Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.This week, Andrea was joined by Ann Grimes, Duty Control Supervisor in the National Emergency Operations Centre in Tallaght to answer any of your dispatch questions!

The skies have been awash with activity the past few weeks, between the supermoon this week, the Northern Lights last week and the comet zipping through the skies this month.But, why is there so much action? David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland joins Andrea to discuss.

Some people might think there is nothing better than to curl up with a cup of tea and a thousand-page book, but Sir Ian Rankin would disagree…The bestselling Scottish crime fiction writer said there was “no necessity” for crime novels to be longer than 300 pages and that big books “get put at the bottom of the reading list”.What do you think? Are books these days too long? What about modern films? And TV shows?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Author Sheila O’Flanagan, Rory Cashin, Entertainment & Culture Journalist, Sinéad from Tired Mammy Book Club and more.

Are you part of the ‘Sandwich Generation’?This refers to middle-aged adults who are caring for both elderly parents and their own children.Nowadays, with older generations living longer and young people staying at the family home later in life – more and more people may consider themselves part of the Sandwich Generation. Does this sound like your experience?Andrea is joined by The Midlife Coach Alana Kirk and Professor Rose Anne Kenny from Trinity College Dublin to discuss.

From libraries in pubs to rats in Cork, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with his stories from across the country.

Rather than awarding people with the Freedom of the City in Dublin, should we instead have an honours system like they do in the UK?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Mary Manning, Dunnes Stores Striker, Alison Gilliland, former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Enda Brady, Journalist and Commentator, Suzanne Harrington, Journalist and Author and more.

From choosing the right frames and to how to hang them, the Home Squad are here today to help you make your art work at home!Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheahan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’ and Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty to discuss.

News broke last night that Liam Payne, the former One Direction singer, has died aged 31 in Argentina after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires.Joining Andrea to share their memories of him is Spin1038 Presenter Michaela Hayes, TV Presenter Glenda Gilson as well as listeners.

Rugby star Simon Zebo has revealed that he doesn't want his children playing rugby, as he finds the head injuries scary.The former Ireland and Munster player, who retired earlier this year, said he doesn’t want his children following in his footsteps.He said: ‘I would not push them towards playing rugby at all. What it does to your body, the head impacts, that’s the scary side of it. I’ve seen a lot of players have to retire through it, and that’s very dangerous. I don’t like it.’Is he right? How do you feel about your children playing rugby?Andrea is joined by former Irish rugby player Shane Byrne, Eva Berg from the Secret Pilates and more to discuss.

Fianna Fáil senator Catherine Ardagh has spoken out about the struggle to find a school place for her son, who has autism.She joins Andrea to discuss.

From the Jungle Book to the BBC, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!

Sad news as reports last night confirm the death of former One Direction member Liam Payne. He died at the age of 31 in Argentina after falling from a third floor balcony in a hotel in Buenos Aires.Musician, Radio Presenter and former X-Factor contestant Eoghan Quigg joins Andrea to share his memories of Liam.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Financial Advisor with Irish Life, David Roche to answer all of your pension questions!Segment with thanks to Irish Life. To learn more or to get trusted pension advice, you can check out irishlife.ie/pensions.

Whether you are a parent or not, you have probably seen the viral TikTok lunchboxes being made for some outrageously lucky kids out there.The work and precision that goes into some of them looks incredible, but do the children eating them even notice?Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist Niamh O’Reilly and Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments.

Prague city councillors have banned nighttime pub crawls organised by travel agencies, because the city wants to target “more cultured” tourists.The Czech capital has been a long time popular destination for noisy stag parties and pub crawlers. Prague Deputy Mayor Zdenek Hrib has said that they are now “seeking a more cultured, wealthier tourist … not one who comes for a short time only to get drunk”.What do you think about this approach? Would you like to see it come into play here in Ireland?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Ed Finn from edfinntravels.com, Adam Zabransky, Prague City Councillor, Cat Kiveney, owner and Manager of TheHen.ie & TheStag.ie, Broadcaster Stefanie Preissner, Comedian Katherine Lynch and more.

Is money a taboo topic? Would you feel comfortable telling a friend that you can't afford to go to their birthday dinner?Saoirse Hanley, Journalist with the Irish Independent has been writing about this, and joins Andrea and more to discuss.

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.Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…Image: Discover Ireland

A new report is urging the Irish government to get gas boilers, fireplaces and chimneys out of homes as soon as possible.What do you think? Is it time to get rid of boilers, fireplaces and chimneys from Irish homes?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Hugh Wallace, Director of Douglas Wallace Architects, John Sodeau, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at UCC, Pete the Builder and more.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullett and Off The Ball’s Colm Boohig joined Andrea to review ‘Origins with Cush Jumbo’!Image: Sony Music Entertainment

Do you suffer from Orthosomnia? It’s the medical term for an unhealthy obsession with getting perfect sleep.It usually stems from those hooked on wearing smart devices to bed, and checking the quality of sleep the following morning.So, do you have Orthosomnia?Andrea is joined by Today FM’s Cathal Minogue and Anne Marie Boyhan, Holistic Sleep Expert, Founder of the Sleep Care Company and Author of the 'Sleep Journal' to discuss.