Moncrieff Highlights

We spend a third of our lives in bed, but are we choosing the right mattress?Experts say the wrong one can affect everything from sleep quality to daily wellbeing…Joining Seán is Pam Stone, CEO of Respa Beds, to discuss how to get it right.

We're all being encouraged to upgrade our homes to make them more sustainable, but with new windows, solar panels and insulation, it can get expensive…SEAI grants are available, but they come with many conditions and require the homeowner to pay a lot up front. At least, that's the view of some people.So, how difficult is it to get one of these grants, and is it worth the effort?Joining Seán to discuss is Peter Finn, AKA Pete the Builder, Presenter of ‘Home Rescue' and the ‘Behind the Walls' podcast.

A new collection of short stories by Irish writers continues the tradition of this particular format of fiction being a particularly strong medium for writers in this country.Joining Seán to discuss is Christopher Morash, Professor of Irish Writing at Trinity College and Editor of ‘Irish Stories', who put the anthology together...

A massive bank heist in Germany has left thousands of customers devastated after thieves emptied over 3,000 safety deposit boxes during a Christmas break-in.With millions potentially stolen, victims have lost not just money, but valuables and peace of mind. It's raising serious questions about bank security and protection.Joining Seán to discuss is Kate Connolly, Journalist with the Guardian.

Meet Micheál Fitzgerald, who has built a spaceship in a barn on a farm in East Cork. As first reported in the Irish Examiner, the realistic spaceship has been used as a set in films, and the Star Wars labour of love looks just like the real thing - which Micheál started to build back in 2019.Henry Mckean blasted off to space, and sent in this report…

While the debate around excessive screen use is often framed around children being out of control and addicted to their devices, Seán's guest takes a different view…It's the parents who are addicted to outsourcing their own caregiving responsibilities.Joining to discuss is Newstalk's Simon Tierney, who has been writing about this in the Irish Times.

At the Masters golf championships, it's traditional that the reigning champion chooses the menu for one of the dinners. Rory McIlroy chose elk as one of the meats on offer, but how do you cook that?Joining Seán to discuss is author and TV Chef Brian McDermott.

A new university project showcases an online collection of messages sent between Ireland and America in the 1900s.Joining Seán to discuss this is Breandán MacSuibhne, Historian of Modern Ireland and Director of the University of Galway's Imirce Project.

It's been over a year on since the LA Fires, which killed over 30 people and destroyed over 18,000 homes and structures and displaced around 200,000 people…How are LA communities doing a year on, and are they getting back to normal and rebuilding or facing unforeseen struggles? Henry McKean has visited one of the worst affected parts of LA and joins Seán to discuss.

A new scientific study has revealed that having regular hot baths can boost your performance as a long distance runner.Joining Seán to discuss is Elliott Jenkins, a PhD Candidate in Exercise Physiology at Cardiff Metropolitan University…

Seán's guest spent time yesterday speaking to an Oireachtas committee about the need for greater and more extensive resources for oral immunotherapy for children with allergies.Joining to discuss is Sheila Downes, from Allergy Action Ireland…

Fashion might feel fast and unpredictable, but research suggests it actually runs on a cycle. A study highlighted by Rhys Blakely in The Times supports the idea that trends tend to come back roughly every 20 years.By analysing over a century of clothing data, researchers found styles like hemlines rise and fall in a kind of rhythm, meaning what's out today could easily be back in fashion tomorrow. Even in today's fast-moving, social media-driven world, the takeaway is simple: don't throw it out just yet.Joining Seán to discuss is Cathy O'Connor, Fashion Stylist.

While the focus of the world is on Iran, another casualty of this war is Lebanon, who is also being attacked by Israel.Fianna Fáil MEP & Chair of the Development Committee at the European Parliament Barry Andrews arrived from Beirut this morning, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

Every Wednesday, Podcaster Cassie Delaney will join Seán to share some unusual stories on heinous crimes.This week, Cassie joins to discuss multiple cases, including the story of a postman that went missing on Christmas Day…

You can't move for the tulips in florists and supermarkets around the country at the moment, but what are the best tips to make them last longer in a vase?Joining Seán to discuss is JP Tanner, owner of Arbour Blooms in Dublin…

With the housing crisis, there is the school of thought that we should embrace apartment living, but it seems like we're hard wired into wanting a house with a garden.Fionnuala May, Architect with Fingal County Council and President of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has been living in an apartment in Mountjoy Square for over 40 years and has raised a family there. She joins Seán to discuss.

A theory that has been contentious for hundreds of years is that there were actually two Patricks, whose stories have been conjoined into the St Patrick we celebrate today....but what evidence is there for this? Dr Chris Doyle, Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Galway, joined Sean Moncrieff on the show to discuss.

TV Reviewer James Dempsey joined Seán Moncrieff for the weekly TV review slot, TV on the Radio…

Baywatch is coming back! We are being promised more sun, sand and slow-motion running on the beach.Newstalk reporter Henry McKean spoke with Matt Nix, the reboot's showrunner and executive producer, as well as Greg Bonann, co-creator of the original series and executive producer of the new show, to get a taste of what's to come.

My next guest recently travelled to the Arctic island of Svalbard to deposit some very important Irish documents relating to Guinness in a secure vault. Eibhlin Colgan, Archive Manager with Guinness, joined Sean Moncreiff on the show.

With the many risks that smartphones pose to children, more and more parents are giving their kids ‘child-safe' smartwatches. The smartwatches allow parents to stay in contact with their child while also delaying access to social media until a more appropriate age. Are smartwatches a viable alternative to smartphones? Is it necessary to always be in contact with your child? Ciara O'Brien, Technology correspondent for the Irish Times, joined Sean Moncrieff on the show to discuss some of the best models on the market, and whether purchasing a smartwatch is advisable.

Newly invented sports have been making headlines recently, mainly due their simple and even stupid nature. Joining Sean Moncrieff on the show to discuss sports such as ‘RunNation', where two burly men run into each other with the goal of knocking the other down, is sports journalist with Off the Ball, Cameron Hill.

Crying is something every human being does, yet many of us still feel embarrassed or apologetic when it happens. From childhood, people are often taught to see tears as a sign of weakness or losing control. But psychologically, crying is a natural and healthy human response. We see it even on the biggest stages in the world actors and actresses last night were standing on stage at the Oscars, overwhelmed with emotion and crying as they accepted an award. So why do we cry, what purpose do tears serve, and why do we still carry so much shame around them? Dr Marie Murray, Psychologist & Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology, UCD joined Sean Moncreiff on the show.

Last year Pixar released a film called ‘Elio', which had controversy when an apparent LGBT storyline was taken out. Pixar's Chief Creative Officer defended the decision by saying “Elio is not making therapy”.Joining Seán to discuss this is Ruadhán Ó Críodáin, Executive Director of ShoutOut.

Have you ever gone to a céilí in your togs? Well, the Aqua Céilí has been held at the Sean McDermott Street Pool in Dublin for the past four years.But how exactly does it work?Kate Beggy, Swim Teacher and Executive at Gael Linn joins Seán to discuss.

Earlier this week, the 2026 edition of the annual Wife Carrying Race took place in Surrey in England. But how does it work, and why would someone want to carry their wife competitively?Joining Seán to discuss is Ian Giles, Race Director of the annual Wife Carrying Race…

In France, there's a new variant on speed dating: prospective couples are armed with cards, each with their favourite sexual fantasies.Is this a healthy approach to take with a person you just met?Emily Power Smith, Clinical Sexologist and Sex Therapist joins Seán to discuss.

If you've watched Louis Theroux's new documentary on the dark side of the ‘manosphere' - it's pretty depressing stuff. So where can men go to find some more positive role models?Patrick Freyne, Features Writer Irish Times, has been exploring some role models from the past, and joins Seán to discuss.

Concern is growing for the large number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in Iran, after the famed Golestan Palace was damaged in bombing over the past few days. Joining Seán is a man from an organisation which seeks to protect sites of cultural heritage in conflict zones.Professor Peter Stone is the President of the Blue Shield and joins to discuss.

A statue of Trump and Epstein, in a ‘Jack and Rose' pose from Titanic, has mysteriously appeared on the National Mall in Washington DC. So, what's going on here?Joining Seán to discuss is Joe Heim, Reporter for the Washington Post…

Surprise surprise, it's lashing rain again, which means potential flooding to homes and businesses. A new study has found that there is a mental health aspect: flooding can cause depression and PTSD.Joining Seán to discuss is Dr Ashling Bourke, Associate Professor at Dublin City University (DCU) and co-author of the study…

There is a perception that a migraine simply means a bad headache and sensitivity to light, but it can be much more than that.Catherine Hearns experienced her first episode after the birth of her second son, and was eventually diagnosed with a rare form of migraine: hemiplegic migraine.She joins Seán to discuss.If anything in this segment has affected you, help is available. You can freephone Pieta House's 24 hour helpline at 1800 247 247 or text 'HELP' to 51444.

One of the fastest drummers in the world only has one arm. What he has achieved with a specially designed prosthesis has given him a new lease of life.Joining Seán to discuss is Jason Barnes from Atlanta, Georgia…

The sudden increase in the price of fuel in the last week shows how vulnerable our island can be due to events in other parts of the world. The same applies to food, and despite us being able to produce much of it, Ireland's food security is quite fragile. This week, one of the country's major carrot producers decided to cease production.Seán is joined by Michael Kelly, Founder of GIY to discuss.

A doctor in London has successfully removed the prostate from a patient 2,400km away in Gibraltar using a robot.Joining Seán to discuss is Prokar Dasgupta, a Professor of Urology who heads The London Clinic's Robotic Centre of Excellence…

Seventeen titles in a row, but he says he hates the taste of the stuff. One man in Hampshire has dominated the World Watercress Eating Championships for nearly two decades, even though he admits he dreads the event every year. Now, he's preparing to return once again in a bid for an eighteenth title…Glenn Walsh joins Seán to discuss.

Every Wednesday, Podcaster Cassie Delaney will join Seán to share some unusual stories on heinous crimes.This week, Cassie joins to discuss the case of Carol Sue Elvaker, who killed her son-in-law after she was convinced to do it by a Ouija board...

The EU has introduced a new Order of Merit award. But who are the Irish people listed, and do we need this sort of honours system at all? Joining Seán to discuss is John O'Brennan, Professor of European Politics at Maynooth…

Some people try to avoid them entirely, but many cinemagoers enjoy watching trailers ahead of the movie to get a sense of upcoming releases. You could argue that trailers are an artform in themselves, but how have they evolved over the years?Joining Seán to discuss is Film Critic Esther McCarthy.

There used to be a time when you were refused entry to wear runners, but now you can get funny looks for wearing ‘proper' shoes. Plus, they've become less common in the office.So, should we return to the dress shoe?Joining Seán to discuss is Louis Copeland, owner of Louis Copeland and Sons.

When Gerry Adams arrived at the Royal Courts of Justice yesterday for a civil case, he appeared to be wearing a bulletproof vest, but how do they work? Do they actually protect the wearer from bullets?Joining Seán to discuss is Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst…

Do you put eggs in the fridge? Should you put milk in the door of your fridge? How do you know what the correct method is?Joining Seán to discuss is Agnes Bouchier-Hayes from the Technological University of the Shannon.