The Hard Shoulder

As Andrew Ridgeley of Wham! turns 60, what better time to give some love to ‘the other guy’ from your favourite pop acts and duos. To help us separate the The Halls from the Oates, your Simons from your Garfunkels, Kieran was joined by Ed Smith, Presenter of Today FM Rocks...

Enoch Burke is now likely to be hit with a €700 fine for failing to purge his contempt of court before today’s 2pm deadline. And for every day that passes without him purging his contempt, he will continue to be hit with a 700e daily fine. That’s €4,900 per week. Newstalk reporter Aoife Kearns and Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney joined Kieran on the show to discuss…

All this week, we’ve seen coverage of this controversy around Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe’s expenses. Has all the reaction has been slightly hysterical, and to the detriment of politics in general? Kieran was joined by Stephen Collins, Political Columnist with The Irish Times...

World Rugby are looking to lower the legal tackle height over the next few years. It is part of a response to head injuries being commonplace in the game, as the RFU have moved to ban tackling above the waist in the community game. Kieran was joined by Matt Williams rugby coach and pundit and Matt Campbell, Professor in Genetics in Trinity College, and co-founder of the Concussion Research Interest Group to discuss…

87 consultants at University Hospital Limerick have written to management to say their ability to provide care to their patients is ‘stretched beyond it’s current capacity’ For more on this Kieran was joined by Maurice Quinlivan, Sinn Fein’s TD for Limerick...

Paris Hilton yesterday announced her and her husband have welcomed their first baby together, a son, via surrogate. The socialite and her husband are both first time parents in their forties, which is an increasingly common trend in modern society. Tanya Sweeny, journalist with the Irish Independent and Medical Journalist, June Shannon joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

87 consultants at University Hospital Limerick have written to management to say their ability to provide care to their patients is ‘stretched beyond it’s current capacity.’ Kieran was joined by Professor Declan Lyons, a consultant physician and geriatrician in University Hospital Limerick to discuss…

Unpublished research by the Housing Commission says Ireland may need up to 62,000 homes built per year until 2050 to meet demand – almost double the annual target in the Government’s master plan for this decade. Meanwhile, a new study has revealed apartment construction costs rose by as much as 25k last year. The report by leading consultants Mitchell McDermott found that the hard costs of building a two-bed, medium rise suburban apartment is now over €240,000. For more on this Kieran was joined by Rory Hearne is Assistant Professor of Social Policy Maynooth University and author of ‘Gaffs’ and Paul Mitchell Author of the Report…

VHI is to increase premiums by an average of 4.8% across its health insurance plans from March 1. This will be their first price increase in two years and follows a price reduction last year. Kieran was joined by Dermot Goode of totalhealthcover.ie to discuss…

Andrew Chambers was been diagnosed with motor neuron disease in October, and his condition is rapidly deteriorating. Since then he has also been battling to get his partner, Sian, a visa so that he can move from Laos, to care for him here. Andrew joined Kieran on the show to discuss..

Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to take a look at some of the best Hollywood comeback stories...

It is 5 years since the Dáil lifted a ban on selling alcohol on Good Friday. For more on this and to discuss the future of licensing laws, Kieran was joined by Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland and Ian Redmond, Owner of Tramline on d’Olier Street...

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 took a look a the different options of tortilla chips on the shelves...

Several international protection applicants had to sleep on the streets of Dublin last night because the Government were not in a position to provide any state owned accommodation. Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte spoke to some of these people who had to sleep rough…

It’s the first payday of the year today and John Lowe, The Money Doctor joined Kieran to advise us how to not blow our paychecks this year…

Justin Bieber has followed the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Justin Timberlake by has sold his back catalogue for $200 million. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Dave Hanratty, music journalist and presenter of the ‘No Encores’ podcast…

Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne is calling for the reintroduction of town councils across Ireland. "If we believe in local democracy and local government we have to move away from a system of local administration, which we effectively have," he said. To discuss the possibility of the reintroduction of town councils, Kieran was joined by Noel McCarthy, Fine Gael Councillor for Fermoy and Ken O’Flynn, Councillor for Cork City North East...

New statistics released today by Circle K show that 83% of retail workers in Ireland have experienced harassment from customers. How bad is it for retail workers out there on the front line. Newstalk's Henry McKean went to find out...

Every week, Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder with thanks to Emirates, will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations Emirates fly to around the world. This week, Kieran was joined by Fionn Davenport, travel writer and broadcaster to look at the Italian Riviera…

Paschal Donohoe has spoken to the Dail after further revelations relating to postering expenses. Finian McGrath, the former Minister for Disability joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Kieran was joined in studio 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 there a place for single sex schools in society?'

'An Cailín Ciúin' has been nominated for Best International Picture at this year's Academy Awards. Cleona Ní Chrualaoí, producer of 'An Cailín Ciúin' joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder. She was joined alongside Irish director, Lenny Abrahamson to discuss the success of Irish film in this year's nominations...

Broadcaster Emer O’Neill says we should never be shocked when we hear racism, because it is all around us. She says she continues to be subjected to racial abuse following her issues with Tommy Tiernan recently. But do the problems with race in this country go much further than that? Emer joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to bring the latest from Paschal Donohoe's Dáíl statement surrounding the ongoing poster controversy...

The Oscar nominations were announced at a special ceremony in Los Angeles this evening. There was a record 14 nominations for Irish films with 'The Banshees of Inisherin' receiving nine nominations. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by actor, comedian and star of The Banshees of Inisherin, Pat Shortt. He was joined alongside Louise Ryan from Screen Ireland to discuss…

Long voice notes, and kissing in public have been listed as bad manners. Do you think people are picking up more bad habits or do younger generations have good etiquette? Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been finding out what habits annoy the public the most.

Hundreds of people took part in a protest and counter-protest this past weekend over immigration. Around 200 people took part in a "Refugees are Welcome" protest across the road from the Shelbourne Hotel. It was deemed a counter-protest to an anti-immigration demonstration outside the hotel, with about 200 people also in attendance. It’s the latest in a long running debate over how to accommodate refugees if and when they arrive in this country. Philly McMahon, former Dublin footballer and Ballymun native joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss… Image: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Dublin's Special Criminal Court has for the last 12 weeks held one of the most talked about cases in years, that of the murder trial of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch. Paul Williams, Crime Journalist and author of ‘The Monk - The Life and Crimes of Ireland's most enigmatic crime boss’ joined Kieran to discuss the trial thus far and look ahead to closing arguments...

A new SPHE Junior Cycle curriculum is on the horizon which deals with topics such as gender identity and pornography and has left many parents looking to opt out of SPHE. Kieran was joined by Mary Creedon, an SPHE teacher and member of the Irish Education Alliance and Aontú Leader, Peadar Toibin TD to discuss…

Kilmacud Crokes defeated Glen in Sunday's All-Ireland club football final, however they did so with 16 men on the field during the final attack. The Derry club have contacted the GAA over the breach of the rules during Sunday's final. Kieran was joined by Joe Brolly to discuss... Image: Twitter @KCrokesGAAClub

'That 90's Show', the new spinoff of 'That 70's Show' was released on Netflix last week. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Deirdre Molumby, Pop Culture and Entertainment expert to discuss some of the best and worst TV spinoffs out there...

Is there a way in which we can actually start ditching the car? Gabrielle Monaghan was writing about it on independent.ie, and pointed out that you could save €10,000 a year getting rid of your car. Does it make financial sense to just ditch it? Janey Horner, Green Party Councillor for North Inner City Dublin and Tim Cullen, Deputy Director General for the Society of the Irish Motor Industry joined Kieran on the show to discuss…

A report by the Mental Health Commission has highlighted significant deficits in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health System. It stated that many children and young people end up 'lost' in the system and in one catchment area, there were as many as 140 'lost' cases within the local CAMHS team. Kieran was joined by Dr Brendan O’Shea, Kildare GP and assistant professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin and Mary Butler, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People to discuss...

Some of you listeners may remember back in February of 2021, we spoke with Meath mother Tracy Carroll. Tracy’s daughter Willow suffers from cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other medical needs. Her family has been struggling for the past two years to find Willow a school place. Well that day has now arrived, and Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been down to Boyerstown school for Willow’s first week.

Another deadline has been passed with no updates on the Northern Irish Protocol. Will there be a government formed again in Northern Ireland any time soon, or will this issue continue into the future? Kieran was joined by activist and journalist, Eamonn McCann to discuss...

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran Cuddihy to take a closer look at some of the expected food trends for 2023...

There was a huge reaction all week to our caller Mary, whose son doesn’t want to return to training because he gets sidelined on matchday every week. The conversation continued with Minister for Sport Thomas Byrne calling children being sidelined week on week a ‘child welfare issue.’ Kieran was joined by the manager of Cobh Ramblers and Games Promotion Officer with Portlaoise GAA, Shane Keegan to discuss…

Colombian singer Shakira has revealed how she caught her husband and former Barcelona footballer, Gerard Pique cheating on her. She says she noticed jam missing from the jar when she returned home and he didn't like jam. She became suspicious and confronted him about it. Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and author of 'Relationships on the Edge' joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

The Irish government today faced criticism as refugee groups described the possibility of asylum seekers having to sleep on the streets as “a new low” for Ireland. Kieran was joined by Enda O'Neill, the Head of Office with UNHCR Ireland and Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children and Youth Affairs...

A coalition of charities for people with access needs are calling on the Transport Minister to ban e-scooters on footpaths. The National Council for the Blind in Ireland, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Irish Wheelchair Association have come together urging the government to “protect pedestrians with access needs before it is too late”. Kieran was joined by John Fulham is the Public Engagement Officer with the Irish Wheelchair Association, and Geraldine Herbert, who is the Motoring Editor for the Sunday Independent…

Dr Phil White is an engineer, former business consultant and a member of Patriotic Millionaires UK. He is currently in Davos where the World Economic Forum are meeting to discuss major economic concerns. Dr Phil White joined Kieran to explain why he is in Davos asking world leaders to tax the wealthy... Image: Fabrice Coffrini/Getty Images

Argos is set to close all of its stores in the Republic of Ireland. Some 34 stores and 580 workers will be impacted by the news. Kieran was joined by Senator Marie Sherlock, Labour Party's national spokesperson on Employment Affairs and Conor Pope, Irish Times’ Consumer Affairs Correspondent to discuss this news and the future of the retail market in Ireland…

There was phenomenal response yesterday to our guest on the show, Mary, whose teenage son is seriously thinking about not playing hurling this year because he can’t get a game. Is there an issue with over competitiveness in underage sport in this country? Thomas Byrne is the Minister for Sport and Physical Education, and he joined Kieran in studio to discuss…

Well there are lots of benefits to being part of a couple; companionship, cosy nights in and according to UK research a bigger bank balance. An article in the Guardian this week has highlighted how singles end up paying as much as 860 more a month than couples do. Leanne Hanafin Presenter of weeknights 4- 7 on 98FM and producer of the Hold My Drink Podcast is single and joined Kieran to discuss the cost..

The Hard Shoulder got a massive reaction on yesterday’s show, to Mary talking about her son, and daughter who were thinking about not playing GAA again because of not getting a chance to play in matches. Today on the show Kieran was joined by Pauline, mother and coach, Anne in Longford and Hilda Breslin, Uachtaráin of the Camogie Association to discuss this matter further…

Argos is set to close all of its stores in the Republic of Ireland. The UK retailer has 34 stores in Ireland and plans to close all of them by the summer. Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joined Kieran in studio with a report on the closure...

Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to take a look at the career of the Golden Globe winning White Lotus star Jennifer Coolidge...

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 took a look a the different toothpaste options on the shelves...

Mary, a listener, joined Kieran on the show today. Her son is seriously thinking about not coming back to GAA training this year because he gets left on the sideline for games every week. So does this ring true? Is over-competitiveness at underage level an issue? Should everyone get significant game time? Nickey Brennan, former President, GAA and Jen Hogan, contributor to the Irish Times joined Kieran to discuss…

Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan has claimed the fitness test for people trying to join the Gardaí is too demanding – and said it was blocking the Garda recruitment drive. Figures released to Deputy O’Callaghan show that one-in-six Garda applicants failed the fitness test last year – 55 candidates out of 315. Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…