Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Beauty and Health Editor Bethan King has braved the latest celebrity trends to be frozen, heated up and pummeled by machines in the hope of speed­ing up her meta­bol­ism, redu­cing inflam­ma­tion – and even defy­ing the age­ing pro­cess…She joins Andrea to discuss what she’s found from the experience.

Micheál Martin has come under fire for confirming he will visit Washington on Paddy’s Day if invited.Many members of the opposition have called for him not to attend following President Trump’s meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.What do you think? Should the Taoiseach visit Washington DC on St Patrick’s Day?Daniel Mulhall, former Irish Ambassador to the United States, Patti Shields from Democrats Abroad as well as listeners join Andrea to discuss.Image: Reuters

Samantha Mumba has called the Eurovision panel that decided against her entry ‘“rude and vile”.Writing on Instagram, she reckons they “didn’t have the credentials, experience or professionalism required”...Does she have a point?Andrea is joined by Frank Dermody, President of Ireland’s Eurovision Fan Club, Charlie McGettigan, former Eurovision winner and more.Image: RTÉ

This is Lunchtime Live’s Big Batch. Every Monday we’ll be learning new easy to cook batch recipes to keep you eating well. No more staring into an open fridge looking for inspiration!Adrian Martin, owner of Luigi Malones Temple Bar and the Wildflower Restaurant in Dublin joins Andrea this week to discuss viral foods, and how you can make them at home!Follow the hashtag #LLBigBatch for all our recipes.

You may have heard of the horrific scenes over the weekend in Stoneybatter.On Sunday afternoon, three men were stabbed in a series of apparently random attacks.A man has been arrested in connection…Joining Andrea to discuss what happened is Sorcha Pollak, Irish Times Journalist, Mary Kennedy, local resident and Director of Atomic Stage School.

For this week’s Ask Me Anything, Jason Reilly, Chairman of the Irish Strength Association and 3-time winner of the Republic of Ireland Strongest Man Competition joins Andrea to answer any of your questions!

Stepping into some big shoes can be daunting, but Andrea’s guest seems to take it in her stride...Rebecca O’Connor, who will be gracing Dublin stages as Tina Turner very soon, joins the show to discuss!

Alcohol addiction has been covered on the show before, but it is important to remember that people of any age could find themselves having issues with drinking…A convention is being held in Ennistymon, Co. Clare in the coming weeks which will focus on young people in Alcoholics Anonymous.Andrea is joined by organiser Niamh as well as some young people who have had problems with alcohol to discuss.The Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous - International Convention is being held in the Falls Hotel Ennistymon, Co. Clare on Friday February 28th to March 2nd.If you think you may have an issue with alcohol you can contact Alcoholics Anonymous Ireland on 01 842 0700.Or, you can find your local branch on: www.alcoholicsanonymous.ie.

We all have to drag ourselves through the drudgery of unloading a dishwasher, cleaning out a wardrobe, a press, cooking a meal and then clearing up the resulting mess! In other words: housework, which when viewed through the lens of capitalism is deemed as ‘economic inactivity’. But, we all know it is work, so should it be paid?These are some of the themes explored in the new book ‘Wages for Housework’ from Academic and Historian Emily Callaci.She joins Andrea to discuss, as well as Siobhán O’Neill White from mams.ie and listeners.

From Fota Park to the best work-life balance, Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty joins Andrea with plenty of stories from around the country this week!

You probably know someone who has appeared on a jury – it's a civic duty that you may be asked to fulfill.However, with the graphic nature of some cases, hearing details of a murder or a sexual assault, for days, even weeks on end – it must surely take its toll.So, should there be an element of after-care offered to jurors?Andrea is joined by Ann Murphy, Reporter with Irish Examiner, Dr Conor Hanly, Lecturer in Law in the University of Galway and more to discuss.

Do you think your kitchen needs a bit of a renovation and refresh? Well, look no further! The Home Squad are here to discuss doing a kitchen refresh on a budget.Andrea is joined by Jenny Sheehan, Irish Examiner Columnist and former winner of ‘Home of the Year' and Sarah Carroll from Sand and Deliver DIY.

What does it take for a video to go viral?Sarah Jayne Tobin, Editor of rollercoaster.ie, accidentally made her son viral at the start of lockdown, playing football against the wall as both the striker and goalkeeper!She joins Andrea to tell the story!

If you were listening to Lunchtime Live yesterday you would have heard caller Emmet Kelleher who joined Andrea to discuss his experience of homelessness in Ireland...A lot of people got in touch with the show following Emmet’s story, including listener Mal who said that he is facing losing his rented accommodation this weekend…Today, listener Jane joins Andrea to discuss her own experience of homelessness, and Fr Peter McVerry from the Peter McVerry Trust joins to discuss the landscape of homelessness in Ireland today.

Every Thursday on Lunchtime Live, Andrea will be joined by followers of different religions in Ireland to learn more about them.This week, Martin ‘Manu’ Krishna joins Andrea to discuss his faith: Hare Krishna.

For this week’s Throwback Thursday, Rebecca Shekleton, Presenter on 98fm’s Big Breakfast joins Andrea to look back on the year 1980!

Two weeks after Storm Éowyn, there’s still thousands of people across the country without power. Local communities have started to set up hubs in parish halls and centres to allow people to charge their phones, get a hot meal and, where possible, take a hot shower.Andrea is joined by some of those affected to discuss what their experience has been.

GP Dr Máire Finn from Ennis Centric Health joins Andrea for this week’s Ask the Expert to discuss how you can recognise the symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and answer your questions!

Following Andrea’s conversation with Emmet Kelleher, who finds himself homeless at 59 - there is clearly a problem in this country with homelessness. But, what solutions are there, and what kind of supports exist?Andrea is joined by Senator Aubrey McCarthy from the Lighthouse Café and more to discuss.

January 2026 will see popular TV soaps Coronation Street and Emmerdale return as 30-minute episodes in a bid to retain audiences and to make shows more “streamer-friendly”...The decision is a reversal on a 2022 schedule change which saw Coronation Street move to three one-hour episodes midweek. Now, the soap will play as part of a special ‘Soap Power Hour’ weekday evenings from 8pm.ITV Boss, Kevin Lygo, has said it is viewer-led, but will it be enough to save ratings?Andrea is joined by Mikie O'Loughlin, RSVP Magazine’s Showbiz Editor, as well as listeners, to discuss.