Moncrieff Highlights

Last week, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters heard evidence from a number of people with disabilities and the barriers they face, some being credited to government regulations. One of the people there was David Digon, and he joins Seán to discuss.

Duration:00:06:04

Does having an election in the summer make a difference?

Based off of Bertie Ahern's comments at the recent Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis - Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent joins Seán to discuss the effect the season can have on an election.

Duration:00:10:14

Life Under Covid-19 Captured

The National Library are unveiling a collection by photojournalists who captured how life was during the pandemic, from saying hello to granny through the window, to the life of healthcare workers. David Branigan is the President of Press Photographers Ireland and joins Seán.

Duration:00:06:01

Is it okay to ask for a doggy bag?

While some people might find it embarrassing, others are more than willing to ask for one. But what are the do’s and don’ts around doggy bags? Joining Seán is Corinna Hardgrave, Restaurant critic for the Irish Times, who has been writing about this issue in the newspaper.

Duration:00:09:06

Is “Pretty Privilege” real?

According to research from the University of Illinois, attractive lawyers are more likely to win their cases and receive favourable rulings from judges—regardless of gender or experience level. It’s not just in the courtroom that pretty privilege exists, you’ll find it persists in most aspects of life. To tell more, Seán is joined by communications guru Terry Prone.

Duration:00:07:37

Why are parcel deliveries getting so sloppy?

Since the pandemic and the beginning of the era of so-called ‘contactless deliveries’, more and more consumers are discovering that their packages are ending up in the most bizarre places: from parcels flung over a side wall, to even ending up in your green bin. Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times, has been investigating and joins Seán to discuss.

Duration:00:16:37

The World's Rarest Passport

4/12/2024

The world’s rarest passport belongs to a soverign nation which has no land and no citizens. Sean was joined by Daniel de Petri Testaferrata, President of the Maltese Association of the Order of Malta...

Duration:00:12:43

Dermot Bannon: People stop me in queues to ask about their home renovations

4/12/2024

It is the 20th anniversary of the ‘Simon Open Doors’, an initiative with the RIAI that provides services to people facing homelessness. If you donate €120, you get an hour- long consultation with one of their registered architects. Dermot Bannon architect and Campaign Ambassador for the RIAI Simon Open Door initiative joined Sean to discuss...

Duration:00:08:55

The Most Blasphemous Adverts of All Time

4/12/2024

An ad for crisps on Italian television is causing a stir amid accusations of blasphemy due to its depiction of Catholic nuns consuming crisps instead of the Eucharist. So, where does this ad fit into the long litany of advertisements which have been accused of blasphemy in the past? Simon Tierney has been investigating this and joined Sean to discuss...

Duration:00:15:08

How do you deal with rage?

4/11/2024

A new Japanese study found the tradition of ‘hakidashisara’, which is noting down grievances then discarding the paper is a successful way to deal with feelings of rage. Henry McKean joins us now. Henry how do you deal with rage?

Duration:00:23:22

France approves bill penalising fast fashion

4/10/2024

A fast fashion bill in France is being sent to Senate that could change how we shop; this bill is a first of its kind and Ireland is no better, when it comes to shopping fast fashion, we consume 50 kg of clothes per person, each year! Mark Sweeney is the Chair of Charity Retail Ireland and joined Sean on the show to discuss...

Duration:00:09:21

Irish Cheerleading team set for world stage

An Irish cheerleading team is heading to Orlando later this month to compete in the ‘The Cheerleading Worlds’ but what is involved in cheerleading and how do you qualify for the championships? Rachel Leane from Killarney Scorchers joined Sean to discuss...

Duration:00:07:23

New version of Scrabble launched

After 75 years, Scrabble has announced a new, apparently more ‘inclusive’ version of the game. But is this dumbing down the classic format? Sean was joined by Feargal Weatherhead, 2023 Irish National Scrabble Champion...

Duration:00:07:04

Ireland's Standout Taoisigh

Today Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has been elected our new Taoiseach. He is the sixteenth man to take the position. So who have been the standout Taoisigh over the last century? Joining me to discuss is Fergus Finlay, former senior advisor to the Labour Party and Irish Examiner columnist.

Duration:00:14:41

Are we over catastrophizing AI?

There is a lot of talk in the media about artificial intelligence and it's rarely positive. Professor Barry O’Sullivan from the Insight Centre for Data Analytics at UCC joined Sean to discuss why he thinks all is not so negative when it comes to AI...

Duration:00:08:04

'I wouldn't say we've lost them' - Henry McKean asks people about table manners

According to a new study 3 quarters of those polled aged 16 and over say traditional table etiquette is outdated nonsense. Sean was joined by Newstalk's etiquette expert, Henry McKean to discuss...

Duration:00:24:06

International Airport in Arklow: Here's what we know so far

The Business Post had a front page story yesterday which said a middle-east consortium are in the process of assuming up to one thousand acres of land in order to develop a new International Airport in Arklow. If built, the airport will be serviced by a train and motorway, and could be the solution to the current passenger cap at Dublin Airport. Killian Woods, Senior Business Reporter with the Business Post joined Sean to discuss...

Duration:00:10:36

How does a funeral planning service work?

When a loved one dies it can exert an enormous pressure on family members to organise a funeral in an exceptionally short space of time, unlike in some other countries when funerals take place later on. So, is there space for a service which aims to take this burden off, say....a funeral planner? Sean was joined by Louise O’Brien, Co-founder of RHEA...

Duration:00:07:58

Can Dublin emulate Cork's English Market?

Following a two decade delay in getting the project off the ground, the fruit and vegetable market on Mary's Lane is to reopen in 2026. That hasn't stopped the CEO of Dublin City Council, Richard Shakespeare from declaring that it will be better than the English Market in Cork. Michael Moynihan, Irish Examiner Columnist joined Sean to discuss...

Duration:00:12:09

Jim Fitzpatrick: 'I was like Philip's mythological advisor'