The Hard Shoulder

The Special Olympics World Games has started in Berlin after much fanfare at the Opening ceremony. Team Ireland have already got their name on the medal table... Henry McKean joined Kieran LIVE from Berlin...

The death of a man last month, who was undergoing a dental procedure, has brought the total number of Irish deaths from medical procedures in Turkey within the last two years to seven. With the rising trend in ‘Turkey teeth’ and the high costs of cosmetic procedures in Ireland, medical tourism is more popular than ever. Kieran was joined by Helen Heneghan, consultant surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital and professor of surgery and Dr. Will Rymer, chair of the GP committee of the Irish Dental Association to discuss…

The Republic of Ireland will face Gibraltar in their Euro 2024 qualifier tonight at the Aviva Stadium. Off The Ball's Nathan Murphy and former Ireland international David Connolly joined Kieran to discuss...

President Michael D Higgins has apologised to Professor Louise Richardson for questioning her role as chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. It’s as he says that Ireland, generally, is playing with fire with its foreign policy - remarks in an interview in the Business Post that have divided the nation. Kieran was joined by Michael Ring, Fine Gael TD for Mayo and John O’Brennan, Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Maynooth University to discuss..

The residents of Balbriggan have been gathering together and campaigning to bring attention to the poor water and pollution in the sea water surrounding the town. On Saturday, a peaceful protest, spear headed by local groups, including the sea swimming group, Balbriggan Swimming Socks, attracted a crowd of over 200 people, who are calling on local authorities to address the situation, before access to local beaches is lost completely. Kieran was joined by Andrea Porter, Balbriggan resident, sea swimmer and volunteer with Kildare Wildlife Rescue

President Michael D Higgins has apologised to Professor Louise Richardson for questioning her role as chair of the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. It’s as he says that Ireland, generally, is playing with fire with its foreign policy - remarks in an interview in the Business Post that have divided the nation. Kieran was joined by Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell and founding member of the Irish Neutrality League, Mark Price to discuss...

Irish people are well known around the world for our nonchalant attitude to cursing. But is our habit of swearing a cause for concern? Kieran was joined by Claudia Carroll, author and actress and comedian and professional swearer Steve Cummins

The new Irish Wake Museum opened today in Waterford. But, what makes Irish attitudes and customs around death so unique? Kieran was joined by Clare Ann Irwin, Current Rose of Galway and Funeral Director at Irwin Funeral Directors...

Proposed hate speech legislation is currently being debated in the Seanad, with some saying it doesn’t go far enough; others say it goes too far. Do we need this legislation? Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly and current affairs commentator Keith Mills joined Kieran to discuss...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to learn about the delicious elderflower and how to incorporate it into food and drink...

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...

This Sunday is Father’s day, and while some are planning their gifts and are having meals out, there are some who are still trying to remember what their father sounded like. Saoirse Hanley’s father passed away when she was 12 and has spent her life since wondering about who he was, how he would react to situations and trying to remember his voice...

New figures released by Tusla show that the number of parents pulling kids out of school for holidays is increasing. Absences for holidays jumped from 60,000-65,000 in 2019 to 350,000 in 2021. Kieran was joined by Sinead O’Moore, parent and Host of the Stretchmarks Podcast and Mark Candon, Principal of St. Laurence’s Senior boys National School in North Dock Dublin to discuss...

The Irish Wake Museum opened in Waterford today. Visitors will explore the history of Irish traditions related to death and funerals. We sent Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie to get a tour of the Museum.

Today, June 16th, is commonly referred to as Bloomsday, named after the fictional character Leopold Bloom, from James Joyce’s Ulysses, voted the greatest novel of the 20th century. Each year on this day, Dublin City can be seen full of tourists and locals alike, taking part in tours, re-enactments and celebrations dedicated to the iconic book, but should we be taking our appreciation for this story one step further by making Bloomsday a public holiday? Kieran was joined by Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD and John Barry, Managing Director MSS The HR People and Member of ISME National Councils to discuss...

It was reported this week that Ukrainians are now to be offered modular homes worth €145,000 for at least 12 months. This is part of an effort to house the Ukrainians that are arriving here over the next month. Brendan Ogle, trade unionist and housing activist and Paul Treyvaud, owner of Treyvaud's Restaurant in Killarney...

Cork County Council have written to bin collection companies in the county on the issue of bins being collected 'too early', causing unrest among people in the early hours of the morning... Henry McKean reports...

Shelbourne have agreed to release goalkeeper Scott van der Sluis so he can take part in ITV reality show Love Island. The club said the 22-year-old had requested early release from his contract so he could take part in the show. Kieran was joined by former Love Island contestant, Shannen Reilly McGrath to discuss life after the show... Image: ITV

The Government are set to hold a number of consultative forums on neutrality next week in Cork. Today, in Leinster House there was a spat or two in the Dail that involved Tánaiste Micheal Martin and People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy on the topic of neutrality. Kieran was joined by People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy and Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fáil Senator, leader of the Seanad, and spokesperson on Foreign and European Affairs

Illegally parked cars on footpaths and cycling lanes can be a frustrating everyday experience. But is this a bigger issues than we know of? Kieran was joined by Green Party Councilor for Dublin City, Donna Cooney and Dr Robert Synott, Coordinator and founder of Voice of Vison Impairment Ireland

The European Central Bank has its raised borrowing costs by a quarter of a percent, to their highest level in 22 years. They’ve also left the door open to more hikes - citing the continued fight against inflation. Kieran was joined by Dan O’Brien, chief economist of the Institute of International and European Affairs to discuss

A new study from the University of Bath has found that women prioritise social status and financial prospects in potential partners while men are more focused on looks when looking for their significant other. But does this actually ring true? Kieran was joined by Co-Hosts of the ‘Is This Why You’re Single Podcast’, Lisa Brady, Irish Daily Mail Features Editor and Feargal Harrington, Owner of INTRO Matchmaking

This weekend Manchester City won their first ever champions league sparking huge celebrations amongst fans at home and abroad, but it was the celebrations of Jack Grealish which drew ire. Some feel Grealish’s celebrations promote drinking within sport and could be harmful to younger viewers. Kieran was joined by Tim Barry, former chairman of Rathdowney-Erril GAA in Co Laois and Luke Loughlin, Westmeath GAA player...

Psychotherapist Richard Hogan’s new book ‘Home Is Where The Start Is: How Your Family Made You, and How You Can Make Yourself Even Better’ encourages people to look into their family history to help with their own struggles. Richard joined Kieran in studio to discuss...

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 condoms on the shelves...

This week the HSE are holding their annual Men’s Health Week with this year’s theme being ‘The Picture of Health’ and what does that look like to you? Kieran was joined by Eoin Kernan, who has experienced both sides of men’s health, reaching a devastating low in 2019 by learning he was living with an eating disirder and now bouncing back now 4 years later as a men's mental health advocate...

The Irish Countrywomen’s Association has had a strong presence in rural communities for generations and has provided women with opportunities to connect with others who share similar interests and learn skills. In recent years, some members have labelled the organisation as toxic and dysfunctional. Former national president of the ICA and member for over 50 years, Breda Raggett joined Kieran to discuss the current situation…

Behavioural scientist Pete Lunn joined Kieran to talk about what it means to be in awe.

A People Before Profit bill to pay young workers the national minimum wage has been amended by the government today, freezing the Bill for another a year. Should we be paying young people the national minimum wage ? Kieran was joined by Molly Greenough UCD Student Union President and Danny Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry to discuss…

With father’s day next Sunday many will be buying dad some craft beers or a satirical mug. But would you buy dad a bouquet of flowers? Kieran was joined by influencer, Holly Carpenter, Joe O’Shea, Editor of CorkBeo.ie and owner of Balla Florists in Mayo, Judi Roche to discuss...

As the country mourns the death of legendary singer Christy Dignam, Newstalk is looking back on a ‘singular, stand-out’ talent’s life. The Aslan frontman died peacefully at his home yesterday following a long battle with cancer. Tributes have been pouring in the hours since, with Hothouse Flowers musician Fiachna Ó Braonáin this morning remembering his friend as one of the great rock n’ roll singers who was never afraid to ‘speak, tell and indeed sing’ his truth. Here is Dignam speaking to Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder’s Thursday interview in happier times.

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport and Kieran Cuddihy will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn and Kieran took a look at some of the best seaside resorts out there...

Lady Catherine from Dalkey Castle joined Kieran LIVE at The Queens bar in Dalkey...

We are broadcasting to you from the coastal village of Dalkey as part of Newstalk's Summer Tour. There may be a rain warning issued for the West of the country but here on the East Coast people are still flocking to the sea. So much so that we sent our reporter Josh Crosbie out to meet with those who heading to the water.

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 LIVE in The Queens Bar in Dalkey with a debate on 'Should we still be building data centres?'

As the Dalkey Book Festival approaches Kieran was joined LIVE at The Queens Bar in Dalkey by one of the speakers, journalist and broadcaster, Mark Little...

Christy Dignam, lead singer of Aslan, has died aged 63. Newstalk's Tom Dunne joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to remember him...

With the long spell of warm weather that we’ve had lately, barbecues and cocktail shakers have been dusted off all over the country. For some summer bbq and cocktail recipes Kieran was joined LIVE inby Nico Reynolds, chef and host of All Fired Up and Dylan McCauley, General Manager of The Queens Bar Dalkey...

As part of Newstalk's Summer Tour, The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from the Queen's Bar in Dalkey. While out there, Newstalk's Tom Dunne took Kieran on a tour of Dalkey...

Now be it longer evenings, drinking wine in the garden or watching love island these are just some of favourite parts of the summer season according to a recent study commissioned by John Lewis. What are the best moments of summer, Kieran was joined by Journalist and Author, Barbara Scully and Newstalk's Henry McKean to discuss...

The Universal Social Charge was introduced in 13 years ago as a temporary measure to deal with the pressures which the financial crash brought. But, why are we still paying it? Kieran was joined by Verona Murphy Independent TD for Wexford and Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie...

For the second year running, the Night and Day Festival will take place this summer. On the 24th and 25th of June the magical, musical medley of performance, art and interaction will take place in the surroundings of Lough Key Forest Park, Co. Roscommon. Liam Ó Maonlaí from Hothouse Flowers joined Kieran to

Analysis from the Irish Independent shows a variety of reasons given including the houses being too small, lacking in garden or parking space, lack of storage for motorbikes or being located too close to an ex-partner. Kieran was joined by Susanne Rogers, Research And Policy Analyst Social Justice Ireland and Tom Phillips, managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates and Adjunct Associate Professor of Architecture and Planning in UCD…

Meltdowns, making packed lunches and lost items of clothing are all making parents late in the morning. That's according to a new survey for Natures Aid children’s vitamins, Mini Drops and Super Stars. Henry McKean met these people in the rain and asked them what makes them late and do they find lateness rude or is it part of our culture?

It is 35 years to the day since Ray Houghton headed the ball into the English net at Euro 88' in West Germany. Former Ireland international, Ray Houghton joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the infamous goal...

Boris Johnson, as well as some of his colleagues, have stepped down as an MP over the weekend. While Nicola Sturgeon has been released without charge following her arrest in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the SNP. Lucy Fisher, chief political commentator at Times Radio joined Kieran to discuss. On this side of the water, a political mutiny could be on the cards within Fine Gael as it emerged over the weekend that a number of senior Fine Gael TDs have expressed privately a lack of confidence in Tánaiste and party leader Leo Varadkar. Fionnan Sheahan. Ireland Editor, Irish Independent joined Kieran to discuss…

There are calls for stricter enforcement of E-scooter rules after footage emerged of someone riding one down the M50 in Dublin. The footage, shared widely on social media, shows the rider hurtling down the busy motorway wearing a high-viz but no helmet. The video has caused a new wave of concern around the safety of these vehicles. How safe are these scooters to use currently, and what needs to be done to make them safer? I’m joined on the line by Peadar Golden, Ireland Country Manager for TIER Mobility and Shane O’Donoghue, editor of completecar.ie…

U2, the Rolling Stones and now Harry Styles - yes the former one direction star will headline at Slane castle tomorrow. The iconic concert is back after a three year pandemic-induced hiatus and welcome a young crowd of mostly first timers. Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports on why Harry Styles is the perfect performer for this new generation of Slane concert pilgrims.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to discuss the all-time great and everyone's favourite by the sea - fish and chips...

All religious images and artefacts have been removed from display at St Vincent’s Hospital after the religious Sisters of Charity’s shareholding was transferred to a charitable trust last year. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Jillian Brennan, CEO of the Humanist Association and Senator Rónán Mullan....