Highlights from Moncrieff

Today is National Bee Day, and there is significant concern about the erosion of our bee population. In ancient Ireland, people took bees quite seriously, and drafted laws and rules about their care. So, why was this, and what did those laws look like?Joining Seán to discuss is Chris Doyle, Lecturer in Ancient and Medieval History, University of Galway.

Should a couple who love each other necessarily live together?If there are issues under one roof, could staying apart save a relationship?Journalist Anna-Louise Dearden 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 interesting crimes involving words!

As you will know, the housing situation in Ireland is pretty dire. So much so, people have been visiting a shrine in Phibsborough dedicated to the ‘housing gods' to improve their chances of getting a home.Alison Byrne, Artist and Glass Maker, created this shrine, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Mulranny Arts

Seán's guest has recently returned from one of the most remote places on the planet, where she had travelled for a holiday in paradise, which soon turned into a nightmare…Rachel Gotto, Grief Coach, Hypnotherapist and Corporate Presenter joins to discuss.

A couple in the UK showcased a bronze cast of their extraordinary furniture made out of trees at the Chelsea Flower Show in London yesterday. They have spent the past two decades growing trees in the shape of chairs, but how does the process work?Joining Seán to discuss is chair maker Gavin Munro…

A large poll carried out by the Guardian has resulted in ‘Middlemarch' being voted the greatest novel ever published in the English language. But, why is it so influential, and how do you go about reading a book that is almost 1,000 pages long?Joining Seán to discuss is novelist Edel Coffey, whose latest novel is entitled ‘In Glass Houses'...

As medical science advances, there's an ever-increasing number of treatments people can receive, which also pertains to the growing treatments animals can avail of.So, what does the veterinary landscape look like in Ireland at the moment?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Stephen Martin, Veterinary Surgeon and a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons.

If you fancy getting yourself a cheaper Ryanair flight - now seems to be the right time with concerns about jet fuel availability, despite Michael O'Leary's assurances.Are these fears founded, or is everything fine? What's the best advice for travel this summer?Joining Seán to discuss is Caitríona Redmond, Consumer Journalist with the Irish Examiner.

It may be time to forget everything you knew about the world, because new figures have shown that France drank more beer than wine last year, a first for the country…Joining Seán to discuss is Naomi O'Leary, Europe Correspondent of The Irish Times and a Presenter on the ‘Irish Passport' podcast.

It's very much the case that most people you see walking out and about will be wearing headphones or earbuds. It may seem like a habit, but for many, it's a necessity.Are you addicted to wearing your headphones? Research in the UK found that a quarter of people have this dependency...Joining Seán to discuss is Pádraig Wilson McCarthy and Newstalk's Meghan O'Halloran.

The human rights situation in Afghanistan has drastically deteriorated since August 2021, when the Taliban reclaimed power.Joining Seán to discuss this is Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan…

Many people have come across the phrase ‘parish pump politics', but what does it mean, and where did it come from?Joining Seán to discuss is Darach Ó Séaghdha, podcaster and author who has a new series, ‘The Journal of 353'.

Did you wake up this morning and think, are you living the life you want to live? Are you doing the job you dreamt about in school and are you in the relationship you want to be in? If not, are you going to do anything about it?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and sent in this report…

The new Changing Ireland Galleries in the National Museum at Collins' Barracks charts the evolution of 20th and early 21st century Ireland through objects. As part of this, there is a section on the extraordinary story of the Irish Sweepstakes, which ran for over 50 years, from its inception by the Freestate Government in 1930. But, what was the point of it, and was it successful in raising much needed funds for hospitals around the country?Joining Seán to discuss is Siobhan Doyle, Curator of Contemporary Irish History with the National Museum...

You do hear a lot about the difficulties pensioners face when it comes to managing their weekly state pension of €299.30.Liam Collins has been writing about his experience attempting to live with this monetary limit in the Irish Independent, and 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 Doireann O'Connor and Lorcan Collins!

At the end of last week, a new festival celebrating the bald community took place in London, but why was it put on, and what does a bald festival look like?Joining Seán to discuss is Jake Massey, Organiser of Bald Fest and Head of Social Media for ‘BLD BRO'...

Would you buy a home that comes with a resident pet?An article in The Times today shows how new homeowners can sometimes purchase a property with a pet included, from a 90-year-old tortoise to some guinea fowl.Whether it be a neighbour's pet or the local wildlife, some properties wind up with unexpected visitors…Clement Herron of Clement Herron Real Estate joins Seán to discuss!

‘RIP.ie Romeo' may have gone too far, but he may have been on to something when it comes to romances formed at sad send-offs…Are funerals a good place to find love?Joining Seán to discuss is Deirdre Reynolds, Columnist with the Independent.

A new survey from Safefood Ireland says many of us are not following the rule of kitchen safety properly. So, what are our worst kitchen hygiene habits?Joining Seán to discuss is Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Leicester.

The 2026 wedding season is approaching. So, whether you're simply a guest or the bride-to-be, what do you need to know so things don't go pear-shaped?For this week's ‘Moncrieff's Wedding Survival Guide', Sean is joined by Wedding Expert, Sara Kennedy, to discuss what to do when things go wrong…

Big hair is returning this week with the second season of ‘Rivals' hitting screens. Should we be looking back to the 1980s for fashion tips?Joining Seán to discuss is Stylist Caroline Downey.

There's long been an issue around the lack of women studying STEM subjects, and by extension, working in those areas. While we hear about efforts to tackle gender equality, are we tackling the wrong problem? That's what Seán's guest has been writing about in The Irish Times.Muireann Lynch, Senior Research Officer in the Economic Analysis division of the Economic & Social Research Institute, joins to discuss.Image: Travel Adaptor

As Gerry ‘The Monk' Hutch prepares for the Dublin Central bye-election, Seán is joined by Newstalk's Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, to look at other notable or quirky people who have contested elections…

Before you reach for the insect repellent on your summer holidays this year, spare a thought for new research from Australia, which shows how bugs experience pain…Joining Seán to discuss is Tom White, an Entomologist from the University of Sydney.

According to a new study, a third of weight shed after fat jabs is lost from muscle and bones. The advice is to do strength training, or you could be at risk of fractures…Newstalk's Henry McKean has been investigating, and sent in this report.

“For today's teenagers, where every activity is organised and structured, the loss of ‘hanging around' for no particular reason has created a gap that no amount of texting or planning can fill…”So writes Colman Noctor, Child Psychologist, in the Irish Examiner. Is it true? Are teenagers missing out?Colman joins Seán to discuss.

Last year, just 213 students from Northern Ireland started university in the Republic, yet thousands went to college in England, Scotland and Wales. Why is there such a discrepancy and should more be done to create more equity between the Leaving Cert and A-Level systems?Joining Seán to discuss is Michael Cairns, the former Head of Comms at the Northern Ireland Assembly and parent who has been writing about this in the Belfast Telegraph…

Not only can ChatGPT help you cheat in a college exam - it might have mystic powers… Why? People seem to be using it for palm readings.Joining Seán to discuss is Ciara O'Brien, Business and Technology Journalist.

Every Wednesday, Seán will be joined by someone to hear unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie Delaney joins to discuss interesting cases which have remained unsolved to this day…

A survey in the UK has found that a majority of people would prefer a ban on smoking in beer gardens, but would a ban in Ireland work?Joining Seán to discuss is Simon Clarke, Director of Forest Ireland.

Nudity on TV doesn't seem to be such a big deal these days, as Commisún na Mean rejected a complaint in relation to a movie aired on RTÉ on a Sunday afternoon, where there was a brief glimpse of a naked woman. So, is the ‘watershed' on TV irrelevant today?Conor Pope is Consumer Affairs Correspondent and Pricewatch Editor, and joins Seán to discuss.

While it is standard for all music festivals to have a medical tent, there is no obligation for them to have a mental health hub on site for struggling revellers, but should there be?Joining Seán to discuss is Mick Ledden, Psychotherapist and CEO of PsyCare…

Ireland is famous for its cheeses nowadays, whereas in the past it was more famous for its butter offering, but how do you go about actually making a new Irish cheese? Seán's guest has been trying exactly this, using the milk from her herd.Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Journalist and an organic beef and dairy farmer at Tory Hill House in Limerick, joins to discuss.

Seán's guest has written a mystery novel - the twist? The titular detective is losing his eyesight, and so is his writer.Author of ‘Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit' Tom McAndrew joins to discuss the book, which releases today.

Tonight is the 70th anniversary of Eurovision in Vienna. It's the first of the two semi-finals, with the final on Saturday. However, 5 countries are boycotting it because of Israel's continued participation, including Ireland. RTÉ will not air it and instead will show the ‘My Lovely Horse' episode of Father Ted. The creator of the sitcom, Graham Linehan, isn't happy and says using his show is a tool of “antisemitic harassment”...To discuss further, Seán is joined by Eurovision fan, Newstalk's Henry McKean.Image: Channel 4

There may be a particular meal that you may fondly associate with a relative, and when they pass, that recipe can be lost forever…Joining Seán to discuss ‘Food Bereavement' is Sophie White, Journalist and author.

It was 100 years ago this month when Eamon de Valera split from Sinn Féin to set up Fianna Fáil...Joining Seán to discuss is Stephen Kelly, Professor of Modern Irish History at Liverpool Hope University…

One of the ways the war in Ukraine has impacted Europe is an increase in defense spending, particularly with companies in Germany. So, what does that defense increase look like, and how prepared is Europe from a potential Russian invasion?Joining Seán to discuss this is James Rothwell, Berlin Correspondent with The Telegraph…

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 Doireann O'Connor and Lorcan Collins!

Driving anxiety is a condition that affects women more than men, but is it something that can be overcome with the right help?Seán's guest had a traumatic experience on the M50 twenty years ago that eventually inspired her to take action. Now, she is helping others. Kathleen Comerford is a RSA Driving Instructor and Creator of the Overcome Your Fear of Driving Programme, and joins to discuss.