The Hard Shoulder

Next Tuesday marks Safer Internet Day – and as we have been discussing it all week – we are joined today by the person assigned with doing the job here. Niamh Hodnett, Ireland’s Online Safety Commissioner joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

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...

Tonight Ireland visit France in their opening 6 Nations clash. Kieran was joined by Vincent Guérend, the French Ambassador to Ireland here in studio, Ryle Nugent, the rugby commentator and Aisling O’Reilly of Off The Ball who are both in Marseille..

There have been suggestions that Minister Roderic O’Gorman might be open to social welfare style payments to support parents who decide to be stay at home parents. Should we welcome this, and should we offer parents' support if they decide to stay at home?  Kieran was joined by Louise Bayliss, spokesperson of SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids) to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut and Laura Donnelly, News Editor and Anchor with Bauer Media Group

As it is election year in the US, every Thursday here on the Hard Shoulder we are going to get the latest from the campaign trail. Kieran was joined by Jeff Kuhner, Host of The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston... 

'Government must act and implement legislation around pornographic material. They must limit access to it. Children should not be able to easily access such dangerous material.'   Those are the words of online petition that went live before Christmas looking to increase protections for Children against pornography. That petition is now closing on its target of 5000 signatures.  Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner joined Kieran to discuss...

Irish Farmers will gather across the country this evening in solidarity with their EU counterparts.  The Irish Farmer’s Association has agreed to hold the rallies in protest against regulations of the industry. Kieran was joined by Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Limerick Farmer and Journalist and Louise Crowley, Secretary Limerick IFA and Beef Farmer...

A pilot programme for 'intelligent cars' is being launched today.  It uses 'Connected Vehicle Technology' to improve road safety by enabling cars to 'talk' to each other, and the traffic systems around them. Minister of State for Road Safety Jack Chambers joined Kieran to discuss this and also his recent announcement in which he came out as gay...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Jack Power, Journalist with the Irish Times and Shane Hannon , Presenter from Off The Ball...  

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 new year. This week Simon and Kieran put some diefferent pestos to the test...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Paul Williams, Crime Journalist with the Irish Independent to discuss morale in An Garda Síochána...

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 look at a trip to Edinburgh...

This year marks 20 years since Facebook was founded. Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joined Kieran to discuss...

The deal between the DUP and the UK Government to get power sharing back was published this afternoon. The 80 page document says there will be no checks when goods move within the UK internal market system. Henry McKean is in Belfast for us now, getting reaction from both sides of the divide. Henry good afternoon.

We had a conversation on The Hard Shoulder yesterday around schools needing to record all bullying incidents that occur in their schools.  Bullying is a common phenomenon in schools, and we would never want our kids to be bullied, however for some parents their kids might be the bully. Why does this occur and what can you do to address this issue as a parent. Kieran was joined by Stella O’Malley Psychotherapist and Author and George O’Leary, Head Of Operations and Co-Founder of Yung Medical Aesthetics...

The Six Nations kicks off this Friday but Ireland could be set for a championship decider in round 1 as they take on the French in Marseille. Andy Farrell has named his team – with Jack Crowley taking the ten jersey vacated by Jonny Sexton while there is a start for Leinster’s Joe McCarthy in the second row while Gary Ringrose has been ruled out with Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki named at centre. Munster’s Calvin Nash is named on the wing with Mack Hansen missing the entire tournament. Kieran was joined by Gerry Thornley, Irish Times Rugby Correspondent and Fiona Hayes, Former Ireland International to discuss...

A new bill is up before the Dáil today which would see cannabis possession decriminalised for up to seven grams.  The Misuse of Drugs Bill 2022 is being brought forward by People for Profit and believes it is a stepping stone for a wider discussion on decriminalisation. Prof Bobby Smyth Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and Gino Kenny, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Mid West joined Kieran to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post and Ellen Butler, Newstalk Reporter...

Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise Trade & Employment joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the return of Powersharing to Stormont and the possibility of failed asylum applicants being deported on dedicated flights chartered by State...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Dr Peter Boylan, Former Master of the National Maternity Hospital to discuss Sláintecare and it's slow progress...

Journalist and entrepreneur Mark Little joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of his favourite books...

This Thursday will see Ireland adopt the new deposit return scheme for bottles and cans. Consumers will be able to return the items to their local shops to claim their deposit back. Newstalk's Josh Crosbie asked the public if they will use the new scheme. Kieran was joined by Ciaran Foley is the Chief Executive of Re-Turn, the body operating Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme...

Actress Jessica Biel is a self-proclaimed shower eater. You heard that correct, she loves to multitask by having a bit of grub while washing herself.  Is this normal behaviour and if you were her housemate would you be having a word with her?  Saoirse Hanley, Features Writer at Independent and Newstalk’s Own Simon Tierney joined Kieran to discuss...

Under new guidelines, Schools across the country will be obliged to record all incidents of bullying behaviour for the first time. This new centralised database will expose the extent of bullying in schools and will feed into an anonymised annual national report to allow a better approach for tackling the issue of bullying.Kieran was joined by Professor James O’Higgins Norman, UNESCO Chair in Bullying and Cyberbulling at the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre  and Sinéad, whose son was cyber bullied...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Elaine Loughlin, Political Reporter with the Irish Examiner and David Davin Power, Journalist and Columnist...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Founder and Chair of the Irish Muslim Council...

The HSE has called on increased measures to protect against measles after a significant rise in cases in the UK and across Europe. One of these measures is to ensure that our children have up to date MMR vaccinations to combat the disease.  Kieran was joined by Dr Suzanne Crowe, consultant in paediatric intensive care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital...

RTÉ's Top Earners luist for 2022 has been released. Ryan Tubridy tops the list, followed by the likes of Joe Duffy and Claire Byrne. The Irish Independent has also reported today that 60 people a day are facing prosecution for not paying their TV licence. Henry McKean joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder with this report.Kieran was also joined by Larry Bass, CEO of ShinAwiL production company who says the government has failed to grasp the nettle of the licence fee and tackle the issues people not paying...

Boots have done a survey in the UK ranking the on most annoying sounds. Why do certain sounds affect us? How can they make us feel angry or relaxed?Kieran was joined by Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin to discuss...

Opposition to the traditional St Patrick’s Day visit to the White House over the US’s stance on the war in Gaza.  Last week we spoke to People Before Profit’s Paul Murphy who called on the government to boycott the visit while today SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said he will not attend the celebration. Daniel Mulhall, former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States and Bríd Smith, People Before Profit TD joined Kieran to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Fionnan Sheehan, Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent and Wendy Ann Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist...

Today is January 26th and marks Australia Day, which saw the arrival of 11 British ships in present-day Sydney on Jan. 26, 1788.  However today has seen Australians protested the anniversary with large crowds calling for Australia Day to be moved  Gary Gray, Australian Ambassador to Ireland joined Kieran to discuss...

The BBC show The Traitors is the new reality show that has gotten everyone hooked. 22 strangers decide who they deem trustworthy, and their decisions take viewers on an adventure of twists and turns.  Kieran was joined by Olivia Fahy, Editor of Geek Ireland...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat about cholesterol...

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

On the front page of today’s Kilkenny People is the headline “New scourge of vape litter is taking over.” Over 90% of our litter is now smoking or vape related. We wanted to find out if this is the same for the rest of the country. Henry McKean hit the streets to find out...

Eurosong kicks off tonight where 6 Irish hopefuls will battle it off to represent the emerald isle on the big stage for Eurovision 2024. It’s no hidden fact that Ireland hasn’t performed that well in recent years with our golden era of wins in 90s a distant past. Should we reconsider how we select who represents us and how the songs are chosen? Billy Kelleher Fianna Fáil MEP and Mickey Joe Harte, Eurovision contestant in 2003 joined Kieran to discuss...

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has announced his shock decision to leave the club at the end of the season. Kieran was joined by Liverpool Legend Phil Thompson, Dáire Gorman, a young Liverpool fan, who people may have seen in viral video over Christmas visiting Liverpool and Martina Cox wife of Sean Cox...Image: Liverpool Football Club (Nikki Dyer)

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Larry Donnelly, Director of the Kennedy Summer School and Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis to discuss...

As it is election year in the US, every Thursday here on the Hard Shoulder we are going to get the latest from the campaign trail. Kieran was joined by Jeff Kuhner, Host of The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston... 

A decriminalisation of drugs and a move towards a comprehensive health-led response.  That is just one of the key findings in the final report by the Citizens Assembly on Drug Use which has been launched today.  Paul Reid chaired the Citizens Assembly on Drugs and he joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Ellen Coyne is writing today that if a restaurant or cafe is child free, it’s essentially saying it’s women free. Do mothers feel a burden when out with their kids and feel the responsibility for other’s enjoyments Kieran was joined by Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer for The Irish Times and Holly Dalton, Chef and director of Conbini Condiments... 

The Ireland’s women basketball team is set to go ahead with their game against Israel next month despite calls for a boycott from a number of the squad members due to the ongoing war with Gaza.  Kieran was joined by broadcaster and activist, Emer O'Neill and Basketball player, author and peace activist Rebecca O’Keefe...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by John Lee, Executive Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland and Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent...  

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 new year. This week Simon and Kieran put a variety of granola to the test...

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 look at a trip to Venice...

We’ve teamed up with Laya Healthcare to explore wellbeing in the workplace. Today, Kieran was joined by Dr. Brian Pennie, Neuroscientist and Resilience Specialist. Brian has had a tough journey to the position he is in today, having struggled with heroin addiction. The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index, available at Layahealthcare.ie/wellbeingindex. Keep your finger on the pulse.’ Image: Brian Pennie

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Nicola Tallant, Investigations editor with the Sunday World to discuss cocaine usage in Ireland and its impact on the industry worldwide...

40 Years ago today, January 24, 1984, the Apple Macintosh was introduced to the world. Four decades later, it continues to maintain a dedicated community of enthusiasts and users.Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joined Kieran to discuss...