Highlights From Moncrieff

As many people get ready to pack their bags for holidays and travel, the Irish accent will be heard around the world this summer. But, is the Irish accent always a passport to acceptance and connection?Joining Seán to discuss is Melanie May, Travel Writer and Presenter of Talk Travel on Dublin City FM.

If you’ve ever wanted a toy Father Ted, or an Éamon de Valera figurine, well good news, the day has finally arrived! Richard Collier has set up Hiberno Toys, which creates toys based on Irish culture. Gaining a fair bit of attention on Instagram and Reddit.Seán is joined by Richard to check out the figures and discuss.Image: @hibernotoys on Instagram

If you could meet a dead relative in Virtual Reality, would you?  That’s a question that’s been asked by Dr Jennifer O’Meara, Associate Professor of Film Studies, in Trinity College Dublin. Film and cinema has always utilised the latest technologies, but if it bleeds into our real lives by creating illusions, is that a good thing?  Jennifer joins Seán to discuss.

Taylor Swift’s upcoming gigs in Lansdowne Road are due to last for 3 hours, with some describing this as too long. But how long is too long when it comes to gigs? Joining Seán to discuss is journalist and broadcaster Pat Carty.

The Church of Ambrosia was set up as a way to take drugs, including marijuana and magic mushrooms - but has quickly gained a sizable following.Mattha Busby, reporter with Vice, visited the church and joined Seán to discuss.

Swim Ireland currently has 3 pop up pools in its possession, major swimming infrastructure that can be moved around the country. However, only two are operational, which is causing controversy. Mary McMorrow, Operations Director at Swim Ireland, joins Seán to discuss.

Ireland’s summers are not what they used to be! One look outside will tell you that we are no longer guaranteed a dry spell in June and July. Is this our new reality? Cathal Nolan is a Climate Scientist, and the founder of Ireland’s Weather channel, and has been studying this. He joins Seán to discuss.

While the number of pubs in Ireland has been diminishing over the past 15 years, the cause is usually put down to drink driving laws, price increases and a change in culture. But, is the housing crisis to blame too? Joining Seán to discuss is Mark Keenan, Property Editor for the Irish Independent, who has been writing about this.

Having been established back in 1978, the Vegetarian Society of Ireland recently changed its name. What is the reason for this? And why are the majority of their members women? Joining Seán to discuss is James O’Donovan, Secretary of the Vegan Society of Ireland.

One of the shock revelations from this election is that Danny Healy Rae has been using the same phone since 1997! He says it’s because he’s not a fan of the smartphone. What are some other things that we’ve kept from a long time? Newstalk’s Henry McKean went out to ask the public for their items that have stood the test of time.

With just 6 weeks until the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Paris, what exactly are the plans for the event, due to take place along the Seine? Joining to discuss is Philip Barker, Editor of the Journal of Olympic History.Image: Paris 2024

After the tragic death of a woman in Limerick last week, there have been calls for a ban on certain dog breeds such as the XL Bully. Pete Wedderburn, aka Pete the Vet, does not believe that this is the answer. He joins Seán Moncrieff to discuss.

A new report has shown that wind farms have created 35% of Ireland’s electricity supply in the first five months of this year. Joining Seán to discuss the significance of this increase is CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, Noel Cunniffe.

We’ve all had a laugh at our children’s expense when they mispronounce certain words growing up. Journalist and Mum of seven, Jen Hogan, has been speaking to parents to find some of the common occurrences in Irish households, and joins Seán to share her findings.

While we’re nearing the end of the count for the local elections, the European counts are expected to continue for a few days yet.  Many of us just go to the polling station, mark the papers, pop them into the box and wait to hear whether “our guys” got elected.  But, what happens between slipping that paper into the box and declaring a candidate elected is a mammoth task.  So, who runs them? Are there legal advisors on site should a discrepancy arise? What are the security measures? And what if there really was a mouse in a ballot box?  Derek Mooney is a former Fianna Fáil Strategist and Campaign Manager, he joins Seán to discuss.

A man in Northern Ireland has had a Guinness World Record for continuous drumming verified, after an extraordinary 150 hours of play. But, how did he actually pull off this feat? Joining John to discuss is that drummer, Ali Brown.

Decades after the iconic car, made famous in ‘Back to the Future’, ceased production, a festival this weekend will gather over 60 DeLoreans for a major celebration. Joining John to discuss is David Mathers, Co-Organiser of DeLorean Revival.

From lawnmowers to ski suits to foot massagers, there’s something for everyone in the middle aisle of Aldi.  The “German discounter” is celebrating 25 years in Ireland, and while it took some time to get used to the speedy checkouts, they’ve become a staple store across Ireland with 161 premises.  But how much did their arrival change the Irish market?  Denis O’Hora is Director of the Masters in Consumer Psychology at University of Galway, and joins guest host John Fardy to discuss.

A Russian cosmonaut has become the first person to spend over 1000 days in space. But how is this possible? And what effect does this have on the body and mind? Joining Seán to discuss is Leo Enright, Space Commentator.

Quentin Tarantino has been giving out a lot in recent years over the price of a cinema ticket, which he says is prohibiting people from attending. Some are saying this is the reason big movies aren’t performing as well as the box office. Brian Lloyd is the movie editor for Entertainment.ie, and joins Seán to discuss.