The Hard Shoulder

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…

Pádraic Fogarty, From the Irish Wildlife Trust joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the groups calls to remove deer from The Phoenix Park...

Mary, who is a mother of four, and she put up a very interesting post on social media this morning about her teenage son being left on the sidelines while playing with his local GAA club. Mary joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss the impact caffeine has on our bodies on a daily basis...

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 down under at Melbourne and Sydney…

Today, Kieran has been discussing the potential extension of free GP care across Ireland. The proposal in many ways would mirror the existing system in the UK. So what are the benefits and challenges? Kieran was joined by Dr Hussain Gandhi, a GP at Wellspring surgery in Nottingham to offer some insight into how the set-up works,

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 'Should we nationalise the construction industry ?'...

Hotel rooms in Dublin could be facing a 1 per cent levy following a report by Dublin City Council. Kieran was joined by Séamas McGrattan, Sinn Féin Councillor for Cabra-Glasnevin and Chair of the Dublin City Council Finance committee and Michael Lennon, Director of the Skylon Hotel in Dublin...

Research published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute has found that extending free GP care to all in 2026 would cost the State between €381 million and €881 million. The ESRI report says that unlike most European countries, most people in Ireland pay out of pocket for GP care. Kieran was joined by Dr. Ilona Duffy GP in Monaghan and Professor Anthony Staines to discuss the practicalities of free GP visits…

An IRFU survey has found almost seven-in-10 people (68%) would not support a ban on alcohol during rugby matches at the Aviva Stadium. Ian O’Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer for the Irish Daily Star joined Kieran to discuss…

An Oireachtas Health Committee is set to meet tomorrow to discuss the current challenges facing public hospitals in Ireland. Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe for Clare, sits on the committee and joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss what he hopes will come from tomorrow's meeting...

Speaking on Good Morning America recently, actress Jane Fonda says women and men's friendships are very different. So, how do we make friends, and keep them, as we progress through life? Kieran was joined by psychotherapist Stella O’Malley, and Max Dickins, who is the author of ‘Billy No Mates: How I Realised Men Have A Friendship Problem’...

Joe O’Brien, Minister of Integration, has warned of an “unsustainable” refugee system in Ireland which has been rolled out too quickly. He joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss where we are now with the country's plan for housing refugees…

After a 30 year man-hunt Sicilian mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested. Paddy Agnew, columnist with The Sunday Independent joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder... Image: Handout via Reuters

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has announced that he has recused himself from all duties relating to the Standards in Public Office Commission while a complaint against him is examined. The move is due to a revelation that Minister Donohue failed to declare services provided to him during his electoral campaign in 2016, worth over one thousand euro. The discovery was made after a complaint was filed against the Minister to SIPO. Kieran was joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD and Martin Heydon, Fine Gael TD for Kildare South to discuss…

As you may know, today is Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. Newstalk's Henry McKean took to the streets to chat to the public and experts to find out how blue people really are...

It was on this date, January 13th back in 1968 that Johnny Cash took the stage for one of the most famous live performances in music history. That was of course in front of the inmates of Folsom Prison in California. The recording went some way to revitalising Cash’s career, and endures as one of the preeminent live albums… Pat Carty of Hot Press joined Anton Savage to discuss…

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Anton Savage to take a closer look at some fresh ways to introduce fruit and vegetables into your diet...

Almost two-thirds of hotels contacted about renewing contracts to host refugees have yet to sign new deals. What will happen when the deals run out? Anton Savage was joined by Liam O’Dwyer, advisor to the Irish Red Cross, it’s a bit of a bleak outlook Liam, isn’t it?

Irish rugby international Mack Hansen has cut his long locks in favour of a short back and sides. He is hoping it will inspire some good form saying "I was in a bit of a rut so I blamed it on the hair." Broadcaster Darren Kennedy and Owner of Kennedy & Co Grooming joined Anton Savage to discuss the mindset behind changing a hairstyle...

42 per cent of houses sold in in the final three months of 2022 were due to landlords making the decision to get out of the market and cease renting their properties. Maurice Deverell, Irish Property Owners Association and John O’Sullivan, Chair of the SCSI’s Practice and Policy Committee joined Anton Savage to discuss..

An article in today's Irish Times argues that congestion charges are vital in getting people out of cars and on to public transport. It has reignited an ongoing debate into whether a congestion charge should be introduced here in Dublin. Anton Savage was joined by Brian Caulfield, associate professor of Transport at Trinity College Dublin and Eugene Drennan, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association….

The idea of taxing motorists for using roads throughout the country is being floated. It’s one of the options being looked at by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as they say they want to provide more reliable and better roads around Ireland. Is this a fair idea? A tax on you just for using roads? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss…

Should wine come with a health warning? Italy’s largest farmers’ association have strongly voiced their concerns about Ireland’s plans for what they’re calling “alarmist” health warning labels on wine. Do you agree with the labelling? Would it affect your wine consumption? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Michelle Lawlor from The Nude Wine Company, Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland and listener Greg to discuss…

Lunchtime Live has been inundated with nurses and healthcare workers sharing their stories and experiences of workplace bullying in the HSE. Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson David Cullinane said he’s going to raise the issue in the Dail, but what are the unions doing about it? Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation joined Andrea on the show to discuss…

Proposals for a public lido located at George’s Dock in Dublin City, have been presented to Dublin City councillors. Patrick Earls, the campaign founder joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss... Image: Studio Octopi

On The Hard Shoulder today, Emmet Oliver talked to Deborah, a bus driver in Tallaght who has been attacked and intimidated while driving her bus. Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty joined Emmet Oliver on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

With everyone watching the pennies, Mary Moran Tax Director at Grant Thornton Ireland joined Emmet Oliver to ensure you don't miss out on claiming back the tax credits you are entitled to...

As discussions around the Northern Ireland protocol continue in search of resolution, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Micheal Martin have today visited Belfast for conversations with the stakeholders in the North. Emmet Oliver was joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Sean Defoe and Ben Lowry, editor of The Newsletter to discuss…

Well cash use has increased for the first time in more than a decade, with physical cash helping to keep users within budget. So could cash be a way of keeping better track of your money? Caitriona Redmond, Cost of Living Expert joined Emmet Oliver to discuss...