The Hard Shoulder

"I'd rather they criticise me than any of the acts that take part!", so says Michael Kealy, Executive Producer at RTE Television, and leader of the Irish delegation over in Liverpool. He joined us today to discuss, why Ireland falls short at Eurovision.

Business owners in the Temple Bar area of Dublin are reporting high levels of anti-social behaviour that is not only impacting their trade but are leaving staff feeling scared and threatened on a daily basis. Bob from the Cappuccino Bar Temple Bar, actress and comedian Katherine Lynch, who is a resident of Temple Bar, and Hazel Chu Former Mayor of Dublin joined us to discuss.

There were calls earlier in the week for Ireland to introduce a dedicated Junior Minister for Loneliness. According to the National Institute on Ageing, loneliness can be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. Today on The Hard Shoulder, Kieran talked about male loneliness, something that can often go unnoticed.

Many Schools across the country are operating with few or some cases no Male Teachers. Joining Kieran to discuss why we are facing a Male Teacher crisis in our education system was Assistant Principal, Aontú representative for Limerick and Education Spokesperson, Eric Nelligan and Fearghal Hughes a 6th class teacher in Co. Roscommon.

Every week, 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 to the railways of Europe and looked at some of the best spots to stop off when interrailing...

Former Eurovision winner Mickey Joe Harte joined Emmet Oliver to reflect on Ireland's 2023 Eurovison disappointment, our relationship with the contest and hopes for the future... Image: IMRO

Yesterday evening, Former US President Donald Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll a magazine columnist in a department store in the 1990s. He was also found liable for defamation as he labeled her a liar . Emmet Oliver was joined by Former Chief of Staff to Donald Trump and Chair of Actum Global Consultants, Mick Mulvaney to discuss...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Emmet Oliver 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 Emmet are looking at the household favourite, Corn Flakes...

The ongoing GAAGO debate has heated up in recent days as to whether or not GAA matches should be free to air. Emmet Oliver was joined by Timmy Dooley Fianna Fáil Senator and Enda McNulty CEO of McNulty Performance and former Armagh player…

Finance Minister Michael McGrath joined Emmet Oliver on The Hard Shoulder to discuss Government plans for spending budget surpluses over the coming years, the ongoing GAA GO controversy and the monitoring of the cost of groceries...

Wild Youth failed overnight in their bid to get Ireland to the final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. It’s the fifth time in a row that Ireland has failed to make the grand finale. It’s lead to some calls for drastic action, with some even asking whether we should go at all. Emmet Oliver was joined by John O’Brennan, political scientist at NUI Maynooth and Johnny Fallon of Carr Communications, who is also a big Eurovision fan…

There have been renewed calls from Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín to remove the statue of Prince Albert from Leinster House. Kieran was joined by Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times Journalist and author of 'Great Hatred: the Assassination of Field Marshal Sir Henry Wilson MP' to discuss the history of the Prince Albert statue... Image: Twitter @dmc_fadden

10 years ago Alex Ferguson announced that he would be ending his 27 year spell as manager of Manchester United. Editor of the United We Stand podcast Andy Mitten Joining me discuss the ups and downs of the last decade at old Trafford

The Cabinet is being briefed on proposals for using the large budget surpluses expected in the coming years. €65 billion is being forecast up to 2026, with much talk about how future finances can be ‘future proofed’. Kieran was joined by Shane Ross, Former Minister for Transport and Sport, Ray Yeates, Dublin City Arts Officer and Frank McDonald, Former Environment Editor of the Irish Times...

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 discussion around 'Is it good to be part of the European Union?'

Eurovision kicks off in Liverpool later this evening. It’s been 30 years since the contest was held in Millstreet County Cork. 1993 Eurovision Winner Niamh Kavanagh joined Kieran to discuss her historic win and Ireland's

The Cabinet is being briefed on proposals for using the large budget surpluses expected in the coming years. €65 billion is being forecast up to 2026, with much talk about how future finances can be ‘future proofed’. Kieran was joined by Independent Senator Michael McDowell and Lorna Bogue, An Rabharta Glas Councillor for Cork City Council to discuss...

With the coronation taking place last weekend there has been renewed focus on our relationship with the monarchy both past and present. Peadar Tóibín Leader of Aontú has called for the statue of Prince Albert outside Leinster House to be decommissioned. Aontú Leader, Peadar Tóibín TD and Dermot Lacey Labour Party Councillor for Dublin City Council joined Kieran to discuss.. Image: Twitter @dmc_fadden

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by singer Daniel O'Donnell to discuss his new tour, Eurovision and who he thinks will be the next host of The Late Late Show...

GAA streaming service GAAGO is creating an “invisible barrier” for elderly football fans, according to Age Action. The platform has come under further criticism due to technical difficulties, while others have said as a national sport the matches should be free to air. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Liam Griffin, Former Wexford Hurling manager and Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy to discuss..

May 15th 2023 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest being held in Millstreet in County Cork. Newstalk's Henry McKean headed to the rebel county to see how the famous competition ended in the South. He even met a very special guest from the 1993 contest...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to discuss Cinco De Mayo, the celebration and some festive recipes...

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...

The Department of Transport and Minister Eamon Ryan have rejected requests from Dublin Airport Authority to extend car parking spaces at Dublin Airport despite an ongoing shortage. Kieran was joined by Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward and Liam Sinclair, An Rabharta Glas Councillor for Tallaght Central to discuss...

Kieran was joined by Tracy Carroll on The Hard Shoulder. Tracy’s daughter Willow has stage 5 cerebral palsy. The HSE have advised Willow does not meet the criteria to have nurse support in the classroom, without this she cannot attend school. This means Tracy must attend school with Willow to act as her in-school nurse...

There could be trouble ahead at RTÉ. Frontrunners Miriam O'Callaghan, Claire Byrne and Sarah McInerney have all ruled themselves out of hosting the Late Lates Show. Kieran was joined by Willie O’Reilly, Former RTÉ Commercial Director and media commentator to discuss what is next for the Late Late...

With the Coronation of King Charles’ III taking place tomorrow, Newstalk’s Henry McKean headed to London to meet people from all over the world attending the coronation...

Dublin has been ranked as the worst capital in Europe for public transport tickets, according to new research from Greenpeace. The capital scored 36 out of 100 points in the ranking, and was the only city analysed which does not have a fixed-price long-term ticket for all means of transport. Kieran was joined by Paddy Comyn, Head of Communications at AA Ireland, Lorna Bogue, An Rabharta Glas Cork Councillor and Sunil Sharpe, Spokesperson for Give Us The Night...

Pete Lunn, Founder and Head of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to chat through the science behind trusting experts...

RTÉ have been criticised for giving up 4 hours of air time on Saturday morning to the Royal Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. But are RTÉ right to air the ceremony? Kieran was joined by Noel Cunningham, Ambassador for The Harvey’s Point Hotel in Donegal and Robbie Smyth, Editor of An Phoblacht and the former General Secretary of Sinn Féin...

This year’s Darkness Into Light event will take place in the early hours on Saturday, May 6th, with all money raised going to Pieta House. As always, Pieta House and Darkness into Light aim to bring more awareness about mental health, fighting suicide, self harm and supporting people affected by these issues. Kieran was joined in studio by Gráinne, a volunteer with Pieta, whose fiancé died by suicide and Stephanie Manahan, CEO of Pieta...

The European Central Bank has increased interest rates for a seventh time in a year. They are going up by a quarter of one per cent , as the ECB continues its attempts to reduce Eurozone inflation. Kieran was joined by Alan Barrett, CEO of the ESRI to discuss...

The wildly popular ‘Kin’ has come back to RTE. The second series will conclude this Sunday. Independent Dublin City Councilor Mannix Flynn says it’s causing damage to the cities’ reputation. Does Kin represent Dublin accurately? Kieran was joined by Mannix Flynn, Independent Dublin City Councillor and James Geoghegan, Fine Gael Councillor for Dublin Bay South.

RTÉ have been criticised for giving up 4 hours of air time on Saturday morning to the Royal Coronation of Charles III and his wife, Camilla, as king and queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. But are RTÉ right to air the ceremony? Kieran was joined by Michael O’Regan, journalist and broadcaster and Peadar Tobin, Aontu leader and TD for Meath West

Trinity College professor Brian Caulfield told Pat Kenny earlier today that SUVs should be phased out - because the gains we’re making in electric vehicle sales aren’t doing enough. Do we need to push to get these vehicles off the road? Jonathan Healy was joined by parenting expert, Laura Erskine and Tony Lowes, from Friends of the Irish Environment to discuss...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Jonathan Healy again 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 Jonathan are looking at the beloved marmalade...

Families who have been feeling the pinch in their shopping trollies will be delighted with the recent reductions in butter and milk which have come as some of the biggest supermarkets confirmed they will cut their prices Jonathan Healy was joined by Conor Pope, consumer affairs correspondent with the Irish Times and Tim Cullinan, President of the Irish Farmers Association to discuss...

The Coronation of King Charles III will take place this Saturday, May 13th in London. Jonathan Healy was joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show and Royal expert and Enda Brady, London based journalist

In the UK George Osbourne, the former Chancellor and pioneer of the sugar tax has stated that orange juice should be included under their taxation. In Ireland, sugar tax legislation only includes water based sugary drinks. It doesn't include orange juice citing its nutritional value but is it really that healthy and should it be taxed? Jonathan Healy was joined by Dr Eva Orsmond , Specialist in Weightloss and obesity and Founder of Dr Eva's clinics in Dublin and Galway...

Sinn Fein have called for an energy price cap. Calls for retail electricity prices to be capped could benefit higher-income households the most, according to Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist at the ESRI. Darren O’Rourke, Sinn Fein’s spokesperson on Climate and Energy joined Jonathan Healy to discuss...

Trinity College professor Brian Caulfield told Pat Kenny earlier today that SUVs should be phased out - because the gains we’re making in electric vehicle sales aren’t doing enough. Do we need to push to get these vehicles off the road? Jonathan Healy was joined by Green Party Councillor for North Dublin Inner City, Janet Horner and Cork City Councillor Ken O’Flynn...

Every week, 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 looked toward the Greek island of Kos...

Australia has announced a ban on vapes for recreational use which will see vapes banned from shops but instead sold through pharmacies. As part of the measures, vapes will only be sold by prescriptions and displayed in plain pharma packaging in a bid to clamp down on children using vapes. Kieran was joined by Professor Luke Clancy of the Tobacco Free Research Institute of Ireland and Dr Garrett McGovern, GP Specialising in Addiction Medicine, Medical Director of the Priority Medical Clinic and member of the New Nicotine Alliance Ireland…

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 discussion around 'Should abortion laws be liberalised further?'

It’s World Asthma Day today, and on the 50th anniversary of the Asthma Society of Ireland, we thought it’d be a good idea to shed some light on how many deal with their asthma - particularly in severe cases. Kieran was joined by Rachel Murray, a severe asthma patient in Sligo and Dr Maitiu O’Faloain a GP with special interest in respiratory care...

A new controversial measure has been proposed by the EU as part of a major revision of EU rules on driving licences in order to “address mobility issues in remote areas.” It would see 16 year old’s drive vehicles limited to a maximum speed of 45km/h. Is this what is needed for rural dwellers? And what about the practicalities of insurance? Kieran was joined by Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link and Moyagh Murdock, CEO of Insurance Ireland

Donald Trump will visit his golf resort in Doonbeg tomorrow. As he is a Former US President, there will be a certain amount of security provided by An Garda Síochána. Should the state be funding Trump’s visit to Doonbeg tomorrow? Kieran was joined by Timmy Dooley, Clare based Fianna Fail Senator and John Halligan, Former Minister for State and Former Waterford TD to discuss...

A new controversial measure has been proposed by the EU as part of a major revision of EU rules on driving licences in order to “address mobility issues in remote areas.” It would see 16 year old’s drive vehicles limited to a maximum speed of 45km/h. Kieran was joined by Tonie Toner, advanced Driving Instructor with Orangeworks Automotive and Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent TD for Roscommon Galway to discuss...

Ireland's official homeless figures have hit another new record high with nearly 12,000 people accessing emergency accommodation last month. Kieran was joined by Peter McVerry, founder of the Peter McVerry Trust to discuss...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to discuss the tips and tricks for catering at home...