Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Are we losing the ability to write legibly?Poor handwriting in Scottish schools is holding pupils back with assessors increasingly deducting marks from “indecipherable” exam papers.Do you think handwriting has gotten worse?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.This week, Andrea is joined by Collette O’Hagan to learn all about marathons - she’s about to do her 1,000th!

Irish people are living in their childhood home until they are 28 on average, according to an analysis from the European Union’s statistic agency Eurostat.The Irish figures are above the EU average of 26.3 years, while people in Finland are living independently at the age of just 21.4 years.What do you think about the younger generation staying at the parental level until so much later in life?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss and share their experiences.

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

Did you go to many weddings this summer? If so, how many of them took place in a Church? Odds are, it’s been less than usual.Fewer and fewer Irish couples are opting for traditional Irish weddings, but it still remains the most popular option for those getting wed.So, why are so many of us forgoing faith based ceremonies?Andrea is joined by Broadcaster Ruth Scott, who is a qualified Humanist Celebrant and Lindsey Moynagh, Wedding Planner to discuss.

Sadie entered the foster system before her first birthday and left at the age of 18. She's now working as a special needs assistant. She has found love, and has a family of her own. And works in Wexford.She joins Andrea to talk about her experience of the foster system.If there was anything in this podcast that affected you, The Samaritans can be reached at any time on 116 123.

Manifesting: are you all for it? Or do you think it’s a load of codswallop? “The Queen of Manifestation” Roxie Nafousi attracted big crowds to her live show in Dublin’s Helix Theatre, so there must be something to it - right?Irish Independent Journalist Tessa Ndjonkou was there, and joined Andrea, along with Ruth Allen, Hypnotherapist and Hypno Psychotherapist and Dr Sabina Brennan, Psychologist and Neuroscientist to discuss.

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!This week, Andrea is joined by Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments, Holly Dalton, to look at how versatile the short rib can be! With multiple recipes sure to make your batch cooking exciting!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Councils could stop cars and raid houses under plans for a fresh crackdown on smoky fuel sales.The new measures are contained in a draft Air Pollution Bill currently being finalised, which would grant councils search-and-seize powers to clamp down on the sale and distribution of smoky fuels.What do you think about these proposals? Should councils have the power to raid houses? To stop and detain vehicles?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Roni Hawe, Programme Manager in the EPA / Programme Manager - Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, Cllr Feljin Jose, Green Party Councillor in Dublin, Cllr Padraig Fallon, Sinn Fein Councillor in Leitrim and more.

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 Gilligan was joined by former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to answer your questions!

The most iconic fashion gear of all time has been named, and it’s been worn by legends, but is it as favoured by the rest of us? Do you own a pair of Levi 501s?The jeans topped the poll of people asked what fashion item they deem to be the most important ever. The Ralph Lauren Polo shirt was second place, and the Chanel little black dress came in third.Joining Andrea to discuss this iconic clothing is Journalist and Stylist Laura Mullet.Image: Levi’s

Katie Taylor, Kellie Harrington, Michael Carruth: three names in a list of many Irish boxing heroes, but does boxing still get overlooked in Ireland?As the sports grant allocation of €230 million was released, boxing received just €830,914...Does one of our most successful sports deserve more?To discuss, Andrea is joined by former Irish International Boxer and current Boxing Commentator Mick Dowling, Eoghan Corry,Editor of Air & Travel Magazine, Liam Morley Brereton from St Bridget’s Boxing Club in Offaly and more.

Are you trying to learn a different language? Have you ever wondered just how effective language learning apps like Duolingo are?Andrea’s guest, Rodhan Harris, spent two years(!) using Duolingo everyday.To discuss, Rodhan, as well as Hard Shoulder Presenter Kieran Cuddihy, Padraig Ryan from the ELC Euro Language College and John Reilly, Founder & Editor of theEffect.net and regular gaming contributor to Newstalk's Tech Talk join the show.

From the most visited tourist destinations in the country to a hair-brained scheme at the Ploughing Championships, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with stories from around the country this week.

The 2023 annual report for the Medical Bureau of Road Safety makes for some pretty grim reading. It shows that drink driving numbers are still high, and worryingly, the number of repeat offenders is high.243 drivers were arrested twice in 2023. One was even arrested seven times by Gardai in 2023 on suspicion of driving while intoxicated...Is there enough of a deterrent for drink driving?Andrea is joined by listeners including Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link, to discuss.

From using the ceiling as a 5th wall to painting floors, this week’s Home Squad is all about paint trends!Oisin Butler from Oisin Butler Ltd – Painting and Decorating Specialist and Interior Designer Sarah Twigg Doyle of Retwiggd join Andrea to discuss.

Have you ever had that post-holiday, Sunday night fear before going back to work? Ciara Treacy from Newstalk’s Digital team has the solution! It’s called microdosing reality, and she joins Andrea to discuss.

If you have listened to this show before you might know that there are few things in this world that drive people crazy like phantom buses.Phantom or ‘disappearing buses’ - is the name given when buses continue to appear on apps and signs despite not being in service.Could we have a solution on the way?The National Transport Authority has revealed that they plan to launch a new automatic vehicle location system late next year, to be completed by early 2026.Is this the solution to our unreliable bus service?To discuss, Andrea is joined by listeners including Lynn Barker from the Lusk Action Group.

Right now, if you have a brain injury in Ireland you will be rushed to hospital to have your life saved.After that, it’s luck of the draw... Depending on where you live, you could be discharged home without appropriate information or education about the challenges you’ll face and the rehabilitation you’ll need to rebuild your life. Or even worse, you may be placed in a nursing home, because there’s no other support in your community.This is what happened to Priscilla, who joins Andrea to share her story. Catherine Lacey, Head of Service Operations for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, also joins.

From Nirvana to Greta Thunberg, this was a big week in pop culture history. Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock!