Highlights From Lunchtime Live

From overpaying your mortgage to how to switch; for this week’s Ask the Expert, we’re putting your mortgage questions to Trevor Grant, Chairperson, Association of Irish Mortgage Advisors.

Are the Irish unable to say ‘no’? That’s what the actor Brian Cox seems to think.Is he right? Do we avoid it? Andrea is joined by Freelance Writer Niamh O’Reilly and Life Coach Mark Fennel to discuss.

Listener Ben has gotten in touch with the show because he’s having an issue with getting his son into a secondary school.He speaks with Andrea about the issue.

Funerals are becoming more and more personal, with a lot more options on how we’d like our final goodbyes to go. And that isn’t just the funeral – you now have even more choices about what will happen to your body after you die. And the newest option is something called ‘water cremation’.Andrea is joined by Elizabeth Oakes, founder of Pure Reflections, to learn more. Colin McAteer from The Green Graveyard company also joins 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…

Students blockaded the entrance to the Book of Kells exhibition in Trinity College Dublin yesterday in protest against a proposal to increase some programme costs. Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union warned that students will take actions that are 'seriously damaging to the reputation and finances of the university' if the increases go ahead. László Molnárfi, President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union, joins Andrea to discuss what the protest is about. She is also joined by listeners to hear their takes.Image: Trinity News

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. Andrea was joined by Newstalk's Tech Correspondent and host of 'Tech Talk' Jess Kelly and Elaine Burke, presenter of the 'For Tech’s Sake’  podcast to discuss series 4 of 'Serial'Image: New York Times

A Dublin-based surgeon has returned to Ireland after three weeks volunteering as a doctor in Gaza. Dr Mohammed Shaalan joins Andrea to talk about the experience.

Today marks 30 years since Michael Flatley, Jean Butler and the Riverdance Troop wowed audiences in the Point theatre and worldwide during Eurovision ‘94. What are your memories from the time? How did Riverdance transform Irish Dancing? Andrea is joined by multiple people to look back on Riverdance, including lead dancer Fergus Fitzpatrick, dance professional Ciara Sexton and Susan Ginnety, who was part of the 1994 performance.

A 14 year old boy was home alone yesterday when his house was attacked by a gang of armed raiders. It happened in a rural part of county Louth and local Councillor John Reilly joins Andrea to discuss…

Andrea posed the question of whether it’s okay or not to ask for a discount in a shop.Have you done it before? Or are you dead set against bartering or haggling?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their opinions.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier! Over the next few weeks Andrea will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.Andrea was joined by Elaine Fallon from Brookwood Pottery to learn all about the clay craft.

A majority of teenagers attending single-sex schools would prefer their school to be co-educational, a study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found. The ESRI has described the findings as "eye-opening". Should all secondary schools be co-ed?  Andrea hears takes from listeners.

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Afif EL-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital to answer listeners' health queries and questions...

Castlebar has come out on top in a survey of the best places to live for the best work life balance, while Limerick came out at the bottom. But what makes somewhere a good town to live in? Andrea is joined by Today FM’s Ed Smith calling in from Castlebar, as well as Limerick local Celia Holman Lee to discuss.Image: Visit Castlebar

It is fair to say that immigration has become a hot button issue in the last number of weeks and months. It seems that people are more divided than ever on these issues.  Social media sites, such as X (formerly Twitter), are awash with hot take after hot take on Ireland’s immigration policies, but now these conversations are leaking out into real life – among family and friends.  Is it possible to maintain friendships and relationships with someone who might have very different views than you? How are we meant to navigate different opinions on immigration in friendship groups?Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes. 

US TV host Conan O’Brien is set to make his Ros Na Rún debut on TG4 this week!  Andrea is joined by some of those involved in the show to talk about the experience: series producer Marion Ní Loingsigh, production manager Mairead Campbell and Paul “Fred” McCloskey, who plays the role of Vince.Image: @RosnaRun on Twitter/X

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at recipes for sweet & smokey pulled chicken and a chopped Asian salad with dressing.Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

Apparently, the cost of summer camps is going to be even higher this year than normal. There’s a warning out today that the cost of summer camps and childcare combined could cost parents about €1,500. And this is before including the cost of a family holiday. So, are summer camps getting too expensive? Are they even easy to get into?Andrea is joined by listeners, including those who run camps, to get their takes.

This week, Newstalk has been partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland for Wish Week. It’s World Wish Day! So, let's come together and show the power of our community. Go to www.makeawish.ie/donate. Every euro counts, and together, we can bring so much joy.  Andrea is joined by Orla Carolan, who has personal experience of the impact this charity can make, as her son, Quinn - who was able to become a train driver for a day! Imelda Noone, Head of Wishgranting at Make-A-Wish Ireland also joins to talk about the process and how important Wish Day is.