Lunchtime Live

Comedian Dara Ó Briain has said he wanted to find his birth mother to tell her “it worked out OK” in his life after being adopted as a child. He also spoke about how it was kind of awkward at times…

The Irish stand-up, 52, spoke about his experience of searching and finding his birth parents in his previous comedy tour ‘So Where Were We’?

So, what is it like meeting your birth parents?

Andrea is joined by Clodagh Malone from the Coalition of Mother and Baby Home Survivors, Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author as well as listeners.

A new documentary focusing on the behind the scenes of Boyzone will be released on the 2nd of February, but Andrea got to see the premier of its first episode last night and loved it!

Will you be watching?

TV Producer Bill Hughes and Today FM Producer Shauna O’Reilly join Andrea to discuss.

Image: Sky

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…

We have heard from people over the last number of days that have been affected in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.

Around 142,000 homes, farms and businesses are still without power, while Uisce Éireann says over 6,000 premises still have no water supply.

Many of the people that have been worst affected – many of whom have spoken on the show – live in rural areas.

Is Storm Éowyn proof that rural Ireland is forgotten?

To discuss, Andrea is joined by Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link, Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon / Galway as well as listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!

We review podcasts every Tuesday so you always have something new to listen to.

This week, Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie and 98fm’s Russell Alford join Andrea to review ‘The Curious History Of Your Home’!

Image: Noiser

Storm Éowyn caused significant damage to homes last week…

But, what repairs can you do at home?

Peter Finn, better known as Pete the Builder from the Home Rescue TV show, joins Andrea to discuss what you can do yourself!

New data reveals that over three quarters of women have been labelled as emotional in performance reviews, compared to just 11% of men…  

So, are women actually more emotional in the workplace, or is there a gender bias?

To discuss, Andrea is joined by Caroline Reidy, Director of the HR Suite, Hannah Quinn Mulligan is a Journalist and Farmer, Nadia Adan is the owner of Ashford Motors and Nora Casey, businesswoman and Broadcaster.

Are the Irish good at dealing with death - you may have heard people say that we “do death well”, but is that really true?

This week is National Grief Awareness Week, and Andrea is joined by Bereavement Coordinator with Our Ladies Hospice, Ann D’Arcy, to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where Andrea Gilligan is joined by someone to discuss what they do to improve their life.

This week, Andrea is joined by Clare McKenna, Presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss why we should prioritise rest more in our lives!

Up to 100,000 homes and businesses are likely to be without power for the rest of the week in the aftermath of last week’s storm, and some will be cut off from the grid until the end of next week.

Brian Tapley, ESB Networks Regional Manager, gave Newstalk an update earlier this morning...

Meanwhile, the Government has said that they have no plans to recall the Dail early to tackle the fallout from Storm Eowyn.

Has the Government’s response been good enough?

Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.