Lunchtime Live

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.    

Andrea Gilligan was joined by Charles Coyle, Managing Director of Emerald Park, to answer all of your questions.

We previously spoke to Trinity college students who were protesting at the Book of Kells over a proposal to increase some programme costs. 

In an update, Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union have been issued a €214k fine by the College for financial losses incurred by disruptive protests by the union throughout the year. 

Andrea is joined by Ellen Kenny, Deputy Editor with Trinity News  and László Molnárfi, President of Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union to hear their reactions.

Funeral notice website RIP.ie has been acquired by the Irish Times Group. 

RIP.ie generates 60 million page views a month as people visit the site for information on funeral arrangements, or just to keep up with who has died.     

That makes it, pretty consistently, one of the most popular websites in the country.  Are Irish people obsessed with death? Why is the site so popular?

Andrea is joined by Brid McGowan of McGowan’s Funeral Directors, Paul Claffey, Managing Director and Broadcaster with Midwest Radio and Iseult White, Psychotherapist and Author to hear their takes.

With, hopefully, good weather on the way it might finally be the time to crack out the BBQ!

Andrea is joined by John Relihan, Head Pitmaster at PittBros BBQ with tips and tricks to get the best out of your barbeque.

From a Buddhist centre in Tipperary, to a no fly zone over Laois: Newstalk’s Eamonn Torsney has the stories from around the country that you might have missed this week.

Secondary schools are apparently completely reliant on parental contributions to stop going into deficit. The average cost of the ‘voluntary’ contributions are around €101 per year at primary level, and €140 at secondary level. 

Nationally, the Department of Education estimates that these contributions are worth about €30 million a year. 

So, should they be needed at all? 

Andrea is joined by INTO General Secretary John Boyle, Simon Lewis, principal and host of the ‘If I was Minister for Education’ podcast as well as listeners to hear their opinions. 

How should you get your patio area ready for the summer? Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Róisín Lafferty, founder and creative director of Kingston Lafferty Design join Andrea with their tips and tricks.

If you’re currently planning your summer holidays – how long are you thinking of going away for? Is it a long weekend? Or maybe a really rare full two week break? 

Well, both could be a waste of time! 

Apparently, the ideal holiday length is 8 days…

To discuss, Andrea is joined by Sinéad Brady, Career Psychologist and author of ‘Total Reset’.

How often do you sit down as a family to eat a meal? 

This May, Childline by ISPCC is calling on families, schools, clubs and workplaces throughout the country to take time for breakfast – to sit, listen and enjoy each other’s company. 

But, has life become too busy to sit down as a family and have meal times together? What’s your experience?

Andrea is joined by listeners to discuss.

The debate about drinking in Croke Park is here again -  

Should rugby fans be allowed to drink in Croke Park? Would it help the atmosphere or make it worse? 

Andrea is joined by Gerry Thornley, Rugby Correspondent with the Irish Times as well as listeners to hear their opinions.