Highlights From Moncrieff

Most treatment for mental illness is delivered on a voluntary basis in the community in Ireland, but a small portion of people are detained under an “involuntary admission”.But, under the Mental Health Bill 2024, which is currently in a committee stage, the ways in which this is being done could be significantly altered.Brendan Kelly is Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, and has been writing about this in today’s Irish Times. He joins Seán to discuss.

Just after the lockdown in 2021, Ciaran Gaffney told his friends that he’d like to hold a storytelling event with friends and family.The event was unexpectedly a great success but what was more unexpected was that later events were so popular, that within 2 years, Ciaran was quitting his job to run these now international events full time.Ciaran Gaffney is the Founder of Seanchoíche and joins Seán to discuss.

After 5 years, Artist Dorothy Cross has completed her ambition to repatriate a mummified body from Ireland to Egypt. But, how did it all begin?Dorothy Cross, Artist and Producer of the ‘Kinship: Home’ project joins Seán to discuss.Image: Dorothy Cross

With summer around the corner, you may be getting your arrangements ready for a break away. But, if you are a pet owner, getting them cared for can be a bit of a conundrum. Many choose to put pets in kennels, but what about letting someone house sit your pets while you're away?Joining Seán for more on this is Bray-based Veterinarian, Pete Wedderburn.

How has the pandemic affected babies born during lockdown? With fewer social interactions and a shift in routines, these babies have had unique experiences. A groundbreaking study has been tracking their gut health, allergy rates, and social development.To tell more about this fascinating research, Seán is joined by Professor Jonathan Hourihane, Paediatric Consultant and lead of the ‘Floral Study’.

The resurgence in interest in vinyl isn’t just restricted to the purchase of records. There is now a growing craze for getting custom records cut on a lathe machine. Joining Seán to discuss is Tasha Trigger, owner of Lathe to the Grave…

Anecdotally it seems that girls are getting their period earlier, but is this true and should we be having ‘the talk’ a little earlier?Dr Geraldine Connolly, Co-Founder of ‘My Girls Gynae’ joins Seán to explain what is happening, and why young girls are maturing faster…

A couple in America have announced they have gotten a so-called ‘bathroom divorce’, and that it saved their marriage… but what is this, and is it a good idea? Joining Seán to discuss is Jennifer Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year’.

The ongoing Urban Fox Survey has now topped 2,000 sightings of the wily nocturnal mammal. But, what has been learned from the project?Joining Seán to discuss is Jodie O’Regan, Project Officer for the Urban Fox Survey at the University of Galway…

Seán’s guest set out on a journey 8 years ago to self-build a house for her and her son.Make-up Artist, Jade Kirwan, was given a site from her farmer father in Tipperary, but hiring a builder was not an option due to the cost. Since then, she has been hiring contractors, project managing and getting her hands dirty including insulating the whole house herself…She has been documenting everything on social media and has amassed 20 thousand followers. She says “sheer ignorance and determination” has gotten her this far…Jade joins to discuss her journey.Image: @my_solo_self_build on Instagram

What are the Chinese and Russian disinformation campaigns affecting Ireland? A Norwegian study has found Ireland mentioned thousands of times in so-called ‘influence networks’...Joining Seán to explain is Alexander Dukalskis, Associate Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations in UCD.

Tattoos and body art are becoming more popular - and for the weekend that’s in it, some people might fancy a permanent reminder of their Irishness…Tattoo Artist Ryan Kelly, owner of the Heartbreak Social Club, is no stranger to this, and has tattooed everything from a shamrock to a portrait of Michael Collins…He joins Seán to discuss.

An orchestra in Austria, which uses exclusively musical instruments made out of vegetables, has just been awarded a Guinness World Record!Joining Seán to discuss is Matthias Meinharter, Co-Founder of the Vegetable Orchestra…

What do you do if you feel like you’ve been abandoned by your friends once they have kids? Seán’s guest offered advice to a reader in relation to this very issue, which has garnered a massive and divisive response across social media…Emily Gould is a Features Writer for New York Magazine, and joins to discuss.

It’ll be a busy weekend for restaurants across the country, as all sorts of people from all over the world descend for St Patrick’s Day.But, you better be on your best behavior if you’re dining out because it has emerged that restaurants are reviewing their customers…Chef and Restaurateur JP McMahon joins Seán to discuss - and give his tips on how not to get blacklisted.

There are many amazing inventions from the Irish - ranging from submarines to the hypodermic needle. But, which invention is the greatest?Newstalk’s Simon Tierney will be hosting a full show this St Patrick’s Day to go through the top voted inventions - and joins Seán to discuss some of the highlights from this island.

Just a few days ago, the state of South Carolina carried out an execution by firing squad for the first time in many years, as the US struggles to find a solution to a shortage of traditional drugs used in lethal injection.Seán is joined by Jeffrey Collins, Journalist for the Associated Press, who was inside the death chamber to witness the execution…Image: Associated Press

While the midday meal used to be the largest meal of the day in Ireland, that culinary convention has been largely resigned to history due to busier, on the go lives. But, how do you create a healthy lunch that isn’t so light you end up snacking for the afternoon?Joining Seán to discuss is Dietician Sophie Pratt…

Do Italians have a better life than us, and what does La Dolce Vita mean? Do they just appreciate life more? Henry McKean is in the Italian Alps at the Special Olympics World Winter Games and joins Seán to discuss.

Recent statistics show that more and more Irish people are choosing automatic over manual transmission cars. But which is better and does learning how to drive a car change depending on the transmission?Joining Seán to discuss is Dave Humphries, Motoring Journalist with CompleteCar.ie…