Highlights From Moncrieff

Research is currently underway looking at conversion therapy that will inform the ban on the practice here in Ireland. Dr. Brian Keogh, Associate Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin, joined Tom to discuss how the research will be conducted.

Comedian Shane Daniel Byrne joined Sean Moncrieff live from the Sugar Club with thanks to Marks and Spencer ahead of the Paddy Power Comedy Festival which returns to Dublin this July. Shane Daniel Byrne will be performing at The Paddy Power Comedy Festival which takes place in the Iveagh Gardens from July 21st-24th.

America has been devasted by mass shooters as recently as Monday at the 4th of July celebrations in Chicago and in Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas in May. Jay Brotman is an architect who was Partner-in-Charge of the rebuild of the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown Connecticut, he joined Sean to discuss how you rebuild the essences of a school after a tragedy. Good afternoon Jay

Yoga practice in this part of the world tends to be overwhelmingly female and overwhelmingly white. Stacie Graham, Author of ‘Yoga as Resistance’, joined Sean to discuss if yoga needs to be more inclusive.

For many of us, Charlie Bird has narrated some of the seminal moments in Irish life, from liasing with the IRA for RTE, to being one of the first reporters on the scene of the Stardust fire, to covering the election of our first female president. He joined Sean, alongside his wife Claire to discuss his fundraising efforts for the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta, after his diagnosis of MND last year.

Mensa has admitted its youngest member, a two year old girl from Kentucky. The news has shone a spotlight on the organisation, and Anthony Phelan is Chairman of Mensa Ireland, joined Sean to explain a little bit more about what it means to be a member.

Shah Muhammad Rais, Owner of the Shah M Book Company in Kabul, joined Sean to discuss his bookshop which houses over 20,000 books about Afghanistan, the largest such collection in the world.

The campaign group Just Stop Oil has carried out a series of events over the past week, targeting famous paintings, in order to raise awareness. Alex De Koning, Spokesperson for the climate activist group Just Stop Oil, joined Sean to explain why.

Each week will take a topic and deep dive into it, doing all the research so you don’t have to. This week Billy Keating, Manager at Richies Bike Store, joined Sean with all you need to know about how to buy a bicycle.

Boris Johnson is in the middle of yet another difficult session in the House of Commons today, as more of his cabinet resign from the Tory Party. Enda Brady, London journalist and commentator, joined Sean to discuss if a Boris replacement could be a good thing for Ireland.

It’s the 50th anniversary of the Interrail Pass, something that legions of Irish people have enjoyed for 5 decades. Nicky Gardner is the Co-author of ‘Europe by Rail: the Definitive Guide’, whose 17th edition has just been published, she joined Sean to discuss what it is about interrailing that has made it so poplar for the past 50 years.

A famous YouTuber known for taking on ginormous eating challenges, has become the first person to devour a 22-inch breakfast roll at Pip's Cafe in Crumlin. Cafe owner, Paul McDonald, joined Sean to discuss his delight at Randy Santel becoming the first person to win the challenge.

Venice's tourism commissioner has announced that from January of next year, day trippers visiting the city will be required to pay a fee or be refused entry. Jill Kirby, personal finance journalist, broadcaster and author, who has spent a lot of time visiting and living in Venice, joined Sean to discuss if this levy will be enough to address issues with overcrowding in the city.

The ‘GN’ wine and spirits brand launched in Ireland in 2014, after Invivo founders Tim Lightbourne and Rob Cameron learnt chat show Graham Norton enjoyed drinking New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and invited him to collaborate with them. Graham joined Sean to discuss his latest blend of wine and the ever growing popularity of the collection.

Abe Noe-Hays from the Rich Earth Institute joined Sean to explain how as the world experiences a fertiliser shortage, it could be time to start using urine instead.

Simon Tierney joined Sean to chart the history of the television.

For a lot of people they think about lunch or dinner just before they are about to eat. But for those who suffer with Prader-Willi syndrome, food is an all consuming aspect in their lives that has to be carefully administered. Ann O’Neill is mother to Oisin who suffers with Prader-Willi syndrome and she joined Sean give a glimpse of what life is like living with this syndrome.

Graham Finlay joined Sean on the show today to recap the stories making the headlines this past week.

A racing pigeon called Bob that was travelling from Guernsey to Tyneside in the North East of England took a wrong turn and ended up thousands of miles away in Alabama. After an anxious wait, his owner has now been notified and plans are underway for the bird’s repatriation to the UK. Racing pigeon owner Alan Todd joined Sean to discuss his joy at his bird being found.

There aren’t many acts who can say they’re on the road for 60 year, but The Rolling Stones have done just that. Their first gig was in the Marquee Club in London on 12th July 1962. Starting tomorrow night on BBC 2, a new four-part series features the reflections of the four band members as they look back on their careers on stage and in the headlines. Sam Anthony is the series producer of “My Life as a Rolling Stone” and he joined us on the show this afternoon. The first episode of “My Life as a Rolling Stone” – on Mick Jagger – is on BBC Two, 9.30pm tomorrow night, with a double bill of Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood on Saturday 9th July, and Charlie Watts’ film on 23rd July.