Lunchtime Live

The annual Hospice Sunflower Days fundraiser is starting tomorrow. On street collections will be taking place all over the country from Friday until Saturday with volunteers taking to the streets in hopes of raising vital funds for their local hospice.  

Joining Andrea to speak about this is Nicky McCormack, retired Nurse Manager of South Westmeath Hospice and fundraiser for South Westmeath Hospice and Rennee McGloughlin, whose sister was in hospice care.

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock.

Image: HBO

There have been calls for Ireland to ban Bully XL dogs after the tragic death of a young woman in Limerick this week. 

Would you agree?

Andrea Gilligan is joined by Orla Murray, Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee at the Irish Kennel Club, Maureen Byrne, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist and listeners to get their opinions.

The 6th of June will mark 80 years since the beaches of Normandy were invaded on D-Day. Henry McKean’s grandfather was one of those soldiers on the beach. He survived, but many, including Irish men - did not.

Henry tells the story of his grandfather, while also telling other stories of that day, including how the locals in France will commemorate D-Day, the story of the oldest living survivor - and Kerry woman Maureen Sweeney’s impact as a meteorologist. 

From doing the seating plan to picking the perfect band, Lindsay Moynagh, Founder of Wendor and House of Hannah Weddings and Events joins Andrea Gilligan to answer your wedding related questions.

For years we have been told that being exposed to blue light on our phones can ruin a good night's sleep completely. 

But, recent research is challenging that notion, suggesting that the impact of screens might not be as detrimental as we once thought.  

Joining Andrea to help understand this is Sleep Expert, Tom Coleman.

Should children’s sports days be non-competitive? Or is that giving our kids a bad idea about competition in the future?

TV personality Stacy Solomon seems to believe that the sense of competition on these days is important.

Andrea is joined by Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times, Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist and listeners to discuss.

Are towns and villages beginning to lose their sense of identity and community?

Muiris O’Cearbhaill, journalist with TheJournal.ie has been asking this question after reporting from his hometown of Clonsilla in Dublin.

What do you think?

Muiris, along with other listeners, join Andrea to discuss.

Image: Fingal County Council

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…

The amount paid to garda reserves will be as much as triple under plans announced by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Up to €3,000 will be paid to reserve members for 200 hours of volunteering, a significant increase from the current €1,000 offered for at least 100 hours.  

What do you think? Would this encourage you to join?  

Andrea is joined by former Gardaí and listeners to hear their thoughts.