Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Should festivals work more with local communities and stock local products? Ballykilcavan Brewery in Stradbally is calling for Electric Picnic to stock their beer. They say that if the festival claims to be sustainable, supporting local should be an important element of that. David Walsh-Kemmis, owner of Ballykilcavan Brewery joins Adrian Kennedy to discuss.

So far, Team Ireland has won seven medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, making it their most successful Olympics result ever. So, how does the team build on this success to do even better next time?Listeners, including former Tennis Professional Jenny Claffey, join guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss.

Two NASA astronauts have been stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than two months and could be forced to stay there until February next year!They originally only went up for 8 days, but concerns over the safety of the spacecraft that brought them there have meant they can’t leave.Joining Adrian Kennedy to tell more and discuss is Space Commentator Leo Enright and Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of the National Space Centre.

From the hunt for black pudding in Mayo to finding love in a forest in Kilkenny. Breakfast briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Adrian Kennedy with his look at the stories from across the country this week.

A partner at a UK law firm has been banned from drinking alcohol at work events after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour during a business trip to Vienna. Is consuming alcohol with your colleagues appropriate? Should work events be alcohol free?To discuss, guest host Adrian Kennedy is joined by online personality Kayleigh Trappe, Padraig Wilson McCarthy, Content Creator and Ian O’Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

A lick of paint can be the cheapest and easiest ways to give a room a whole new look – but there’s more to it than just lashing in to it. From picking colours to the tools you need, our home squad are here with the tips and tricks of the trade. Andrea is joined by Roisin Lafferty, Founder and Creative Director of Roisin Lafferty along with Oisin Butler from Oisin Butler Ltd, Painting and Decorating Specialist.

Andrea Gilligan is joined by Laura Donnelly from the Newsroom; she went down to a FAI Cadbury Kick Fit. But, what exactly is it? She explains all, and speaks with those attending!(With thanks to Cadbury, supporter and a half of the women’s national team).Image: FAI

Andrea Gilligan has been trying a plant-based diet for over a week, and still finds that she’s spending the same amount of money as she would buying meat. A listener texted in on Tuesday saying that the government should subsidise vegan meals to tackle climate change. Should this be the case?Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

We’re sure you’ve all been glued to the Olympics, but one thing has stood out for listener Claire, who got in touch with the show.She joins Andrea to discuss whether or not the Olympic outfits for women are too skimpy. Stylist Laura Mullet and former Olympic Race Walker Perri Williams also join.

It's Throwback Thursday! Where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joins Andrea Gilligan once more to rewind the clock…Image: Sony Pictures

Columnist with the Irish Independent, Mary McCarthy, was on Newstalk Breakfast this morning chatting about a new movement amongst parents whereby they track their children’s locations using their smartphones. So, would you do it? Or are you doing it already?Andrea is joined by Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie, Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times and mother of seven, Katie Makk from the Opinions Matter Podcast and listeners to discuss.

From costs to tariffs, for this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea Gilligan is joined by Ruth Buggie, Head of Mobility and Smart Networks at SEAI to answer all of your home electricity questions!

Solo mum Becky Hayes has gone viral with her survival guides helping unattached women to get through anything from Sunday night to spending a birthday alone.Becky learned to embrace her alone time, and even look forward to it!Little did Becky know that buying some nice food and wine, going for a walk, tidying her flat and making a delicious meal would become the blueprint for her series of single survival guides that have gone viral on TikTok.She joins Andrea to discuss the success, and making the most out of being single.

Judges will be able to recommend minimum prison terms of 25, 30 years or longer for the worst crimes under new proposals to be published today. However, the judge’s recommendation will be non-binding. Does this go far enough?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Kathleen Chada, Founder of SAVE Action Group,Ruth Maxwell, survivor of a violent attack and Noeline Blackwell, Human Rights Lawyer.

Andrea Gilligan is taking a boat from Carrick-on-Shannon on Friday and, through her research, she was wondering whether we do enough to promote our waterways for holidaying in Ireland.To discuss, she is joined by Kay Baxter, President of Inland Waterways Association of Ireland, Mike Clinton, Marine Engineer & boat owner on the Shannon and Denis Baker, IWAI Royal Canal Branch Chairman.

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…

Have Irish people begun to take a sense of pride in their achievements?When it comes to recent achievements in this year's Olympics, Ireland’s most successful one yet, it appears to be a great example of how Irish attitudes have changed when it comes to honouring our wins.To discuss, Andrea is joined by Jon Rudd, Swimming Coach, James O'Callaghan. Performance Director with Irish Sailing, Coach Tadhg Leader and Performance Coach Gerry Hussey.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to.  This week, Andrea was joined by Entertainment and Culture Journalist, Rory Cashin and Laura Donnelly from Newstalk’s Newsroom to review ‘Ghost in the Machine’.Image: Stak

Do you lie? Many of us are told as children to never lie, but researchers believe there is a lot we get wrong about dishonesty.Instead, they believe we should be teaching our kids, students and employees when and how to lie.So, is lying sometimes necessary? And where should you draw the line?Andrea is joined by Terry Prone from the Communications Clinic, Jason O’Callaghan, Mindfulness Expert and Psychologist and more to discuss.

Andrea Gilligan is on the second week of her vegan challenge. It was a challenging long weekend for her – especially as she went home to see her friends.And the idea of going to eat got her thinking – why don’t more places cater for vegans?Andrea is joined by vegan listeners as well as Sandra Higgins, Director of Go Vegan World, to discuss.