron Lach

‘I have finally found my first best friend – aged 30’ Pravina Rudra wrote in the i Newspaper recently. Are you ever too old for a best friend?Photo by Rachel Claire

All this month, Lunchtime Live is doing Christmas specials to give you plenty of time to prepare for the big day, and hopefully batch cook some bits in advance to make Christmas a lot easier!Food Creator Sinead Delahunty joins Anna Daly to talk Christmas themed desserts!

A plan to introduce “speed awareness” courses in lieu of penalty points is to be put forward to government by the Road Safety Authority.  Would courses like this help to reduce road deaths? Photo by JESHOOTS.com

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Monica Loughman, Ballerina, Ballet Director and founder of Monica Loughman Elite Ballet joins Andrea to answer any of your ballet-related questions!

For anybody that suffers with IBS – you know how much a scourge it can be. But, what foods can help it, and what should you avoid?Registered Dietitian Orla Walsh joins Andrea to discuss.

‘And there’s one for everyone in the audience!’ is the line that will be heard through houses across the country this evening as the Late Late Toy Show returns for another year of festive fun.But, is the Toy Show really for kids anymore? Or is it just a chance for adults to indulge in nostalgia?Andrea is joined by Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer, Maura Connolly, Gay Byrne’s Right-Hand Woman, Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo and Hugh Carr, Freelance Journalist to discuss.

Life as a cancer ‘wingman’ – is it talked about enough?Writing in the Irish Times, Clíodna O’Carolan reflects on her husband Enda’s fight against cancer - and her efforts to support him.But, do cancer ‘Wingmen’ get enough support?Clíodna joins Andrea to discuss.

From stick libraries to snooker prodigies - Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney has the stories from around the country that you might have missed this week.

Children who attend mixed schools have more friends, according to the latest results from a landmark study, Children’s School Lives, from UCD’s School of Education.Should all of our education be mixed?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

How can you spruce up your bathroom on a budget? Our home squad are here to help. Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year & Roisin Lafferty - Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty is here too. Photo by Christa Grover

New mothers with mental health needs are apparently being “failed” by the State. Maternity care services typically end six weeks after having a baby and it's assumed that health concerns are all looked after by then. But some mental health worries can actually increase several months after labour according to a new study. Photo by Pixabay

The family home of Kildare county councillor, Bill Clear, was targeted when vandals through a rock through one of his windows while his family were asleep upstairs. He tells Andrea that the problem lies with candidates running in elections having to declare their address. Should candidates have to share their home address when running for election?

While Christmas can be a magical time – creating memories with family and friends – it can come at a pretty hefty financial cost.  How do you make the most of Christmas on a budget? Photo by Brett Sayles

From the PlayStation to the Irish Free State, 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins Andrea with plenty to chat about on this week’s throwback Thursday!Photo By: Kaboompics.com