Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Andrea speaks with some of Sligo’s greatest success stories: Finbarr Filan, newly appointed national chair of ISME and head of Sligo BID; Andrew Darmody, Managing Director of Voya Skincare; Viola McSharry, mother of Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry; and David McGowan of McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Ballina all join the show to tell their story.Listen here

Shirley Foley, who lives with MS and is part of the international sailing initiative Oceans of Hope; and Pam Scanlon, a retiring school accounts worker from Calry who helped fundraise and build a school in rural Tanzania both speak to Andrea on their inspiring stories.Listen here

Andrea meets the people behind Sligo’s thriving food and drink scene: Aisling Kelly Hunter of Sligo Oyster Experience, Paul Mullin, co-founder of The White Hag Brewing Company, Aine Mullan of Fish and Bean, and Shane Meehan of Stoked restaurant in Strandhill.Listen here

A conversation about the joys and virtues of life in the northwest with former TD Marc MacSharry, travel content creator Kevin Dooher of Wild Atlantic Traveller, and Jane Chambers, owner of Shells Café in Strandhill -- all live from The Fish and Bean Restaurant in Sligo.Listen here

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Cliona Cosgrove to answer any of your questions when it comes to dealing with a child’s emotions.

Thatching is a time honoured Irish Tradition that is at risk of dying out., according to the Donegal Thatching School.They have called for more funding to protect this dying art…Andrea is joined by Conail Shovlin, Co-Founder of the Donegal Thatching School and Richard O'Lidain to discuss.

“There really is no excuse” these are the words of an animal rights organisation following a litter of five-week old collie puppies that were found abandoned by a Galway roadside. MADRA (Mutts Anonymous Dogs Rescue) say that thankfully the pups were in “surprisingly good shape” despite being found in a rain soaked box.What can be done to stop this type of behaviour in future? Should there be tougher laws on owners, and should there be more done to protect our dogs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dawn Divilly, Director of Operations Mutts Anonymous Dogs Rescue and Adoption, Suzi Walsh, Dog Behaviourist with DogBehviour.ie, Orla Murray, one of the Directors of the Irish Kennel Club and more.Image: @madradogrescue on Instagram

Would you be brave enough to ask Chat GPT… am I hot?That’s what one 47 year old woman did, and the advice was not that pleasing…Newstalk’s Sarah Madden tested it out, and joins Andrea and Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life…This week, Andrea is joined by Brian Lee, Owner and Founder of Tryka to discuss what exactly this hybrid fitness race league is all about.Image: tryka.fit

Ireland is facing a “national emergency” in infrastructure.That’s according to the Chair of the The Economic and Social Research Institute Sean O’Driscoll.Our transport, housing and water systems are all in dire need of help, and not enough action is being taken apparently.So, is it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Town Planner Derek Whyte, Barry Kenny, Corporate Comms Manager at Irish Rail, Chair of the National Water Forum Dr Matt Crowe, Architect and Environmentalist Duncan Stewart and listeners.

Dr John Flanagan, GP at Suffolk Street Surgery joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

With the price of coffee going up, have you considered getting your own fancy machine at home?There are so many to choose from, how do you know what’s worth the money?Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist Glenn Kelly, who has put the best to the test!

In a landmark legal victory, Irish entrepreneur Neil Sands and his wife Donna were awarded £300,000 in damages after successfully suing the operators of the controversial gossip website Tattle Life.The couple endured years of online harassment and defamation, prompting a two-year legal battle that culminated in the High Court of Northern Ireland unmasking the site's founder, Sebastian Bond, also known as Bastian Durward.Neil joins Andrea to discuss.

John is an Irishman who was part of a delegation who attempted to join thousands of others on a global 'March to Gaza'.He was among thousands of people who were stopped by Egyptian authorities.The group were travelling through the country to reach Rafah on a Gaza peace march.John joins Andrea to discuss.

Welcome to The Pod Squad!We review podcasts every week so you always have something new to listen to.Newstalk’s Rory Galvin and Journalist and Stylist Laura Mullet join Andrea to review ‘The Reserve Drivers’!Image: Acast

Anti-mass tourism protests have erupted across Italy, Spain and Portugal as campaigners call for a curb in tourist numbers.The rising cost of living and lack of available housing is among their grievances but will these protests stop you from travelling abroad this summer?Joining Andrea to discuss is Stephen Burgen, Freelance Journalist in Barcelona, Yvonne Reddin, Freelance Writer and Content Creator and more.

Our summer memories series is back!We chat to some well known faces and reminisce over those long summer days.This week, Architect and Presenter Dermot Bannon joins Andrea to reminisce!

Winning the lotto sounds like a dream come true, but what happens next can be overwhelming. With millions suddenly in your account, how do you avoid costly mistakes and make the most of it?Joining Andrea to share the key steps you should take if you strike it lucky in the Euro Millions tonight is Paul Merriman from Ask Paul.

If you’ve been anywhere on TikTok or Instagram, you might have seen the uproar related to a new Sabrina Carpenter album cover.The cover sees Sabrina’s hair being pulled while crawling on all fours.For fans, this is nothing new, but many people are shocked online and wondering if Sabrina has more responsibility to be a role model…Joining Andrea to discuss is Ruth Breslin, Director at The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute, Nadia Adan, Owner of Ashford Motors, Journalist Brenda Power and more.

Do we let kids quit hobbies too quickly? Is walking away a sign of giving up - or just part of figuring out what they love?Joining Andrea to discuss is Karen Beckett, Chartered Psychologist, Steve Cummins, Father and Comedian and more.