Moncrieff

Last year, just 213 students from Northern Ireland started university in the Republic, yet thousands went to college in England, Scotland and Wales. Why is there such a discrepancy and should more be done to create more equity between the Leaving Cert and A-Level systems? Joining Seán to discuss is Michael Cairns, the former Head of Comms at the Northern Ireland Assembly and parent who has been writing about this in the Belfast Telegraph…

Not only can ChatGPT help you cheat in a college exam - it might have mystic powers… Why? People seem to be using it for palm readings. Joining Seán to discuss is Ciara O’Brien, Business and Technology Journalist.

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes… This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss interesting cases which have remained unsolved to this day…

A survey in the UK has found that a majority of people would prefer a ban on smoking in beer gardens, but would a ban in Ireland work? Joining Seán to discuss is Simon Clarke, Director of Forest Ireland.

Nudity on TV doesn’t seem to be such a big deal these days, as Commisún na Mean rejected a complaint in relation to a movie aired on RTÉ on a Sunday afternoon, where there was a brief glimpse of a naked woman. So, is the ‘watershed’ on TV irrelevant today? Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent and Pricewatch Editor, and joins Seán to discuss.

While it is standard for all music festivals to have a medical tent, there is no obligation for them to have a mental health hub on site for struggling revellers, but should there be? Joining Seán to discuss is Mick Ledden, Psychotherapist and CEO of PsyCare…

Ireland is famous for its cheeses nowadays, whereas in the past it was more famous for its butter offering, but how do you go about actually making a new Irish cheese? Seán’s guest has been trying exactly this, using the milk from her herd. Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Journalist and an organic beef and dairy farmer at Tory Hill House in Limerick, joins to discuss.

Seán’s guest has written a mystery novel - the twist? The titular detective is losing his eyesight, and so is his writer. Author of ‘Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit’ Tom McAndrew joins to discuss the book, which releases today.

Tonight is the 70th anniversary of Eurovision in Vienna. It’s the first of the two semi-finals, with the final on Saturday. However, 5 countries are boycotting it because of Israel’s continued participation, including Ireland. RTÉ will not air it and instead will show the ‘My Lovely Horse’ episode of Father Ted. The creator of the sitcom, Graham Linehan, isn’t happy and says using his show is a tool of “antisemitic harassment”... To discuss further, Seán is joined by Eurovision fan, Newstalk’s Henry McKean. Image: Channel 4

There may be a particular meal that you may fondly associate with a relative, and when they pass, that recipe can be lost forever… Joining Seán to discuss ‘Food Bereavement’ is Sophie White, Journalist and author.

It was 100 years ago this month when Eamon de Valera split from Sinn Féin to set up Fianna Fáil... Joining Seán to discuss is Stephen Kelly, Professor of Modern Irish History at Liverpool Hope University…

We’re looking back on the weekend and looking forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions: What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week? Joining Seán to discuss is Doireann O’Connor and Lorcan Collins!

One of the ways the war in Ukraine has impacted Europe is an increase in defense spending, particularly with companies in Germany. So, what does that defense increase look like, and how prepared is Europe from a potential Russian invasion? Joining Seán to discuss this is James Rothwell, Berlin Correspondent with The Telegraph…

Driving anxiety is a condition that affects women more than men, but is it something that can be overcome with the right help? Seán’s guest had a traumatic experience on the M50 twenty years ago that eventually inspired her to take action. Now, she is helping others. Kathleen Comerford is a RSA Driving Instructor and Creator of the Overcome Your Fear of Driving Programme, and joins to discuss.

Seán’s guest is the current world record holder for breath holding, having been Guinness certified at an astonishing 29 minutes and 3 seconds. But, how did he do it? Croatian freediver Vitomir Maricic joins to discuss!

If you have the time, you should Google ‘boogie bounce’, you’ll see a lot of people on individual trampolines dancing and bouncing in unison. Emma Weafer, Founder of Boogie Bounce and Sister Squad is attempting to have the largest boogie bounce session in Europe this weekend at WellFest, and joins Seán to discuss!

An intimacy menu is a sexual arrangement that a couple organises in order to spice up their lives, but how does it work? Joining Seán to discuss is Sex Educator Jenny Keane…

There are certain traits that people value, and others that people hate. For some Irish people, being called tight or stingy could be one of the worst things to hear! Jennifer Horgan, Teacher and Columnist with the Irish Examiner, joins Seán to discuss.

While awareness around ADHD has grown considerably over the past few years, diagnosis remains low, particularly among adults. Now, a new guide to ADHD in Ireland specifically has hit the shelves. Joining Seán to discuss is Ailín Kennedy, an ADHD Coach from Ballinora, Cork and Mike McGrath-Bryan, a writer and journalist from Mallow, Cork. They are the co-authors of ‘Have I Got Your Attention? A Guide to Adult ADHD in Ireland’...

Immersive travel experiences are on the rise, and one offering in Lancashire, called the Retro Bungalow, transports guests back to the 1970s. Seán’s guest, Chris Moss, Travel Writer and author of ‘Lancashire: Exploring the Historic County that Made the Modern World’, visited and joins to discuss his experience. Image: The Retro Bungalow