The Hard Shoulder

It’s St Brigid’s Day today - the changing of the seasons, and the honouring of St Brigid. Many children around the country will be making little crosses to commemorate the day, and my next guest is concerned that those from non religious backgrounds shouldn’t have to take part. Michael Nugent, the Chair of Atheist Ireland and writer and broadcaster Barbara Scully joined Kieran on the show to discuss…

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss neurodiversity...

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 beautiful County Mayo...

The launch of the St Patrick’s Festival took place yesterday, and as with many things, many people loved what was on show, and many had issues with it. The theme for the festival is ‘We are ONE’. Kieran was joined by Eric Nelligan, who is an Aontu representative in Limerick and Ray Yeates, who is City Arts Officer with Dublin County Council to discuss… Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

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 socialism a force for good?'

The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee has ordered a replay of the All-Ireland club football final. It comes following a hearing last night involving representatives from Glen and Kilmacud Crokes. Off The Ball's Will O’Callaghan and journalist, Conan Doherty joined Kieran on the show to discuss... Image: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The Taoiseach says he assumes he was briefed on the state's policy towards settling claims in relation to families being overcharged for nursing homes. For more on this, Kieran was joined by John Lee, the Executive Editor of the Irish Daily Mail and Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland…

A Welsh branch of McDonald's has started playing classical music in a bid to deter anti-social behaviour. Kieran was joined by George Hamilton, commentator and presenter on Lyric FM to discuss...

Australia is to impose local quotas on their streaming platforms - like Netflix, Disney+ and the rest - as part of a national cultural policy. The Australian Government described it as ‘necessary action’ so that Australia stories don’t get drowned out. Larry Bass, the chief executive of ShinAWil, joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

According to a US psychologist, workers need to be able to brag more like an American to get ahead in the workplace. Meredith Fineman, author of Brag Better, said staff should find ways to communicate their brilliance, which does not always come naturally to us here in Ireland. Kieran was joined by American comedian, Jim Elliott and Orla Donagher. founder of Interview Tutor to discuss…

Has the weed aroma in Dublin city become overwhelming? If so, what can be done to tackle it? And if we were to legalise cannabis in this country, can it be done effectively/efficiently? Journalist & Historian Frank McDonald and Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney gave us their thoughts on that.

“If Ireland doesn't see the emergence of an electorally competitive radical right party that mobilises on anti-immigration, it will be an outlier in Europe.” That is the view of Aidan Regan, associate professor in political economy in the School of Politics and International Relations in UCD, and he joined the show today to discuss his view.

Nial Ring - Dublin City Councillor, Stefanie Preisner - Broadcaster and presenter of the ‘Basically’ podcast and broadcaster Louise Cantillon joined Kieran today to answer one question: should we all learn our national anthem?

A record of nearly €170 million was collected in toll charges on the M50 last year. It is almost €30 million more than in 2021, and is also significantly above pre-pandemic levels. For more on this Kieran was joined by Eugene Drennan, from the Irish Road Hauliers Association.

Kieran Cunningham, chief sports writer at Irish Daily Star was tweeting recently about some potential roadblocks around Katie Taylor’s long-mooted homecoming fight. The presumption had been that Croke Park was the likely destination, but we also heard from her promoter Eddie Hearn talking about the proposed May date. Kieran Cunningham joined us on the show to discuss.

Earlier today Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke on Newstalk Pat Kenny show about how children going to school can get too much homework. It follows a debate sparked by comments made by President Michael D Higgins who suggested their time would be better suited to more creative endeavors. Comedian Jarlath Regan, podcaster behind the number 1 Irish podcast network - Irishman Abroad joined Kieran to discuss.

The Taoiseach says an incident at a migrant camp in Dublin has the hallmarks of a racist attack. A number of men with sticks and dogs turned up at a makeshift camp of around 15 tents near Ashtown in Dublin. Kieran was joined by Kitty Holland, Social Affairs Correspondent with the Irish Times. Also on the line was Cieran Perry, independent councillor for the area.

Aisling Larkin, TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran to take a look at different ways to diversify and enjoy your eggs...

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission say Ireland is currently in clear breach of its international obligations regarding newly arrived asylum seekers. Thirty-one asylum seekers who arrived here this week are currently without State accommodation. Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth joined Kieran on the show to discuss…

Off The Ball's Adrian Barry joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action...

The Dublin Citizens’s Assembly has voted in favour of a powerful new directly elected mayor being created for the city, with ranging powers – similar to other international cities. Kieran was joined by Jim Gavin, chairman of the Dublin Citizens’ Assembly and Derek Mooney, public affairs consultant and former Irish government adviser to discuss...

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…

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…

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…

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...

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.

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…

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…