Highlights From Moncrieff

Restorative Justice is a voluntary process where victims and offenders, with the help of an impartial third party, meet to resolve repair the harm done by the crime committed. While this process is available for ‘lower tariff offenses’, more serious cases aren’t always seen as eligible. So why is that, and should it be more accessible? Lecturer at the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at UCD Professor Marie Keenan joins Séan to discuss.

Family dinner time seems to be increasingly under threat. A survey carried out in the UK found a minority of people at the table, with 45% eating in front of the TV. Hotelier, TV personality and author of Guide to Modern Irish Manners Noel Cunningham joins Séan to discuss.

The cost-of-living and housing crisis have made life extremely difficult for the young people of Ireland.   Many have had to resort to emigration or living at home well into their thirties.  Paul Lawford, though, decided he was going to find another solution to the problem by building himself a tiny house from scratch. Paul joins Séan to discuss how others can follow in his footsteps. 

At the US Open this week, the world number two Carlos Alcarez sported a new tight haircut. He revealed in a post-match press interview that this was because his brother had tried to give him a trim but made a complete mess of it. How often do barbers have to perform this corrective surgery? Barber Phil Domino with Neighbourhood Threat on Fade St in Dublin joins Séan to discuss. 

Those with an understanding of Irish history will know the Irish Republican Brotherhood played a pivotal role in the country's politics from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The IRB officially dissolved in 1924... or did they? An organisation claiming to be the IRB still exists today, and Crime and Security Correspondent with the Irish Times Conor Gallagher has been writing about their activities. Conor joins Séan to discuss. 

When it comes to art, the preferences of adults and small children rarely coalesce.  Most parents are unlikely to choose to listen to Baby Shark in their spare time.  But is it possible to make music that keeps both cohorts happy?  DJ and Composer Graham Smyth’s latest album aims to do just that. He joins Séan to discuss. 

In advance of the Oasis gig, Richard Ashcroft was spotted walking around Stephen’s Green in the company of some Irish wolfhounds. But the dogs weren’t his – leading to the discovery that you can hire wolfhounds as part of a walking tour. Pickled with jealousy, Henry McKean declared if it’s good enough for the former Verve frontman, it’s good enough for him.  Henry joins Séan to discuss. 

Last week, experts at the UN-backed body of food security increased the food insecurity level within Gaza city to its highest and most severe classification.   This officially proves that Gaza city and its surrounding areas are experiencing acute famine, despite the best efforts of aid workers and organisations  Head of International and Migration at the Irish Red Cross Niall O’Keeffe joins Séan to discuss. 

Grey is by far the most popular choice for cars in this country, but why is this and why have we ditched the colour spectrum of the 70s and 80s? Owner of Ashford Motors Nadia Adan joins Séan to discuss.

If you donate to a clothes bank, where do these clothes end up, and will someone even end up wearing them? A project called Voice Ireland decided to track some donations, and found that many end up as far away as Africa or South East Asia. Project leader with Voice Ireland Solene Schirrer joins Séan to explain why this happens.

More and more students are having to commute long distances due to the housing crisis, and having to hold down jobs while studying due to the cost-of-living crisis. So, has the traditional idea of the student party life died out? Deputy President of the DCU Students Union Lauren Joyce joins Séan to discuss. 

The idea of getting older is something that many of us struggle with, and some people prefer to keep how old they are a secret altogether. TV star Kaye Adams recently confessed that she lied about being ten years younger for decades. Kaye joins Séan to discuss her experience. 

A US study found that the smallest daily moments of company gain a lift from human connection. Is that true?Henry McKean has been speaking with the public, and joins Seán to share what he’s heard.

A restaurant in Cheshire in England has just launched its first ever water menu, curated by a dedicated Water Sommelier. But, what exactly does that entail?That man, Doran Binder, joins guest host John Fardy to discuss his role.

After careful analysis, the age-old mystery over exactly how the enormous monoliths at Stonehenge were lugged all the way from Wales to Wiltshire may at last be explainable.Professor Jane Evans, Honorary Research Associate with the British Geological Survey, has been studying this, and joins guest host John Fardy to discuss.

Are you in the office every day, or do you have the luxury of working remotely?And just how close are you with your colleagues? You might have met your other half at work - or do your coworkers drive you bananas with their annoying habits?And how might AI change everything? Author Sylvia Leatham explores these questions in her debut novel ‘Chaos Theory’, and joins guest host John Fardy to discuss.

It’s that time of year when an odd quirk of modern Irish society comes to light.As our kids go back to school, we enter a period when our children are generally more formally clothed than the vast majority of the adult population.So, are school uniforms, or at least the ones we currently use outdated?Dr. Clare Moriarty has been writing about this in today’s Irish Examiner and joins guest host John Fardy to discuss.

Barbara Scully and Declan Buckley joins Sean to find solutions to listeners' life problems...

Joseph O'Connor is among six Irish ­writers to share their thoughts on Dublin’s literary history and their own writing journeys in a new video series – Dublin, One City, Many Stories – from the Irish Writers Centre. Mr O’Connor is the author of nine novels, including bestsellers Star of the Sea and Ghost Light.

Irish Times contributor Céire Sadlier joins Sean to explore why parents spend so much time talking about their children...