Highlights From Moncrieff

As the Great Gatsby turns 100 this month, how relevant are its themes to the America of today? Seán speaks to Keith Duggan, Washington Correspondent for The Irish Times

Can you remember where you were when you first heard it? This week marks thirty five years of Sinead O’Connor’s iconic hit ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ reaching number 1 in the US Billboard charts and changing the course of her career (and her life).... So why does the song remain one of the most recognisable love songs ever? And what does it say about the legacy left behind by Sinead O’Connor... Dave Fanning joined Seán to discuss

Irish artists Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone were lifelong friends who are credited with bringing modern art to Ireland.  An exhibition which explores their lives and works is currently on show at the National Gallery of Ireland and is the first joint exhibition of their work since 1924. Niamh McNally is co-curator of The Art Of Friendship spoke to Seán.

Does it all really go down hill after 50? Author Kathy Lette decided to bare her soul and wrote about the experience of finding her first grey hair... down there and today she spoke to Seán about it

In the 1960's, an Austrian man came to live in Ireland - tried to become a Butcher and later became a Travelling Salesman. The catch? He was a Soviet Spy the entire time!To discuss, Seán is joined by Shaun Walker, International Correspondent for The Guardian and author of ‘The Illegals: Russia's Most Audacious Spies and Their Century-Long Mission to Infiltrate the West’.Image: Penguin Random House

You only need to look at the controversy surrounding Kneecap’s appearance at the Coachella Music Festival to recognise that free speech has been and continues to be a contentious issue.Nonetheless, in democracies we recognise the principle of free speech as a central tenet of our way of life.So, why are we seeing freedom of speech being curtailed in the likes of Germany and the US?Mary Lawlor is UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders. She joins Seán to discuss.Image: Kneecap

As we use our mobile phones and other devices, a phenomenon known as ‘tech neck’ can take place, causing increased wrinkles to form in this area.Seán’s guest decided to get treatment for it. Joining to discuss is Journalist Kate Demolder, who has been writing about her experience in the Irish Examiner…

What do you mean the judges haven’t seen all the Oscar nominated films?This is the revelation that has led to the introduction of a new rule by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, who run the Oscars, to ensure that voters must have watched the nominated movies before voting...This comes as amendments are made to the system, and joining Seán to tell more is Film Critic, Esther McCarthy…

Are we truly in control of our actions, or are we bound by our predetermined genetic make-up, powerless to act against our instinctive reactions to the stimuli around us?Do we have free will, or is it just a persistent illusion?Kevin Mitchell is Associate Professor of Genetics and nNeuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and author of ‘Free Agents – How Evolution Gave Us Free Will’. He joins Seán to discuss.

You might have noticed from the officially released Vatican photographs that the Pope is lying in an open casket. But, is this still a common practice in Ireland nowadays, and if so, why?Joining Seán to discuss is David MacGowan from Foley and McGowan Funeral Home and Crematorium in Sligo and Ballina.Image: Reuters

As more and more people are finding the online search for love frustrating, the opportunity for real life connection is increasingly sought-after. Although speed dating itself is nothing new, what about speed dating events for gay women?Laura Kavanagh organises such evenings through Queen Of Hearts events, an idea born out of her gay female friends complaints about the online dating scene. She joins Seán to discuss.Image: @qohdating

Do you feel like you’re a bit slow today?For many people, getting back into the swing of things after a few days off, particularly a long bank holiday weekend, can feel like a struggle.But, why does your brain feel like mush after time off work?Dr Tara Logan Buckley, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, joins Seán to discuss.

The Dublin Street Photography Festival kicks off next weekend on May 2nd in Charlemont Square, celebrating all things in the medium of street photography.Joining Seán to discuss is Street Photographer and one the festival’s Co-Founders, Des Byrne.Image: Dublin Street Photography Festival

A new book explores two extraordinary parallel histories, documenting the lives and crimes of a notorious Nazi, and an infamous Chilean dictator.Joining Seán to discuss is Philippe Sands, Human Rights Lawyer and Author of ‘38 Londres Street: On Impunity, Pinochet in England and a Nazi in Patagonia’...Image: W&N

A woman who spent years using sunbeds has taken to social media to warn others about the legacy of her addiction.Joining Seán to discuss is Kerrieann McDonnell, a Personal Trainer from Co. Clare…

Science is rediscovering the medicinal potential of things like magic mushrooms for treatments. UCC recently held a research day about this, and Oliver Davis, Professor of French at UCC and former Co-Editor of the Frontiers in Psychology series joins Tom Dunne to discuss…

With families feeling the pinch of the cost of living now more than ever, people are looking to overhaul their spending habits and make realistic savings in everyday life.But, what mistakes are we making in terms of family budgeting, and what simple things can you do to improve your family’s finances?Also, should you be using this long weekend to take a long hard look at your finances?Anita Collins runs the ‘Efficient Family Life’ Instagram account, and joins Tom Dunne to discuss.

What’s the best way to call off an engagement?And how do you manage to recover after a big break up?Frances Kelleher is a Dating and Relationship coach and she joins Tom Dunne to offer her advice and expertise when it comes to navigating a romantic split…

Hollywood movie Director Chris Columbus has revealed this week that he would like to digitally remove Donald Trump from Home Alone 2. But, is there a precedent for removing certain scenes from films, years after they’ve been released?Joining Tom Dunne to discuss is Brian Lloyd, Film Critic and Movies & Booze Panelist…

A new adventure challenge that has been popularised over the past few years is called ‘Straight Line Missioning’, and requires participants to travel over long distances, as the crow flies, so to speak. But, how does it work?Joining Tom Dunne to discuss is Adventurer and YouTuber, Tom Davies…Image: @GeoWizard on YouTube