Highlights From Moncrieff

A couples retreat is a staple of a relationship - the chance to get away from the responsibilities of life with a loved one. Now, imagine that, just with your phone…Joining Seán to discuss these AI couple retreats is Science Journalist and Senior Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University, Sam Apple.

With two All-Ireland weekends in a row, for those who are not into sports, it can be a rather alienating time. So, what is it that makes some people sports mad and others so indifferent?Jennifer Horgan, Columnist with the Irish Examiner, has been writing about this, and joins Seán to discuss.

Were you unable or unwilling to fork out a gajillion Euro for one of Oasis’s dynamic tickets?Well fear not, the now even wealthier Manchunian rockers have decided to throw you a bone in the shape of a live version of Cigarettes and Alcohol, recorded on their current tour.So, is it any good? And where does it rank in the pantheon of great live recordings of the past?Broadcaster Dave Fanning joins Seán to discuss.

The 40th anniversary of Live Aid happened recently.This great moment of global solidarity precipitated a decades-long increase in aid spending from across the developed world, but in recent years, that pattern has reversed.Why has this happened, and how can we redress the balance?Dominic MacSorley is Humanitarian Ambassador for Concern Worldwide and joins Seán to discuss.

With her house full of plastic toys that her child had gotten too old for, Seán’s guest decided that something needed to be done that would allow parents to share unwanted toys and help reduce plastic waste.Joining to discuss is Georgia Anile, Founder of the Toy Library...

Gardaí issued just over 900 fixed penalty notices in Dublin in the first six months of the year, with Finglas and Ballymun being the worst offenders. Why is this such a problem?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

Excavations at a ring fort overlooking Galway Bay have revealed that it was home to some of the most prominent members of ancient Irish society.So, what does it tell us exactly?Joining Seán to discuss is Michelle Comber, Head of Archeology at University of Galway.Image: @DiscoveryProgramme on Facebook

A group from Kilkenny recently returned from their 6th transcontinental convoy, delivering decommissioned commercial and public vehicles to the frontlines in the war-torn country, but how does the project work?Joining Seán to discuss is is Jim Harding, Co-Founder of the Kilkenny Ukraine Group…

Have you heard of a sturgeon fish?With a recent sighting of a fish previously thought to be extinct in Irish waters, what is this ‘dinosaur fish’, and why is it important for our aquatic ecosystem?Anja Murray, Ecologist, Irish Examiner Columnist and author of ‘Wild Ireland’, joins Seán to discuss.

The International Space-Out Competition is an annual event that judges who is the best at doing… nothing! But, how is that decided, and what is taking part in the event like?Joining Seán to discuss is Amelia Lumley, Puppeteer and winner of the 10th International Space-Out Competition.

When you’re making a movie, how do you find the perfect location for a scene? Is it  in a house ten minutes down the road, or on the other side of the country? And, could you make money renting out your own home?Joining Seán to discuss the process of sourcing filming locations is Peter Conway, Location Manager and Scout.

A lot of parents are finding it hard to make ends meet as the rising cost of living hits, but one parent families are particularly impacted.Most poor children live in one parent families, and 6 in 10 families living in emergency accommodation are children with lone parents.So, with back to school costs looming and still more long weeks of school summer holidays ahead, how are parents coping on their own?One Family CEO, Karen Kiernan, joins Seán to discuss.

Who doesn’t want to live happily ever after?The important role of romance fiction in Irish Literature is being explored in a new exhibition, which has opened in the Museum of Literature Ireland.Seán is joined by the Curator of Happy Ever After and author of ‘Modernism in Irish Women's Contemporary Writing: The Stubborn Mode’, Professor Paige Reynolds, to discuss this further...Image: MoLI

Forty years ago today a 17-year-old local girl, Claire O’Mahony, saw the statue of Our Lady, in the grotto just outside Ballinspittle at Sheehy’s Cross, move.This incident began a sequence of events that saw thousands of people visit the town, widespread media coverage both at home and abroad and at least 30 other similar sightings elsewhere in the country.Colette Sheridan is a Freelance Journalist who reported on the event at the time and has been writing about it in the Irish Times. She joins Seán to look back on this time.

What we consider the markers of Irishness can be something of a fraught question, but one thing that we’re somewhat famous for is our accent.So, what is it like to be Irish but not have the accent?Kate Kerrigan is the Author & Performer of a new show on this subject called ‘Am I Irish Yet?’ She joins Seán to discuss…Image: Circus250

There is currently no practical driver training or test for tractors in Ireland. Paul Daly, a Fianna Fáil Senator and farmer, is calling for this to change, and joins Seán to discuss.

Often, some days feel longer or shorter than others, but today, July 22nd, is actually literally shorter than others.Why is that?Shane Bergin, Physicist & Assistant Professor in Science Education at UCD, joins Seán to discuss.

The My Lovely Horse Rescue group believe that there is an animal welfare crisis taking place in Ireland currently, and are calling on the Government to introduce a dedicated animal welfare and crime unit.Joining Seán to discuss is Martina Devlin, Co-Founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue…

Are you a terrible texter? Or are you sick of sending messages and seeing the blue ticks and then waiting days for a reply?When it comes to texting, is there a specific etiquette, and is not texting back just plain rude? Or are some people just bad texters rather than inconsiderate people?Chartered Registered Counselling Psychologist, Niamh Delmar, joins Seán to discuss.

A movement called ‘Stop Killing Games’ is trying to convince the EU to introduce new rules so that consumers have more rights in relation to the digital assets they own. But, what exactly is the problem?Joining me now is Tech journalist and columnist with the Irish Times Emmet Ryan…Image: stopkillinggames.com