The Hard Shoulder

Alice Leahy, from the Alice Leahy Trust joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

Investigations are continuing into a fire at a disused pub in Ringsend in Dublin that had been earmarked for use for homeless accommodation. Speculation in the area had suggested the site could be used for refugee accommodation while local councillors have criticised the lack of communication from the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. Kieran was joined by Teresa Buckowska, formerly of the Immigration Council of Ireland and migrants rights expert...

Micheál Martin has said it is not feasible to ban children from using social media, but said the government could be stronger in warning of its hazards and spoke about social ‘contracts’ schools could adopt when dealing with the use of their students and social media Are the government doing enough? Are we at a crisis point when to comes to our children and their access and usage of social media? Kieran was joined by Jen Hogan, Journalist and Columnist with The Irish Times and Philip Arneill Head of Education at CyberSafeKids...  

Israel has confirmed it is pulling some of its forces out of Gaza but it does appear there is no end in sight for the war with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting the war will last “many months.” Kieran was joined by General Sir Richard Barrons who previously served as one of the six ‘Chiefs of Staff’ leading the UK Armed Forces and is now the co chairman of Universal Defence and Security Solutions...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the news. Today, Kieran was joined by Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post and Sean O’Regan, Newstalk reporter.... 

Kieran Cuddihy was joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Comedian Jim Elliott to look back on the year of 2023...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat through some of her top tips for Christmas dinner...

As we wind up for the Christmas period, it’s good to spend the festive season reflecting on the year and looking ahead to 2024. To offer a Christmas message at this is a spiritual time of year, Fr Brian D’Arcy, Author and Broadcaster joined Kieran on the show today...

Yesterday on the show we were talking about the big pop culture moments of 2023 and you could not omit Taylor Swift from that list. From her Era’s tour, to her box office hit movie and being named Time Person of the Year, it’s fair to say 2023 was Taylor’s year. But not everyone agreed. We got this text in “Taylor Swift-the rebirth of bubble gum, junior infants songwriting laced with mediocre melodies”. So...clearly not a fan That text got the attention of none other than Dave Browne, From Picturehouse, who joined Kieran today to speak in defence of poor Taylor...

We are just 3 days away from the big day but for many on the day they will be looking for their local Christmas Day Swim.  Bríd Graham Owner and Director of Splash Swim Schools Ireland and a swimming teacher joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Now 2023 has been an impactful year for news between conflict, riots and politic ongoings.  However, we are going to put that to one side for now and take positive look back at some of the good news stories of the last year... Rachael Ryan From 98fm joined Kieran on the show to discuss..

Tom Doorley, Food and wine columnist with the Sunday Times is here to talk us through his own dinner plans and how other countries celebrate Christmas...

Emmet Oliver, The Hard Shoulder’s Business Correspondent joined Kieran on the show to take a look back at the year in business...

Golfer Padraig Harrington joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss how to get more kids involved in sport and what the future looks like for world golf...

Author, podcaster and playwright, Michael Harding joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder today for a catch up...

Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer for the Independent in the UK joined Kieran to discuss a court of justice ruling on the European Super League project...

There has been a wealth of wins, losses and plenty of gaffs along the way when it comes to the culture events this year.   We take a look back at some of the moments which really captured the news at the time.  Brian Lloyd Movies Editor with Entertainment.ie joined Kieran to discuss...

The Irish public have spoken about what animals and flowers should appear on the Irish passport, with the Irish Wolfhound and Shamrock topping their respective lists. But should we just be considering just animals and flowers, and if so, what symbols should be picked to best represent Ireland.  Saoirse Hanley, Features writer with the Irish Independent, Steve Cummins, Comedian and co-founder of ZoomParty.ie and Claire Ronan Broadcaster joined Kieran to discuss...

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss record overcrowding in hospitals in 2023, work underway on the new National Maternity Hospital on Vincent’s Campus, funding for adult hospices and Mary Lou McDonald's calls for Robbie Keane to resign as Maccabi Tel Aviv F.C. manager...

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 festive season. This week Simon and Kieran put a variety of Christmas Puddings to the test...

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald has hit out at former Irish international footballer Robbie Keane over managing Israeli Club Maccabi Tel Aviv FC claiming that sports and genocide don’t mix. Are these statements fair and should Robbie Keane be criticized for working for an Israel team? Cllr David McManus Fine Gael Councilor for Rathfarnham-Templeogue and Bríd Smith, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central joined Kieran to discuss...

Three quarters of workers will respond to work emails over Christmas, according to a new study. Henry McKean joined Kieran with this report...

Reduced speed limits are moving a step closer as the Cabinet is expected to approve the publication of a new bill to legislate for default limits. The Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 sets the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030 - and one of those ways is by reducing speed limits across the road network. But will it work? Do speed limits make people go slower? Brendan Kelly is Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin and he joined Kieran to discuss...

One of the biggest stories from this year was the visit the US President Joe Biden made to Ireland in April of this year Biden checked a big item off his bucket list when he visited Ireland and his ancestral home, making it a deeply personal and wistful journey. Kieran was joined by Mark Duffy, a Councillor for the Ballina Municipal District (Cathaoirleach during visit) and was a big part in the set up of the visit to Ballina and also Larry Donnelly, Director of the Kennedy Summer School and Law Lecturer at the University of Galway who covered the visit extensively at the time...

For many we are heading into holiday time but for lots of shops and restaurants it will be the busiest time of the year. But, should shops should stay closed on Stephen’s Day?Kieran was joined by Conor Pope Consumer Affairs Correspondent with The Irish Times and Deirdre Walsh, Owner of Molly Fulton’s Bar and Restaurant in Sligo...

John Kelleher joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of the notable deaths that occurred in 2023...

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give him tips for travelling around Ireland in 2024...

 The UN’s security council is set to vote this evening on a call for a ceasefire in Gaza.  The vote has been delayed from yesterday and already follows a failed vote after a veto from the US.  Patrick Bury, Senior Security Lecturer at the University of Bath, Former Nato Analyst and Army Officer joined Kieran to discuss

Board games are always a fixture during the Christmas period, but they are also important for building certain skills for children not just for causing arguments over Monopoly.  Founder of Cog Toys and Games Ruth Roberts joined Kieran to chat about what value a couple games can bring to your family and some out of the box boardgames options....  

Thousands of energy customers must wait until the new year before the first electricity credit is applied to their bills. Three energy credits totaling €450, or €150 each, were announced in Budget 2024 to help households facing high electricity bills due to inflation. However, there is anger among householders as this credit has shown up on their accounts but not been applied to their bills. Sinead Ryan, consumer expert and presenter of The Home Show joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Discussions continue here in Ireland around laws that would allow for assisted dying in this country. Dame Esther Rantzen, announced today that she has signed up to Dignitas, so that if her cancer treatment doesn’t go to plan, she will have the option to do that. Kieran was joined by her daughter Rebecca Wilcox on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Now, it is well and truly festive season and one thing you may not be ready for is a large number of guests. TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer Edward Hayden joined Kieran to give some advice on how best to welcome people into your home....

It was a trial that gripped the nation earlier this year which culminated on the 17th of April with Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch being found not guilty by Special Criminal Court of the murder of David Byrne at a boxing event weigh in at the Regency Hotel in 2016. Paul Williams, Crime Journalist with The Irish Independent joined Kieran to take a look back...

Have you most of your Christmas shopping done or are you like the rest of us and are leaving it till last minute? What about buying no presents at all, how would that go down in your house on Christmas morning?Well that’s exactly what the Fashion Editor of the Daily Mail has decided to do this year.It got us thinking are people cutting back on buying physical items as presents? Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into this.

Gardaí yesterday confirmed that they are investigating a ‘criminal damage incident’ after a fire broke out at the former Ross Lake House in Rosscahill in County Galway.The hotel had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers and protesters had gathered at the building on Saturday afternoon.Broadcaster and author, Emer O'Neill joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss

Philip Ryan, Political Editor, Irish Independent and John Lee, Executive Editor, Daily Mail Group Ireland joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to look back on the political year of 2023...

Gardaí yesterday confirmed that they are investigating a ‘criminal damage incident’ after a fire broke out at the former Ross Lake House in Rosscahill in County Galway.The hotel had been selected to house 70 asylum seekers and protesters had gathered at the building on Saturday afternoon.Kieran was joined by JP McMahon, Galway chef and restaurateur and Marian Harkin, Independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim to discuss... 

Over the past few weeks, Kieran Cuddihy has been taking Irish classes as part of a 'Couch to Comhrá in 6 Weeks' challenge.To wrap up the challenge, Kieran was joined by Éamonn Ó Domhnaill, Co-Founder and Director of Education of Gaelteanga and Sibéal Davitt, Kieran’s múinteoir…

Eileen Gleeson has been appointed the permanent manager of the Republic of Ireland’s Women football team.  Gleeson who served as number two under Vera Pauw had been in the role as interim but after a string of great results has secured the position.  Off the Ball’s Kathleen McNamee joined Kieran to discuss...

All this week we will be looking back at the year’s biggest stories.  We’ll start back in September when a group of 200 protesters gathered outside the Dáil with a mock gallows and shouting abuse at politicians and Leinster House Staff..In November we saw a riot break out on O’Connell Street after a tragic stabbing outside Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire.  Kieran was joined by Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithi De Róiste to discuss...

Dublin City Council has granted planning permission for the €100 million redevelopment of St Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre.The capital will lose one of its landmark buildings after the Council has granted planning permission to DTDL Ltd controlled by a fund operated by stockbroker and wealth manager Davy. Henry McKean met people around Dublin and asked them what they thought about it...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat through some of the top Viral Food Trends from 2023...

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...

Dublin Airport has sought approval to increase its annual passenger capacity from 32 million to 40 million.For more on this Kieran was joined by Eoghan Corry, Owner and Editor of TravelExtra and Padraig O’Ceidigh, Former Senator and former owner of Aer Arann...

Karl Spain is bringing his 'Well, What Did You Expect?' to Vicar Street next April. Comedian Karl Spain joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

Conor McGregor has been in the news a lot lately. His comments about the Dublin Riots, talk of running for president, building high rise flats in residential areas he grew up in, and now something more positive, secretly supporting a local soup run. Henry McKean joined Kieran to discuss...

Newstalk’s new Christmas Amárach Poll is here and has revealed that:  Over half of Irish adults will have their main Christmas dinner in their own home this year Two thirds usually have their Christmas dinner mid-to-late afternoon. Turkey is the main roast typically served at Christmas dinner. Kieran was joined by Newstalk's Simon Tierney and Sinead Ryan, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Independent and the Presenter of The Home Show to discuss...  

Former President of Ireland and Chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to give her verdict on the COP28 deal...

This morning Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland Eamon Martin was on Newstalk Breakfast to discuss his comments on Safe Access Zones for women seeking abortions People Before Profit TD Dublin South Central Brid Smith has condemned his comments saying they were deeply offensive to women and pregnant people who were seeking to vindicate their right to bodily autonomy. Kieran was joined by People Before Profit TD Dublin South Central Brid Smith..

Some of you may already be digging into Christmas flavoured crisps. Companies like Walkers bring out new flavours for a variety of reasons, and some of its Christmas choices were ‘pigs in blanket’ flavour, festive turkey and sweet and spiced Christmas pudding. So how do companies pick their crisp flavours? And what tends to work and what doesn’t? Tom Keogh, founder and managing director of Keogh’s Crisps joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...