Lunchtime Live

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…

Image: BBC

“My local swimming pool says boys aged 8 and over need to use the men’s changing rooms – I think it’s lunacy…” So writes Niamh O’Reilly in the Irish Independent. Is she right?

Andrea is joined by Niamh and more to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!

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

This week, Tom Douglas from Newstalk’s Newsroom and Elaine Burke, host of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ Podcast join Andrea to review ‘If Books Could Kill’!

Last night, the ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement organised a march against gender violence outside Dublin City Hall following the conclusion of the civil sexual assault case between Nikita Hand and Conor McGregor.

Andrea was there to get the thoughts of attendees, including Natasha O’Brien.

“Everything flipped and I thought from this point on, my life was never going to be the same…” Broadcaster Sean Defoe shared his reaction to receiving a cancer diagnosis on Lunchtime Live last year, and today, he joins Andrea again to discuss his health and how Seán feels about the diagnosis one year on.

Andrea is also joined by some listeners who similarly got a diagnosis and how it impacted them and their families.

Christmas has well and truly started; people have put up trees and present shopping is well underway…

So, when you’re buying these festive gifts, how important is it to support local, Irish businesses?

Over the next few weeks, Andrea will be speaking with Irish producers across the country about the wonderful things they have on offer.

Today, Andrea is joined by Niamh Devereux, Editor of Irish Country Magazine and Dee Laffan, Editor-in-Chief of Scoop Food Magazine to discuss.

This year on Lunchtime Live we’ve been looking at things that we can do in order to make ourselves that bit happier and healthier.

This week, to talk about the importance of mental health for young LGBTQ+ people, Andrea is joined by Ruadhán Ó Críodáin, Executive Director of Shoutout.

What would you think about having a Luas in every city in Ireland?

In a new Transport Plan published this morning, the Labour Party say they want the Luas in all 5 Irish cities with a view of at least 15 new lines by 2040.

So, do we need a Luas in every city?

Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

Dr Nina Byrnes, GP at Generation Health Medical Clinic joined Andrea to tackle your medical queries…

The demand for real Christmas trees has risen to record levels, but is there supply there to meet it?

Christy Kavanagh, Christmas tree grower in Wicklow, joins Andrea to discuss.