The Hard Shoulder

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 The series continued with a debate on 'Is the Rose of Tralee out of date or harmless fun?'

In July of this year, the All-Island Rail Review included plans for a LUAS line that connects Mahon to Ballincollig. However, in recent months it has faced some obstacles and opposition on numerous grounds, most recently due to the prospect of demolition work for the route to work. Kieran was joined by Peter Horgan, Labour representative for the City to discuss...

Today, Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris and Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe have launched the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan 2022-2025. The plan aims to double the Number of public service apprenticeships to 750 by 2025. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris joined Kieran to discuss...

Standing at 120 meters tall in the heart of the capital, The Spire is a source of contention among the Irish public. For some, it is an impressive piece of art that’s both stylish and elegant. For others it is an ‘uninspiring’ waste of space. Kieran was joined by Michael Kelly, Editor with the Irish Catholic and Documentary Maker, Luke McManus to discuss...

Last week on the programme we heard about the different types of lab-grown meat that will be coming to a shop near you soon. But today we turn our attention to the great debate of our time. How do you like your steak? Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been meeting with diners and chefs to find out what makes the perfect steak.

There have been reports today that the Government could move up to €8 billion from their Sovereign Wealth Fund into housing. The money, it is suggested, would go to the Land Development Agency. Kieran was joined by former Chair of the Land Development Agency, John Moran to discuss...

40 years ago today Eamonn Coghlan became a World Championship gold medalist in Helsinki in the 5000m. He joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the historic win... Image: Athletics Ireland

Over the last two weeks Kieran has been joined by parents from Families for Reform of CAMHS to discuss the ongoing crisis and staff shortages in the service. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Children’s Ombudsman, Niall Muldoon and Independent TD for Clare, Violet-Anne Wynne to discuss

Hollywood remains at a standstill today as the ongoing strike which has paralysed all major TV and movie productions has hit the one-month mark. Members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) have been on strike since 14 July, after negotiations over new contracts Kieran was joined by Tim Gray Variety’s senior VP and awards editor and Natalie Britton, actress and member of SAG-AFTRA to discuss...

Pro-IRA chanting was clearly heard during a Wolfe Tones gig on the closing night of Féile an Phobail. Around 10,000 fans attended the festival finale in the Falls Park in west Belfast last night. Kieran was joined by Wolfe Tones’ musician Brian Warfield and the Editor of the Belfast Newsletter, Ben Lowry to discuss...

Parts of Ireland could soon be facing up to a week in delays before burying their loved ones due to priest shortages. A declining amount of priests means that fewer will be available for more immediate funeral ceremonies and could lead to Ireland embracing uncharacteristically long times between the passing and burying of a loved one. Kieran was joined by Fr. Tim Hazelwood, parish priest at Killeagh in east Cork and Keith Greaney, Conneely Funeral Directors in Galway to discuss…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to learn about the delicious cuisine of France...

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...

Children aged six and seven will be able to gain access to free GP visits from today. Kieran was joined by Colm Burke TD, Fine Gael Health Spokesperson to discuss...

The FSAI this week has said that Lab Grown Meats being available in Ireland is only a matter of time Kieran was joined by Robert Jones, Vice President of Global Public Affairs for Mosa Meat and President of Cellular Agriculture Europe to discuss...

From today, parents can now register their 6- and 7-year-olds for free GP care, through a new medical card scheme, and those with children under 6 will automatically have their medical card extended. Should we continue this trend of making GP care free for everyone? Kieran was joined by Monaghan based GP, Illona Duffy, and People Before Profit TD, Paul Murphy to discuss...

Parents can discipline their children in many ways. Is it acceptable to comment on how a person should discipline and raise their children? Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney and Journalist and Columnist with The Irish Times, Jen Hogan to discuss...

Yesterday the Farmers’ Alliance, have decided to form a political party and will run candidates in the upcoming local and national elections. The group will be a completely independent party with no connection to either the Rural Independent Group of TDs or to Michael Fitzmaurice’s new rural political party. Kieran was joined by Liam McLaughlin and Helen O’Sullivan, both farmers and members of the Farmers’ Alliance to discuss...

Schools, especially those in the Dublin area, are struggling to fill vacant teaching positions for the coming year. This issue is set to make returning to the classroom very problematic in September. Kieran was joined by John Boyle, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and Eoin Dolan, principal of Mother of Divine Grace primary school in Finglas...

Ahead of Irish Heritage Week, it is has been announced that Luke Kelly, Christy Moore, the GAA and a bowl of stew are considered the biggest representatives of Ireland. What do you think when you think of this beautiful country? Kieran was joined by Presenter, Activist, and Author, Emer O’Neill, Newstalk Reporter, Henry McKean and Former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu to discuss...

Eviction notices have increased by almost a thousand in the second quarter of 2023 while rent prices have stabilised in the capital according to the latest Daft report. Is the housing crisis worsening or taking a turn for the better? Kieran was joined by Maurice Deverell from the Irish Property Owners Association and Eoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Fein Housing Spokesperson to discuss…

Clare County Council have proposed to introduce year-round paid parking in tourist hotspots such as Kilkee, Lahinch, Doolin and Spanish Point. This will see a minimum charge of €2 applied to every car park space and residents and business applying for €50 car permits. Michael Vaughan, Owner of the Vaughan Lodge Hotel in Lahinch joined Kieran to discuss...

It's the 148th RDS Dublin Horse Show. 1,600 horses and ponies will compete in over 168 classes and competitions, over the next five days, with a total prize fund of over €1.3 million. The RDS Dublin Horse Show is worth €50 million to the Irish economy. Henry McKean went along and tried to capture the magic of summer, the sights and sounds. He sent this report...

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 hot sauce on the shelves...

Over the last two weeks The Hard Shoulder has been speaking to parents from Families for Reform of CAMHS. Today, Kieran was joined by Hannah from Families for Reform of CAMHS and Sinn Féin Mental Health Spokesperson, Mark Ward...

Anyone running the Dublin Marathon like will have received an email today detailing how they can enter into the non-binary category of the race. This is the first time the category has been made available to participants Kieran was joined by Mark Armstrong, Chairman of the Dublin Front Runners Club

Many people are struggling to gain access to dental health care in rural Ireland. Due to these shortages, many people seeking free dental care with their medical cards are not being seen too when needed. With wait times of three months or more, patients have been left with no choice but to travel to different counties to seek the attention they need. Kieran was joinedb by President of the Irish Dental Association, Dr Eamon Croke to discuss...

Dermot and Dave have been a duo for the past 21 years. Over the years, they have given listeners hours of entertainment. Sadly, this will come to an end this Friday as Dermot is heading off to pursue his passion for mindfulness with his holistic brand, Mind Full. Dermot Whelan joined Kieran to tell him more about his decision...

Last year the State provided over €128 million in funding to private schools, it has been found. State funding for building projects in private schools needs to end - that is the call from Aodhan Ó Ríordáin TD, Labour Party Education spokesperson who 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 lovely Liverpool...

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 beautiful Normandy...

On Saturday evening in Dallas, Jake Paul, a man who until five years ago hadn’t stepped inside a boxing ring, faced up against 38-year-old Nate Diaz, a legend of combat sports and one of UFC fan’s most beloved fighters. Jake’s resulting win is just another chapter in the history of social media stars entering into prize fighting. A wave perhaps first started by Conor McGregor switching the octagon for the ring in 2017 against Floyd Mayweather, has grossed millions of dollars and captured the imagination of a new generation of boxing fans. Is influencer boxing hurting or helping the sport? Kieran was joined by Andy Lee, Former middleweight world champion to discuss...

In the middle of a housing crisis would it be effective to write the right to housing into the Irish Constitution? Kieran was joined by Financial Analyst, Karl Deeter and Assistant Professor in Social Policy in Maynooth University and author of ‘Gaffs’, Dr. Rory Hearne to discuss...

With the cost of living becoming close to impossible for some people. It is necessary to make other alternatives. What better way to do this than to convert a van and live in it? Kieran was joined by Shane Monks O’Byrne, who has been living out of his van for the past four years and has used his alternative home as a way of exploring the world...

A new study has found that Ireland is one of the most vulnerable to energy shocks, such as shortages. Euromonitor International’s first global energy vulnerability index shows that the state is ranked 70 out of 100 overall, making it the third worst of all EU members on the index, ahead of Poland on 78 and Lithuania on 90. So what can this study tell us about Ireland’s energy future? Kieran was joined by Lisa Ryan, Professor in Energy Economics at UCD School of Economics and UCD Energy Institute to discuss…

New statistics published by the Department of Transport today indicate that 60% of people are willing to change the way they travel to reduce carbon emissions. But would free public transport further encourage people to leave their car at home ? Kieran was joined by Brid Smith People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central and Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for Dublin City...

People lined up to pay tribute to Sinéad O’Connor in Bray ahead of her funeral today. Sinéad’s funeral cortége passed through Bray after a private service to allow fans to say goodbye. Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was in Bray today...

According to Dogs Trust, the number of dogs being put to sleep has doubled in a year. Dogs Trust said the number of dogs entering pounds is also on the rise, from 4,165 in 2021 to 7,352 in 2022. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by PR & Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, Corina Fitzsimons to discuss...

With the Bank Holiday upon us many will be heading off to All Together now and Indie 2023, but what is the troublesome weather forecast going to be for the long weekend? Cathal Nolan of The Irish Weather Channel joined Kieran to discuss...

All week we have been speaking to parents who have children go through CAMHS. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by John Joe McGinley, who has a son in CAMHS and also set up Autism Dads to help other parents navigate autism and mental health services and, Grainne from Parents for Reform of CAMHS, which is a group of 200 family members looking for urgent reform of CAMHS.

The Girls in Green are back on home soil and crowds are gathering on O’Connell Street for a homecoming celebration. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie spoke to Kieran live on the Hard Shoulder to capture the atmosphere with fans and players.

Behavioural scientist, Founder and Head of ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit, Pete Lunn joined Kieran to talk about first impressions.

A research study done by Perspectus Global and commissioned by & me reveals the average Brit has been offered 8 truly terrible pieces of advice thus far in their lifetime, including “Just stop worrying”, “revenge is sweet”, and “marry for security”. This prompts us to think of advice we’ve given and received, both the good and the awful. Do we generally take advice, and what type of advice actually makes a difference in decision-making? Irish writer and author Stephanie Preissner joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss...

The legislation to Extend hours for Nightclubs has been further pushed back until well into late 2024. But will it do much to save Ireland’s declining nightlife scene and should we be encouraging it in the first place Kieran was joined on the show by Sunil Sharpe, Spokesperson from the Give Us The Night campaign and Dr. Sheila Gilheaney. CEO of Alcohol Action to discuss.

The Irish people spend €108 per month on streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Paramount+. With these services due to rise in cost, how will this impact on next years figures? We want to know, do people use all these services that they have in their home, or should people stick to watching regular TV channels that doesn’t cost them anything? Dr. Roddy Flynn, Associate Professor at the School of Communications, DCU, and The Chair of the Communication Studies degree along with Dr. Finola Doyle O’Neill, Broadcast and Legal Historian, School of History UCC both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Mel Evans, Head of climate with Greenpeace UK joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss the Greenpeace protest that took place at Rishi Sunak's Yorkshire home while he was away on holidays in California.

After a damming report into CAMHS last week, we have been talking to parents all week about what they have been through. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show by two parents from 'Families for Reform of CAMHS' which is a group of 200 family members looking for urgent reform of CAMHS.

In an interview with US late-night talk show host Bill Maher for his Club Random podcast, television personality Sharon Osbourne stressed the importance of moving on from the “despicable” treatment of the Irish by the British, saying, “At some point, you have got to let it go. You have to.” This leads us to consider our relationship to Irish history and ask: should we obsess over historical wrongs? Are there dangers in dwelling on the past? What is important to remember about Irish history? UCD Director of Gender Studies Mary McAuliffe to help answer some of these questions. Mary, you’re very welcome to the show.

It’s time once again for the shopping trolley hotline where we review the same product from various stores and as ever Kieran Cuddihy was joined by expert shopper Simon Tierney...

American Singer and Rapper Lizzo have been accused of sexually harassing and weight shaming, according to her former backup dancers. Deidre Molumby, Pop culture & entertainment expert joined Kieran to discuss.