Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Avid golf fan Danny Rooney had his wish come true when he got to hit a few balls with legend of the game, Padraig Harrington at the Irish Open last weekend.Danny and his mum Vicki join Andrea to discuss how this all came together.

Leader of Sinn Féin and TD for Dublin Central, Mary Lou McDonald, joined Andrea in the studio to discuss her life recently, including the loss of her father, and her husband’s cancer diagnosis.

Ireland AM turns 25 today! The morning TV show first aired on the 20th of September 1999 and has been through many changes over the years. Andrea went to Virgin Media Television Studios to catch up with some special guests as well as current presenters, Muireann O'Connell, Tommy Bowe and Alan Hughes – who has been with the show from the beginning.Image: @IrelandAMTV on X

From Potholes to rare eggs, Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has plenty of stories you might have missed from across the country this week.

The Federation of Irish Sport have called on the government to introduce tax benefits for gym membership ahead of the budget.They raised the proposal 'with a view to incentivising personal exercise amongst the wider population.' And to attempt to reduce 'the ever-increasing issue of obesity in this country.'What do you think about the idea of tax benefits for gym membership?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Karl Dunne, Chief Executive of Ireland Active, Liam Morley Brereton, Coach at St Bridget’s Boxing Club, Edenderry, John Belton, Owner of No.17 PT, Human Performance and Wellness Coach and more.

Storage is an issue in so many homes, whether you’re looking to fill it, create more, or hide it.Well, the Home Squad are here to help with your storage questions! Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty and Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY to discuss.

The ISPCA has issued an urgent appeal for dog adoptions.They have almost 200 dogs in their care and say they’re running out of space…Adrian Kennedy is joined by ISPCA CEO Dr Cyril Sullivan to discuss more.

Bill Linnane, writing in the Irish Independent, recalls:‘Looking back, it's odd we bought my daughter dolls and prams while the boys got toy guns, swords and Lego’.All of the toys that he bought his boys were geared around adventure, creating and exploration while the ones he bought for his daughters were centered around nurturing, family and domestic life.So, how big of an issue is buying 'gendered toys'?Adrian Kennedy is joined by listeners and toy shop owners to discuss.

Presenter Davina McCall, now 56, but divorced (for the second time) at 50, has been talking recently about dating a little later in life.She is returning to present the ITV show ‘My Mum, Your Dad’ in which middle-aged singles are thrown together in a house. She said that besides some difficulties and a steep learning curve, it can be a fulfilling experience.But, what is dating like in your 50s and beyond?Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Matchmaker Mairead Loughman from Love HQ as well as listeners to discuss.

From the Cannes Film Festival to the Battle of the Sexes, Ciaran O’Connor from 98fm joins guest host Adrian Kennedy to look back on the biggest things that happened this week…

Should every city in Ireland follow Cork’s lead and have Community Wardens to deal with parking and littering offences?Cork City Council has had them since 2008 and say that they are extremely effective, so what’s stopping other cities employing them?Guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by Fine Gael Councillor in Cork Shane O’Callaghan as well as listeners to discuss.

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Colm Kieran, Funeral Director with Kieran Bros. Funeral Care and former Spokesperson for the Irish Association of Funeral Directors to answer all of your funeral-related questions.

Warm summer days and a bottle of Football Special, a core memory for many Donegal natives. But now, the beloved drink is leaving the hills of Donegal and spreading its wings nationwide!Joining Andrea to tell more is Seamus McDaid, Managing Director of Football Special.

If you have been following the Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez series ‘Only Murders in the Building’ on Disney+, you’ve possibly seen the latest episode where Paul Rudd makes an appearance - with a less than convincing Irish accent…It is not the first time we have heard a poorly-done accent in Hollywood.But, why do actors so often get the Irish brogue so wrong? And why is our accent ridiculed so much in movies and TV shows?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Gina London, Communication Leadership Expert and Columnist with the Sunday Independent, Dialect Coach Aisling Goodwin, Newstalk’s Kathleen Keane, Actor Brian Mulvey and more.Image: Disney

This Friday sees the release of a new film called ‘The Substance’. It stars Demi Moore, and focuses on our obsession with youth and good looks.It’s a theme that’s never going away – so, are we all obsessed with ageing?Andrea is joined by Mary McCarthy, Columnist with The Irish Independent, Liz Dwyer, Co-Founder of the Future Beauty Show and Co-Host of Fess Up Podcast 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…

Is free contraception for 16 year olds a good idea?Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is looking to expand free contraception to 16-year-olds as part of Budget 2025. Would you like to see this happen?To discuss, Andrea is joined by listeners and Clinical Psychotherapist Stephanie Regan.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.This week, Andrea was joined by Stylist and Journalist Laura Mullet and Entertainment and Culture journalist Rory Cashin to review ‘Hysterical’!Image: Wondery

3,600 people became Irish citizens during citizenship ceremonies in Dublin yesterday, including Irish rugby superstar Bundee Aki!Two of those new citizens, Edvaldo Castro and Daniele Fortunato, join Andrea to discuss their experience, and share what it means to become an Irish citizen.Image: @rugbyplayersireland on Instagram

Leading universities have been urged to take no more than 10% of students from private schools.Aaron Reeves and Sam Friedman, Professors of Sociology at the London School of Economics say that strictly limiting the numbers of private school pupils attending leading universities is a “radical” move needed to boost social mobility and improve access to elite professions.What do you think?Andrea is joined by Brian Mooney, Guidance Counsellor and Irish Times Education Columnist as well as listeners to discuss.