Highlights From Moncrieff

Who doesn’t want to live happily ever after?The important role of romance fiction in Irish Literature is being explored in a new exhibition, which has opened in the Museum of Literature Ireland.Seán is joined by the Curator of Happy Ever After and author of ‘Modernism in Irish Women's Contemporary Writing: The Stubborn Mode’, Professor Paige Reynolds, to discuss this further...Image: MoLI

Forty years ago today a 17-year-old local girl, Claire O’Mahony, saw the statue of Our Lady, in the grotto just outside Ballinspittle at Sheehy’s Cross, move.This incident began a sequence of events that saw thousands of people visit the town, widespread media coverage both at home and abroad and at least 30 other similar sightings elsewhere in the country.Colette Sheridan is a Freelance Journalist who reported on the event at the time and has been writing about it in the Irish Times. She joins Seán to look back on this time.

What we consider the markers of Irishness can be something of a fraught question, but one thing that we’re somewhat famous for is our accent.So, what is it like to be Irish but not have the accent?Kate Kerrigan is the Author & Performer of a new show on this subject called ‘Am I Irish Yet?’ She joins Seán to discuss…Image: Circus250

There is currently no practical driver training or test for tractors in Ireland. Paul Daly, a Fianna Fáil Senator and farmer, is calling for this to change, and joins Seán to discuss.

Often, some days feel longer or shorter than others, but today, July 22nd, is actually literally shorter than others.Why is that?Shane Bergin, Physicist & Assistant Professor in Science Education at UCD, joins Seán to discuss.

The My Lovely Horse Rescue group believe that there is an animal welfare crisis taking place in Ireland currently, and are calling on the Government to introduce a dedicated animal welfare and crime unit.Joining Seán to discuss is Martina Devlin, Co-Founder of My Lovely Horse Rescue…

Are you a terrible texter? Or are you sick of sending messages and seeing the blue ticks and then waiting days for a reply?When it comes to texting, is there a specific etiquette, and is not texting back just plain rude? Or are some people just bad texters rather than inconsiderate people?Chartered Registered Counselling Psychologist, Niamh Delmar, joins Seán to discuss.

A movement called ‘Stop Killing Games’ is trying to convince the EU to introduce new rules so that consumers have more rights in relation to the digital assets they own. But, what exactly is the problem?Joining me now is Tech journalist and columnist with the Irish Times Emmet Ryan…Image: stopkillinggames.com

If you’re a League of Ireland football fan, you may have noticed that the Drogheda United crest has a star and crescent on it, much like you would see on the flags of many Muslim-majority countries.And, a recent social media post from TurkeyToday has been highlighting this fact.So, what’s the connection there?Joining Seán to discuss is Conor Hoey, Director with Drogheda United Football Club.

From Parker Posey in ‘The White Lotus’ to Megan Stalter in ‘Too Much’, the nightgown is having a moment. But, how did such an old-fashioned garment become fashionable again?Joining Seán to discuss is Journalist and Fashion Expert, Laura Mullett…

The world’s oldest ice cores have just arrived in the UK after a journey all the way from East Antarctica.Scientists will soon begin melting this ice in an attempt to find out what the world was like 1.5 million years ago.But, what can melted old water really tell us about the Earth of the distant past?Dr. Liz Thomas is the Head of Ice Core Research at the British Antarctic Survey, and  joins me now…Image: @britishantarcticsurvey on Instagram

Amal and George Clooney have a no phones rule for guests, their policy is to allow a safe and frank conversation. So, what rules do you have for your house guests and how long is too long for someone to stay?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been talking to the public, and joins Seán to share what he’s heard.

Has cocaine become completely normalised?A new report published by the Department of Health has highlighted that cocaine users are now older and better educated than ever before. The typical cocaine user is changing as older people embrace the party drug.For more on this, Seán is joined by Professor Colin O'Gara, Addiction Psychiatrist and Head of Addiction Services at St. John of God Hospital…

Comedians Julie Jay and Colm O’Regan join Seán in Lighthouse Cinema to talk all things comedy, and the work-life balance that is needed in their careers.Julie Jay and Colm O’Regan will be performing at the Paddy Power Comedy Festival this weekend. For more information go to ppcomedyfestival.com.

Seán’s guest’s latest book, ‘Strange Sally Diamond’, went straight to number one in Ireland.Liz Nugent, one of Ireland’s foremost crime writers, joins live in Lighthouse Cinema to discuss!

A traditional Irish basket for collecting harvested onions had been lost to history, until Seán’s guest managed to recreate one so accurately that it is now being celebrated by those in Kerry who remember the original.Joining to discuss is Diane Southey from Saille Baskets in Kerry...

Do you make the effort when you are abroad to speak the language?Even just a ‘gracias’ or ‘merci’ can go a long way.So, are we good at attempting to speak another language (despite mispronouncing the words) or do we end up just increasing our volume in English?Travel Writer Joan Scales joins Seán to discuss.

‘One bill per table’ - that’s the new rule being rolled out across all restaurants in Mallorca to stop tourists bickering over the bill and wasting staff time.Surely splitting the bill can’t be that hard for restaurants, or can it?Chef and Restaurateur in Galway, JP McMahon, joins Seán to discuss.

Who are you?When someone asks you that question what first springs to mind? Your nationality? Your job? Your sexual orientation? Your religion?How useful are these concepts in actually describing us, and should we even be identifying as any of these things?Alexander Douglas is the Author of ‘Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self’. He joins Seán to discuss.

Seán’s guest used to be a pilot with a major airline before he developed ‘eco-anxiety’, causing him to quit flying. He now features in a new documentary entitled ‘Guilt Trip’.George Hibberd joins to discuss.