Highlights From Moncrieff

The term “passing” was first used in 19th-century America to refer to light-skinned slaves who fled to freedom by claiming a white identity, but the phenomenon both pre- and postdates its naming. Lipika Pelham, joined Sean to explain how she looks at this history in her new book “Passing: An Alternative History of Identity.”

Documents submitted to a court in Paris have suggested Jill Dando may have been murdered in a case of mistaken identity, by a Russian hitman hired to kill another BBC journalist. Sean was joined by Matthew Young Reporter with the Daily Mirror, to discuss the background to her death and this new theory.

Last night, Dublin got its new Lord Mayor. Caroline Conroy, joined Sean to discuss her delight at the election result and her political career.

Mike O’Donnell is one of Ireland’s most widely published court artists. He joined Sean to explain how his job was one that requires speed in some cases, an understanding of body language, and looking into the accused eyes.

Alexander Sanger is the grandson of Margaret Sanger, the woman who founded Planned Parenthood. He has dedicated his life to continuing his grandmother’s dedication to reproductive rights. He joined Sean to discuss the undoing of Roe V Wade, and if this just the beginning of something more.

The Government has agreed to a request from Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan for the army to be on standby to help with security at Dublin Airport. Senator Gerard Craughwell joined Sean to discuss what that would mean and if that was the best use of resources.

Ione Gamble, an author of Poor Little Sick Girls: A Love Letter to Unacceptable Women and Guardian columnist, joined Deirdre to discuss why she feels Gen Z is obsessed with the cult of wellness.

Jen Hogan journalist with The Irish Times joined Sean on the show today to recap the stories making the headlines this past week.

Olive Foley was this weekend crowned the winner of the most stylish lady competition at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. She joined Deirdre to discuss her delight at the win and how life has been after the passing of her late husband, rugby star Anthony Foley.

Due to a lack of blood supply, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has decided to offer a walk-in service this week in an attempt to boost supply. Paul McKinney, Operations Director of the IBTS, joined Deirdre to discuss why supplies seem to be so low at the moment.

Simon Tierney joined Sean to chart the history of the shoelace.

Helping wild animals in distress is not always a good thing to do, so says Juanita Browne, a wildlife book author and science communicator in her recent piece in the Irish Examiner. According to her, wildlife rehabilitation is a job for experts. Therefore, we need a National Hospital dedicated to Wildlife. Juanita Browne - wildlife book author and science communicator joined us on the show this afternoon.

Job Fairy alert! A dream job is up for grabs, as King’s Hill Distillery in Scotland offers every gin lover an opportunity to take part in their gin internship this summer. What does it take to become a gin-tern? Hannah Fletcher, Brand Manager at King’s Hill Distillery joined us on the show.

We all know the main acts performing at the 50th anniversary Glastonbury Festival but one act you may ot have heard of is Ai-da. Ai-Da is among the unique festival offering. She is an ultra-realistic humanoid robot that has painted portraits of the headline acts. She is the artist in residence in the festival’s Shangri La field, where she will be giving live demonstrations of her painting skills. Aidan Meller is the creator and project director of Ai-Da Robot and joined us on the Moncrieff show.

Thousands of people were convicted of practicing witchcraft in Scotland in a hunt that spanned nearly two centuries — and the majority of those sentenced to death and executed were women. Many were also tortured. Now, a bill proposed in the Scottish parliament is trying to set the record straight, said Natalie Don, a Scottish lawmaker who introduced the proposal. Zoe Venditozzi is from witches of Scotland and joined us on the Moncrieff show this afternoon.

The chickenpox vaccine could be added to Ireland’s childhood immunisation programme. An assessment is underway on whether the vaccine should be included in the programme by request of the Department of Health. Chief Scientist is Dr Conor Teljeur joined Sean to discuss the request and what the outcome of including the vaccines could be.

The highly anticipate Baz Baz Luhrmann biopic detailing the life and career of Elvis hits cinema screens this weekend. Ciaran Houlihan joined Sean to discuss his life as an Elvis tribute act in Ireland.

You might have heard of dog shows and pony shows but what about chickens? Marian Kiely from the Irish Society of Poultry Fanciers joined Sean to explain how the society have been holding shows for years now where birds compete against each other.

Walk in to any sports bar around the world and you’ll find punters roaring and shouting at a screen, lamenting a missed penalty by Salah or celebrating a Olympic Gold for Kelly Harrington. A bowling alley in the Netherlands has decided to provide its revellers with a shared experience that’s a little more tranquil and a little less chaotic. Wildlife artist Robert E. Fuller joined Sean to explain how the big screen at Bowlingcentrum Merwehal in Dordrecht, Netherlands, shows live feeds of the barn owls in Yorkshire.

A community in Tipperary has been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons after the deaths of Hilary and Nicholas Smith. The small village of Cloneen has been reeling since the bodies were discovered, and it now looks like they could have been dead for 18 months. Criticisms have been levelled at the locality for not keeping an eye on them, Sean was joined by Fine Gael Cllr Mark Fitzgerald owns The Thatch Pub in the village, to discuss if that criticism is unfair.