Moncrieff Highlights

It's that time of year again where we're pulling our woolly jumpers out of the attic ready for another winter.You may be finding that your warm layers have been attacked by moths in the meantime, but instead of throwing them away and buying more fast fashion, there are easy ways to repair things in your wardrobe...Kim O'Driscoll is the Founder of the Prolong Project, and joins Seán to discuss.

Do we need to start teaching our young people about the advantages of AI? With the way the world is going, these could be valuable career deciding skills.Jean Noonan, a part of Digital Business Ireland Advisory Council, and an Assistant Lecturer in the School of Business Technology, Retail, and Supply Chain at TU Dublin, thinks just that. She joins Seán to discuss

Today, we sent Henry McKean down the Marble Arch Caves in county Fermanagh to experience a sound bath for the first time, with thanks to discovernorthernireland.com. Henry lay on a yoga mat deep underground with water rushing through, and sent this report!

Do you have what it takes to be cool, and can you fake it until you make it?Writing in the Guardian, Journalist Elle Hunt gave it a shot, and joins Seán to discuss.

An Irish Neuroscientist has been speaking out about the link between loneliness and dementia.In Ireland, CSO figures show that in 2024, 5.6% of 16-24 year olds said they felt lonely “most or all of the time”.This is approximately 80% higher than those aged over 65…Dr. Sabina Brennan is a Psychologist, Neuroscientist and host of the Super Brain podcast, as well as author of ‘Still Me'.She joins Seán to talk about why loneliness carries profound implications for brain health, and even heightens the risk of dementia…

Steven Moore, a familiar name and face for many of antique lovers, has released a book entitled ‘The Stuff of History', a curated compendium of curious objects and forgotten people.Steven joins Seán to discuss!

Ide O'Carroll is a Social Researcher, author, and former teacher who undertook a 30-year project for her latest book.In this unique book, we hear from Irish women who stayed living on the island, who did not emigrate, describe their lives and perspectives on a dramatically changed social context from the 1990s to 2023.‘Thirty Years of Change Through Women's Eyes' releases officially tomorrow, and Ide joins Seán to discuss.

What makes a word a ‘taboo', and what power do these words hold?Research conducted by experts across 17 countries and in 13 different languages aimed to explore just that.The study found there is an intrinsic link between a country's culture and its swear words, and that the type of taboo words reported can be indicators to the social hierarchies present in that country.Simone Sulpizio, Psychology Professor at the University of Milano-Bicocca and lead author of the study joins Seán to discuss.

Fossil remains of Ireland's only known dinosaurs will go on public display for the first time ever.The exhibition will take place at UCC's Glucksman Gallery next month and will feature over 250 real fossils and over five tonnes of material.The exhibition will merge science with art and creativity to bring Ireland's dinosaur age to life.To discuss more, Seán is joined by Professor of Palaeontology at University College Cork, Maria McNamara.Image: UCC

Do you have skills that you think would help a charity organisation?Or have you always thought about volunteering but never got around to it?In this country, there is much fascination in terms of boards and what it takes to be appointed to one, but actually there is a whole voluntary sector relying on people to come forward with their time and expertise...Eva Gurn is the Chief Executive Officer at Boardmatch Ireland, and joins Seán to discuss.

Ireland is facing a geopolitical choice that is pulling us in two different directions.We are not just witnessing a drift in the Transatlantic Alliance, but its collapse. This poses acute dangers for Ireland.Ben Tonra is Full Professor of International Relations at the UCD School of Politics and International Relations. He joins Seán to discuss exactly what this means, and where we go from here.

The shortlist for this year's Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has been announced. But, what is it about these photographs that captures people's imagination and actually helps conservation efforts?Joining Seán to discuss is Paul Joynson Hicks, Founder of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards…Image: Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

With the clocks wound back an hour over the weekend, the days are getting darker, and so is our mood.Seasonal affective disorder is not a myth, and people are increasingly noticing it affecting their day-to-day lives…To overcome the bleakness of the winter months, we are also more likely to reach for a drink in the evenings. But, what happens when alcohol meets seasonal depression, and what are the risks?To discuss, Seán is joined by Travel Writer and Health & Wellness Coach, Sinéad Kennedy…

Nearly every day, you see headlines of rising property prices and the lack of supply of homes for people to buy and live in, but at the same time, in the last twelve months there have now been more first-time buyers granted mortgages than since the height of the Celtic Tiger in 2007.So, what is the reality for people looking to buy for the first time, and is it really as hard as everyone says it is?Sean Corbett from Sys Mortgages deals with this day in and day out, and joins Seán to discuss.

If sci-fi writers are to be believed, we're only a few years away from a world in which some, or even most, of our friends are artificial. Some might say that a lot of us are there already.But, what is it like to try to make friends with an AI?Madeleine Aggeler is Lifestyle and Wellness Reporter for Guardian US, and joins Seán to discuss.

This day next week, world leaders will gather in the city of Belem on the banks of the Amazon to start the Cop30 climate negotiations.And though a scientific consensus on the realities of climate change has been established for quite some time, a political consensus seems as far off as ever, thanks in no small part to the government of Donald Trump…But, what can the rest of the world do to avoid catastrophe in the face of US opposition and obstruction?Eamon Ryan is the former Leader of the Green Party, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

As we prepare to turn back the clocks this weekend, you might be surprised to discover the history of Daylight Savings Time and how it all began during World War One. Joining me now to discuss this is David Malone, Professor in Maths and Statistics at Maynooth University...

The Booker Prize has announced that, for the very first time, they will be including a category for Children's Fiction, with authors eligible to win fifty thousand pounds in prize money from 2027.Author Sarah Webb joins Seán to discuss this.

When approaching a milestone birthday, many of us do take time to reflect on life and maybe plan something special to celebrate. For most seventy year olds, it could be a party or a big cruise ship, but for Gail Rice she wanted more... so she decided to hire an escort!Gail, who is a Registered Psychologist in the process of writing her memoir, joins Seán to discuss.

What makes a culchie, and is there such a thing as culchie culture? Writer and Irish Times journalist Patrick Freyne has been musing on this matter and joins Seán to discuss.

More than 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs in New Jersey are up for grabs on Facebook Marketplace.It follows the imminent closure of the Field Station: Dinosaurs theme park in New Jersey in three weeks' time.Opened in 2012 by dinosaur enthusiast Guy Gsell, the park has attracted thousands of children and adults along its adventure trails, theme shows and workshops.From as little as $700, you can buy your very own scientifically accurate dino, that can move and even roar.To discuss, Executive Producer of the theme park, Guy Gsell, joins Seán.

While the men's shed concept has been an enormous success around the country, there is now a growing trend for women's sheds, but what's the difference and would it make sense just to join them up?Joining Seán to discuss is RoseMarie Dempsey, Chairperson of Clonakilty Women's Shed…

You have probably seen ads for hair care products that make huge promises, with ingredients you've never heard of. What should you actually do with your hair, and what separates hair care fact from fiction?Joining Seán to discuss is Claire Fulham, Tricologist, and owner of Trua Tricology Clinic.

As the wrecking ball eviscerated the East Wing of the White House this week, concern is growing about Trump's plans for the historic compound.Joining Seán to discuss is Niall Palmer, Senior Lecturer in U.S. Politics at Brunel University in London…Image: Reuters

The former British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg recently shared a story of his first day working at Meta. He told employees not to bring their 'authentic self' to work - an apparent joke that did not go down well. But, is there a point to this? Should you leave your authentic self at home?Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

You might have spent hours raking leaves this week, but from an environmental perspective, should we even touch the fallen leaves?Dr Michelle McKeown is an Environmental Geographer at University College Cork, and she joins Seán to discuss.

A new film on Gerry Adams' life has hit the silver screen in Irish cinemas.‘Gerry Adams: A Ballymurphy Man', created and produced by Trisha Ziff, aims to recapture the life of the former Sinn Féin President.Filmmaker Trisha Ziff is based in Mexico and has previously created films on the Spanish Civil War and Che Guevara.She spent over five years working on this movie with Gerry Adams and a mostly Mexican crew, with a vision to give Adams a ‘simple platform' to retell his story.She joins Seán to discuss.Image: Wildcard Distribution

Next summer, you may have a teenager in the house worried sick over their Leaving Cert results. If that's the case, you can tell them about Séamus Boland.Séamus dropped out of school at 13, and today is the incoming President of the European Economic and Social Committee. He joins Seán to discuss his journey.

With a ceasefire ongoing in Gaza, there are questions asked as to why the conflict in Sudan has been largely ignored... So, what is next on the world's moral compass, and as the humanitarian crisis deepens, just why should focus turn to Sudan?Senior Reporter with the Guardian Mark Townsend has been reporting on the situation, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

Do you know how to identify a deepfake video?With AI technology now so advanced, the chances are that you have fallen for something online which actually is not real...With a fake video circulating online of Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly purporting to withdraw from the election, attention has turned to what role these videos play...Host of the ‘For Tech Sake Podcast', Elaine Burke, joins Séan to discuss.

Some of us are night owls, some of us are early birds. But, is it better to be one or the other, can you change your circadian rhythm, and why does this division even exist in the first place?Professor Andrew Coogan is a Behavioural Neuroscientist and Director of the Chronobiology and Sleep Research Laboratory at Maynooth University. He joins Seán to discuss.

Dr. Neil Kenny, Associate Professor and researcher at the School of Inclusive and Special Education at DCU joined Sean to chat about the progress being made in diagnosing and understanding autism.

An Irish academic has become the first person since the 19th century to translate the dialogues of Plato. Dr. David Horan, Trinity College Dublin Academic of Philosophy, joined Sean on the show to discuss his work

Did you know that Parks are where many people in China are finding love? Sean was joined by Mairead Loughman Matchmaker at Love HQ Matchmaking to discuss.

Author of ‘The Hypocrisy Trap', Michael Hallsworth, chatted to Sean about his new book

Sean was joined by, Dr Sarah Cleary, Horror consultant and writer of the myth of harm, to discuss whether the Gen Z generation abhors horror movies

Sean was joined by Valesca Lima Assistant professor at Dublin City University, researching housing policy and governance, to discuss the need for greater protection for those living in informal rent arrangements

The fragility of the Gaza ceasefire was all too evident over the weekend, and it's just the latest incident in the seemingly interminable conflict that has afflicted the beleaguered region since most of us can remember.But, has it always been like this?William Dalrymple is Historian and Co-Host of the ‘Empire Podcast', which is currently running a series on the History of Gaza. He joins Seán to discuss…Image: Reuters

Seven minutes is all it took for thieves to steal “priceless” jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris, but now as the hours go by - what are the chances of ever recovering these pieces?Christopher A. Marinello, Esq is a Lawyer and Founder of Art Recovery International. He joins Seán to discuss.

Should we be teaching personal finance in school?Experiences shared by people looking back on their school days reveal that most students of business and economics were still not financially literate, and clueless on basic topics such as salaries and pensions…Joining Seán to discuss is Personal Finance Journalist and Presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk, Sinead Ryan.

In an interview this weekend, Colin Farrell described his forties as his most meaningful and beautiful decade.For most people, what is the best decade, or even year, of their life? Or should we even think about our lives in that way?Newstalk's Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

A new service has launched which allows you to see the world like an astronaut. With three cameras installed on the International Space Station, you can now watch live footage of the Earth from 400km high.Joining Seán to discuss this is Charles Black, Founder of Sen…