The Hard Shoulder

In advance of Budget 2024, there have been calls for the government to offer young people a voucher for €200 that they could use to attend concerts, plays, and museums. This is now what happens in Germany under its Kulturpass scheme, should it be introduced here? Kieran was joined by Artistic Director of the Dublin Theatre Festival, Willie White.

Following the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) report released at the end of last week, we are hearing more stories of how parents and children across the country have not been receiving adequate help and support. The lack of staffing is leading to parents wondering aimlessly about how they can help their children through a difficult time in their lives. Here to give us the latest is one of those parents, Chloe who joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show...

As the race for student accommodation begins, homeowners are being urged to open up their homes to house students. The Higher Education Minister says families living in social housing and social welfare recipients can also benefit from the rent-a-room scheme. That allows homeowners to earn up to 14 thousand euro a year tax-free. To discuss this further Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Aoibhe O’Brien, Welfare officer at UCC Student’s Union and Martha Ni Riada, President of the UCD Students Union.

Ireland ended their World Cup campaign with a nil-nil draw against Nigeria. The girls in green are on their way home, already illuminated but playing for pride. Henry McKean went along to a busy noisy watch party at Dalymount Park, the home of Bohs in Phibsborough, Dublin. Henry sent this report...

Yesterday on BBC 2 the All-Ireland Football Final was broadcast across the entire United Kingdom for the first time. Catching the attention of many. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Reverand Richard Coles who gave us his UK Perspective of the All-Ireland Football Final.

In The Examiner today a report by Liz Dunphy says that a boy in CAMHS in Kerry is doing Zoom calls with a psychiatrist based in Dubai due to staffing shortages. The father of this boy, Maurice O’Connell joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Another drama-filled season of Love Island concludes tonight on the season 10 finale. But despite an exciting season of new twists and cliffhangers, the show’s ratings have significantly declined by more than a million viewers. This begs us to ask: Is Love Island losing its luster? Podcaster for My Pod on Paper Orlaith Condon joined Kieran to discuss why viewership has declined and what the future of the show should look like...

Alcohol, fuel, transport, and streaming services are just a few things due to increase later in the year. Despite being told that inflation would ease, the cost of these products and services beg to differ. How can we deal with this constant rise in costs? Darragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie joined Kieran on the show.

A new survey by the CSO on sexual violence has found that over a third of women (36%) who did not disclose any experience of sexual violence as an adult did so because they felt ashamed or embarrassed, more than twice the rate for men (15%). Sarah Benson CEO of Women’s Aid joined Kieran to discuss the CSO survey on sexual violence... If you have been affected by anything in this podcast you can contact Women's Aid on 1800 341 900 or the Rape Criss Helpline on 1800 77 8888

As July has been the worst month for rainfall this year, weather predictions for August show, unfortunately not much will change. Sunshine and showers are expected for the first week with a possible storm for the bank holiday weekend. Kieran was joined by Alan O’Reilly from Carlow weather with the latest...

Ireland’s historic first-ever World Cup campaign came to an end today as the Girls in Green were held to a goalless draw with Nigeria in Brisbane. Kathleen McNamee from Off The Ball and Host of the COYGIG Podcast joined Kieran on the show.

Tributes have continued to pour in for singer Sinéad O’Connor whose death was announced on Wednesday evening. Kieran was joined by Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Founder & Chair of the Irish Muslim Council and Victoria Mary Clarke, Wife of Shane McGowan... Image: Twitter via Victoria Mary Clarke @Victoriamary

The All Ireland Football Final build up is reaching fever pitch. Henry McKean travelled to Kerry and Dublin to soak up the atmosphere and sent us this report...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat all things BBQ...

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action...

An additional €10 million in funding has been announced by Government for overtime shifts for An Garda Síochána. It comes as an attempt to increase their presence in Dublin City Centre amidst ongoing violence. Kieran was joined by Pat Leahy, Former Assistant Garda Commissioner to discuss...

It’s the biggest weekend in the Gaelic Football Calendar as Kerry look to retain their title when they take on the old enemy, Dublin in the All-Ireland Football Final. Former Kerry football captain, Kieran O’Leary and former Dublin Footballer and ambassador for BoyleSports Diarmuid Connolly...

Comedian Alison Spittle joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss her upcoming gigs as part of Paddy Power Comedy Festival, her new show 'Soup', being robbed twice and starring in Eastenders...

An exclusive Newstalk poll carried out by Amarach has found only 25% of those surveyed have been to a professional female sporting event. 78% of those however have been to a male sporting event. Kieran was joined by Director of Sport Ireland, Nora Stapleton to discuss…

With the release of summer blockbusters Barbie and Oppenheimer last week people have been flocking to the cinema now more than ever. However, some cinemas are charging upwards of €19 for tickets, is a trip to the cinema becoming unaffordable? Kieran was joined by John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Olivia Fahy, movie reviewer and editor of Geek Ireland to discuss…

98fm’s Suzanne Kane was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in early 2020. Suzanne joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Sinéad O’Connor is being remembered as “the kind of person we all should have been”. The Dublin singer and musician died yesterday at the age of 56. Bass Guitarist of Sinead’s debut album Richard ‘The Spike’ Holifield and Aslan’s Billy McGuinness joined Kieran to discuss her life and legacy…

In May, one TikTok user’s video of her dinner of bread, cheese, grapes, and pickles, went viral and led other girls to post videos of their “girl dinners”. Since then, the girl dinner trend has become increasingly popular, revealing a “girl dinner” can be anything from a plate of your favourite snacks to a bowl of instant noodles, or a combination of it all. In response, the boy dinner trend emerged, which takes an entirely different, probably less appealing form. Kieran was joined by Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments to discuss…

The housing crisis was the focus of the latest tranche of statistics from last year’s Census which has been released today. The census found that just under 48,000 homes that were vacant in the 2016 census were also vacant in 2022 - while the same period saw a 37% increase in the average rent. Eoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Housing joined Kieran to discuss…

Singer and musician, Sinéad O'Connor died yesterday at the age of 56. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by broadcaster Dave Fanning and BP Fallon, Irish DJ, author, photographer and musician to remember her...

Today was not to be for the Irish women's team as they lost 2-1 to Canada. This result means Ireland will not be progressing to the knockout stages of the World Cup. Here at home fans came together to support the team at various 'Watch Parties' taking place across the country. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie went along to an event at Dalymount Park to meet with fans, coaches and former Irish players.

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. This week Simon and Kieran take a look a some of the options for brown sauce on the shelves...

A major report has found that there are “ongoing and serious deficits” in Ireland's child mental health services that are increasing the risk to children and young people. Kieran was joined by Fiona Coyle, CEO Mental Health Reform, Hannah from Families for the Reform of CAMHS and Megan O’Rourke, who was a user of the service as a child...

Over the past week there has been a spotlight on crime within Dublin City centre following a number of assaults in the capital. Kieran was joined by Ger Brennan, Former Dublin footballer who grew up in Dublin City, to discuss...

There was heartbreak for Ireland today in the World Cup as 2 second half goals for Canada ended their World Cup dreams. Katie McCabe had sent the Irish fans in Perth delirious as she gave the Girls in Green the lead in the first half. Kathleen McNamee, Off The Ball and Presenter of the COYGIG Podcast joined Kieran for some post-match analysis...

A major report has found that there are “ongoing and serious deficits” in Ireland's child mental health services that are increasing the risk to children and young people. Kieran was joined by John Farrelly, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission and Dr Brendan O'Shea, Kildare GP & Assistant Adjunct Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin to …

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, we take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Michelle Walsh Jackson aka The Novel Traveller, joined Kieran to give him tips for last minute holiday deals this summer...

Henry McKean visited Dublin 1 and the surrounding homes around Talbot Street. Over the last few days we have concentrated on shopkeepers in the area but what about the locals? Henry McKean met them and sent this report...

Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. Continuing the series, ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around. The series continued with a debate on 'Is there still a place for zoos?'

The Government has today announced new supports have been introduced for people undergoing IVF Treatment. The move will see an IVF cycle funded for those who have had no more than one privately funded cycle. However there will be an age and a BMI limit on the treatments. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the Government's new publicly funded IVF scheme and also the ongoing anti-social behaviour in Dublin City...

Can silly little habits really ruin a marriage? How do we cope with our partner’s annoying habits in an otherwise perfect relationship? Systemic psychotherapist David Kavanagh joined Kieran to discuss this and how to deal with your partner’s odd habits...

A worldwide stat shows that one in every 175 babies born is done so via IVF. And as technologies advance, IVF is becoming safer and more successful year on year. Today is World IVF day and what a better day for the government to announce a program for publicly funding IVF for the first time in this country. Kieran was joined by Dr. John Kennedy, Medical Director at Thérapie Fertility and Stephanie McNamara who is a former IVF patient in Therapie Fertility Clinic...

Two people have been attacked on Dublin City streets in the past 24 hours, according to reports. This follows the attack on a US tourist in Dublin’s north inner city last week. Padraig Carroll, who was the victim of an attack in the city in the past, joined Kieran in studio to discuss...

Investigations are continuing into the assault of a US tourist in Dublin last Wednesday. Over the weekend, a teenager was arrested in connection with the incident on Talbot Street and has been charged. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been in the area of the attack this afternoon meeting with those who work in the city.

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Hibernian Hotel in Kilkenny on All-Ireland weekend as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by Producer of the Kilkenny Arts Festival Marjie Kaley, and General Manager of the Ormond Hotel Colin Ahern to discuss the arts and culture that's on offer...

Now as we broadcast to you live from my home county, the hurling stronghold of Kilkenny, there is a buzz of excitement leading up to the All-Ireland final. Kilkenny faces a strong team on Sunday and they are optimistic and confident in the South West. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie went to Limerick to meet with fans and family of the hurling team.

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Hibernian Hotel in Kilkenny on All-Ireland weekend as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. To preview Sunday's All-Ireland Hurling final between Limerick and Kilkenny, Kieran was joined by David Herity, Former Kilkenny hurler, Paul Murphy, Former Kilkenny hurler and Paddy Stapleton, Former Tipperary Player...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Hibernian Hotel in Kilkenny on All-Ireland weekend as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. While in Kilkenny, Newstalk's Bobby Kerr took Kieran on a boat tour of the Marble City...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Hibernian Hotel in Kilkenny on All-Ireland weekend as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by author Helena Duggan to discuss the release of her new book 'The Light Thieves Search for the Black Mirror', the second book in its series...

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Kieran to discuss what viewers can expect from Barbie and Oppenheimer...

The Hard Shoulder is LIVE from the Hibernian Hotel in Kilkenny on All-Ireland weekend as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. Kieran was joined by a superb panel of Kilkenny locals, dormer Munster and Ireland player, Mick Galwey, Owner of Paris Texas Bar and Restaurant, Pat Crotty and former Kilkenny camogie player, Tracy Milea...

Ireland lost out 1-0 to Australia in the first game of the World Cup but hopes are still high. There have been ‘Watch parties’ taking place across the country to support the Girls in Green. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie went to an event in Kilnamanagh where Irish captain Katie McCabe started her football journey.

You may have seen this week that there was an increase of almost 10,000 referrals to Tusla between 2021 and 2022. According to Tusla's latest annual report, there were just over 82,000 referrals to child protection and welfare services in 2022 - a 13% rise on the previous year. So, what is the reality of the State care situation, and how can children be helped going forward? Anne Rabbitte is Minister of State for Disability in the Dept of Health & Dept of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, as well as Fianna Fáil TD for Galway East Tanya Ward is the Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance. Wayne Dignam is the founder of the Care Leavers Network. They all joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to talk through the issues.

Kieran was joined by environmental activist and Guardian Columnist George Monbiot to discuss impending food systems collapse and what is or isn’t being done to tackle this crisis by people in power…

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. This week Simon and Kieran take a look a some of the options for Custard Creams on the shelves...