Highlights From Moncrieff

Tennis fans watching Wimbledon in the last week will have been up in arms at the issues with the AI electronic line calling system which was brought in for the first time for this year’s tournament.With players and spectators suitably annoyed after high profile malfunctions in the last number of days, Host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast, Elaine Burke, joins Seán to explain exactly what is going on, and just why new technology is not always reliable…

There has been much discussion about who the next President may be, and who will put their name in the hat, but as part of this year’s Galway International Arts Festival, they have curated an exhibition looking back at current President Michael D Higgins - and all he has done in public life.For more on this, Seán is joined by Artistic Director of the Galway Arts Festival, Paul Fahy…Image: Galway Arts Festival

It’s much more common for people to decide not to have children than it would have been even a few decades ago, but still there are plenty of people who might try to dissuade from such a course of action.A major consideration is loneliness in older age and in something that our next guest addresses in her new book.Helen Taylor is the author of ‘Childless by Choice: The Meaning & Legacy of a Childfree Life’. She joins Seán to discuss.

As the Irish summer is finally here with temperatures reaching a possible 30 degrees, we sent Henry McKean to try and find the best and biggest ice cream. He visited Curran’s Service Station Ross Cross on the Old Dublin to Navan Road, near Tara County Meath, who sell foot-long 99s for €3.30. He sent this report.

Getting a dog is a massive life decision, and while people may go into it with the best of intentions, the reality of providing a good home for a pet can be quite different.One of the so-called stars from Made in Chelsea this week revealed that he had decided to rehome his dog because his lifestyle as an influencer was too busy for the pup he had brought into his life. This raised valid criticism from fans and followers...But, practically speaking, what is the process to rehome a pet given there are situations where it may no longer be possible to keep a dog?Seán is joined by Maciej Trojanowicz, Rehoming Centre Manager with Dog’s Trust, to discuss…

New guidelines that will lift restrictions on apartment sizes and the number of one-bedroom units allowed in a development have been before Cabinet this week, as the Irish government seeks to tackle the housing crisis.Ireland is by no means the only European Government struggling with this issue, but is lowering the cost for developers a good way to solve the problem, and why are we seeing housing crises across the western world? Tim White is Research fellow at Queen Mary University of London and the London School of Economics, and joins Seán to discuss.

Are you a gym bunny who loves sweaty high intensity classes with a group, or are you a marathon-loving running loner?New research published by experts at University College London has found that your personality type influences what exercise workouts you prefer.So, does it add up? Fitness Coach and Comedian Enya Martin joins Seán to discuss.

The Independent Covid Evaluation Panel aims to understand the extent of the damage from the Covid-19 pandemic, and take those learnings for advice on preparation for the next potential epidemic. So, what has been learned?Nat O’Connor, Assistant Professor of Social Policy in UCD and a member of the Independent Covid Evaluation Panel has been writing about this in the Irish Examiner, and joins Seán to discuss.

Is your summer holiday booked, and will you be travelling through Dublin Airport in a bid to escape Ireland for a break away abroad?Given record passenger numbers, Aer Lingus have suggested that travellers drop their bags the night before to avoid long queues when checking in luggage... but, how is the airport coping with so many people during this exceptionally busy period?Spokesperson for Dublin Airport, Graeme McQueen, joins Seán to discuss.

You’re probably aware that pornography is having a major impact on our culture and sexual practices.There are many sinister elements to this, but among the most worrying is the prevalence of violent sexual practices among young people, in particular, strangulation.So, is it time for a blanket ban on so-called ‘choking porn’?Ruth Breslin is the Director of The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute. She joins Seán to discuss.

Huge crowds converged on Croke Park over the weekend to witness the spectacle that is the All Ireland Hurling semi-finals.Hurling is much loved here and is starting to gain exposure abroad as well with the BBC showing the matches live, but for most of us, it is something to be watched rather than played.Hurling requires a very specific skillset that can take years to master, but former Wexford hurling captain Diarmuid Lyng is trying to re-connect people with the joy of actually taking part in one of the ancient aspects of our cultural heritage by engaging them in wild hurling.So, what is wild hurling?Diarmuid Lyng joins Seán to discuss.

The community in Castlebridge, Co. Wexford, a town of 2,000 people, is currently campaigning to get their first playground. But, why is it such a struggle, and do we need a new approach in Ireland, so that we see playgrounds as a necessity rather than a privilege?Joining Seán to discuss is local mother and campaigner Lucie Revay, who comes originally from the Czech Republic…

With many of the biggest musical acts in the world being solo women, we were told earlier in the year to prepare for “Pop Girl Summer”.But, it appears that some of the Irish music festivals don’t seem to have gotten the memo…Aoife Barry is a Freelance Journalist and Arts Columnist with the Sunday Times. She joins Seán to discuss.

According to a new report from Children’s Books Ireland, more than 1 in 5 Irish children under the age of four are not being read to. So, what are the benefits of reading aloud to your children?Joining Sean to discuss is Leona Forde, Children’s author, best known for her popular Milly McCarthy series of books…

Being homeless is undoubtedly a terrible experience, and unfortunately it is one that too many people in this country are familiar with. But, there are organisations out there providing hope for people, and it is sometimes possible to come out the other side.Allen Bobinac is the Manager of the Lighthouse Homeless Cafe in Dublin, and lived on the streets of the city for a year. He joins Seán to discuss.

Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Secretary, is proposing the relaxing of regulations so that people can build wind turbines in their back gardens. So, should we be doing the same here?Joining Seán to discuss is Environmental Journalist John Gibbons...

Irish Unification is a very emotive subject and often quite personal issue.It can often be quite difficult to evaluate the various reasons people have for being for or against it.But, one argument that often arises that is somewhat more measurable is the economic impact for all concerned.So, just what would be the cost of unification?John Doyle is the Vice President for Research at Dublin City University, and joins Sean to discuss.

One of the symptoms of ADHD is time blindness, but how does this differ from poor time management?Joining Seán to discuss is Nicola Coss, ADHD Ireland National Service Development Manager.

The summer holidays are long, especially for our teenagers who often sit outside the traditional models of summer camps and the like. What do you do when a lot of options are either too expensive or just non-existent in the first place?Joining Seán to discuss is Journalist Jen Hogan, who has been writing about this for the Irish Times…

The excavation of the Tuam mother and baby home site has been hailed as “A light at the end of the tunnel” according to the families affected.Anna Corrigan is down in Tuam all week and ahead of a public press statement from the Tuam Babies Families Group this afternoon she spoke to us today...Anna believes her two brothers John and William Dolan may be buried there…She joins Seán to discuss.