The Hard Shoulder

Ukrainian refugees are to be accommodated in tents on the Electric Picnic site in Stradbally Co Laois. The Department of Integration has signed a six-week contract for use of a site from September 5th.The site has a capacity to hold 750 people, which the Government has said will be used on a "phased, contingency basis".

Is Rugby Ireland’s favourite sport? A survey released yesterday by a sponsor of the IRFU Energia found "the country's number one sport", with 31% of respondents claiming it is their "favourite sport".     Soccer came in at 27 percent, Gaelic Football at 23 percent and Hurling and Camogie at 19%.     Off the Ball’s Colm Boohig, Today FM’s Cathal Minogue and The Journal’s Editor Sinéad O’Carroll joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss...

Yesterday, in Stradbally, The Wolfe Tones performed for the biggest crowd in Electric Picnic’s Electric Arena since the festival started.   Although many of the songs by the rebel music group were written before many attendees were born, the crowd had a wide range of ages – many of whom sang 'Oh, ah, up the Ra' to the band's song 'Celtic Symphony'.  We wondered what it was like to be there in the thick of it all. Sean Defoe was joined by Sean Reidy, Newstalk's own, and Sharon Murray who were both at the Wolfe Tone gig.  

Now lots of you will remember my next guest as being one of the key figures in murder investigations – Dr Marie Cassidy served as the State Pathologist from 2004 to 2018.  Tonight she returns to our screens on RTÉ with episode one of her new series Dr. Cassidy’s Casebook – The Femicide Cases.  Dr. Marie Cassidy joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show...

Our political correspondent Sean Defoe joins us for the Political Diary and breaking news Sean – the government has collapsed and we are going to the polls! Ok we aren’t but a new opinion poll over the weekend has shown that Sinn Féin continues to lead in the polls.  So we set Sean a bit of homework – if we went to the polls today what would the next Dáil look like and who could be in government? 

Broadcaster and keen shopper Jonathan Healy was having a bit of a cleanout this weekend and found something with value! He’s been on a mission to validate it and joined us to give us an update.Consumer Affairs Correspondent for The Irish Times Connor Pope also joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show this evening.

Yesterday, in Stradbally, Portlaoise, The Wolfe Tones performed for the biggest crowd in Electric Picnic’s Electric Arena since the festival started.   Although many of the songs by the rebel music group were written before many attendees were born, the crowd had a wide range of ages – many of whom sang 'Oh, ah, up the Ra' to the band's song 'Celtic Symphony'.  Are our youth unaware of the meaning or do they not understand the implications? Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Bertie Ahern, Former Taoiseach and one of the architects of the Good Friday agreement to discuss...

You would have no doubt seen all the beautiful sunny pictures coming out from Electric Picnic over the weekend.  And the positive news is that this weather is set to continue as we are experiencing a little Indian summer whilst other parts of Europe such as Spain are experiencing rain.  Joanna Donnelly, Meteorologist, Met Eireann joined Kieran on the show with a weather update.

A warning was sounded this weekend by the Gardai about the possibility of higher quantities of the deadly drug Fentanyl arriving in Ireland. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used as an anesthetic in controlled circumstances. But it has proved popular with criminal organisations as well as it is much stronger than heroin by weight.   There is concern that fentanyl may enter global markets at speed as heroin production has been reduced by a Taliban push to stop opium production in Afghanistan.   Drug and alcohol researcher and CEO of the Anna Liffey Drug Project Tony Duffin joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show. 

Newstalk Breakfast’s Shane Coleman this morning on saying young people singing rebel songs run the risk of romanticising the "horrible and ugly" Troubles.The Wolfe Tones surprised many by performing for the biggest crowd in Electric Picnic’s Electric Arena in the festival’s nearly 20-year history. But are we being over-sensitive to their song Celtic Symphony with the lyrics ‘Ooh Ah up the Ra.’ And Did young people sing along to it?Henry McKean met young people coming back from EP, and joined us on the show.

For out weekly sport slot Kieran was joined as always by Ger Gilroy from off the Ball to look back at the biggest sporting stories of the week.

Joining Kieran to chat about American politics was Terry Prone, Chair of the Communications Clinic, Renee Chenault-Fattah, Former NBC News Anchor and Pat Gatling, New York human rights lawyer 

Now we are kicking off this week's Final Furlong, where we look back at some of the stories that have caught our eye over the past week!   Joining Kieran for this edition of The Furlong this evening are:   Irish architect Hugh Wallace, and former model and influencer Holly Carpenter 

This week's you are what you eat sees Aisling Larkin, TV Chef and Mindful Eating Coach take Kieran on a journey through the many layers of pasta.

We’ve heard today that one of the leading Energy suppliers Energia has announced a cut in its home energy prices. Those on the company's Smart meter plans will see unit rates cut by 20%. Dual fuel electricity and gas rates will also fall by 20%. Is this the start of a trends across the board? Well one man who will be happy to see this is Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport and Leader of the Green Party and joined Kieran in studio 

Garda have been urging more caution on the roads, following a series of fatal accidents this summer.  But one suggestion that has been mentioned is speed limiters - the idea that car can limit your speed to the speed limit required.  Should this sort of thing be mandatory on our vehicles?  Michael Pidgeon is Dublin City Councillor for the Green Party … and Michael Healy Rae is Independent TD for Kerry.  They joined Kieran to discuss. 

Our reporter Josh Crosbie joined the show from Stradbally to give us the latest at day one of Electric Picnic.

New Data from Census 2022 suggests that 21 percent of Irish property owners have 2 or more spare bedrooms in their homes.   Should we be urging homeowners to be open the doors to renters who may need them or should we be encouraging some to downsize their homes?   Pat Davitt, CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link joined Kieran to speak about this.  

As you’ll likely know at this stage, Vera Pauw’s contract as Republic of Ireland manager will not be renewed, and there has been quite the fallout.   Among other things, she felt her position was undermined, particularly during the World Cup.  To get us up to speed, Kieran joined by Mark Tighe, senior news reporter for the Sunday Independent and former football manager Roddy Collins. 

Kieran Cuddihy was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Keith Rolls, Partner at Coleman Legal Solicitors to discuss the latest CAMHS report...

Jim Bergin is leading one of Ireland’s biggest companies with over 2,000 employees and sales revenue of a staggering 3 billion euro. All this while attempting to keep the farmers of Ireland happy. Kieran was joined by Jim Bergin, CEO at Tirlán and he is also one of the speakers at this year’s Kennedy Summer School in New Ross…

While broadcasting LIVE from the Dundrody Visitor Centre as part of the Kennedy Summer School, Kieran Cuddihy took a tour of the Dunbrody Famine Ship...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by one of the speakers at the Kennedy Summer School, award winning journalist Dermot Murnaghan. Dermot is known for his impressive career in the industry, working for companies such as the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky News, across many memorable breaking stories, like the deaths of both Diana Princess of Wales and Queen Elizabeth II...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, who has had a long distinguished career in Ireland’s Defence Forces culminating in serving as the Chief of Staff from 2015 to 2021...

The Mental Health Commission has published individual reports on the child and adolescent mental health services in the nine community healthcare organisation areas of the HSE.  These individual reports outline issues within particular regions - with an overall 4450 patients on waiting lists for servies.  Verona Murphy, Independent TD for Wexford joined Kieran to discuss...

Kieran was joined by Dr Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Associate Professor of History at Purdue University. She’s one of the guest speakers at the Kennedy Summer School, and she focuses on the area of celebrities and showbiz in politics... 

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from the Dunbrody Visitor Centre in New Ross for the Kennedy Summer School. Kieran was joined by Eileen Dunne, former broadcaster at RTÉ and Larry Donnelly, long time commentator on US politics on our airwaves and a Law Lecturer at the University of Galway. Both are directors of the Kennedy Summer School...

Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton was an indestructible fighter. Over the first 43 fights of his professional career, he was unbeaten.  Thousands of fans travelled wherever he fought from London to Las Vegas, and he quickly became boxing’s man of the people.   A new Sky Documentary film ‘Hatton’ which will air at 9pm on Sky Documentaries and NOW on Thursday 31st August and explore Ricky’s extraordinary success and also his struggles inside and outside of the ring.Ricky Hatton joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

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 take a look a some of the options for olives on the shelves...

Kieran was joined by Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss today's constituency review from the Electoral Commission and more issues relating to housing and Airbnb...

It’s a nervous day for families across the country as students receive their CAO offers – 6 in 10 have received their first preference.  There has been criticism this year for the continued use of grade inflation in the Leaving Cert with has kept points for many courses high. Kieran was joined Pól Ó Dochartaigh Deputy President and Registrar of the University of Galway who was previously served as chair of the CAO... 

The Electoral Commission has published its constituency review, recommending an increase of 14 TDs to 174 deputies in the next Dáil  In this scenario, the number of constituencies would increase by four from 39 to 43.  So what impact does this have around the country?  Kieran was joined by Shane Coleman from Newstalk Breakfast, Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and Claire McGing, who is an academic specialist in gender and politics in IDT Dun Laoghaire to discuss...

School season is back into full swing, and the dreaded conversation of homework is back in households once again. In a recent exclusive Newstalk poll, carried out by Amárach, we asked our listeners if it’s time to ban homework from schools once and for all. 35 per cent of those who responded said it was a thing of the past for primary levels and it’s time to get rid, while 18 per cent think it should also be banned in secondary schools. Kieran was joined by Jennifer Horgan, teacher and Irish Examiner Columnist and Mary McCarthy, columnist for the Irish independent 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 Vancouver...

Should wolves be reintroduced to Irish wildlife? Kieran was joined by Killian McLaughlin, founder of the Wild Ireland Wildlife Park and John Joe Fitzgerald, vice president of Irish Natura and Hill Farmer’s Association to debate this...

There are only days to go before 70,000 people will take to the fields around Stradbally for Electric Picnic.Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie got a sneak peek of the festival and spoke with Kieran about what people can expect.

There is great concern that Irish Horseracing could be under threat due to the proposed Gambling Regulation Bill which would ban ads between 5:30am and 9pm.  Paul Hensey, chief executive of the Association of Irish Racecourses and Aodhan O’Riordain is Labour TD for Dublin Bay North, as well as their Education and Justice spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss...

Green Party Leader Eamonn Ryan previously called for wolves to be reintroduced in to the wild in Ireland.  What exactly would happen if this did happen?  Kieran was joined by Kilian Murphy Quantitative ecologist with UCD who has been crunching the numbers... 

Yesterday, Enoch Burke returned to Wilson's Hospital School, where he formally worked and believes he has a right to be there. He says he is standing up for what he believes in.  Diarmuid Lyng, Owner of Wild Irish Retreat and former Wexford Hurler joined Kieran to discuss...

There have been calls on the Government to scrap plans to increase excise on fuel next week.  From this Friday, September 1st, excise duty rates will increase by 7 cent for petrol and 5 cent for diesel.  Peadar Toibin, TD and the leader of Aontú and Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward joined Kieran to discuss...

Michelle Obama has been voted the most inspirational woman of all time. A new poll of parents of girls aged between 6 and 10 put the former first lady at the top, with Harry Potter actor Emma Watson second, while Nobel-winning scientist Marie Curie third.   To drill down into the list and see who made the cut, I’m joined by Barbara Scully, author and broadcaster, Saoirse Hanley, Features writer with Sunday Independent and Jess Kelly, Newstalk's tech correspondent 

Spain prosecutors have opened a preliminary sex abuse investigation into Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales.  Rubiales has refused to step down from his role despite criticism of his kiss with Spain forward Jenni Hermoso following the country’s World Cup final win last Sunday.  Miguel Delaney Chief Football Writer at The UK Independent joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show...

Enoch Burke returned to Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath today as the new school year got underway. It is understood Mr Burke entered the school building and set up in a corridor. He is is locked in ongoing legal proceedings against the school after he was dismissed following alleged gross misconduct.  To give us an update Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent...

Change is on the way to Ireland’s electoral system is due to be revealed this Wednesday which could be set to be one of the most radical overhauls of the system in generations.  Our political correspondent Sean Defoe has the details... 

Eoghan Corry, Travel and Aviation journalist and Editor of Air and Travel Magazine joined Kieran to discuss the cancellation of flights from Irish airports following problems with Air Traffic Control in Britain.

David Quinn, in his article in the Sunday Independent yesterday, questioned if Down Syndrome was disappearing from the world.  David details that because of ever more sophisticated screening tests, conditions such as Down syndrome can be detected in the womb at ever earlier stages of pregnancy. David stated that in almost every case where the condition is detected, the baby is aborted. Former Professor of the Rotunda, Professor Fergal Malone provided statistics in late 2022 that stated 95% of cases in the Rotunda, the mother traveled to the UK for an abortion  Why is this and are people with Down syndrome disappearing from our society? Former Mayor of Drogheda, Michael O’Dowd, father to Conor (27) who has Down syndrome and is an Aontu representative in Louth joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke has been calling for the age limit to buy tobacco to be raised to 21 years of age. He wants the change in order to help Ireland meet its public health target of a less-than-5 percent smoking rate by 2025. John Mallon, spokesperson for Forest Ireland and Professor Des Cox is chair of the Policy Group on Tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at Children’s Health Ireland in Crumlin both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss...

“I feel like Chicken tonight! Chicken tonight!” What autumn dinners did your hard-working parents serve up night after night growing up? And what did they make for your packed lunch?Newstalk reporter Henry McKean joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to back to school lunches...

More than 40,000 international visitors have descended on Dublin for an American football game on Saturday.Notre Dame will take on Navy at the Aviva Stadium in an event that is thought to be worth more than 140 million euro to the Irish economy.Tours and accommodation are booked out with US tourists enjoying what’s on offer.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been meeting with them to see what they think of the Emerald Isle.