The Hard Shoulder

Ireland’s air quality is not good enough. That’s according to the World Health Organisation who said that the quality of Irish air is just below the standard of the organisation.  One of the ways suggested to promote cleaner air is to introduce more sustainable ways to heat our homes and to stop burning of solid fuels but is that practical - can we actually ban fires in our homes?  Kieran was joined by John Sodeau Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at UCC and Seamus Boland CEO of Irish Rural Link to discuss...

Author Manchán Magan joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his new book 'Wolf-Men and Water Hounds: The Myths, Monsters and Magic of Ireland'...

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said there will be a public inquiry into the State’s handling of the Covid 19 pandemic in order to “learn lessons” for the future. For more on this Kieran was joined by Peadar Toibin, TD and Leader of Aontú and Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology and Director at Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute... 

The CSO have released this year's migration figures for Ireland.  Some of the key takeaways is that Ireland’s population has grown by 2 percent with over 120,000 people coming to Ireland. Alongside that we saw that of Irish people leaving our shores and returning home, there is a net zero of Irish people leaving.  Kieran was joined by Alan Barrett, CEO of the ESRI... 

Should there be an inquiry into how we handled Covid in this country? Kieran was joined by Paul Moynagh, Head of the Department of Biology and Director of the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research at Maynooth University and Michael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare, and the former Chair of Oireachtas Covid 19 Committee to discuss...

Whenever you’re a spectator at a sporting event, it can hard to control your emotions and passion often gets in the way. Quite often, that can result in foul language or a rising temper, which can easily get out of hand. Behaving that way at a big game like Ireland vs South Africa is one thing, but are we forgetting to change our attitude towards our kids sporting games? Kieran was joined by journalist, columnist and author, Jen Hogan and Newstalk's Technology correspondent, Jess Kelly to discuss...

It may be best known for embarrassing dance challenges, but Tiktok is fast becoming the information app of a new generation. News is broken on twitter, journalists are filing on Instagram - but should we fear the tiktokification of news, or is social media creating a better-informed youth than ever before?Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and South Africa.TV Chef and Mindful Eating Coach Aisling Larkin joined Kieran to discuss pub grub ahead of the big game tomorrow, joined on this occasion by none other than travel expert Fionn Davenport to discuss the sights to see and places to travel in South Africa...

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and South Africa.BJ Botha, World Cup Winner with South Africa joined Kieran to preview the game... 

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge. Tonight celebrates Culture Night 2023 all around the country and Jo Mangan, Director of the Performance corporation and Willie White, Artistic Director, Dublin Theatre Festival joined Kieran to discuss...

Ryle Nugent, former Head of Sport at RTÉ and legendary commentator, joined Kieran Cuddihy LIVE in The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge to preview the Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and South Africa...

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and South Africa.Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss the presence of technology and AI in sport...

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and South Africa.Henry McKean joined Kieran LIVE from Paris ahead of the game...

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge ahead of the Rugby World Cup clash between Ireland and South Africa. Kieran was joined by by two armchair rugby fans, Sinead Ryan, presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk and Ian O’Doherty columnist with the Irish Independent to preview that massive match tomorrow and to hear why the love the game...

Speaking on The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk today, Eddie Wilson, CEO of Ryanair, was not happy with the DAA, after cancelling 17 routes and moving 19 more to alternative EU airports. Kenny Jacobs, CEO of DAA joined Kieran to discuss...

Around 200 protesters held a demonstration outside Leinster House yesterday. Those in attendance beared signs and banners featuring anti-immigration slogans.Kieran was joined by Joe Brolly, co-host of the Free State Podcast to discuss...

The final day of the National Ploughing Championships takes place in Ratheniska in Co Laois today and over the course of the past three days there have been a number of activities taking place, including a world record welly throw and brown bread competitions. But today, one event will answer the long burning question, who is Ireland’s favourite saint?Fr David Vard, parish priest in Stradbally, joined Kieran to announce the result of the vote.

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by David Davin Power, former RTE Correspondent and Trade Unionist, Brendan Ogle to discuss yesterday's protests outside Leinster House...

Some 200 protesters held a demonstration bearing signs and banners featuring anti-immigration slogans outside Leinster House yesterday. Politicians, journalists and staff were verbally abused as they entered the parliament and those inside were advised by Gardaí to be careful when leaving.Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Razan Ibraheem, a journalist specialising in misinformation to discuss...

How high should we build in Dublin? Yes the debate has been sparked again. Some say developments need to go up to increase housing stock others say it will ruin Dublin’s image. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been getting the pulse of the city.

What is the cost of contentment in each country?That’s what a recent study out of Harvard University focused on, finding the highest cost of happiness was in Iran at nearly €232,000 and the lowest was in Sierra Leone at just over 8 grand.Ireland was rudely left off the list of 173 countries, but our own reporter Sarah Madden has been looking into it for us instead.

The Dáil resumed following the summer break today. However, politicians, journalists and staff have been advised not to leave amidst protests that are happening outside Leinster House. Independent TD for Kerry Michael Healy Rae and Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mirror joined Kieran to discuss...

Today marks 25 years since the establishment of TV3. To celebrate this and look back on the memories down the yers, Kieran was joined by Anna Daly, former presenter on TV3 and Virgin Media, former CEO David McRedmond and Aidan Cooney, former presenter on Ireland AM from 1999 until 2018, and now presenter of Q102 Breakfast...

A trans rights march took place at the weekend, and one of the images that caught some attention was the face of Vladimir Lenin on transgender flags. Senator Michael McDowell has been writing about it in The Irish Times and he joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Today is National Fitness Day in the UK and they’re encouraging everyone to get out and be active as much as possible. Do we need this same encouragement here? Particularly for young people, what are we doing to keep our kids fit? And what’s the difference between being fit and being physically active. Kieran was joined by Brendan O’Keefe, assistant professor of Physical Education in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at UL...

As we have been hearing throughout the day, the proposed plans to the Leaving Cert examinations have been shelved.  One the cited reasons was the increased prevalence of GenAI, that’s your ChatGPTs, in examinations and school projects but how strong has the impact of AI been on education sector and is it too late to reverse the damage? Kieran was joined by Michael Madden, Professor of Computer Science & Head of Machine Learning Research Group, University of Galway to discuss...

Finance Minister Michael McGrath has today asked all state owned bodies to continue to accept cash payments. It came following criticism of the NCT service for attempting to move to a cashless system. One such body which has moved cashless in recent times is the GAA, a move which has garnered much criticism. Two former Presidents of the GAA, Sean Kelly and Liam O’Neill joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss..

Tens of thousands attended the second day of the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois, for what was a mostly dry day.There may be vintage tractors and brand new machinery on display, but one growing trend among young farmers is online content creation.Social media apps are now full of cows being milked, tractors baling silage and sheep being sold.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, is at the Ploughing meeting with those who are flying the flag for Ireland on Farm Tok.

From Vibrant pink shirts in the Dáil to Dublin football kits in Seanad – there has been a fair share of fashion faux pas in the government buildings. But should there be a dress code? That’s not the thinking in the US, where Senators are now allowed to wear whatever they want to when debating or voting on bills.  Michael Healy Rae Independent TD for County Kerry and Gino Kelly, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Mid-West joined Kieran to discuss...

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 the oldest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura...

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 debate on 'Are young people today better off than their parents?'

There has been a story that has dominated the headlines over the last couple of days, and that is Russell Brand.  The comedian faces allegations of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.  Kieran was joined by Meirion Jones, former Editor of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in the UK – he previously led an investigation in to Jimmy Saville...

The Central Bank has signalled caution ahead of Budget 2024, lowering its forecasts for growth in the economy, while also saying that the Government's spending plans for the upcoming Budget risk adding to inflation. Kieran was joined by Michael McMahon, who is the acting chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Michelle Murphy Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland to discuss...

The Clockwork Door Time House in Temple Bar has decided to not partake in this year’s Culture Night as a result of anti-social behavior in the capital city.  The venue took part in Culture Night last year and while trying to celebrate, their equiipment was sadly robbed.  Kieran was joined by owner of The Clock Work Door Time House, Ciaran Hogan to discuss...Image: Instagram via The Clockwork Door

Gardai in Cavan and Monaghan are have launched a probe in to comments made by Sean Quinn.The complaint has been made by Mannok directors Liam McCaffrey and John McCartan following comments made on The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk.Kieran was joined by crime journalist with The Irish Independent, Paul Williams for more on this...

An Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action was held today on the importance of biodiversity loss across Ireland. Praising farmers for the work they have done to maintain a healthy environment were one of the topics mentioned by Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shúilleabháin.  Yet many changes still need to be made to maintain Ireland’s biodiversity and reduce the risk of extinction.Kieran was joined by associate professor in the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics, Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shúilleabháin to discuss...

Comedian Reginald D. Hunter joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his upcoming irish tour and allegations against Russell Brand...

Kieran was joined by former Irish rugby international and Chairman of The One Small Step Campaign, Trevor Ringland, to discuss the Irish sporting anthem 'Ireland's Call' why it was ever needed in the first place and why we might need to hold on to it...

On 29th of September the Irish Cancer Society is holding their Relay for Life event. One of the society's ambassadors and manager of Shamrock Rovers Stephan Bradley joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

The HSE's commissioned an external review into aspects of orthopaedic surgery at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street. It follows a number of serious spinal surgical incidents there. Roisin Shortall, Social Democrats TD and Health Spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss...

Are you aware that the majority of your bins can be traced to your weekly shop in the supermarkets?  That’s according to a new survey by Voice Ireland who found 66% of waste items in Irish recycling bins can be traced back to supermarkets and that 59% of these supermarket waste items were made from plastic.  This begs the question should we cut down on packaging and in particular our plastics when it comes to shopping? Tad Kirakowski, Chief Executive of Voice Ireland and Craig Hutson Owner of Minimal Waste Groceries joined Kieran to discuss...

The HSE's commissioned an external review into aspects of orthopaedic surgery at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street. It follows a number of serious spinal surgical incidents there. Priscilla Lynch Clinical Editor with the Medical Independent joined Kieran to discuss...

Every year when rugby matches take over our screens again, and particularly around World Cup season this time around, there’s an age old debate of should we sing Ireland’s Call? Or should we just sing Amhrán na bhFiann. Or should we get a new national anthem altogether?Kieran was joined by Damien Tiernan, WLR FM Presenter, and John McGahon, Fine Gael Senator...

A hole on Portmarnock beach this week excited one local astronomy enthusiast, as it looked like it may have been a meteor strike. However, it soon became clear that the hole had actually been dug by two local lads.Charlie Wallace, Portmarnock beach hole digger joined Kieran to discuss...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to talk all things buffets

An Bord Pleanála has today rejected the application from U.S Corporation New Fortress Energy to build a LNG terminal on the Shannon Estuary. Kieran was joined by Don Moore , Chair of the Energy and Climate Action Committee at the Irish Academy of Engineering  and William Hederman, Member of Slí Eile organisers of climate camp ...

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...

Ireland’s world cup campaign shot off last week with a demolition of Romania in Bordeaux. Ireland are now off to Nantes where they will face off against Tonga in match game two in Pool B.  Kieran was joined by Former Ireland and Munster player and Newstalk’s Own Alan Quinlan to get all the latest on the boys in green...

Around the country the Government parties have been assembling across the country for their think-Ins ahead of the start of the next Dáil term.   Kieran was joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent who was at the Fine Gael Think in in Limerick and Hugh O’Connell, Deputy Political Editor, Irish Independent who was at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin for Sinn Fein’s event... 

A new era for the Late Late Show begins tonight, as Patrick Kielty officially takes the reins.  Is the show still the force it once was? Kieran was joined by Terry Prone, chairman of the Communications Clinic and Deirdre Molumby, pop culture and entertainment expert...Image: Andres Poveda