Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Parents at a school in Clontarf have been given some unsettling news: starting in September, their senior infants' classes will be merged from three into two. The Department of Education has informed the school that this change is necessary due to a reduction in teaching resources available to them.What does this mean for the young students at this school, and how will it impact them?Joining Andrea to discuss is one of the parents at Belgrove Infant Girls School in Clontarf, Eamonn Broderick, Noel Loftus, Principal, St. Attracta's National School in Roscommon and Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas.

Being gay is really the last taboo in the GAA…That’s according to footballer Kevin Penrose, who joins Andrea, along with Hannah Tyrrell, Dublin footballer and former rugby player, to discuss.

We’ve decided to do a deep dive on some of our favourite albums to explore the stories behind them.What did the artists really think of each other? Where did the inspirations from the songs come from?Joining Andrea to discuss is Head Tour Guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience, Alan Buckley, who’s going to talk through ABBA’s ‘Super Trouper’!

The owners of dodgy boxes are coming under new threats from Sky Ireland.They’re warning there’ll be “consequences” if people are caught streaming sport or films using the illegal devices.It’s estimated about one in four people in Ireland use dodgy boxes.So, would this put you off?Joining Andrea to discuss is Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, Producer at Tri Moon Films Sam Atwell, Dr TJ McIntyre, Associate Professor of Law in UCD and Chair of Digital Rights Ireland, as well as listeners.

Andrea hits the ocean to sail on the coast out to Sligo Bay with local sailor Colm O'Flaherty.Get all the sights and sounds here.

Andrea speaks to the people behind Sligo’s adventure and heritage tourism: Seamus McGoldrick of Sligo Surf Experience and Adventure Sligo, Barry Mottershead of Sligo Kayak Tours, and Pamela Cassidy of Lissadell House.Hear all about Sligo's history and great activities here.

Andrea speaks with some of Sligo’s greatest success stories: Finbarr Filan, newly appointed national chair of ISME and head of Sligo BID; Andrew Darmody, Managing Director of Voya Skincare; Viola McSharry, mother of Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry; and David McGowan of McGowan’s Funeral Directors in Ballina all join the show to tell their story.Listen here

Shirley Foley, who lives with MS and is part of the international sailing initiative Oceans of Hope; and Pam Scanlon, a retiring school accounts worker from Calry who helped fundraise and build a school in rural Tanzania both speak to Andrea on their inspiring stories.Listen here

Andrea meets the people behind Sligo’s thriving food and drink scene: Aisling Kelly Hunter of Sligo Oyster Experience, Paul Mullin, co-founder of The White Hag Brewing Company, Aine Mullan of Fish and Bean, and Shane Meehan of Stoked restaurant in Strandhill.Listen here

A conversation about the joys and virtues of life in the northwest with former TD Marc MacSharry, travel content creator Kevin Dooher of Wild Atlantic Traveller, and Jane Chambers, owner of Shells Café in Strandhill -- all live from The Fish and Bean Restaurant in Sligo.Listen here

For this week’s Ask the Expert, Andrea is joined by Senior Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Cliona Cosgrove to answer any of your questions when it comes to dealing with a child’s emotions.

Thatching is a time honoured Irish Tradition that is at risk of dying out., according to the Donegal Thatching School.They have called for more funding to protect this dying art…Andrea is joined by Conail Shovlin, Co-Founder of the Donegal Thatching School and Richard O'Lidain to discuss.

“There really is no excuse” these are the words of an animal rights organisation following a litter of five-week old collie puppies that were found abandoned by a Galway roadside. MADRA (Mutts Anonymous Dogs Rescue) say that thankfully the pups were in “surprisingly good shape” despite being found in a rain soaked box.What can be done to stop this type of behaviour in future? Should there be tougher laws on owners, and should there be more done to protect our dogs?Joining Andrea to discuss is Dawn Divilly, Director of Operations Mutts Anonymous Dogs Rescue and Adoption, Suzi Walsh, Dog Behaviourist with DogBehviour.ie, Orla Murray, one of the Directors of the Irish Kennel Club and more.Image: @madradogrescue on Instagram

Would you be brave enough to ask Chat GPT… am I hot?That’s what one 47 year old woman did, and the advice was not that pleasing…Newstalk’s Sarah Madden tested it out, and joins Andrea and Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd to discuss.

It’s How I Live Well time! Where someone joins to discuss what they do to improve their life…This week, Andrea is joined by Brian Lee, Owner and Founder of Tryka to discuss what exactly this hybrid fitness race league is all about.Image: tryka.fit

Ireland is facing a “national emergency” in infrastructure.That’s according to the Chair of the The Economic and Social Research Institute Sean O’Driscoll.Our transport, housing and water systems are all in dire need of help, and not enough action is being taken apparently.So, is it?Joining Andrea to discuss is Town Planner Derek Whyte, Barry Kenny, Corporate Comms Manager at Irish Rail, Chair of the National Water Forum Dr Matt Crowe, Architect and Environmentalist Duncan Stewart and listeners.

Dr John Flanagan, GP at Suffolk Street Surgery joined Andrea Gilligan to tackle your medical queries…

With the price of coffee going up, have you considered getting your own fancy machine at home?There are so many to choose from, how do you know what’s worth the money?Joining Andrea to discuss is Journalist Glenn Kelly, who has put the best to the test!

In a landmark legal victory, Irish entrepreneur Neil Sands and his wife Donna were awarded £300,000 in damages after successfully suing the operators of the controversial gossip website Tattle Life.The couple endured years of online harassment and defamation, prompting a two-year legal battle that culminated in the High Court of Northern Ireland unmasking the site's founder, Sebastian Bond, also known as Bastian Durward.Neil joins Andrea to discuss.

John is an Irishman who was part of a delegation who attempted to join thousands of others on a global 'March to Gaza'.He was among thousands of people who were stopped by Egyptian authorities.The group were travelling through the country to reach Rafah on a Gaza peace march.John joins Andrea to discuss.