Highlights From Moncrieff

The decision to opt out of organ donation should be respected.That’s the view of the President of the Medical Council of Ireland, Dr. Suzanne Crowe.It follows the publication of figures in response to a recent parliamentary question, which revealed over 55,000 people have signed on to a HSE register to opt out of automatic organ donation upon death.Under current revised legislation, everyone is assumed to be an organ donor unless they have expressed otherwise on the register.Dr Suzanne Crowe joins Seán to discuss.

Long before the term multi-media artist came into use, and before a 90s soap about six friends trapped in a small New York City apartment changed television forever, there was Allee Willis.No idea who that is? She’d like to keep it that way. Perhaps ‘the most unknown famous woman in Hollywood’, she rubbed shoulders with the likes of Cindi Lauper and hosted some of the most decadent parties in her Los Angeles home nicknamed ‘The Pink Bungalow’.Neal McCullough, an illustrator from Bangor, Co. Down first heard of her when she emailed him asking if he could make a sticker for a charity honoring her friend. What followed was an unlikely but fruitful collaboration.He joins Seán to discuss his upcoming pop-up book inspired by her mythical home…Image: Poposition Press

University College Cork has become the first Irish university to introduce paid leave to employees who have experienced pregnancy loss.It follows extensive work carried out by the university’s Pregnancy Loss Research Group.Its 2024 report revealed that many people surveyed reported negative and discriminatory attitudes in the workplace after they had revealed they had had a miscarriage, while others confided they had pressure from management to return to work before they were ready to do so.Under current legislation, there is no statutory paid leave for people who experience pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, after which they can avail of full maternity or paternity leave.To speak to us about this, Professor and leader of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at UCC, Keelin O’Donoghue, joins Seán.

Where does the Irish capital stand on a European level when it comes to our tree canopy cover, and how is it decided where to plant new ones?Joining Seán to discuss is the man responsible for all this, Ludovic Beaumont, Tree Officer for Dublin City Council…

We thankfully live in a time when gender equality seems like an achievable goal, and many steps have been taken to right the wrongs of a patriarchal past.No doubt some inequality remains, and some things are harder to compare than others. Take public bathrooms for instance: are the men’s better than the women's?Sarah Carey is a Columnist with the Irish Independent and has been writing about this. She joins Seán to discuss.

The European Union is publishing its annual review of candidate countries’ progress toward membership today.It’s part of a long and demanding process that measures how well aspiring members meet the EU’s democratic and economic criteria.From the western Balkans to Ukraine, the road to joining the Union has become more complex and exacting than ever.To help with understanding what’s at stake, Seán by Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University, John O’Brennan…

In an episode of ‘The Kardashians’ the other day, Kim Kardashian made it clear that she is in full support of the idea that the Apollo moon landings never actually happened. So, why does this particular conspiracy theory persist while others fade away?Joining Seán to discuss is Howard Berry, Reader in Film Heritage Practice at the University of Hertfordshire…

AI has been discussed a lot, with questions about how the technology is changing things and affecting relationships, but the impact of AI on intimate and romantic relationships is especially profound…Now, research has been done with young boys, between the ages of 11 and 15, in the UK, showing that over a third would consider an AI girlfriend...Lee Chambers, the Founder and Chief Executive of Male Allies UK, joins Seán to discuss.

With COP 30 set to begin this day next week, a lot was made of Bill Gates' recent comments on climate change, but perhaps the way in which they were reported and interpreted is a large part of the problem we are having…Are scientists losing the communications battle to bad actors who willfully misrepresent the facts?Dr Cormac O’Raifeartaigh is Senior Lecturer in Physics at the South East Technological University in Waterford. He joins Seán to discuss.

Are you sick of things breaking the second the guarantee expires?From washing machines, phones and other kitchen appliances, are there simple ways to combat planned obsolescence?And, should we all actually be repairing things ourselves instead of forking out for something new?Joining Seán to discuss this is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

Have traditional restaurant manners in Ireland been replaced by a free-for-all anything goes? Phone calls, watching videos and eating with your mouthful? What’s the worst you have seen, and has there been a noticeable decline in manners?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, under construction since 1890, yesterday became the tallest church in the world after a new section of its tower was installed. Joining Seán to discuss this is Stephen Burgen, Freelance Journalist based in Barcelona.

Is there anything you do just for the sake of it? Even if you're not good at something, is it worth it to dabble?Karen Walrond, author of ‘In Defense of Dabbling’, joins Seán to discuss.

As Dublin celebrates its 15th anniversary as UNESCO City of Literature, an Irish-Nigerian writer reflects on her journey from direct provision to a successful career in the arts.Melatu Uche Okorie is the award-winning author of ‘This Hostel Life’, a short story collection outlining her experience in the direct provision system.She moved here from Nigeria in 2006 and spent eight and half years in a centre with her infant daughter.She has since been shortlisted for the Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year award at the Irish Book Awards, and her collection has even been adapted into an operatic work by the Irish National Opera.Melatu joins Seán to share her story…

It's that time of year again where we’re pulling our woolly jumpers out of the attic ready for another winter.You may be finding that your warm layers have been attacked by moths in the meantime, but instead of throwing them away and buying more fast fashion, there are easy ways to repair things in your wardrobe...Kim O’Driscoll is the Founder of the Prolong Project, and joins Seán to discuss.

Do we need to start teaching our young people about the advantages of AI? With the way the world is going, these could be valuable career deciding skills.Jean Noonan, a part of Digital Business Ireland Advisory Council, and an Assistant Lecturer in the School of Business Technology, Retail, and Supply Chain at TU Dublin, thinks just that. She joins Seán to discuss

Do you have what it takes to be cool, and can you fake it until you make it?Writing in the Guardian, Journalist Elle Hunt gave it a shot, and joins Seán to discuss.

Today, we sent Henry McKean down the Marble Arch Caves in county Fermanagh to experience a sound bath for the first time, with thanks to discovernorthernireland.com. Henry lay on a yoga mat deep underground with water rushing through, and sent this report!

An Irish Neuroscientist has been speaking out about the link between loneliness and dementia.In Ireland, CSO figures show that in 2024, 5.6% of 16-24 year olds said they felt lonely “most or all of the time”.This is approximately 80% higher than those aged over 65…Dr. Sabina Brennan is a Psychologist, Neuroscientist and host of the Super Brain podcast, as well as author of ‘Still Me’.She joins Seán to talk about why loneliness carries profound implications for brain health, and even heightens the risk of dementia…

Steven Moore, a familiar name and face for many of antique lovers, has released a book entitled ‘The Stuff of History’, a curated compendium of curious objects and forgotten people.Steven joins Seán to discuss!