Highlights from Moncrieff

It is National Black Cat Appreciation Day!Why are some cultures superstitious around black cats, and what is the history behind it?Joining Seán to discuss is Kelly Fitzgerald, Head of the UCD School of Celtic Studies and Folklore.

There's no rest for a bean an tí in the Gaeltacht, but what does it mean to open your home to generations of young people learning and living through the Irish language.Joining Seán to speak about her experience is bean an tí Máire Uí Choilm.

An experimental bullet train in China broke its own world record for acceleration, going from zero to 800km an hour in about five seconds, potentially paving the way for ultra-high-speed transportation.The maglev train accelerated to 800km an hour from rest in just 5.3 seconds on a 1km test-track at the Donghu Laboratory in the Hubei province.Maglev trains use magnetic force to lift the entire train slightly above the tracks, removing associated friction, while a magnetic wave generated by coils around the tracks drives the vehicle forward.So, is this the future for rail transportation, and will we ever see it in Ireland?Joining Seán to discuss is Associate Professor in the UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Dr Paul Cuffe.

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 Donal O'Donoghue!

Compared to other countries, are Irish people lagging behind when it comes to showing affection? Do we tend to keep each other at arm's length?Ceire Sadlier, Contributor with the Irish Times, has been writing about this and joins Seán to discuss.

Rom-coms have always made us believe in the possibility of love and, usually, a happy ending. But, what happens when filmmakers start breaking the rules with the couple not ending up together? Joining John Fardy to speak about this is Cartoonist Luke Healy.

A new survey of 2,000 adults in the UK has found that 38% of men thought that they could qualify for the Olympic Games if they received professional coaching and a strict training regime…Is this a ridiculous fantasy, or could you also compete if you put your mind to it?Enda Murphy, Psychotherapist and author joins John Fardy to discuss.

Is love really about fate and soulmates, or do we create our own “invisible string” through the choices we make?Dating and relationship expert Francis Kelleher joins John Fardy to discuss.

For the first time ever, the Comedy Area at Electric Picnic will take place each day over the festival weekend.One of the many acts who will be performing in the tent is the esteemed Comedian and actor, John Colleary.He joins guest host John Fardy to discuss!

Today is the international day of the 'ciotóg', or left-handed people, known for their creativity, problem-solving skills and unique brain connections. But could our handedness be something we learn rather than something we're born with? A new study suggests hand dominance may develop through practice, challenging what we thought we knew about why some of us become lefties and other righties.Joining John Fardy to discuss is Dr. Natalie Uomini, Scientific Consultant and Editor.

A new community food market is opening in Kildare this month, helping individuals and families make their weekly shop go further. Supported by FoodCloud the project offers affordable groceries while giving people in need a choice and dignity.Joining John Fardy to discuss this is Matt Ryals, Feed Kildare Founder.

As the summer comes to an end, I suspect most of us have been more than delighted with the hot weather, but can bees say the same thing?Beekeepers across the country say their hives are struggling because of the drought.Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss further is Aoife Nic Giolla, Beekeeper who runs Galtee Honey Farm and Founding Member of The Native Irish Honeybee Society.

Have you ever gotten up from a chair with a groan and wondered why you feel ten years older than you should? Well, some people are opting to discover their body's biological age, using epigenetic tests. These tests analyse an individual's DNA to see if they are physically older or younger than their actual age.A range of them are available on the Irish market, so Newstalk Reporter Bairbre Holmes went to find out what they are, and how they work…

Are you feeling burned out at work? You probably aren't alone.A study from 2025 found that job burnout is at 66% - which is an all-time high. So how do we prevent job burnout?Joining guest host John Fardy to discuss is Alison Hodson, Country Director with CIPD.

Learning to swim is more than just a fun activity for children, it's a potentially lifesaving skill. From building water safety and confidence to supporting physical and social development, the benefits can start early.Joining John Fardy to discuss this is Jane Walker, Co-Founder at Happy Cubs.

The birth of the second ever Indian rhino born in Ireland happened on the 13th of July in Fota Wildlife Park in Cork.How did the birth go, and what do the early days of a rhino's life look like?Joining Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Liam McConville, Senior Ranger at Fota Wildlife Park.

The benefits of ‘social' prescribingWhen you visit your GP, you probably expect a prescription for medication, or perhaps a referral to a specialist. But what if you were prescribed a choir, an art class, a dance group? That's the idea behind social prescribing and research suggests it can benefit both our mental and physical health.Joining Fionnuala Jones to talk more about this is Professor of Music Therapy, Dr Hilary Moss.

A new book is looking to support rural heritage by preserving Irish rural sayings!Anne Marie McAleese, Rural Action Board Member and former BBC Radio Ulster Broadcaster joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss!

Every Wednesday, Cassie Delaney will join to tell unusual stories on heinous crimes…This week, Cassie joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss cases where unbelievable twists happened when they went to trial!

What is involved in a ‘silent' retreat, and what are the benefits you can get from it?Broadcaster and Journalist Jane McNamara is back from her third silent retreat, and joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Men carrying handbags? Once seen as distinctly feminine, bags are now being embraced by the likes of Harry Styles, Jacob Elordi, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. From practical crossbody bags to designer totes, men's fashion is changing, but is Ireland ready to leave the old rules of masculinity behind?Laura Jordan, stylist and owner of Style Savvy, joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Whether it's a weekend away with your best friends, a family adventure, or a big escape, group holidays can be some of the most memorable trips we ever take, but they can also come with their fair share of planning, opinions and, occasionally, drama!Joan Scales, Travel Writer and Broadcaster, joins Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

More and more TikTok users are finding upsetting content on the social media app - whether it be about cyberbullying or other issues. Why does the algorithm feed users this type of content?Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Do we not talk about vulva health enough? How important is it to keep on top of?Laura Dowling, known as the Fabulous Pharmacist online, joins Fionnuala Jones to discuss.

Wedding vows are meant to last a lifetime, but more couples are choosing to say them all over again. Whether it's marking a milestone anniversary, celebrating getting through difficult times, or including children who weren't there the first time, vow renewals are growing in popularity.Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss this is Sara Kennedy, Wedding Expert from ‘The Aisle' blog.

‘FOMU', or the fear of messing up, seems to be a growing trend among teenagers. But, what exactly does that mean, and how can we better support our teens?Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and co-host of the ‘Tough Love' podcast.

It's National Lazy Day, but before you dismiss it as an excuse to stay on the sofa, some experts say there's real value in doing less. They argue that "strategic laziness" can boost creativity, improve productivity and help prevent burnout.Joining guest host Fionuala Jones is Malie Coyne, Chartered Clinical Psychologist and author, to explain why.

Wild camping has seemingly grown in popularity here, but what exactly makes it "wild", and how do you go about it in Ireland?Adventurer Derek Cullen joins guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss!

You may not ever admit it, but research shows that most parents have a favourite child. In one study in the UK, up to 74% of mothers and 70% of fathers have been shown to give preferential treatment towards one child over another. It raises the question: is it ever okay to admit you have a favourite child?Joining guest host Fionnuala Jones for more on this is Freelance Journalist and Parenting Columnist with thejournal.ie, Niamh O'Reilly…

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham received criticism for going on holidays 2 weeks after he took the job, but Eoin O'Malley, Associate Professor in Politics at DCU, argues that politicians should be able to take holidays.He joins guest host Fionnuala Jones 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 guest host Fionnuala Jones to discuss is Maia Dunphy and Donal O'Donoghue!

A tiny topless streaker has returned to a model village after a public backlash, but why did this miniature figure spark such debate?Joining Seán to explain is Zoe Stroud, Marketing Executive for Godshill Model Village.

People can surprise you in many ways, your elderly next door neighbour could be into archery, or your normally-boring accountant could go on a naturist holiday every year.We see ourselves differently than others might see us, so why is that?Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, joins Seán to discuss.

Loud chewing, phone use, talking; it's getting difficult to enjoy the film experience because of bad cinema etiquette… So, how did we get here?Joining Seán to discuss is movie reviewer Brian Lloyd.

If underwear has no crotch, is it still underwear? Marks and Spencers are exploring this mystery by selling their own line of crotchless underwear!Laura Mullet, Style Journalist, joins Seán to discuss.

Dog walking services are very common, but the service Sharon Telford offers in Leeds is a bit different: it's a dog bus service!So, how does it work?She joins Seán to discuss!

As you probably know, Donald Trump is expected to visit Ireland next month, mostly to watch golf. Lise Hand argues in the Journal that this is our chance to show the world how good the Irish are at protesting!The Journalist and Broadcaster joins Seán to discuss.

A new Irish documentary film entitled ‘Have You Never Heard of Bill Fuller?' will screen at the IFI from Friday August 7th.Joining Seán to discuss more is Director of the documentary, David Burke.Image: Irish Film Institute

In the Irish Examiner, Psychotherapist Richard Hogan writes about how he gave a store manager a dressing down after he noticed a shop assistant being treated poorly by him. But, do we live in a ruder more ill mannered world where customer service and politeness are gone?Henry McKean spoke to retailers and customers, and sent in this report.

This item will contain reference to sexual assault, may be triggering to some and won't be suitable for little ears.A trial concluded last week where a man was sentenced to seven years in prison for rape. The girl he raped was 15 at the time. During the trial, the dress she wore was produced in court, and she was asked if she was wearing underwear at the time. Rules have changed, but it still seems acceptable to imply that survivors of sexual assault somehow brought it on themselves…Joining Seán to discuss this is Sarah Grace, Solicitor, sexual assault survivor and author of ‘Ash and Salt - From Survival to Empowerment after Sexual Assault'.If you were affected by this topic in any way, help is available.24-Hour National Helpline for the Rape Crisis Centre: 1800 77 8888.

Can sunscreen for apples help farmers fight the effects of climate change?Pat McKeever, owner of Long Meadow Cider Farm, joins Tom Dunne to discuss.

A You Gov survey shows that fewer women are choosing to go topless on Spanish beaches. So, is this a thing of the past, and if so, why?Joining Tom Dunne to discuss is Journalist and novelist Amanda Brunker.