Lunchtime Live

Today marks 30 years since Michael Flatley, Jean Butler and the Riverdance Troop wowed audiences in the Point theatre and worldwide during Eurovision ‘94. 

What are your memories from the time? How did Riverdance transform Irish Dancing? 

Andrea is joined by multiple people to look back on Riverdance, including lead dancer Fergus Fitzpatrick, dance professional Ciara Sexton and Susan Ginnety, who was part of the 1994 performance.

A 14 year old boy was home alone yesterday when his house was attacked by a gang of armed raiders. 

It happened in a rural part of county Louth and local Councillor John Reilly joins Andrea to discuss…

Andrea posed the question of whether it’s okay or not to ask for a discount in a shop.

Have you done it before? Or are you dead set against bartering or haggling?

Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their opinions.

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 Elaine Fallon from Brookwood Pottery to learn all about the clay craft.

A majority of teenagers attending single-sex schools would prefer their school to be co-educational, a study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has found. 

The ESRI has described the findings as "eye-opening". 

Should all secondary schools be co-ed?  

Andrea hears takes from listeners.

Andrea Gilligan was joined on Lunchtime Live by Dr Afif EL-Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital to answer listeners' health queries and questions...

Castlebar has come out on top in a survey of the best places to live for the best work life balance, while Limerick came out at the bottom. But what makes somewhere a good town to live in? 

Andrea is joined by Today FM’s Ed Smith calling in from Castlebar, as well as Limerick local Celia Holman Lee to discuss.

Image: Visit Castlebar

It is fair to say that immigration has become a hot button issue in the last number of weeks and months. It seems that people are more divided than ever on these issues.  

Social media sites, such as X (formerly Twitter), are awash with hot take after hot take on Ireland’s immigration policies, but now these conversations are leaking out into real life – among family and friends.  

Is it possible to maintain friendships and relationships with someone who might have very different views than you? How are we meant to navigate different opinions on immigration in friendship groups?

Andrea is joined by listeners to hear their takes. 

US TV host Conan O’Brien is set to make his Ros Na Rún debut on TG4 this week!  

Andrea is joined by some of those involved in the show to talk about the experience: series producer Marion Ní Loingsigh, production manager Mairead Campbell and Paul “Fred” McCloskey, who plays the role of Vince.

Image: @RosnaRun on Twitter/X

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes from Cook Book Author and Recipe writer Sarah Butler to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration! This week Andrea and Sarah looked at recipes for sweet & smokey pulled chicken and a chopped Asian salad with dressing.

Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.