Highlights from Moncrieff

Newstalk

The daily dose of madness and intrigue from Sean Moncrieff and his rebel radio crew.

  • 6 minutes 48 seconds
    ‘Corpse flower’ is about to bloom in Sydney

    A huge and putrid plant called a corpse flower is about to bloom at any moment, and is currently being watched by thousands around the world on a YouTube livestream.

    Joining Seán to discuss is John Siemon, Director of Horticulture and Living Collections at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney…

    22 January 2025, 3:57 pm
  • 13 minutes 10 seconds
    There are less than 30 cobblers left in Ireland

    When was the last time you got your shoes repaired instead of just buying a new pair?

    Within your answer to that you may recognise the plight of the cobbler…

    There are less than thirty left in the country. So, is this a dying trade, or could talk of the circular economy begin a revival of business?

    Michael Rossiter is a Cobbler in Kilkenny, and joins Seán to discuss.

    22 January 2025, 3:35 pm
  • 13 minutes 3 seconds
    Is coffee paste the future?

    The days of drinking instant coffee from a flask are over! Enter spreadable coffee from a tube…

    Joining Seán to discuss is Philippe Greinacher, Co-Founder of No Normal Coffee…

    Image: No Normal Coffee

    22 January 2025, 3:11 pm
  • 8 minutes 55 seconds
    What does a pluralist Syria look like?

    Speaking yesterday, the UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen made clear the global organisation’s desire for a pluralist democratic Syria.

    But considering the unpopularity of the UN on the ground in the country ,and the factionalised nature of the political landscape there, is that a realistic aim?

    Dr Rahaf Aldoughli is Lecturer in Middle East and North African studies at Lancaster University, and joins Seán to discuss.

    22 January 2025, 3:09 pm
  • 5 minutes 41 seconds
    What is a ‘light box’?

    Dublin City Council has this week rolled out light boxes across all libraries in the capital. But, what are they, and why would you use one?

    Joining Seán to discuss is Ciara Dardis, Divisional Librarian with Dublin City Libraries in charge of events and partnerships…

    22 January 2025, 3:08 pm
  • 10 minutes 46 seconds
    Does taping your mouth shut help you sleep?

    Have you thought about taping your mouth shut to get a better night’s sleep?

    A new viral craze has seen people put tape to stop themselves breathing through their mouth overnight...

    Professor Annie Curtis, Associate Professor at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at RCSI, joins Seán to discuss.

    22 January 2025, 3:07 pm
  • 7 minutes 7 seconds
    The house that survived LA’s wildfires

    This month’s LA wildfires may yet prove to be the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history... It is already the country’s most costly wildfire on record.

    You’ve seen the pictures of devastated neighbourhoods reduced to ashes, with the Pacific Palisades no different to many other neighbourhoods in the LA area. Except for the fact that one house seemed to have survived the onrushing flames more or less unscathed…

    Michael Kovac is the Founder and Design Partner at Kovac Architecture Studio and the owner of that house. He joins Seán to discuss.

    Image: Reuters

    21 January 2025, 4:10 pm
  • 7 minutes 37 seconds
    Why are thongs being banned in Sydney?

    A council in Greater Sydney has banned thong and g-string bikinis at its public swimming pools, causing outrage among pool users.

    Despite the outrage, sales of thongs are up at Marks & Spencer…

    So, why is there policing on what women can wear?

    Seán is joined by Édaein O'Connell, Freelance Journalist, to discuss.

    21 January 2025, 3:50 pm
  • 14 minutes 13 seconds
    Can Ireland handle a wave of espionage?

    In the past, Ireland as a country has assumed a certain level of immunity from espionage.

    It perhaps comes from our neutrality, our geographical location or our alliances, but in recent times, not only is Ireland not without espionage, it is in fact a major target in the 21st century…

    So, how prepared are we to deal with this threat?

    Dr Edward Burke is Assistant Professor in the History of War since 1945 at University College Dublin. He joins Seán to discuss.

    21 January 2025, 3:49 pm
  • 11 minutes 11 seconds
    Are supermarket loyalty schemes worth it?

    Does it really pay to be loyal, or are we giving away too much information?

    The Consumer Columnist for the Irish Examiner, Caitriona Redmond took a long hard look at supermarket loyalty cards, and whether they are really worth having.

    She joins Seán to discuss.

    21 January 2025, 3:18 pm
  • 8 minutes 6 seconds
    Citizen science survey aims to map the Irish stoat

    What's the difference between a stoat, a weasel, a mink and a pine marten? A citizen science survey of Ireland is currently trying to map the Irish stoat.

    Joining Seán to discuss is Vicky Knight, Species Conservation Officer with Vincent Wildlife Trust…

    21 January 2025, 3:16 pm
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