Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Every Friday, as part of our ‘Ask Me Anything’ series, we put your questions to people from interesting backgrounds or working in different careers.Andrea is joined by Paula Campbell, Publisher with Poolbeg Press, to learn all about the world of book publishing.

Andrea Gilligan’s guest has a fascinating story... Beverley Bass was the first female captain of an American Airlines commercial plane. She was also one of the pilots of the planes in the skies during 9/11 that had to be rerouted. That experience has been made into the musical ‘Come From Away’ which is coming to Dublin soon.Beverley joins Andrea to share her story.

What are some of the most iconic ads that have come from our shores? Those ones that, years later, are still popular and referenced today?To discuss, Andrea is joined by Kieran Cuddihy, Presenter of The Hard Shoulder, Brian Lloyd, Editor at entertainment.ie and Matt Moss, a Senior Freelance Copywriter with 14 years in advertising.

The passing of the Assisted Reproduction Bill 2022 in the Dáil on Wednesday has been welcomed by many families and couples nationwide. However, for same sex parents that have used surrogacy, the Bill continues to ignore some of the main wishes they sought in previous drafts. Joining Andrea to discuss are Ranae Von Meding, CEO of Equality for Children and Seamus Kearney Martone, Chairperson of Irish Gay Dads.

From GAA jerseys appearing in unusual places, to the most mispronounced place names in the country – Breakfast Briefing Presenter Shane Beatty has stories from around the country you may have missed.

From glass falling on to the street to rubbish being dumped – derelict buildings are causing problems right across the country, but are dereliction levies being collected?Andrea is joined by listeners with their own experience of dereliction causing issues in their areas, including Frank O’Connor from Anois and Derelict Ireland.

From Curtains to rugs and throws – how do you make your soft furnishings work? Hardware Expert Alan Grant and Arlene McIntyre from Arlene McIntrye Designs join Andrea with their tips and tricks.

From where Harry had his first kiss to the place where he started his working life – Harry Styles fans can now get a guided tour around his home village.Tour Guide Ben McCormick joins Andrea to discuss how this idea came about, and Diarmuid from Alternative Dublin (an event and walking tour company) joins to discuss if we make enough of a fuss about music legends in Ireland.

Wexford woman Lisa O’Connor got in touch with the show saying that new laws are needed to stop pet thefts in Ireland. She has set up a petition calling for pet theft to have its own classification.Lisa, along with Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú and listeners join Andrea to discuss why this is needed.

It was Kylie Minogue’s birthday this week, and she celebrated by racking up €35 million in wine sales! A huge amount of money by anyone’s standards.She’s not the only celebrity with an alcohol brand: Graham Norton has a wine, George Clooney and his tequila… Even non-drinker Blake Lively brought out Betty Booze.  So, why are they so successful?Andrea is joined by Michelle Lawlor from The Nude Wine Company to discuss.

It's Throwback Thursday, where we look back on things that happened this week in history. 98fm’s Ciaran O’Connor joined Andrea Gilligan to rewind the clock.

The Children’s Hospital is going to be delayed. Again. The most recent completion date was the 29th of October, which will not be met. A new date is yet to be given. The current budget stands at €2.24bn to get the long-promised hospital up and running.Andrea Gilligan is joined by listeners to get their thoughts on this construction fiasco.

Co-sleeping can be a controversial topic, so Dr Afif EL Khuffash, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at the Rotunda Hospital is with Andrea to answer all your questions.

The UK Prime Minister has said that one in eight degrees are ‘Mickey Mouse’ degrees, and that they’ll be shut down. He said they’ll use the money saved from fewer tuition fees to fund extra apprenticeships. Is this a good idea? Or snobbery?Andrea is joined by listeners to get their thoughts.

The families of residents of a Dublin nursing home are worried about their loved ones' future. They found out the nursing home is closing, and all their loved ones will be moved.Lucan Lodge is a residential nursing home located in Lucan, South Dublin. It has 74 beds and is near full capacity.Andrea is joined by listeners whose family members are currently in the nursing home to hear their experience so far.Image: Lucan Lodge

Lunchtime Live's Reasons to be Happy looks at some of the news stories that you might have missed that will leave you feeling more optimistic.  Today FM’s Cathal O’Sullivan joined Andrea in the studio to put a smile on your faces…

Thousands of people marched in Spain's Balearic Islands against mass tourism ahead of the summer season. Holding posters reading ‘SOS Residents, Enough Mass Tourism’, protesters marched through Palma de Mallorca, the capital of the largest Balearic Island, with a smaller protest also held in Menorca. Similar demonstrations have also recently taken place in the Canary Islands. Would it put you off travelling there?  Andrea hears from listeners, business owners in the area and Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel Magazine.Image: Reuters

Welcome to The Pod Squad! We’ll review podcasts every Tuesday so you’ll have something new to listen to. This week Andrea is joined by Newstalk’s Ellen Butler and Fashion Stylist Laura Mullett to review ‘The Mushroom Cook’.Image: True Crime Australia

The local and European elections are quickly approaching. You have seen the posters erected; leaflets delivered, but what is it like calling door to door as a candidate? Andrea recently accompanied a councillor on the campaign trail in Cork city...

One of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants is said to have "toughened up" its dress code and made it "more explicit" advising guests against certain items of clothing.   The Chelsea restaurant has reminded patrons of the dress code on its website:  "We would like all of our guests to feel free to express their own individual style however, we do ask guests to avoid shorts, tracksuits and hoodies. Smart trainers are fine. We know lots of our guests like to dress smartly which we appreciate!" What do you think? Are dress codes outdated?Andrea is joined by listeners including Garry ANderson, Co-Owner of Anderson's Boathouse Restaurant and Killybegs Seafood Shack, Calvin O’Brien from the ‘Talking Bollox’ podcast and Stylist Mandy Maher.