The Hard Shoulder

An exciting weekend of sports is ahead of us.The FAI cup final will see St Patrick’s Athletic take on Bohemians on Sunday in the Aviva.Kieran and Ger previewed the game and also chatted about Evan Ferguson's new Brighton contract and the worrying future of FAI funding.

After 118 long days it appears the Hollywood actor strike is at an end – however the pause in production may have ramifications for your favourite TV shows and movies for years to come.Kieran was joined by John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk  to discuss

The ongoing recruitment freeze within the HSE is to be extended to include more staff positions. In a memo sent to senior managers this morning – the HSE said the recruitment freeze is being widened to all categories of staff with the exception of consultants, doctors in training and 2023 graduate nurses and midwives. The move comes as the HSE struggles to battle a 1-and-a-half billion euro shortfall in their budget for 2023. Kieran was joined by David Cullinane, Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Health to reflect on the decision.

Have you ever been out for a meal in a restaurant and a screaming or misbehaving child has ruined your dining experience?A restaurant in the state of Georgia is taking action charging families a surcharge of 50 Dollars for their children’s “bad behavior.” But could dining establishments here in Ireland introduce a similar charge and is it potentially good idea? Joining Kieran to discuss this further was Jen Hogan , Columnist with the Irish Times and Stefanie Preissner, Presenter of the Basically Podcast  

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today as she does every Friday. Aisling is taking us on all on a date today as she talks us through the culinary history of the date and the many tasty treats and meals that can be made with the humble fruit.

Comedian, TV star and author, PJ Gallagher joined Kieran for The Thursday Interview to talk about his new book 'Madhouse' and the new addition to his family...

Jozef Puska has been found guilty of the murder of Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022.Kieran spoke to Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Eve McDowell, Co-Founder of Stalking Ireland and advocacy specialist at active consent and Orla O’Conner, Director of National Women’s Council .

Jozef Puska has been found guilty of the murder of Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022.Kieran spoke to Ashling's friend, Laura and Ashling's lecturer Dr Ailbhe Kenny, Associate Professor of Music Education at Mary Immaculate College.

Jozef Puska has been found guilty of the murder of Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022.Kieran spoke to Sinead O’Carroll, editor of TheJournal.ie, Ailbhe Smyth, activist and campaigner and influencer, Holly Carpenter.

Jozef Puska has been found guilty of the murder of Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022.Kieran spoke to Sarah Benson, CEO of Women’s Aid, Brianna Parkins, Irish Times Columnist and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent.

Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of The Bellissimo Files Podcast, and Newstalk’s own Sue Murphy have joined Kieran once again with all the latest in TV and Movie including 'Sly', the Sylvester Stalone documentary, (I Am) Robbie Williams and Selling Sunsets.

Claire McKenna, Host of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk and actress, Eilish O’Caroll joined Kieran to discuss the joys of ageing!

Bobby McDonagh, Former Ambassador to the UK and the EU spoke to Kieran about Sinn Fein's decision not to invite the Israeli ambassador to their Ard Fheis

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 put a variety of toilet cleaners to the test...

There has been criticism that Sinn Fein have not been engaging with the Israeli Embassy despite saying they will ‘talk to everybody’. This comes as the Ambassador for Israel won’t be receiving an invitation to Sinn Fein’s Ard Fheis taking place this weekend in Athlone. Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs & Defence, Matt McCarthy and Gerard Craughwell, Independent Senator  

RTE Sports Broadcaster Evanne Ni Chuilinn joined Kieran to chat about her new book 'The Great Irish book of Gaelic Games' illustrated by Donough O’Malley.'The Great Irish book of Gaelic Games' is out now and is a perfect introduction to Ireland’s ancient and historic games.  

Newstalk reporter Henry McKean visited a Dublin 7 apartment block that has been infested with rats.He spoke with the residents dealing with the rodents and how they've taken over their community.

An OECD Alcohol Consumption study has put Ireland in the world's top 10 binge-drinking countries. Kieran was joined by Professor Frank Murray, Chairman of Alcohol Health Action Ireland, Niamh Maher, Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media and Architect, Hugh Wallace.

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 a trip to Bologna ...

Kieran spoke to poet John Cooper Clarke, who has been writing and performing his brand of punk poetry since the 70s. The Irish leg of his tour will include five locations in May 2024.

For this week's Common Ground, Kieran was joined by Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty and Socialist TD for Cork North Central, and member of the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade and Employment Committee, Mick Barry. We asked: is war ever justified?

It’s the first Tuesday of November, and this time next year, on the first Tuesday of November 2024, we will see one of the most anticipated US elections in recent times. Who are the likely frontrunners, and what are the issues dearest to US voters?Kieran spoke to Bob Mulholland, a Democratic Party Strategist based in California, and Jerry McDermott, Executive Director of the Irish Cultural Centre and former Norfolk County Sheriff. 

Minister for Education Norma Foley spoke to Kieran about the government's new guidelines encouraging parents to hold off on buying smartphones for children.

There is no end in sight to the four-month Hollywood Strike, as there is still no agreement between the actors’ union and studios. Negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild say they couldn’t agree to the studios’ “last, best and final offer”.    Joining Kieran to discuss was Natalie Britton, Actress and Member of SAG AFTRA and Tim Gray, Executive Vice President of the Golden Globes.

It is one month today since the Hamas attacks that sparked the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine.Is there any prospect of peace? Kieran spoke to John O’Brennan, Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Maynooth University. 

The cabinet has approved new guidelines that will encourage parents not to purchase smartphones for their children in primary school. To discuss, Kieran was joined by Alex Cooney, CyberSafeKids CEO & Co-Founder, Brian Barron, Portlaw National School principal, and Aodhan O’Riordan, Labour Party’s Education spokesperson.

Times are changing, and the Simpsons is still on air, but classic jokes on the hit cartoon such as Homer strangling Bart haven't exactly aged well.Movie reviewer and editor of Geek Ireland Olivia Fahy spoke to Anton about the show's attempts to stay relevant.

Eight hundred teaching posts in primary schools here are unfilled as of this moment. Principal of Rathcoole Educate Together Gemma Maher joined Anton to speak about difficulties the education sector faces due to this shortage.

The government's approach to Ukraine, Sinn Féin's new housing plan, and an Irish Covid inquiry in the works.Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail, joined Anton to discuss the coming week in politics.

800 teaching posts in primary schools here are unfilled as of this moment. This is because of a shortage of school teachers, as set out by a survey carried out by primary teacher union the INTO. General Secretary of the INTO joined Anton to discuss.

Motions are being put forward through the council to fly the Palestinian Flag over City Hall in an act of solidarity with people in Gaza.  Should public buildings be used as way to show solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians or it necessary to remain neutral?Cllr Noeleen Reilly and Cllr David McManus joined Anton to discuss.

Dublin Marathon could be forced to get a new route further outside the city. Reports in the Sunday Independent said Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority were unhappy about the “disproportionate adverse impact” the race has on public transport services. Anton spoke to Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne about the future of the Marathon.

An architectural firm in the UK has mocked up plans to build hundreds of homes at a north London golf club.The proposals are for 650 homes to be built on Enfield Golf Club's 18-hole course. Here in Ireland, should we be looking to rezone some golf courses for the purpose of housing? To discuss, Anton was joined by Feljin Jose, chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition, and Off The Ball’s Nathan Murphy. 

This week for the latest edition of Winners and Sinners Kieran was joined by Comedian, Jim Elliott and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

Its National Sandwich Day! Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat us through the magic of the lunchbox staple.

What gets on your nerves when you got out for a meal? Maybe it’s a complex Menu, where you spend 10 minutes of your meal googling what your dinner actually is?Well, Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie took the time to chat with restaurateurs, chefs and menu makers on why nenus are sometimes complicated. He also took to the streets to hear what the public had to say on menu illiteracy.

People Before Profit have called for the nationalisation of childcare free for whoever wants to use the service.The proposed System would see childcares become public servants and would be funded via the budget surplus.The proposal comes as the Childcare system in the state has been facing a multitude of problems, often leaving parents with no access to essential childcare.Joining Kieran to discuss the potential and practicality of such a system was Hazel de Nortúin,  People Before Profit Councillor for Ballyfermot/Drimnagh ward and founder of  Teanga Beo  and Rowena Fisher , Pre-school childcare provider and Owner at Phylls preschool 

The conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate day by day despite calls for a humanitarian pause from major world leaders.With no end to hostilities in sight, Kieran was joined again by Ibrahim Alagha an Irish Citizen on the ground in Gaza to give us an update on the situation. He was also by joined Prof. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. A Palestinian Canadian physician, born and raised in Jabalia Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip and author of ‘I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor’s Journey on the Road to Peace and Human Dignity’ 

This week on the Thursday interview Kieran was joined by James O'Brien, LBC Radio Presenter to talk about his new book, "How They Broke Britain" As well as delving into his 20-year-plus career as one of the UK's top broadcasters and journalists.

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 try the cheapest beers in the supermarkets. To find out whether they can compete with the big brands of the beer world

The Fifa World Cup looks to be heading to Saudi Arabia in 2034 after Australia confirmed they would not be bidding for the tournament. Fifa had ruled that only Asia or Oceania could host the tournament due 2030 edition being spread across several continents. Philippe Auclair, France Football Correspondent and investigative reporter for Josimar...

Anton Savage 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 'Do we care about the North'...

The Oireachtas Social Protection Committee is calling for the pension deferral age to be raised from 70 to 75. This would mean you would have the option to work for longer, should you feel fit enough to do so, and access an enhanced rate of the pension when it’s eventually drawn down.Anton Savage was joined by Celine Clark, Head of Advocacy and Public Affairs at Age Action, Michael McMahon, Acting Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Journalist and Author Valerie Cox to discuss...

Bruce Springsteen is on the way back to Ireland already! 'The Boss' will play at Kilkenny’s Nowlan Park, Cork’s Páirc Uí Caoimh and Dublin’s Croke Park on May 12th, 16th and 19th next year. Anton Savage was joined by Tom McCormack who also serves Organiser of fans for Springsteen Concerts and James Coughlan aka Jimi the Barber from Clare... 

Rain warnings are in place ahead of Storm Ciarán which is set to hit tomorrow night. Anton Savage was joined by Brandon Creagh Meteorologist with Met Eireann, John Sweeney, Climatologist and Professor Emeritus at Maynooth University and Siobhan McGuigan, Owner of the Carlingford Arms Pub and Restaurant in Louth…

Has Halloween become too Americanised? Anton Savage was joined by Brenda Power, columnist with The Irish Daily Mail and Alison Curtis, Presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM to discuss...

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

This weekend is a big weekend as it’s the Dublin Marathon. Jarlath Regan, comedian who is currently on tour with his show ‘Yer Man on Tour’ and is running the Dublin Marathon and he joined fellow marathon runner Kieran Cuddihy to look towards the race on Sunday...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat through how to make the most of the spices in your cupboard...

James Blunt is a fantastic musician and has been in the industry for around 20 years, receiving over 5 grammy nominations for his work. His new album ‘Who We Used to Be’ is out now and he joined Kieran Cuddihy in studio to chat about this and his life and career thus far...