The Hard Shoulder

Kieran was joined on the show by world famous film director and long term Wicklow resident, John Boorman. Yesterday, he was honoured by Wicklow County Council with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Film director, Jim Sheridan also joined Kieran to discuss John Boorman's impact on Irish cinema...

John Fardy, presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to chart the best movies of Martin Scorcese's directorial career on his 80th birthday...

Road tolls will increase to the highest charges permitted next year. Kieran continued coverage of this on The Hard Shoulder. He was joined by Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry and Brian Caulfield, Associate Professor at the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin to discuss...

Today marks the one day of the year where being un-social on social media is encouraged. It’s World Unfriend Day - a day where we’re advised to cut ties with connections, cleanse our contacts list and purge any person who simply doesn’t bring us happiness. Newstalk's Technology correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to tell him why she unfriends people on social media...

The lack of available places in general practices around the country is causing both GP’s and many people stress coming into the winter season. Kieran was joined by Dr Brendan O’ Shea, Newbridge GP and Assistant adjunct professor in general practice at Trinity College Dublin and Dr Ilona Duffy, GP based in Monaghan town to discuss…

Road tolls will increase to the highest charges permitted next year. Motorists can expect the cost of using one of Ireland's ten toll roads to rise by up to 60 cents for each journey. Kieran was joined by Caoimhe Moloney, Group operations director of Kavanagh Coaches in Kilkenny and Peadar Toibin, Aontu leader and TD for Meath West 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 and worst TV finales to grace our screens...

It’s International Fraud Awareness Week, and we’ve teamed up with Bank of Ireland to help educate and inform how to protect our online profiles. We’ll joined a number of anti-fraud experts to help cut through the jargon, drop the confusing terminology, and land the simple message: Stop Think. Check. Baz Ashmawy, Irish Radio and TV Personality joined Kieran to tell him more about how he was hacked...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran for the new 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 fizzy cola options on the shelves...

We’re now just days away from the much-discussed [and maligned] Qatar World Cup, with the usual on-field anticipation largely overshadowed by the political, social & human rights issues within the host country. It is not the first time a World Cup has been used as a political device. The Independent’s Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney has charted the competition’s history in that regard and he joined Kieran to discuss...

Although the exact responsibility for the missile strike in Poland is still being established, the Polish president has said it most likely was caused by a Ukrainian defense missile. When the news broke initially, discussions began about NATO Articles 4 and 5. But what are these Articles and what does it mean to invoke them? Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin joined Kieran to discuss...

As children all around the world get ready to send their letters to the North Pole, is the art of letter writing amongst peers dying out? Kieran was joined on the show by Liz Maguire, letter collector and curator to discuss...

Today at a meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee, members heard from the HSE Interim CEO and other representatives. They answered questions about the HSE’s winter plan, the effort to get more people into the health service and other challenges the health system is facing Sinn Fein’s Health Spokesperson and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, David Cullinane joined Kieran to discuss…

A protest has taken place outside the Dáil today calling for a Gaelcholáiste to be established in an area of Dublin where there are five Gaelscoils. Parents and teachers are saying it is shortsighted of the Department not to have more options in place. So is there a need for more Gaelcholáisti and do parents want their children taught through Irish? Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been down at the demonstration.

The Irish Dental Association is warning people to be aware of the possible risks of dental tourism. For some people, it can be life-changing while for others it can be a horror story. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been speaking with dentists and those who have travelled abroad about their experiences.

Kieran Cuddihy was joined in studio by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. For the next few weeks, in a brand new series called ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around. The series continued with a discussion around should hare coursing be banned?

Music journalist, Niall Byrne joined Kieran on the show to discuss Kendrick Lamar's success off the back of his two headline gigs in 3Arena in Dublin...

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers have brought a memo to Cabinet asking for permission to send a letter of support from Government to the FAI to be part of a joint bid for Euro 28'. Two stadiums in Ireland, Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium have been put forward as part of the bid. Former Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Colm Kelleher joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to make a case for Pairc Uí Chaoimh to be part of the Euro 28' bid.

Donald Trump is poised to announce his 2024 presidential campaign, he is expected to make the announcement in Florida at his Mar-a-Lago Club this evening. This announcement comes as Trump voters rejected his endorsed candidates in last week’s midterm elections. Kieran was joined by Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America Correspondent for the latest update...

Life Coach, Mark Fennell joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss how adults can deal with having to move back home with their parents...

The Rural Independent Group of TDs are set to bring a motion to the Dáil tomorrow aiming to reduce energy prices. The Rural Independents want the government to introduce “a rigid cap” on the market revenues of wind farm energy producers. Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD & Member of the Rural Independent Group and Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator an Criminal Barrister joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers have brought a memo to Cabinet asking for permission to send a letter of support from Government to the FAI to be part of a joint bid for Euro 28'. Jack Chambers, Minister of State for Sport joined Kieran to outline the bid process and the benefits for Ireland by being part of it. Daniel Lambert, Chief Operating Officer for Bohemians FC also joined Kieran on the show...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council and Steve Wall from The Stunning to remember Vicky Phelan...

A promotional clip from Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan has got the football world talking. The full interview will be aired later in the week, some have said it will spell the end for his time at Manchester United. Kieran was joined by football journalist, John Brewin and Al Foran, Impressionist and presenter of ‘Al Foran’s Goalmouth’ on GoLoud to discuss...

Cervical cancer campaigner Vicky Phelan has died at the age of 48. Vicky's work led to the public inquiries headed up by public health specialist Dr Gabriel Scally in 2018 and 2019. Dr Gabriel Scally and Fianna Fáíl Senator, Lisa Chambers joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

Conor Pope, Pricewatch Editor with The Irish Times joined Kieran on the show to discuss consumer's skepticism around Black Friday offers...

Tributes have been pouring in all day for Vicky Phelan and listeners have been highlighting the impact she had on their lives. We will be hearing some of these stories throughout the show but first our reporter Josh Crosbie joins us from Limerick where he has been getting some local reaction.

After watching the Steve Thomson Documentary ex-Munster player, Duncan Casey penned an article where he sketched out his worries about concussion following a career in rugby. Duncan Casey, retired Munster and Grenoble rugby player and columnist with the Irish Examiner, joined Kieran live in studio in Cork to discuss.. Image: Munster Rugby

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran to take a closer look at the do's and don'ts of meal time...

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

Elon Musk has ended remote working for Twitter staff and tells them to prepare for 'difficult times ahead' in his first direct email to employees since taking over. Henry McKean has been speaking to workers and captains of industry and asking how would they feel about being forced back into the office?

Green Party TD Patrick Costello has won his case in the Supreme Court in which he challenged the EU’s Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Canada. Green Party TD Patrick Costello and Martin Heydon, Minister for New Market in the Dept of Agriculture joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Around 500 ECCE only providers shut their doors today in protest of lack of funding. Kieran was joined by Rowena Fisher, Pre-School Childcare Provider to discuss...

A 26-year-old man has been arrested after throwing soup on a painting at Crawford Art Gallery in Cork yesterday evening. Mary McCarthy, Director of the Crawford Art Gallery joined Kieran in studio to discuss what happened. Manuel Salazar, from Extinction Rebellion also joined Kieran on the show…

Moscow announced yesterday evening that its troops would start withdrawing from the city of Kherson. This had been the only city to fall to Russia. Is this a sign that the end of the war might come? Or is there still a long way to go? Olexiy Goncharenko, Ukrainian MP and Vice President of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons and Duncan Bullivant, Former British army officer and diplomat, and CEO of Henderson Risk Group, joined Kieran to discuss...

Jennifer Aniston has spoken publicly for the first time about struggles with her fertility journey. The 53-year-old actress told Allure Magazine that she wishes someone had told her to freeze her eggs when she was younger. Dr Bart Kuczera of the Beacon Care fertility clinic joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the egg freezing process...

According to research done by the Irish Daily Mail, the amount of houses needed for the country has been grossly underestimated. The shortfall we’re due to have by 2030 is 65,000. Kieran was joined by Political correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail, Craig Hughes. Kieran was also joined by the head of University College Cork’s Planning School, Brendan O’Sullivan....

With the World Cup in Qatar beginning in just 10 days, the competition has been swamped in negative PR. Earlier in the week, a Qatari ambassador for the World Cup described homosexuality as "damage in the mind". To discuss how this impacts those within the LGBT+ community, Kieran was joined by John Coary, The Chairman of Dublin Devils FC, an LGBT+ inclusive football club...

This week a primary school was ordered to pay €12,000 compensation to a girl with Down syndrome after she had to spend most of her school day in a foyer outside the classroom and away from her classmates. To discuss the issue of inclusivity in education, Kieran was joined by Nicola Hart, National Member Support for Down Syndrome Ireland and Bernard Mulvany Co-Founder of Access for All…

The tourism sector has warned that the high level of tourist accommodation being used to house Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers could have a huge impact on the sector. Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, Chief Executive of The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and Garry Anderson, Co Owner of Anderson's Boathouse Restaurant and Killybegs Seafood Shack, to discuss...

Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to take a look down under at one of her favourite reality TV shows, 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!'...

Changes being proposed to social welfare would mean people who earn more money would get higher welfare payments if they lose their jobs. The new system would see different welfare payments offered depending on the person’s previous income or PRSI contributions. Kieran was joined by Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD and Dr Aedín Doris, Economics lecturer in Maynooth to discuss

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran for the new 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 ketchup options on the shelves...

Tomorrow night, rugby will be played for the first time at Páirc Uí Chaoimh when Munster take on a South Africa 15. It’ll be in front of a sell-out attendance of over 41,000 people. Sean Kelly, Fine Gael MEP, but also former GAA President joined Kieran to discuss changes to Rule 42 in the GAA…

New research suggests white rice is as bad as sweets when it comes to heart health. Nutritionist, Gaye Godkin, joined Kieran to discuss some of the foods that nutritional value might surprise you...

Results coming in from the midterm elections in the US, show a strong performance from the Democrats. However, it appears Republicans are on track for a majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans will need to flip two among the three states of Nevada, Arizona and Georgia, to take control of the Senate. Kieran was joined by President of Opportunity, Ohio Matt Mayer and Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania and also former president Theodore Roosevelt’s great-great grandson, Kermit Roosevelt…

While speaking to Phil Ni Sheaghdha of the INMO yesterday, listeners got in touch pertaining to public versus private when it comes to the health service. Some of those paying private insurance were not happy that private beds were being used by the public sector, and thus adding to the backlog in the private sector. Kieran was joined by Monaghan based GP Illona Duffy and Stephen McMahon, co-founder of the Irish Patients Association…

Irish McDonald's fans are not happy with the latest changes the fast food giant has announced affecting its McFlurry ice creams. Henry McKean joined Kieran from the drive thru now at Artane McDonalds in North Dublin, to discuss the fast food giant’s jump to plastic spoons and straws…

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

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by comedian Al Murray or as you might better know him the ‘Pub Landlord’. He will be here in Dublin performing in Vicar on the 13th November...