Moncrieff Highlights

A traditional Irish basket for collecting harvested onions had been lost to history, until Seán's guest managed to recreate one so accurately that it is now being celebrated by those in Kerry who remember the original.Joining to discuss is Diane Southey from Saille Baskets in Kerry...

Do you make the effort when you are abroad to speak the language?Even just a ‘gracias' or ‘merci' can go a long way.So, are we good at attempting to speak another language (despite mispronouncing the words) or do we end up just increasing our volume in English?Travel Writer Joan Scales joins Seán to discuss.

Who are you?When someone asks you that question what first springs to mind? Your nationality? Your job? Your sexual orientation? Your religion?How useful are these concepts in actually describing us, and should we even be identifying as any of these things?Alexander Douglas is the Author of ‘Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self'. He joins Seán to discuss.

‘One bill per table' - that's the new rule being rolled out across all restaurants in Mallorca to stop tourists bickering over the bill and wasting staff time.Surely splitting the bill can't be that hard for restaurants, or can it?Chef and Restaurateur in Galway, JP McMahon, joins Seán to discuss.

Seán's guest used to be a pilot with a major airline before he developed ‘eco-anxiety', causing him to quit flying. He now features in a new documentary entitled ‘Guilt Trip'.George Hibberd joins to discuss.

You may be aware that the Taoiseach was on a state visit to Japan last week.What you may not know is that Japan has something of a thriving community of traditional Irish musicians, who are indigenous Japanese, with no ancestral ties to Ireland.Rieko Yamashita is the Chair of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann Japan, and joins Seán to discuss.Image: John John Festival

What can philosophy teach us? And just how can applying philosophical logic help when assessing major news stories and global conflict?Co-Founder of Hear Listen, a community based philosophy project, Dr Robert Grant joins Seán to discuss.

Nora O'Connor has been the Postmistress in Ballyduff in Kerry since 1984, after her family ran the post office there since the 1860s when the Penny Black was first introduced. This month, the doors have finally been closed for the last time.Nora joins Seán to discuss.Image: Google Maps

Whether it's been tucked away and forgotten about, or left to you through inheritance - the humble attic could be containing treasures right above your noses!Joining Seán to discuss is Sara Kenny, owner of Sara Kenny Fine Art.

Does the price of barbecue food go up when the weather is good? And should you be stocking up on certain household items at particular times of year?With the cost of groceries continuing to go up, people are feeling the pinch now more than ever.Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Caitriona Redmond, joins Seán to discuss.

While over a million Irish people emigrated to the UK during the 20th century, the narrative over these people's experiences varies, with the mythology surrounding the ‘No blacks, no dogs, no Irish' signs often contributing to the way we perceive this great migration. But, is there any evidence that these signs actually ever existed?Joining Seán to discuss is Journalist Michael Murphy, who has been writing about this for the Daily Telegraph…

Getting an ingrown toenail during the summer can be a real pain, if you want to be in sandals and flip flops during the good weather. So, how do you prevent one, and what can be done if it's too late?Joining Seán to discuss is Podiatrist Niall Donaghue, from the Cure Spa Clinic in Dublin, who has all the grisly details…

Last week saw Ireland's long-awaited Defamation Bill passed in both the Dáil and the Seanad.However, not everyone is satisfied that the bill is sufficient to prevent so-called SLAPP cases and therefore to protect free speech.Jessica Ní Mhainín is Head of Policy and Campaigns at Index on Censorship. She joins Seán to discuss.

Every so often you'll spot those headlines about derelict homes going for one euro in Italy, and you might ask yourself if the dream matches the reality. However, some people who do the scheme end up spending far more money, so what does life in rural Italy really look like?Stephanie Woods Barry, who runs a travel instagram @stephmylife bought in Abruzzo with her husband, and she joins Seán to discuss her experience.

1,500 illegally traded tarantulas were recently seized by officials in Cologne Bonn airport. But, how dangerous are tarantulas, and are they still popular as a pet? Joining Seán to discuss is Michel Dugnon, Principal Investigator of the Venom System Lab at the University of Galway…

In an upcoming talk at the Sugar Club in Dublin on August 20th, Dr Shane Cassidy, a Music Therapist and Director of Neurolinks, will discuss how music can be used to help people with neurological conditions. But, what exactly is the link between the brain and music?Dr Cassidy joins Seán to discuss.

Is Trump really a madman, or is he simply following in the footsteps of Richard Nixon and acting out the Madman Theory in International diplomacy?Joining Seán to discuss this is Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame, Michael Desch.Image: Reuters

There are calls for the government to follow through on the promises made to ensure marine preservation and the protection of our ocean environments.It is vital for marine life to be protected and for more on this, Seán is joined by Ecologist Pádraic Fogarty...

With cars relying more and more on touchscreen technology, is there a growing safety concern, and is it time to return to good old-fashioned buttons?Joining Seán to discuss is Ger Herbert, Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Sunday Independent…

While you might be scared of spiders yourself, you probably don't want to pass this fear onto your kids, so how do you manage the transfer of phobias?Joining Seán to discuss is Rebecca Quinn, Principal Psychologist at the Tree House Practice in Dublin…

What age are we at our happiest, and does it surprise you that happiness can dip in your mid-forties, especially in women?Newstalk's Henry McKean has been happily investigating, and joins Seán to discuss.

When Seán's guest moved into his flat in the middle of Temple Bar in 1996, this historic and recently regenerated part of Dublin was a bohemian and cultural mecca. Frank MacDonald has been writing in the Irish Times about how it transformed into a very different beast over the decades, forcing him to sell up and move out of the city altogether.He joins to discuss…

Almost anyone who grew up in Ireland will have encountered the poetry of WB Yeats at some point in their education. His brother, Jack B Yeats, was an acclaimed painter who took home Ireland's first ever Olympic medal, winning the silver for art in 1924.But, they weren't the only siblings in the Yeats family, nor were they the only Yeats children to be highly acclaimed.Lyndsey McDougall is a Singer with New Pagans and Art History lecturer at Ulster University. She joins to discuss.Image: Trinity College Dublin

With most countries' highest recorded temperatures having occurred in the 21st century, Ireland is very unusual. Ours occurred in the 19th century, a record that still stands 140 years later.Joining Seán to discuss is John O'Sullivan, from the Climate Services Division of Met Éireann...

Filmmaker and Writer Neil Jordan joins Sean ahead of his appearance at the West Cork Literary Festival to talk about his career, memoir, and the ever-changing film industry.Neil Jordan is in conversation on Monday July 14th at 8.30pm in The Maritime Hotel in Bantry. For tickets and more information go to www.westcorkmusic.ie/literary-festival/.

Tennis fans watching Wimbledon in the last week will have been up in arms at the issues with the AI electronic line calling system which was brought in for the first time for this year's tournament.With players and spectators suitably annoyed after high profile malfunctions in the last number of days, Host of the For Tech's Sake podcast, Elaine Burke, joins Seán to explain exactly what is going on, and just why new technology is not always reliable…

There has been much discussion about who the next President may be, and who will put their name in the hat, but as part of this year's Galway International Arts Festival, they have curated an exhibition looking back at current President Michael D Higgins - and all he has done in public life.For more on this, Seán is joined by Artistic Director of the Galway Arts Festival, Paul Fahy…Image: Galway Arts Festival

As the Irish summer is finally here with temperatures reaching a possible 30 degrees, we sent Henry McKean to try and find the best and biggest ice cream. He visited Curran's Service Station Ross Cross on the Old Dublin to Navan Road, near Tara County Meath, who sell foot-long 99s for €3.30. He sent this report.

It's much more common for people to decide not to have children than it would have been even a few decades ago, but still there are plenty of people who might try to dissuade from such a course of action.A major consideration is loneliness in older age and in something that our next guest addresses in her new book.Helen Taylor is the author of ‘Childless by Choice: The Meaning & Legacy of a Childfree Life'. She joins Seán to discuss.

Getting a dog is a massive life decision, and while people may go into it with the best of intentions, the reality of providing a good home for a pet can be quite different.One of the so-called stars from Made in Chelsea this week revealed that he had decided to rehome his dog because his lifestyle as an influencer was too busy for the pup he had brought into his life. This raised valid criticism from fans and followers...But, practically speaking, what is the process to rehome a pet given there are situations where it may no longer be possible to keep a dog?Seán is joined by Maciej Trojanowicz, Rehoming Centre Manager with Dog's Trust, to discuss…

New guidelines that will lift restrictions on apartment sizes and the number of one-bedroom units allowed in a development have been before Cabinet this week, as the Irish government seeks to tackle the housing crisis.Ireland is by no means the only European Government struggling with this issue, but is lowering the cost for developers a good way to solve the problem, and why are we seeing housing crises across the western world? Tim White is Research fellow at Queen Mary University of London and the London School of Economics, and joins Seán to discuss.

The Independent Covid Evaluation Panel aims to understand the extent of the damage from the Covid-19 pandemic, and take those learnings for advice on preparation for the next potential epidemic. So, what has been learned?Nat O'Connor, Assistant Professor of Social Policy in UCD and a member of the Independent Covid Evaluation Panel has been writing about this in the Irish Examiner, and joins Seán to discuss.

Are you a gym bunny who loves sweaty high intensity classes with a group, or are you a marathon-loving running loner?New research published by experts at University College London has found that your personality type influences what exercise workouts you prefer.So, does it add up? Fitness Coach and Comedian Enya Martin joins Seán to discuss.

Is your summer holiday booked, and will you be travelling through Dublin Airport in a bid to escape Ireland for a break away abroad?Given record passenger numbers, Aer Lingus have suggested that travellers drop their bags the night before to avoid long queues when checking in luggage... but, how is the airport coping with so many people during this exceptionally busy period?Spokesperson for Dublin Airport, Graeme McQueen, joins Seán to discuss.

Huge crowds converged on Croke Park over the weekend to witness the spectacle that is the All Ireland Hurling semi-finals.Hurling is much loved here and is starting to gain exposure abroad as well with the BBC showing the matches live, but for most of us, it is something to be watched rather than played.Hurling requires a very specific skillset that can take years to master, but former Wexford hurling captain Diarmuid Lyng is trying to re-connect people with the joy of actually taking part in one of the ancient aspects of our cultural heritage by engaging them in wild hurling.So, what is wild hurling?Diarmuid Lyng joins Seán to discuss.

You're probably aware that pornography is having a major impact on our culture and sexual practices.There are many sinister elements to this, but among the most worrying is the prevalence of violent sexual practices among young people, in particular, strangulation.So, is it time for a blanket ban on so-called ‘choking porn'?Ruth Breslin is the Director of The Sexual Exploitation Research and Policy Institute. She joins Seán to discuss.

The community in Castlebridge, Co. Wexford, a town of 2,000 people, is currently campaigning to get their first playground. But, why is it such a struggle, and do we need a new approach in Ireland, so that we see playgrounds as a necessity rather than a privilege?Joining Seán to discuss is local mother and campaigner Lucie Revay, who comes originally from the Czech Republic…

With many of the biggest musical acts in the world being solo women, we were told earlier in the year to prepare for “Pop Girl Summer”.But, it appears that some of the Irish music festivals don't seem to have gotten the memo…Aoife Barry is a Freelance Journalist and Arts Columnist with the Sunday Times. She joins Seán to discuss.

Being homeless is undoubtedly a terrible experience, and unfortunately it is one that too many people in this country are familiar with. But, there are organisations out there providing hope for people, and it is sometimes possible to come out the other side.Allen Bobinac is the Manager of the Lighthouse Homeless Cafe in Dublin, and lived on the streets of the city for a year. He joins Seán to discuss.

According to a new report from Children's Books Ireland, more than 1 in 5 Irish children under the age of four are not being read to. So, what are the benefits of reading aloud to your children?Joining Sean to discuss is Leona Forde, Children's author, best known for her popular Milly McCarthy series of books…

Ed Miliband, the UK Energy Secretary, is proposing the relaxing of regulations so that people can build wind turbines in their back gardens. So, should we be doing the same here?Joining Seán to discuss is Environmental Journalist John Gibbons...

Irish Unification is a very emotive subject and often quite personal issue.It can often be quite difficult to evaluate the various reasons people have for being for or against it.But, one argument that often arises that is somewhat more measurable is the economic impact for all concerned.So, just what would be the cost of unification?John Doyle is the Vice President for Research at Dublin City University, and joins Sean to discuss.