Highlights from Moncrieff

According to a recently published scientific study, the blackbird has the sweetest birdsong, but is that really true? And why do we like the sounds birds make?Niall Hatch, Head of communications and development with Birdwatch Ireland, joins Seán to discuss.

It's been widely reported by the daughter of French First Lady Brigitte Macron, who is 42, has a new boyfriend 20 years younger than her. This follows the pattern of her mother, who is 25 years older than Emmanuel Macron.It begs the question: do these relationships last? How much of a factor is age, and when does it become an issue?Joining Seán to discuss is Mairead Loughman, Matchmaker with Love HQ Matchmaking.

There is something strange happening in the world of professional tennis, and it's nothing to do with the game. Increasingly, players are showing up to matches wearing elaborate outfits, jewellery and representing brands…So, why is this happening, and why are players doing it?Sonia Twigg, Women's Sports Reporter with the Telegraph, joins Seán to discuss.

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss cases involving dodgy doctors!

Foreigners who want to become Irish citizens will face language proficiency tests under proposed new rules. Is this something that is needed?Joining Seán to discuss is Neil Bruton, Director of the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland.

Not only can you have gravy on your dinner, you can wrestle in it too! The World Gravy Championships have been taking place for nearly 20 years in the UK, with this year's event finishing up yesterday.Kay, AKA ‘Granny Granules', has been competing for six years, and joins Seán to discuss how it works!

Today is World Letter Writing Day, and to mark the occasion, Seán is joined by Liz Maguire, creator and curator of FleatmarketLoveLetters.com, to discuss the joys of writing letters!

If you are a regular cook - what is your favourite type of hob? Gas seems to be the choice of the professionals, but apparently, induction is becoming the new norm…Joning Seán to discuss is JP McMahon, Chef, Restaurateur and author.

A British warship and a helicopter designed to hunt submarines have been deployed off the coast of Co Wicklow as part of a security operation surrounding the meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Druids Glen…Joining Seán to discuss this is Conor Gallagher, Crime Correspondent with the Irish Times.

Judy Garland, one of the most celebrated performers of Hollywood's Golden Age and star of the iconic Wizard of Oz, is the subject of a brand-new play, detailing a life cut tragically short.Conor Hanratty, Director of ‘End of the Rainbow', joins Seán to discuss.

Most people might not be aware, but Ireland did revel in the Roaring Twenties.We had burgeoning dance halls, a thriving jazz scene and yes, we even had Irish flappers!Joining Tom Dunne to discuss is Louise Ryan, Professor of Sociology at the University of Greenwich and Co-Editor, with Dr Eileen Hogan of UCC, of ‘Flappers and the Jazz Age: Women and Leisure in Ireland in the 1920s-30s'.

A 70-year-old Irish sailor is preparing to embark on one of the loneliest and most dangerous challenges in world sport. A grandfather from West Kerry, is aiming to complete the 2026 Golden Globe Race, which starts in France on Saturday…Pat Lawless joins to discuss!

Unfortunately, relationships break down every day of the week and heartbreak ensues for many. But, what happens when you share ownership of a four-legged friend? Can shared custody of a dog ever really work?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Yvonne Naughton, owner of Happy Paws Hotel in Kilkenny.

We're looking back on the weekend and looking forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions:What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Maia Dunphy and Donal O'Donoghue!

Dolly Parton always said she never faulted herself for making mistakes, she said failure was a sign of effort and that we are always learning.To discuss further we are joined by Henry McKean.

The burgeoning trade war between the United States and Canada may well catch many Americans short: they use the most toilet paper in the world on average, and while they're manufactured stateside, they're made with Canadian lumber!So, should they cut back on their use, and what is correct toilet paper etiquette?Agnes Boucher Hayes, Home Economist, joins Seán to discuss.

You've heard about drag queens, but what about drag kings? What is the difference?Shani Williams, AKA ‘Slick O' is the Founder of the Irish Drag King Collective and joins Seán to discuss.

It's blackberry season! The still red and green fruits will darken and ripen over the coming weeks and the white, sometimes blush, flowers will form into berries later, prolonging the supply over several autumn months.What is the significance of this season, and will you be going out to pick some?Regina Sexton, UCC Food and Culinary Historian, food writer, broadcaster and cook joins Seán to discuss!

Universal Studios is currently building its first theme park in Europe with a park in Bedfordshire in the UK, and a new announcement for three anime theme parks (including Dragon Ball Z) in Paris has sent shockwaves through theme park fans everywhere.So, why is there such a demand for them?Olivia Fahy, Entertainment journalist and Founder of Press Play joins Seán to discuss!

‘The Meeting on the Turret Stairs' by Wicklow-born Frederic William Burton, which is on display in the National Gallery in Dublin, has gone viral, but why?Joining Seán to discuss this is Frank McNally, Journalist with the Irish Times and Chief Writer of An Irishman's Diary.Image: National Gallery of Ireland

We saw big celebs rock bandanas in the early 90s, and now this simple accessory is back in the spotlight. From necks and wrists to bags and even gym outfits, the Joining Seán to discuss this is Stylist Judy Gilroy.

Why are school jumpers so itchy? Why are shirts tight around the neck? Is this all done on purpose? Many argue that school uniforms should be made more comfortable for children, so why hasn't it happened yet?Niamh O'Reilly, Columnist with the Journal, has been writing about this and joins Seán to discuss.

Have you noticed more people moving to Australia recently? It seems to be a land of opportunity for many, but is life really better down under?Cork man living in New South Wales, Steve Guerrin, joins Seán to discuss.

In 2026 is it still acceptable to be fashionably late in Ireland? Is it ok to be late to a party, but not ok to be late to a restaurant booking? Or is it a time blindness, the inability to understand how fast time is passing and the underestimation of travel times?To discuss further, Seán is joined by Henry McKean!

While much of the coverage of the passing of legendary country singer Dolly Parton will examine her music and philanthropy, it can be too-easily-forgotten that she had a fantastic Hollywood career, from ‘9 to 5' to ‘Steel Magnolias'.Joining Tom Dunne to look back is Film Critic Brian Lloyd.

CAO offers and the end of a sunny summer can make us all ponder our career choices. If you are doing a job you really don't like, and you need to make a dramatic change, where do you start? And does your age preclude you from making that career leap?Joining Tom Dunne to discuss is Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director at Careers Portal.

What is ‘Pheromone Maxxing'? It's the latest dating trend which advises men to stop showering…So, could sweat be the secret to picking up women?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Dr Tristram Wyatt, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford.

Every Wednesday, Cassie Delaney will join to tell unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie joins guest host Tom Dunne to discuss cases where nature played its own part.

People are happy to pay a premium for convenience, whether it's paying a fee to have your groceries delivered or reserving a hotel online instead of calling the hotel directly, but is all this convenience costing us a lot over the course of a year?Joining guest host Tom Dunne to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times…

Sales of push-up bras have been steadily increasing - is this a sign that cleavage is returning to the forefront?Katie Glass, Columnist The Times UK, has been writing about this and joins Seán to discuss.

Paw Patrol is a children's show about talking dogs who rescue people and stop criminals. They're an independent group, who, according to one of the movies, fund their operations with t-shirt sales. Apparently, the public sector can't get the job done, so this private dog outfit has to save the day…So is Paw Patrol secretly capitalist propaganda?Paul Whitington, Cultural Critic, joins Seán to discuss.

We tend to replace our phones every few years, mostly because they're not very friendly to upgrade or repair. This hurts your pocket, and the environment. So, what would a phone built with this in mind look like?The company Fairphone has done just this, building a new, sustainable phone.Joining Seán to discuss is Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly.

Despite the deaths caused by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, they have been given a new weapon: electric shock gloves…Declan Power, Security and defence analyst, joins Seán to discuss.

“I'd also advocate a higher eligible age to get a licence for boys as opposed to girls, for obvious reasons. I'd not let any young man behind the wheel before 25.”Seán O'Grady, Associate Editor at the Independent, has been writing about this, and joins Seán to discuss.

If you're going to Electric Picnic, the weather is not looking good with downpours and thunderstorms being forecasted.So, how should you prepare so you're not drowned out while trying to enjoy the music?Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather joins Seán to discuss!

German politics is under increasing pressure from the far right, but thankfully, there is another option: swinging! A local politician in the city of Mannheim wants to turn it into the go-to place for swingers, but why?James Rothwell, Berlin Correspondent with The Telegraph, joins Seán to discuss.

Forty years ago, a tropical storm that began off the coast of the US travelled across the Atlantic to Ireland, picking up moisture along the way. It became Hurricane Charley, and arrived at the end of an already wet summer. It destroyed homes, cost five people their lives and in Bray, left fish on the road…Noeleen McManus, retired Journalist and Bray resident, joins Seán to discuss.

What side of the bed do you sleep on and why? We are hearing some people in a relationship don't have a side of the bed, and whoever gets in first takes a side. But do you have a side of the bed even if you are single?Henry McKean went to ask bed and sleep experts, and sent in this report.

When the younger kids go back to school in the coming weeks, they will no doubt be taught the skill of cursive writing, but how necessary or important is that today?Dr. Sinead McCauley Lambe from the School of Inclusive & Special Education at DCU joins Seán to discuss.

You have possibly heard the claim that we only use 10% of our brainpower, but how true (or untrue) is that, and what is the potential of the human brain?Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society at Research Ireland joins Seán to discuss.

We're looking back on the weekend and looking forward to the week ahead through the lens of these four questions:What delighted you over the weekend? What annoyed you over the weekend? What did you learn over the weekend? What are you looking forward to this week?Joining Seán to discuss is Maia Dunphy and Susan Daly!

If you've ever been to France, you may have noticed that most things are closed on a Sunday, something Ireland used to be known for. Should every day be a shopping day, or should we return to this concept of a ‘French' Sunday?Joining Seán to discuss is Brenda Power, Barrister and Sunday Independent Columnist.