Moncrieff

A new Guinness World Record has been set for the largest collection of socks. At 1,531 pairs, former CBS Philadelphia News Anchor Jim Donovan is king of the sock drawer.He joins Seán to discuss!

Forget about who should be the next James Bond, there are bigger questions at stake... like who should do the next Bond theme song?With Noel Gallagher saying that Oasis would be interested, Seán is joined by Journalist Pat Carty to talk through some of the Bond songs we may have long forgotten…

We hear so much about how the Gen Z youth of today are spending their Friday nights drinking matcha, doing yoga and meditating. Well, student and Lifestyle Columnist with the Irish Examiner Jane Cowan has decided to bring back debauchery.In a very anti-January sentiment, she wants people in their twenties like herself to embrace the chaos of the decade and go out more…She joins Seán to discuss.

Cork city is the 38th most congested city in the world. Seán’s guest believes that a cable car network might offer a simple solution to a complex problem…Joining to discuss is Kathriona Devereux, Presenter of ‘10 Things to Know About’ on RTÉ television and a columnist with the Echo…

Lego has “reinvented” the brick and is set to release its new line of ‘smart’ toys.The new Lego Smart Play System includes smart bricks with responsive lights, a color-recognition scanner to sense its surroundings, can play almost any sound, and can detect the way it is twisted, turned and tapped during play.Lego says this tech will react to how kids play, and then “play back” to help kids bring their stories to life.But, are we depriving our children of the simple joys of Lego, and what role will smart technology have in toys in the future?Joining Seán to give her views is Toy Expert and Founder of Jiminy Eco Toys, Sharon Keilthy…

We’re no strangers to saying no to a perfectly good cuppa when we’re actually dying for one, but could our shared struggle in saying what we mean be getting in the way of us getting what we want?Stephen Lucek, Assistant Professor in Linguistics at University College Dublin, joins Seán to discuss the unique quirks that make up the Irish language…

Influencer James Kavanagh lost his yellow coat a few years ago and he still misses it. Why does losing an item of clothing or a ring sometimes hold such sentimental value? Why do so many of us struggle to be able to move on?Henry McKean has been out asking the public what they have lost, and joins Seán to discuss.

As the fallout over the Maduro situation continues, Venezuela continues its pursuit of its vast gold reserves from the vaults of the Bank of England, where they have been held since the 1980s. Ireland too keeps much of its gold reserves on Threadneedle Street in London…Joining Seán to untangle this is Richard Partington, the Guardian's Senior Economics Correspondent…

With Ireland assuming the rotating Presidency of the EU Council from July, what are some things we can expect will be on its agenda? Joining Seán to discuss why the EU Presidency will be pivotal for our domestic and foreign policy is Andrew Forde…

This week, the UK has introduced a total ban on all junk food advertising on TV and online. This means that companies will be prohibited from advertising unhealthy foods before 9pm and at all times on the internet.In the list of banned foods are those with a high sugar, salt, and fat content, which even include porridge, cereal, and yoghurts.Joining Seán to discuss the impact of this is Lana Repar, Lecturer in Food Business at UCC, to give us her take on how marketing strategies will have to adapt…

It has been revealed that Meghan Markle’s jams are proving popular with over one million jars snapped up by shoppers...But, just why is jam so sought after, whether it has a royal connection or not, and just how easy it is to make at home?Chef Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School joins Seán to discuss.Raspberry JamMakes 3 x 450g (1lb) potsRaspberry jam is the easiest and quickest of all jams to make, and one of the most delicious.  Loganberries, Boysenberries or Tayberries may also be used in this recipe.900g (2lbs) fresh raspberries790g (1lb 12oz) granulated sugarWash, dry and sterilise the jars in the oven 100°C/Gas Mark 1/4, for 15 minutes. Heat the sugar in a moderate oven for 5-10 minutes.Put the raspberries into a wide stainless steel saucepan and cook for 3-4 minutes until the juice begins to run, then add the hot sugar and stir over a gentle heat until fully dissolved. Increase the heat and boil steadily for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.Test for a set by putting about a teaspoon of jam on a cold plate, leaving it for a few minutes in a cool place. It should wrinkle when pressed with a finger. * Remove from the heat immediately. Skim and pour into sterilised jam jars. Cover immediately.Hide the jam in a cool place or else put on a shelf in your kitchen so you can feel great every time you look at it! Anyway, it will be so delicious it won't last long!*How to Fix It!If the jam overcooks it will be too thick. Just add a little boiling water to loosen.Raspberry and Cassis Preserve Make Raspberry jam as above, add 4 tablespoons of cassis to the jam just before potting.Loganberry, Tayberry, and Boysenberry jams are made in exactly the same way

Why don’t writers retire? Novelist Julian Barnes is bucking the trend having announced his retirement coinciding with his 80th birthday, saying that his next book will be his last, but just why is it so rare for creatives to stop working and instead...’’keep going until the grim reaper cuts you down in your study”.Columnist for the Irish Independent Mary Kenny continues to write and joins Seán to discuss.

Is Ireland too timid when it comes to our architectural ambition? Sinead O’Sullivan, a Business economist, has been writing about this in the Irish Times and joins Seán to discuss…

The Chinese electric vehicle company BYD has now overtaken Tesla for the first time to become the world’s biggest selling EV brand.Joining Seán to discuss this, and the future of the electric vehicle market is John Hayes, Lecturer in Electronic Engineering at UCC…

A US-based Irish therapist says Trump’s America is causing a rise in depression and anxiety among his clients.Eamonn McKay is a Therapist based in California, and is moving back to Ireland over concerns his US citizenship will be revoked…He joins Seán to discuss.Image: Reuters

Joanna Fortune joins Sean to discuss listeners' parenting queries...

Even if you’ve never heard the name, you would recognise the iconic Wilhelm scream, which has been used in countless movies.But, where does it come from, and why is it used so much?Steve Lee is a Sound Effects Wrangler and Founder and CEO of the Hollywood Sound Museum. He joins Seán to discuss.

During the Taoiseach’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping yesterday, the two bonded over the shared love of an Irish novel which is somewhat lost and forgotten here in Ireland, but which has sold millions of copies in Russia.Joining Seán to discuss is Zoe Comyns, Creator of the Lyric FM documentary ‘Ethel Voynich - Music Mystery and Manuscripts’...

In Scandinavian countries, you might see dog sledding in snowy conditions. Apparently, we have something like it in Ireland, but with a twist...Joining Seán to discuss is President of Canicross Ireland, Louise Jones.

The 100th birthday of the first census conducted by the Irish Free State is coming up. What was the significance of this one, and how were they conducted a century ago?Joining Seán to discuss is Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Colin Sheridan.