Lunchtime Live

When is it okay to make a joke about certain topics?

Kyle Gass, from band Tenacious D, found out when not to make a joke this weekend after being presented with a birthday cake by bandmate Jack Black at their Sydney show. When Black asked him to make a wish, he said “Don’t miss Trump next time”.

This has caused major backlash and controversy, and as a result, their tour has been cancelled.

Andrea is joined by comedian Jim Elliott, as well as listeners, to discuss.

Image: Travis Shinn

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…

A Waterford U15 hurling match was abandoned on Monday evening following a brawl involving players, mentors and supporters.

An investigation is now under way, but it seems to be a sight that is all too common on sports fields these days.

What do you think? Are youth matches too competitive?

Andrea Gilligan is joined by Former GAA President, Nickey Brennan, Antonio Mantero, Castleknock Celtic Coach and Founder of Silent Sideline as well as listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! 

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

This week Andrea is joined by Today FM Presenter Shelly Grey and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill to review ‘No Such Thing as a Fish’, which fans of the show ‘QI’ will find very familiar!

Image: Quite Interesting Ltd.

Do we do enough to encourage girls to get into football coaching?  

Laura Heffernan, who manages DLR Waves, is the only female manager in the League of Ireland, including the Women's Premier Division. So how do we get more women involved? 

Laura joins Andrea Gilligan to discuss.

Excitement is reaching fever pitch for this Sunday’s All-Ireland Hurling Final between Clare and Cork.

However, there have been reports that Cork fans are having difficulty in actually getting to the game in Croke Park, with train seats seemingly being sold out.

Listener Claire joins the show to share her issue, and Andrea is joined by Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central and Barry Kenny from Irish Rail and more listeners to discuss.

Today is the launch of Puck Fair, Ireland’s oldest festival.

It got us thinking about some of the weird and wonderful festivals this country has to offer.

Unfortunately the days of the bog snorkelling festival are gone, but there’s still enough around to make for a very entertaining summer…

Andrea Gilligan is joined by Eimear Shannon, Today FM Producer and professional festival-goer and Naoise Nunn, Producer of the Bram Stoker Festival to discuss some of the standouts.

This year Andrea Gilligan is determined to make some changes and become that bit healthier!

She will be joined by a number of different people to find out how they live well.

After her time spent with the Riverdance crew a few weeks ago; this week, Andrea is joined by professional Irish dancer Ruth Eva McKenna to learn all about, you guessed it, Irish dancing!

Following unrest at an anti-immigration protest in Coolock yesterday, Gardaí have arrested 19 people. 

Taoiseach Simon Harris thanked the Gardai for their "very swift action” in “very difficult circumstances”. He also spoke about “the benefit of the body cams” worn by Gardaí. 

However, others have criticised the speed of the Garda Response. Were they fast enough?

Andrea is joined by Independent Cllr John Lyons,Minister Neale Richmond, Minister of State with responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions & Insurance, Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley and Liam Herrick, Executive Director with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties to discuss.

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