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...

Kieran Cuddihy was joined on The Hard Shoulder by the multi-award winning Mullingar man Niall Horan, to discuss his new single 'Meltdown', the pressure to reach milestones, being an ambassador for Ireland and his third studio album 'The Show'...

All this week, Newstalk is partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland to celebrate Wish Week and we have been how Make-A-Wish has given hope during the harder times in the lives of families. Kieran was joined by Hugh McElveen whose daughter Eve passed away in December… Make-A-Wish Ireland is dependent on the generosity of the public. Today is Wish Day so please give what you can. You can donate; - Online at makeawish.ie/donate - Texting ‘MYWISH’ to 50300 to give €4 (Make A Wish will receive a minimum of €3.60) - On Revolut – search Make A Wish Ireland in Revolut Donations

Inappropriate parking, noisy children, shouting, dogs barking, and loud music are some of the most annoying things your neighbors can do. That’s according to a survey by Giffgaff. Kieran was joined by William Corless, psychologist, workplace mediator and senior partner in the Mediation Foundation and comedian Steve Cummins who has a long history of calling out his neighbours..

Protests are being held today outside the Dail over new legislation surrounding international surrogacy. Irish Families though surrogacy is concerned that the news laws will further increase costs of the already financially draining nature of international surrogacy. Kieran was joined by the spokesperson for Irish Families through Surrogacy, Cathy Wheatley...

Today, the European Parliament are hosting a day full of discussion on European radio and the future of Europe. With that, this year marks 50 years since Ireland joined the ECC and we are just over the one year mark since Ukraine joined the EU Kieran was joined LIVE from the European Parliament in Brussels by Barry Andrews, Fianna Fail MEP for Dublin and Colm Markey, Fein Gael MEP for Midlands-North West

Sinn Fein's Michelle O'Neill has accepted an invitation to attend the coronation of King Charles. In her statement Michelle O'Neill said: “I am an Irish republican. I also recognise there are many people on our island for whom the coronation is a hugely important occasion. I am committed to being a first minister for all.” Kieran was joined by Ruairí Ó Murchú, Sinn Fein TD for Louth and Peadar Tóibín, Aontú Leader and TD for Meath West..

Niall Collins has addressed the Dai today stating that “no law was broken” and “that he did not participate in any decision that authorized the sale of the land to his wife. John Drennan, Political Correspondent for the Mail Group joined Kieran to discuss this and further concerns in Fine Gael TDs not contesting the next election...

US TV talkshow host Jerry Springer has died at the age of 79. He hosted 'The Jerry Springer Show' for 27 years, which was syndicated to several countries around the world. Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, John Fardy joined Kieran to discuss...

There have been calls from the head of the Climate Change Advisory Council,Marie Donnelly for the Government to put in a levy on workers who get free parking in urban areas. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Hazel Chu, Dublin City Councillor for the Green Party and Brian Cooke, Director General for the Society of the Irish Motor Industry...

In just over a weeks’ time the King’s Coronation will be taking place on May 9th. One person who will be attending the event which might come as a surprise to some is Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill. To get reaction to this we sent Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie up North to speak with Republican and Unionist communities.

After more than a year of campaigning, Trinity College has decided to de-name Berkeley Library due to the philosopher’s links with the transatlantic slave trade. Kieran was joined by Gaby Fulham, President of Trinity College Dublin’s Students Union and Ian O’Doherty, Columnist With The Irish Independent

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran 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 Kieran are looking at the humble household staple, milk...

A three-year review of Ireland’s abortion regime found the service to be 'untenable'. It also found the three-day ‘pause period’ before getting an abortion is not necessary. Holly Cairns TD and leader of the Social Democrats joined Kieran to discuss ...

There was a big response to our interview yesterday on The Hard Shoulder with Conor Skehan, the Sunday Independent Columnist and former chair of The Housing Agency. Conor had a lot of strong views on it, and to talk through some of the issues that Conor raised, Kieran was joined by Rory Hearne, Assistant Professor in Social Policy at Maynooth University, and the author of ‘Housing Shock: The Irish Housing Crisis and How to Solve It’...

The cost of living is affecting everyone and Caz Mooney’s new book ‘Budgeting Planner’ has plenty of tips to help you save some money. Caz Mooney joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

The three-year review of Ireland’s abortion regime found the service to be 'untenable'. The review, which has yet to be published, warns that just a 'handful of providers' in primary care and hospitals are carrying out terminations. It also found the three-day ‘pause period’ before getting an abortion is not necessary. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss this and more...

Visitors of a nudist beach in Austria are upset as plans for a new rail line above the beach have been approved. In Ireland, there is a nudist beach in South County Dublin, along which the Dart line runs. Newstalk’s Henry McKean went to meet some of Ireland’s naturists at said beach…

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 cast their eyes on London, the home of Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Covent Garden...

Gardaí are looking at the use of AI traffic cameras which could detect whether drivers are breaking the rules of the road by not wearing seatbelts or using a mobile phone at the wheel. Former Transport Minister Shane Ross told Kieran the use of AI cameras to catch drivers using phones and those not wearing a seatbelt was ‘a no brainer’. Brian Caufield, Associate Professor of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin joined Kieran to discuss...

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 all healthcare be public?'

The Government has announced new 1 billion euro housing plan aims to increase stock and drive down the cost of construction. Kieran was joined by Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist and Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post to discuss...

Last night Paul Murphy tweeted that his family home was targeted by protestors while he and his wife were about to bathe their newborn baby. This is one of many protests that have taken place at the homes of TDs and is a recurring issue. Kieran was joined by Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne and Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte to discuss…

The Government has announced new 1 billion euro housing plan aims to increase stock and drive down the cost of construction. Kieran was joined by Housing Minister, Darragh O'Brien to discuss...

Gardaí are looking at the use of AI traffic cameras which could detect whether drivers are breaking the rules of the road by not wearing seatbelts or using a mobile phone at the wheel. Is this a good idea? Kieran was joined by Blake Boland is Communications Officer for AA Ireland and former Minister for Transport, Shane Ross to discuss...

After a busy weekend of championship action in the GAA, the conversation that occurs year on year has begun to emerge around the quality of hurling in Munster versus Leinster. It begs the question, should the provincial structure of championship be abandoned in favour of something new? Kieran was joined by former Tipperary hurler, Patrick Stapleton and former Clare hurler, Jamesie O’Connor to discuss...

The Labour whip has been suspended from Diane Abbott pending an investigation into a letter the MP wrote about racism to The Observer. LBC Broadcaster James O’Brien joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

It will take a number of days before every Irish citizen is evacuated from Sudan. 150 Irish citizens are registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs as living in Sudan, with 50 have been already evacuated with the help of Spanish and French authorities. Tánaiste says we need to revisit the 'Triple Lock' on overseas peace missions. Kieran was joined by Independent Senator, Gerard Craughwell and Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD for Dún Laoghaire to discuss...

Social media users have been taking to TikTok and YouTube to share the results of their '30 Day Gallon Challenge'. The idea is to drink a gallon of water every day for 30 consecutive days, and many users claim that it has resulted in everything from weight loss to clearer skin. Is this dangerous, or an encouragement to be more healthy? Dietitian Orla Walsh joined Kieran to discuss...

Dianne Abbott MP has been suspended as a Labour MP after she wrote to a letter to The Observer claiming Jewish, Irish, and red heads have not been subject to racism "all their lives" like that of people of colour. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by comedian Tadhg Hickey to discuss...

On Sunday morning, President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina confirmed their dog Bród passed away at the age of 11 years. The death of the much-loved Bernese Mountain Dog immediately made headlines and their was sympathetic messages posted across social media. Newstalk reporter Henry McKean has been getting the public's reaction…

As the coronation of King Charles draws closer Newstalk Simon Tierney and Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward discuss if President Michael D Higgins should attend.

Chief sports writer and current affairs columnist for the Irish Daily Star Kieran Cunningham joined Kieran to talk about the fallout from the Gerry Hutch verdict this week, and Daniel Kinahan's subsequent move to Iran.

The three day wait for an abortion and the limit at 12 weeks could be about to change. A new review into the States abortion laws is recommending the changes, as well as the decriminalisation of doctors. Kieran was joined by Eilís Mulroy Spokesperson for Pro Life campaign and Karen Sugrue, from Together for access to debate the changes.

People who suffer from hay fever are being warned of high pollen levels across the country. Met Éireann says there are high levels of tree pollen at present, which can be a trigger for those who are symptomatic. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been meeting with those who suffer from hay fever and those working to provide treatment.

TDs and senators will be able to claim up to €5,000 towards the cost of CCTV and alarms if they want to increase their security. The Department of Public Expenditure has sanctioned the spending following consultations with TDs and senators. People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny was the victim to online abuse and intimidation and joined Kieran to discuss his experience.

How much should you give for a communion? According to Ulster Bank the average amount a child gets for their First Holy Communion is €600. But how much should you put in the envelope? Henry McKean reports.

Kieran was joined by Brett Christophers author of Our Lives in Their Portfolios to discuss large global groups like vulture funds buying up properties in Ireland and if it is inherently wrong to be a landlord.

As we heard earlier the lifting of the mask mandate in healthcare is welcome news for many who remember the tough restrictions of the pandemic. But the decision has caused concern for some of our most vulnerable members of society. Trudie Gorman, Writer and Disability Activist, joined Kieran to discuss the fears she has for her health if the mask mandate was lifted.

The universal mandatory wearing of masks in hospitals and other healthcare areas by patients, visitors and staff has come to an end this week. It follows recent advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. It will now be a matter for each hospital to decide on how this should apply in practice. Sam McConkey is an infectious Disease Specialist at the RCSI University of Medicine and Jack Lambert is Professor of Infectious Diseases at the UCD school of Medicine.Joined Kieran to discuss their reaction to the news.

With his show coming to Dublin in June, astronaut Chris Hadfield chatted to Des about the latest ventures people are making into space, and why he's coming back to Ireland.

Niall Breslin and broadcaster Keith Walsh joined Des to talk about why men find it so difficult to talk about their health.

Is the housing crisis in Ireland particular to Ireland? With crises happening all around Europe and further afield, Des asked author of 'Gaffs' Rory Hearne whether any country is capable of solving the issue of how to get more people into houses.

As the financial strain hits students, particularly in terms of accommodation, is it worse for students now than ever? Irish Independent columnist Ian O'Doherty and UCC Student Union President Asha Woodhouse discuss.

A man has been handed a life sentence for the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. Stephen Silver, of Foxford, Co. Mayo, shot the detective eleven times during an attempted arrest in Castlerea, Co Roscommon in June 2020. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie travelled to Garda Horkan's hometown of Charlestown in Co Mayo to get some local reaction to the sentencing.

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 Fionn's favourite European city, Madrid...

Author and environmental campaigner George Monbiot says Germany’s shutting down of its nuclear plants was “absolute madness.” Is nuclear a good idea to get us away from fossil fuels, or do we need to do away with it? Kieran was joined by John Sodeau is Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at UCC and environmental campaigner Neil McCann…

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 Ireland a good place to grow old?'

The country has a surplus of more than €12 billion. That’s according to the latest Government report published this afternoon. For more on this Kieran was joined by Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure...

Today is the four year anniversary of the death of Lyra McKee. She was killed while observing riots in the Creggan area, with an extremist group styling itself as the New IRA previously claiming responsibility. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by her sister Nichola McKee Corner...