Highlights From Lunchtime Live

Joyce, June and Paula Kavanagh are three sisters born into a large family of ten children in the late 1950’s-early 1960’s in a disadvantaged area of Dublin, where their father sexually abused them daily from age three or four right up to their late teens.In 1989, they made the decision to bring charges against their father and, in 1990; the Irish State took a successful case against him.The sisters joined Andrea earlier to tell their story and speak about their new audiobook The Grip of Childhood Sexual Abuse to help others going through or dealing with childhood trauma.Listen here.This episode discusses topics related to sexual abuse and trauma, which some listeners may find distressing. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, support is available. You can contact One in Four for professional, confidential help.

In this week's The Making of, we do a deep dive into The Beetles' iconic, influential and incredible Abbey RoadJoining Andrea today is Head tour guide at the Irish Rock ‘N’ Roll Museum Experience Alan Buckley.Alan talks us through the road to Abbey Road and the ever-lasting impact this album has.Listen here.

With fast fashion increasingly under fire for its environmental impact, online retailer ASOS has taken a firm stance against 'serial returners’ This growing trend has prompted ASOS to tighten its return policies, identifying repeat offenders and warning them that their accounts could be permanently closed.  What does this mean for online shoppers who depend on these sites to find clothes that best suit them? Andrea speaks to listeners and more, listen here.

Andrea speaks to Mary Fogarty and Leoni Maher from The Cottage café in Loughmore, Co. Tipperary, who were in Leinster House campaigning for long-term government support for Ireland’s community cafés. They’re joined by café managers Louise Lawlor from the community café in Portland Row and Amy from the Priory Café and The Edge Community Café, who share how important a role these cafés play.Listen here.

98FM's Cathal O’Sullivan joins Andrea for a look at some of the good news stories of the week, including Luas 2050 plans, a crisp festival, the Devil Wears Prada sequel and where is the most popular spot to get down on one knee.Listen here.

RTE have confirmed that they won’t be broadcasting any of Electric Picnic this year. They used to have live coverage and highlights from it for several years but stopped in 2017. It's Ireland’s largest music festival -- so, should they? Listen here.

Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, joins Andrea in studio to answer listeners’ questions about pregnancy, fertility and maternal care in Ireland.Listen here.

Simon Calder, Travel Editor at The Independent (UK), joins Lunchtime Live to make the case for abolishing traditional airline check-ins—and what it would mean for future travel.Listen here.

Andrea speaks to consultant allergist Dr Ranbir Kaulsay about changing food habits in Ireland and the possible links to increasing allergy rates.The rising trend of mediterranean diets and other seed focused diets may lead to a rise in allergies, and potentially serious health impacts.For more listen here.

Andrea hears from listeners across the country on whether reintroducing water charges would help cut down on waste. Colin O’Byrne from VOICE Ireland joins to highlight the urgent need to fix Ireland’s water infrastructure.We also hear listener opinions, as temperatures increase and data centres contribute to overconsumption.Listen here.

Michelle Browne, divorce consultant, mediator, and author of Scars of Divorce, joins Lunchtime Live to answer listener questions about separation, legal planning, and financial issues arising from divorce.Listen here

Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, joins Lunchtime Live to break down the science of being cool.Things like comfortability in oneself, style and sense of humour are top of the list, find out what else by listening here.

Dr Akshay Deoras, research scientist at the University of Reading, joins Lunchtime Live to explain what’s behind Europe’s latest heatwave and what, exactly, is a 'heatdome.'We also hear from listeners and travellers across the continent to hear if the heat is putting people off their Summer holidays.Listen here.

Blake Boland from Dublin Bus joins Lunchtime Live to explain the nature of this antisocial abuse and behaviour across the Dublin Bus network. Suzanne O’Connor from SIPTU’s Respect Transport Workers programme also discusses the toll it’s taking on drivers and staff.Listen here.

Elaine Snowden and Melissa “Argie Bargie” join Andrea to talk about the culture, community and sport of roller derby.Listen here to hear all about the make-up of the game, where it's at in Ireland and how to play.

Seamus Mulconry from the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association speaks to Lunchtime Live about rising “voluntary” school contributions as inflation hits budgets. Listeners share their experience on the rising impact of school costs.From technology costs to school meals; are schools putting the squeeze on parents with voluntary contributions?Listen here.

Dr Louise Fitzgerald of Grafton Medical joins Lunchtime Live to answer listeners’ medical queries — from Summer allergies to prescription side effects and general health advice.Listen here

A recent study has shown that only 10% of the country is left-handed. But are Ciotog’s really smarter and more creative?  Margaret Leahy from Fable Tours joins Andrea to discuss her experience growing up left-handed and to dispel some of those myths around ciotogs.Listen here.

The BBC has said it regrets not pulling the live stream of Bob Vylan's Glastonbury set, during which a band member shouted "death to the IDF" - as Ofcom said the broadcaster has "questions to answer". A spokesperson for the corporation said the remarks by frontman Bobby Vylan were antisemetic and "utterly unacceptable", and the performance should have been taken off air. Andrea is joined by guests and attendees for Bob Vylan's set to discuss if this statement has gone too far.

Imagine what it would be like to sing Ironic, on stage, with Alanis Morissette.Well, Andrea is joined by one woman who had such a privelege Grainne Gillespie from Donegal.Listen to what that experience was like here.