Highlights From Moncrieff

Earlier this week, the Government approved plans for Ireland’s Norman heritage to be celebrated as part of a European-wide cultural initiative called ‘2027 European year of the Normans’ to mark the group’s impact on western civilisation.But, not everyone is particularly happy with the idea of celebrating Ireland’s 12th century invaders.Aengus Ó Snodaigh is Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South Central and the party’s spokesperson on Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Arts and Culture. He joins Seán to discuss.Image: BBC History

Fart walks, they’re exactly what they say on the tin...Should we all be going for a walk after we eat our dinner so that we release all the gas we’ve been building up all day? The experts say yes.Registered Dietitian and owner of Orla Walsh Nutrition, Orla Walsh, joins Seán to discuss.

Those old enough to remember Ronald Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ will be familiar with the idea of a space based missile defence system, but perhaps we thought it would remain pie in the sky…Not the case, according to Donald Trump. The US President announced yesterday that he had chosen a design for his “Golden Dome” system, and that it would be up and running before the end of his term.Is that feasible? Is it even legal?Declan Power is a Defence and Security Analyst, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

For the first time, a formal curriculum resource on Ireland’s mother and baby institutions, industrial and reformatory schools and Magdalene laundries has been published by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.Joining Seán to discuss this is Sarah Anne Buckley, Associate Professor in History at the University of Galway and one of the leads of the Tuam Oral History Project, whose research has been included in the second level course…

The Who’s drummer Zak Starkey has been fired for apparently “overplaying”, but what does this mean, and how do drummers strike a balance between musical expression and not taking over?Joining Seán to discuss is Dave Hingerty, a Professional Session Drummer and former University Lecturer in Drumming at BIMM Music Institute Dublin...

We all know the ones, the laneways that you would be afraid to walk down at any time of the day or night...Well, this afternoon, Dublin Councillors will be meeting to put forward a vote to close Swan Alley, which is just off Thomas Street in the Liberties, Dublin 8.The small alleyway has been earmarked due to illegal drug taking and antisocial behaviour, and follows a similar move to gate off Harbour Court just off Abbey Street in Dublin City centre last year.Labour Councillor for the area, Darragh Moriarty joins Seán to discuss.Image: Google Maps

In any job, it’s likely that you’ll encounter a lazy colleague or two, so what can you do to ensure that they don’t get on your absolute nerves and drive you mad?Whether it’s someone who falls asleep at their desk or simply leaves all their work for others – we find out should you rat them out to the boss?Career Psychologist and author of ‘Total Reset’, Sinead Brady, joins Seán to discuss.

The Auschwitz Memorial has announced a multi-million euro project, in which they have created an exact digital replica of the concentration camp for use in feature films. But, how will the project work, and how are movies about Auschwitz made since the ban on filming there took effect in the late 1980s?Joining Seán to discuss is Film Critic Esther McCarthy…Image: auschwitz.org

There was a time when there were many youth clubs dotted around the country, but as smartphones take over, is it time to save these institutions as the last bastion of real world connectivity for our young people?Joining me now is Colman Noctor, Child Psychotherapist, who has been writing about this in the Examiner today…

According to research, the death of the semicolon is near; with its usage in English books plummeting by almost half in two decades. But, what is the appropriate use of the semicolon? What grammatical function does it intend to fill? And, is its increasing rarity a cause for concern?Lisa McLendon is Author of The Perfect English Grammar Workbook and has done research on the semicolon. She joins Seán to discuss.

If you’ve been spending time in nature recently or been going on hikes or walks thanks to the nice weather, you might’ve come across large silk webs covering trees and bushes.Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer in Trinity College Dublin, joins Seán to explain exactly what that fascinating silk sheet is, and why you should just admire it rather than be afraid of it.Image: Butterfly Conservation

Have you ever wondered who is behind the knitting needles for Kneecap’s famous tricolour balaclavas?Lewis Kenny joins Seán to discuss how he started off at a knitting class, and now makes balaclavas for Kneecap.Image: @tricolourbalaclava on Instagram

Most of us probably remember getting a pound off your mother or the old man to go down and buy some comics or one hundred penny jellies.It’s probably a treasured memory for some, but was it a beneficial experience? Did it affect how you viewed money as an adult, and should those of us who are parents now give out pocket money at all?Rachel O’Dwyer is Lecturer in Digital Cultures in the National College of Art and Design, Dublin and Author of ‘Tokens: The Future of Money in the Age of the Platform’. She joins Seán to discuss.

Do middle lane hoggers drive you mad?Motorway driving can be stressful at the best of times, but the phenomenon of people sitting in the middle lane instead of moving in and out of the slow lane is something that you see right across the country.So, are Irish drivers worse than others, and why is this a bad and dangerous habit?Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor at the Sunday Independent, joins Seán to discuss.

What started off as a once-off community project in 2018 has now turned into a vibrant community performance group for over 65s.To discuss, Seán is joined by Director, Performer and Facilitator of The Elders, Andrea Scott.Image: Mill Theatre

Deciding how to split up your wealth among loved ones and family can be quite daunting and confusing, but creating a will helps to iron out any confusion over how your wealth is divided when you pass away. But, what happens to your estate if you are single when you die?Joining Seán to discuss is John Costello, Solicitor with Noble Law and Specialist in Wills and Administration of Estates.

As the long absence of rain begins to have a serious impact on the country, Seán’s guest has been exploring what the history of droughts can teach us about how to manage current and future ones.Joining to discuss is Michelle McKeown, Lecturer in Environmental Geography at UCC…

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to go back to education in your 50s?Dr Suzanne Crowe recently went back to college to study law after two decades, while still juggling her full-time job and all the other responsibilities that life brings.She joins Seán to discuss.

The BBC has confirmed Gary Lineker will leave his presenting roles sooner than planned.His departure comes after he shared an Instagram post about Zionism that included a drawing of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic insult.Henry McKean has been out and about talking to people about quitting, and joins Seán to discuss.

This time of the year, young people are turning to TikTok to study for their exams!But, how well does this method of learning work?Katie Linehan, French and Spanish Teacher with the Dublin Academy of Education, joins Seán to discuss.