The Hard Shoulder

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 down south to beautiful West Cork...

European Union leaders are currently meeting to decide on a united message on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war after days of mixed messages. Series of social media messages, statements and visits by EU officials sowed confusion about the 27-nation bloc’s intentions after Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, triggering a new war in Gaza. Kieran was joined by Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews, Grace O’Sullivan, Green Party MEP and Ibrahim Alagha, and Irish-Palestinian in Gaza...

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 'Has the war on drugs failed?'

Yesterday, President Michael D Higgins described Ursula von der Leyen’s comments around the Israel-Hamas conflict as "thoughtless and even reckless".Ursula von der Leyen visited Israel last week, and did not include a call for Israel's retaliation to Hamas attacks to conform with international law. The Taoiseach says he told the European Commission President her response to the conflict in the Middle East "was not helpful".Kieran was joined by Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Fein TD for Donegal and Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell to discuss…

Smithfield in Dublin has been voted the 2nd coolest neighbourhood on the planet! This is according to a new article by Time Out in which the Dublin 7 area has taken silver out a list of forty locations across the world. For more on this Kieran was joined by Tomás Mulligan, Manager of Cobblestone Bar, Smithfield and Alice Black, Head of Cinema at Light House Group... 

Yesterday on The Hard Shoulder Kieran was was speaking about the fact that the number of alcohol breath tests carried out at Garda checkpoints has dropped by more than half compared with pre-pandemic levels.  For more on this, Kieran was joined by Jack Chambers, Minister of State in the Department of Transport...

The European Central Bank wants to ban 'no cash' policies in public areas for fear that we will reduce the value of the euro and make it harder for vulnerable people to do their shopping.  Kieran was joined by the CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association, Vincent Jennings and Spokesperson for the National Private Hire & Taxi Association, Jim Waldron to discuss...

President Michael D Higgins has strongly criticised the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. It’s after she made comments on a visit to Israel last Friday, where she did not include a call for Israel's retaliation to conform with international law.John McGuirk, Editor of Gript and Labour Senator Marie Sherlock joined Kieran to discuss...

Unfortunately it was not to be Ireland’s year as the All Blacks have knocked out the Boys in Green in yet another quarter final exit. Is the tournament viewing is now finished for fans?Sinead Ryan, presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk and consumer journalist with the Irish Independent and Ian O Doherty, Columnist with The Irish Independent joined Kieran to discuss...

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

The number of drink-driving checkpoints on the roads is at its lowest level since 2017. An Irish Times analysis of enforcement trends foresees 150,000 drivers in total will be breathalysed by the end of this year. That’s compared to some 314 thousand people who were tested for alcohol at roadsides in 2018. Kieran was joined by Shane Ross, former Minister for Transport and Verona Murphy Independent TD for Wexford to discuss...

Today is the 100th anniversary of Disney. Henry McKean met Disney fans at Disneyland Paris and sent this report, speaking to people from around the world about their love of the Mouse House, the films, characters and theme parks...

Cian O’Carroll, solicitor who represented Vicky Phelan and several other women in the CervicalCheck scandal has criticised RTÉ and Dr Tony Holohan over untruths in an interview done with the former Chief Medical Officer.Kieran was joined by Cian O’Carroll to discuss... 

Leaflets about sex education which have recently been distributed in Dublin have included misleading claims about changes to the Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum. The leaflets make a number of claims about the curriculum, which is in the process of being updated by the Government. Siobhan O’Higgins, co-lead on the national Active consent programme, and research fellow in the school of Psychology in the University of Galway and Eric Nelligan, secondary school teacher and Aontú Education Spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Denis Hickie, Former Irish rugby International and Mike Prendergast, Munster Rugby coach to preview tomorrow’s World Cup Quarter Final showdown with the All Blacks...

Hamas say that Palestinians will not adhere to an Israeli warning for 1.1 million people to flee from Gaza. It comes as Israel looks set to begin a ground offensive in the region. Yesterday, the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reiterated his country’s support for Israel during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Niall Stanage, White House Columnist for The Hill joined Kieran to discuss...

In Austria, The ‘Beer Party’, founded by Marco Pogo in 2015 initially as a joke, is now polling at 12 per cent ahead of the Vienna state election. It comes after they promised voters a beer fountain in the capital city Vienna, and an allocation of one barrel of beer per household per month. Kieran was joined by the party’s leader, Marco Pogo...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat through the most delicious ways to cook broccoli...

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...

As the country holds its breath ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup Quarter Final showdown with the All Blacks - Henry McKean joined Kieran LIVE from Paris after he met with fans around the French capital…

It was announced today that the age limit to become a Garda has increased from 35 to 50. Justice Minister Helen McEntee said earlier today that every new member would be helped as much as possible to get the training and expertise required. Kieran was joined by former Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Driscoll and David Nolan, who is assistant professor of Sport and Exercise Science in the DCU School of Health and Human Performance...

Apparently the Gen Z age group hate answering phone calls.This is according to new study by Sky Mobile that found people between 17-25 years old would much rather communicate through apps like Snapchat or WhatsApp then call, with a third of surveyed finding phone calls awkward.   Kieran was joined by Alex Rowley Newstalks Own Gen Z-er, Erin Lally, Influencer and Eimear Neville, Student in UCC... 

The Focus Ireland Shine A Light annual sleepout will take place tomorrow night. The annual event will see companies across the country sleep out all to raise funds for homeless services for Focus Ireland. Kieran was joined by Kelly Ann Byrne, a lived experience Ambassador Focus Ireland and Susan Whyte, Director of Customer Operations at Bord Gais Energy to discuss..Shine A Light 2023 takes place on Friday, 13 October and aims to raise €1.2m to help end family homelessness. Signing up is quick and easy to do. Simply visit shinealight.focusireland.ie to register and select whether you’re sleeping out as an individual or as part of a team. You can then set your fundraising target and a shareable fundraising page will be created for you 

RTÉ executives, including Director General Kevin Bakhurst, have once again appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this morning.Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Dr Finola Doyle O'Neill, Broadcast and Legal Historian at the School of History, UCC and a former member of the Future of Media Commission and Trevor Keegan, Chair of the RTE sub branch of the NUJ to discuss...

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris joined Kieran Cuddihy on Thursday's edition of The Hard Shoulder to speak about college fee reductions, RTE and Metrolink.

Frasier, one of the longest running US sitcoms has been rebooted and the new season airs on Paramount+ in the US today. Some early reports have hailed Kelsey Grammer’s "faultless performance". While the Rolling Stone called it an "unfunny, uninspired dud".  Comedian Jim Elliot joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss…

RTÉ executives, including Director General Kevin Bakhurst, have once again appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this morning.Kieran was joined by Brian Stanley, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Sinn Fein TD for Laois-Offaly…

The Israeli government have warned that they will continue deny water, electricity and fuel to Gaza until Israeli Hostages have been released.   Kieran was joined by Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Project and a Former Israeli Peace Negotiator to discuss...

Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss her new book 'From Malin Head to Mizen Head: A Journey Around the Sea Area Forecast’...

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 Amsterdam...

Healthcare spending of €22.5bn announced in Budget 2024 was announced yesterday, and it was roundly criticised as insufficient to meet rising demand in the sector. The budget has been the focus of contention with the HSE, already estimating a shortfall of up to €1.1bn in this year’s spending. Kieran was joined by Matthew Sadlier, who is chair of the IMO’s Consultants Committee and Brian Turner, Health Economist, Cork University Business School at UCC...

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 honey on the shelves...

Israel has kept on the offensive against Hamas targets in Gaza, where entire districts lie in rubble. It’s as Israeli forces find more victims five days after the Islamist militants' onslaught on its southern towns. Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke to Pat Kenny this morning, and explained that while Israel has a right to defend itself, he is concerned about how far things might go. To discuss this, Kieran was joined by Alan Shatter, Former Minister for Justice, Fellow of the Israel Council on Foreign Relations & Chairperson of Magen David Adon Ireland snd Gino Kenny, who is People Before Profit TD for Dublin Mid-West...

RSV season is upon us, RSV season. It is a virus that can affect us all but which can be very serious in infants under two years, in particular. Broadcaster, podcaster and mother Sile Seoige and Dr Máire Finn, who is a GP at Ennis Centric Health joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss...

Israel’s blockade of Gaza is continuing with the regions sole power plant now being forced to close down. Israel cut all supplies off to Gaza in retaliation for Hamas attacks on Israel which erupted last weekend. Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the formation of an emergency coalition with the country’s main opposition. Kieran was joined by Bel Trew, International correspondent for The Independent and Sean Bell, retired Air Vice Marshal who served with the UK military and current adviser with global defence consultants UDSS... 

Petrol and diesel cars are set to be banned by 2025 in Stockholm’s City centre.  The move is aimed at reducing noise and traffic congestion as well as improving air quality for its citizens. This begs the question, should we do something similar for our city centres? Kieran was joined by Sadhbh O'Neill, Lecturer in Climate Policy and Environmental Politics at DCU and John Mitchell, Owner, Mitchell Car Accessories on Capel St to discuss...

Environment Minister and Leader of the Green Party joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the measures announced under the Budget 2024 package today…

Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe have announced a budget package for the coming year worth €14 billion.Sarah Meredith, Tax Director at Grant Thornton, Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post and Danny McCoy, CEO with IBEC joined Kieran to discuss personal finance measures announced today, with thanks to Grant Thornton...

Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Paschal Donohoe joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the measures announced under the Budget 2024 package today…

Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe have announced a budget package for the coming year worth €14 billion.Kevin Devenney, Tax Director at Grant Thornton joined Kieran to discuss personal finance measures announced today, with thanks to Grant Thornton...

Ministers Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe have announced a budget package for the coming year worth €14 billion. This is split between expenditure measures of €5.3 billion, €1.1 billion worth of tax measures and a €6.4 billion core package. A reduction in childcare fees, an increase in carbon tax and an increase to the rent tax credit are among the biggest measures. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on The Hard Shoulder by a panel of guests to discuss the measures announced today. Guests include: John Lee, Executive Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland, Emmet Oliver, Lecturer and The Hard Shoulder’s Business Correspondent, Tanya Ward, CEO of Children’s Rights Alliance, Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal, Adrian Cummins, CEO Restaurants Association, Donall O'Keeffe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association and Marian Finnegan, Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald....

Tomorrow, Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe will unveil Budget 2024.  Kieran spoke to some of the interest groups ahead of the Budget including Elaine Dunne, Federation of Early Childhood Providers, Neil McDonnell CEO of ISME  and Mike McMahon, who co-owns the award-winning Mother Mac’s pub on High Street in Limerick City. 

The last 3 days have seen an escalation of violence between Israel and the Palestinian group, Hamas.  Earlier today Israel has ordered a 'complete siege' of Gaza, saying authorities will cut electricity and block the entry of food and fuel.Kieran was joined by Dana Erlich, Israel's Ambassador to Ireland.

According to the Association of Catholic priests it will become more likely to see lay members rather than priests officiating funeral masses due to lack of vocational numbers in the priesthood. Fr. Tim Hazelwood, Parish priest at Killeagh, Cork and Ruth Scott, Radio Presenter and Humanist celebrant spoke to Kieran.

In response to the attacks by Hamas militants, Israel has ordered a 'complete siege' of the Gaza Strip and the cutting off of food, fuel, electricity and water supplies to the area. Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid spoke with Kieran.

Ireland's next Rugby World Cup match will see them take on the All Blacks. Rugby Commentator, Ryle Nugent, spoke to Kieran ahead of the match.

The President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support for Israel online saying that Israel has the right to defend itself, and that the EU stands with them. Ruth Eglash, Freelance reporter in Jerusalem and Clare Daly, Independent MEP for Dublin.

Ahead of budget 2024 founder and head of ESRI's behavioural research unit, Pete Lunn spoke to Kieran about managing personal finances.

Newstalk reporter spoke to Israelis and Palestinians who have made Ireland their home, and an Irishman, John Costello, living in Tel Aviv.Image: Irish Citizen Kim Dante missing after festival massacre.

Plans have been announced by the Labour party in the UK that if they got into government that they would make kids brush their teeth in school.  Under this plan, kids would be supervised when brushing their teeth to help prevent tooth decay which is apparently a leading cause of hospitalization of childrenIs this a solid plan and should we look to do something similar here in Ireland?  Joining Anton Savage to discuss was Dr. Caroline Robbins,  Chair of the GP committee of the Irish Dental Association, and a Dentist at Kiwi Dental in Carlow.