Lunchtime Live

Around 30,000 football fans are descending on Dublin to watch the Europa League final between German side Bayer Leverkusen and Italy's Atalanta taking place in the Aviva Stadium tonight.  

Thousands of Gardaí will police this evening's event, which is the second biggest European club football event after the Champions League. It will be watched by millions worldwide. 

Journalist Barbara McCarthy joins Andrea to discuss the event - and fans call in to share their excitement.

Ireland, alongside Norway and Spain will formally recognise the state of Palestine, it was confirmed this morning.

Israel has recalled their ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich in response in a “strong message to Ireland”.

What do you make of this historic decision? And, what does it mean for the future of Palestine?

Andrea is joined by Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst, Ibrahim Alagha, an Irish Palestinian who fled Gazam Bisan Abuaita, a member of the Palestinian Women’s Football team 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…

Image: Cruinniú na nÓg

Should we bring in price caps for certain food like bread and milk? 

That’s what People Before Profit are calling for. They’re saying that the price of potatoes has gone up by over 17%, and rice has gone up more than 10%. 

Should the government intervene?

Andrea is joined by Michael Kelly, Founder of Grow it Yourself (GIY) and listeners to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad! 

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

Andrea was joined by Today FM Presenter Shelly Grey and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill to review The Immortals - a podcast about people trying to live forever.

Doctors are claiming that Ireland has a two tier medical system – with public and 

private patients getting access to different drugs and help. 

To discuss, Andrea is joined by Prof Michaela Higgins, Consultant Oncologist at St Vincent’s University Hospital...

There was tragedy on the M50 on Friday when Derek Martin sadly lost his life following an accident.

His sister Helen is with Andrea to remember her brother and make a plea to find the people who stopped to help Derek after the crash.

Listener of the show John got in touch to share how sick he is of political leaflets in the post, calling them unsolicited mail.

It begs the question, are they too much? And should they be banned?

John and other listeners join Andrea to discuss.

Apparently, us Irish are falling out of love with the cinema. 

We used to be Europe's most avid movie-goers, but we haven’t gotten back to those high heights since the pandemic. 

Are we losing the joy of the big screen experience?

Andrea is joined by film reviewer Niall O’Brien, director Richard Waters, Managing Director of Retro Drive In Movies, Ryan O’Neill and more to discuss.

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 Ellen Shilling, Mindfulness Expert, to learn more about perfecting the act of mindfulness and meditation.