Highlights from Moncrieff

Whether you're entertaining extended family or just need something to break up the day, Christmas is a great time to try out a few games and get everyone involved...Olivia Fahy, Entertainment journalist, has been rounding up some of her favourites and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Nintendo

After 100 years of the Coca Cola versus Pepsi soft drink war, has the battle been won, with Pepsi now 3rd on the list of the biggest selling fizzy drinks in the world?Joining Seán to discuss is Eoin Burke-Kennedy, Economics Correspondent of The Irish Times…

Is your Christmas tree looking sad with needles on the ground and limp branches just two days before Christmas?Joe Flynn is Chairman of the Irish Christmas Tree Growers, and joins Seán to discuss.

There's something in the water this Christmas... and while it might not be alcohol for some, the price of sober options during the holidays is enough to turn the mood from sweet to sour. From scare options to exorbitant prices, Irish Examiner Columnist and Food Writer Caitriona Redmond has seen it all since she went alcohol-free three years ago.The journalist has compiled her experience and offers alternatives to your traditional champagne. She joins Seán to discuss.

Over the next few days, the brilliant and joyous sound of church bells will be heard as we all celebrate Christmas and the coming new year.You may think that ringing bells is just pulling a bit of rope, but there is an art to bell ringing, and it takes a good bit of training to get competent at it.Raymond Cregan is the Ringing Master at Christ Church Dublin, and joins Seán to discuss.

As we frantically get our last bits of Christmas shopping done, how much of that will be done in a family-owned business? Unfortunately, not many of them have survived the past couple of decades…One that has is the iconic Kennys Bookshop in Galway which celebrated its 85th birthday last month.So amid all the changes, especially in how we read, how have they survived? Tomas Kenny joins Seán to discuss.Image: @kennysbookshop on Instagram

For many Irish people Daniel O'Connell is one of the great nationalist leaders who changed the course of history for Ireland...But on a world stage, just why was his influence so popular?And what has Budweiser beer got to do with it?Lecturer of Nineteenth Century Irish History at UCC, Dr Jay Roszman, joins Seán to discuss.

An animated short film called ‘Retirement Plan' has made the shortlist for a nomination in next year's Oscars.The film has been receiving rave reviews, and is 7 minutes of a man named Ray, voiced by Domhnall Gleeson, listing off all the things he hopes to do upon reaching retirement.Its Director, John Kelly, joins Seán to discuss!

Non-fiction book sales are currently going through a major slump. But, why is this? Joining Seán is Holly Harley, Non-Fiction Editorial Director at Head of Zeus' Apollo Imprint…

Canadian linguists are upset over Prime Minister Mark Carney's abandonment of their country's spelling rules in official documentation. A group of disgruntled linguists have now written an open letter to the PM, requesting he cease and desist.Joining Seán to discuss is one of the signatories, John Chew, Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian English Dictionary…Image: Reuters

Every year Merchant's Quay Ireland (MQI) hosts a Christmas celebration for people who are sleeping rough or using its services. Turkey and ham with all the trimmings, music, small gifts, and most importantly, a warm and safe place where people are welcomed by name. For many of MQI's clients, this is their only Christmas meal and the only sense of “home” they will have.Henry McKean went along, and joins Seán to discuss.

We've all seen the trend of ‘manifesting' online, but typically manifesting is reserved for love or money. Meehika Barua, however, decided to improve her social life by manifesting better friendships.Meehika joins Seán to discuss.

Ireland's oldest person celebrated her 109th birthday earlier this week, she credits her longevity to ‘hard work, no smoking and no drinking'.Joining Seán to discuss the secrets to living a long life is Professor Rose Anne Kenny, Head of Ageing Research at Trinity College Dublin.

With just days to go before Christmas, reindeers have never been so in demand. There is a herd of reindeer in County Down who are bracing for their busiest time...Philippa Auret from NI Reindeers joins Seán to discuss!

Breakups are hard, but when you are newly married and your relationship breaks down shortly after your wedding, there can be shame attached...Eve Simmons found herself navigating a split just six months after marrying her long-term partner.She joins Seán to discuss.

It's predicted that many families in Ireland will spend around €1,600 on Christmas.The shops are going to be packed this weekend as people scramble for presents.How much do you spend on the big Christmas shop, and what are the essentials you can't go without?Newstalk's Josh Crosbie has been finding out, and sends in this report...

Is there something about being away from home that makes you yearn for all things familiar to remind you of it?Emily Bourke is living in London and has started teaching Irish classes and organising Irish speaking events to make sure that she doesn't lose her Gaeilge...Emily joins Seán to discuss!

It is that time of year where a book might appear in a Christmas stocking, but what books are suitable for children with dyslexia?Children's author Jen Wallace partnered with Little Island Books to make her story ‘Dinosaur Pie' dyslexia-friendly, and joins Seán to discuss the process.

Concerns have been raised for young up-and-coming fashion designers in this country who may find themselves ill-equipped to deal with the threats to their intellectual property, which can see major retailers copying their designs and reproducing them to the masses…So, what can be done?Lecturer Dr Paul Davis from Dublin City University joins Seán to discuss.

Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh, a Doctor and Columnist for the Irish Independent, believes that if the state is paying for cholesterol medication, it ought to be paying for Ozempic too.Máire joins Seán to discuss society's view on obesity, and why it needs to change.

As the Trump administration piles caveats onto visa entry requirements to the US, are more and more people fearful about their social media history and speaking out about the American government?Joining Seán to discuss is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at University of Galway…Image: Reuters

Just one week ago, Dublin Zoo saw the first ever cataract surgery on a hippo. Frank O'Sullivan, one of the vets who performed the surgery joins Seán to discuss this world first, and the importance of conservation medicine.

Who was the man responsible for designing and planning Dublin's flats?Lorcan Sirr, a Senior Lecturer in Housing at TUD, joins Seán to discuss the life and legacy of Herbert Simms, one of Dublin's most notable town planners and architects.

Drug smugglers are now using cows as a means to transport cocaine and bring drugs into Europe from Latin America. This method is being favoured by cartels knowing that International law enforcement agencies will be reluctant to search cattle ships…Max Stephens, International Crime Correspondent for the Daily Telegraph has been investigating this, and joins Seán to discuss.

For some people, the Christmas holiday can be a time of anxiety and hardship and even fear, especially if you are harbouring difficult emotions associated with the festive period. But do you suffer from Christougenniatikophobia?Joining Seán to discuss is Christopher Paul Jones, a Therapist and Phobia Specialist from Harley St in London…

Ever since the Middle Ages, gout has been associated with the glutinous consumption of rich foods and too much red wine. But, is TikTok perpetuating medical myths like this?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Muiris Houston, Columnist with the Irish Times, who has been writing about this…

Do children ever belong on farms?Alma Jordan, the Founder of Agrikids, joins Seán now to talk about farm safety, and how children can take part in farmwork without undue risk…

Cork-born Josephine McNeill became the first Irish woman to head a diplomatic mission abroad in 1949. What would she make of this week's promotion of Helen McEntee to Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, almost eight decades after her own appointment?That's the question that Clodagh Finn asks. The Columnist with the Irish Examiner, author and Researcher of Women's History joins Seán to chat more about the first female envoy who paved the way in foreign affairs…

The media narrative, from movies to ads on television, suggests that Christmas is all about children, but does this sideline those who don't have any?Joining Seán is Photographer Ruth Medjber, who has been writing about her views on being a DINKWAD (Dual Income, No Kids, With A Dog) in the Independent…

During the 1984 famine in Ethiopia, Paul Vallely was Correspondent there for the London Times. After Live Aid, Bob Geldof contacted Paul to figure out where to distribute the funds, thus starting a decades-long relationship.Paul is the author of ‘Live Aid: The Definitive 40-Year Story', and joins Seán to discuss.

Seán's guest is a Clontarf native who's now believed to be the first Irish-born Mayor elected in Germany.Michelle Wittler is Mayor of the medieval town of Dausenau, and says life in Germany has made her “a bit starchy”.She joins to discuss.

Journalist and Broadcaster Yuliia Riabova moved from Odessa to Ireland in 2023 after reporting on the war in Ukraine. Now based in Kerry, Yuliia is the Producer and host of The New Residents Podcast on Radio Kerry and the winner of the Gay Byrne Newcomer of the Year at the IMRO Radio Awards 2025.She joins Seán to discuss.

How can we prevent our youth from being recruited and groomed into crime? Dr. Eoin O'Meara-Daly from the University of Limerick is part of a team researching this very issue, with the aim of creating a new model of youth intervention for Ireland.He joins Seán to discuss…

Over the last twenty-five years, Ireland has changed. Our voices got louder. Our culture reached further, and some extraordinary people helped shape it all. From trailblazers in the arts and social change, to leaders in sport, music and on the big screen, we're counting down the most influential Irish people of the last 25 years. You, the listener, have been voting for who you think are the most influential people that moved us and inspired us as part of Newstalk's 25 of 25. And you have picked your winner for best actor!Joining Seán to discuss is Arts Journalist Chris Wasser and Movie Critic Brian Lloyd…

Has the rolling out of tasers as part of a pilot programme with Gardaí been a rushed decision, and could it lead to an escalation in the use of force particularly in these busy Christmas weeks, with body cams also being piloted?Lucy Michael is Principal Investigator at Lucy Michael Research Training and Consultancy and a former member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. She has done extensive research into this area, and joins Seán to discuss.

What's it like when adults return to the family home for Christmas, do they revert to their childlike behaviours like fighting over the remote?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Seán to discuss.

We've all seen politicians' cringe-worthy efforts at communicating with us over social media. The question is: why can't they get it right?Steven O'Leary, Founder of Olyitico and a social media expert, joins Seán to discuss just why politicians are so unnatural online.

Many women will know the struggle of Spanx, and especially as the Christmas party season is in full flow, there is a chance that people are looking to look slim in their party clothes... But, shapewear for men is now growing in popularity as men seek those smooth lines also.For more on this, Seán is joined by Guardian Columnist Tim Dowling.Image: Underworks

What is a film inside a film, and do you remember some of the movies that characters in famous Christmas films were watching?Home Alone and The Holiday are just some of the films which have fake movies, and Lynn Fisher has created a special database of these fake movies: Nestflix.Lynn joins Seán to discuss.

Renowned Chef Dean Diplock, joins Seán to talk about the national obsession of his home country of South Africa: barbequing, and whether or not you should barbeque your Christmas turkey!

According to Grindr's end of year ‘Unwrapped' data, Ireland has the highest percentage of bears in the world. No, not the ones that eat honey.Joining Seán to discuss is Neal O'Hara, Chairman of Dublin Bears!

Seán is joined by one of Ireland's most influential poets, Paula Meehan. With a career spanning decades, Paula's work has consistently explored themes of home, belonging, and marginalisation, speaking for those often left unheard.Born in Dublin, she grew up in the tenements and has used her poetry to give voice to the dispossessed.Paula is speaking at Other Voices, held in the Guiness storehouse on Tuesday the 16th of December: an evening of songs, stories and spoken word, all curated around the theme of ‘Home'.