The Hard Shoulder

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 looked at toilet roll...

Leo Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Ireland joined Kieran LIVE in studio in London...

Comedian, Patrick Kielty joined Kieran LIVE in studio in London to discuss his new tour, the current state of British politics, the 'Up the Ra' chants by the women's national team and the future of a united Ireland...

The Central Bank has eased mortgage lending rules for first-time buyers. First time buyers will be permitted to borrow four times their gross income from January, an increase from the current 3.5 times rate. Second time buyers will now need a 10% deposit when purchasing a property, down from the previous threshold of 20% Kieran was joined by consumer expert and presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk, Sinead Ryan and Chief Executive of the Banking and Payments Federation, Brian Hayes…

Newstalk is proud to partner Gateway to Europe, a not-for-profit collective of Irish service providers hoping to showcase Ireland as Europe's premier location for foreign investment. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder LIVE in London, by Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig, from Sigmar Recruitment and Gateway To Europe, Neil Naughton, President of Glen Dimplex and also with the Boston College Ireland Business Council and Conor McEnroy, owner of Sudameris Bank in Paraguay...

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

Kieran 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 new series kicked off with a discussion around the Government jet and the question is, should we keep it or get rid of it altogether?

Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin's Housing Spokesperson joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the Government's proposed eviction ban and cuts to the concrete levy introduced in Budget 2023...

The BBC celebrates its 100th birthday today. Esther Rantzen, broadcaster and former host of ‘That’s Life’ on the BBC and Dylan Haskins,executive producer leading the commissioning team running the BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 5 Live podcasts joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to look back on the past 100 years of the BBC and what the future holds...

The Government will know in January how to expand the summer programme for children with special educational needs. Education Minister Norma Foley and the Minister of State for Special education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan, said next year's €40m programme will reflect the growing number of children seeking to avail of it. Minister of State for Special education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan joined Kieran to discuss this, the concrete levy and a tweet sent by the minister in the wake of the Creeslough tragedy in Donegal...

Online flashing is set to be made a criminal offence in a move that aims to make the internet a safer space. Cabinet ministers are today expected to approve amendments to legislation that will ban 'cyberflashing' under the new Online Safety Bill. To discuss this further Kieran was joined by Dr. Caroline West, sex educator and Host of Glow West podcast…

In the last century, Ireland has undeniably undergone quite the transformation. Many moments have been tense, awe-inspiring or controversial and many have planted a small island firmly on the international stage. But what is the island's greatest moment of the last 100 years? Over the next few weeks, The Hard Shoulder will look at some of the 20 shortlisted moments and discuss why they deserve the title of 'Ireland's Greatest Moment.' Newstalk's Simon Tierney joined Kieran to chat through the survey and why The Contraceptive Train to Belfast in 1971 would be his choice. Have your say now by voting here: https://www.newstalk.com/uncategorized/irelands-greatest-moment-1392696

Have you ever felt a deep regret of not opening up to someone, expressing what you really felt in a moment, whether to a loved one or a friend. Are there still unspoken words or conversations not had that are still on your mind? Kieran was joined by Irish author Michael Harding, who reveals all in his new book 'All the Things Left Unsaid: Confessions of Love & Regret'...

Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is drawing up proposals for a winter eviction ban. Kieran was joined by Pat Davitt, CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers & Valuers to discuss...

Today is National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day. Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to give some advice on how best to clean up your screens from laptop to phone...

There has been an alleged assault on a child at a children’s sports event in Tipperary on Saturday. Former President of the GAA, Nickey Brennan joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the culture change that is needed in the game going forward...

UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a new mini-Budget earlier today, making a u-turn on pretty much everything Kwasi Kwarteng and Prime Minister Liz Truss announced a couple of short weeks ago. Former Conservative MP Edwina Currie joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

On the 50th anniversary of the release of Michael Jackson's 'Ben'. Pat Carty, from Hot Press joined Kieran to discuss the MJ's catalogue, accusations against him and his impact on the music industry...

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

A driver in the UK was fined for using a bus lane to allow an ambulance pass. Following this, we took a look at the use and misuse of bus lanes in Ireland. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been speaking with those who are allowed to use the lanes legitimately and those who are not.

The best place for households renting in the private market to live is in a property owned by a vulture fund, the chair of the Residential Tenancies Board has said. Speaking at the launch of a report published by housing charity Threshold and the Citizens’ Information Board Tom Dunne said there was “enormous resistance in our society” to institutional landlords, which he has “always been curious about”. Senator Rebecca Moynihan, Labour Party Housing spokesperson and Tom Philips Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates, adjunct associate professor of architecture and planning in UCD joined Kieran to discuss...

'Dermot Bannon’s Incredible Homes' returns to our screens soon with an insight to the quirky homes of his hosts from castles in Scotland, to the coast havens in Spain & an insight of some of the world’s most famous architects. Dermot joined Kieran to give an inside scoop to the new series...

Plans for the Galway Ring Road have been quashed by An Bord Pleanála after admitting they had not taken the state’s climate action plan into account. The €600 million euro plans have been met with some mixed reviews. Regardless of who is for or against it, it’s now back to the drawing board to push the plans forward. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly and Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne to discuss...

The UK Prime Minister, Liz Truss has sacked her chancellor after just 38 days. Kwasi Kwarteng was asked to resign three weeks after his mini-budget unleashed chaos in the British economy. LBC presenter Shelagh Fogarty joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to give her reaction...

Lauren Barrett from Tralee was only 21 years old when she found a lump in her breast. Lauren joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and tell us her story...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Si King and Dave Myers, otherwise known as 'The Hairy Bakers' on the launch of their new book 'Brilliant Bakes' and Dave's recent cancer diagnosis...

Further and Higher Education Minister, Simon Harris joined Kieran to discuss sexual violence on college campuses, student protests and the viral video of the Irish women's soccer team singing 'Ooh Ah, Up The RA'...

The First Minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford is over in Ireland for a couple of days for the ‘Ireland-Wales’ Forum. Discussions are taking place around trade, culture, education and more. The First Minister of Wales joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

4,685 people in Ireland are driving on learner permits more than a quarter of a century after they were issued with them. Kieran was joined by Leo Leigho, from the Irish Road Victims Association and Senator Gerard Craughwell to discuss...

Dublin City Council have rejected plans for a 24-storey office tower close to Tara Street. For more on this Kieran was joined by Eoin O’Malley DCU Associate Professor in political science at the School of Law and Government at DCU and Frank McDonald, author and journalist, to discuss

To mark the death of Angela Lansbury, who portrayed Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote - Sarina Bellissimo, entertainment journalist and broadcaster, joined Kieran to chat through some of the best murder mysteries out there...

Over the past three years, there has been a 600% increase to the Samaritans helpline. Many of the callers have been from Irish prisons, and today Samaritans is celebrating its 20th anniversary of the Listener Scheme. This involves dedicated prisoners being available to chat with other inmates about their worries or concerns. Our reporter Josh Crosbie has been to the Midlands Prison today and covers issues which some listeners may find upsetting.

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran for a new series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. Are we paying more for things when we could be paying less, but for a similar quality product? We want to explore the provenance and environmental impact of the everyday things we buy. To kick off the series, Kieran and Simon were discussing tea bags...

The FAI this afternoon apologised after a video of the women's national football team singing ‘Ooh ah, up the RA’ was shared widely on social media. Kieran was joined by Ciaran Cannon, Fine Gael TD for Galway East and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer, Irish Daily Star...

Stoneybatter has been named as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world by Time Out. Kieran was joined by Martin Quigley of the Dublin Ukulele Collective, Anthony Farrell, Publisher of The Lilliput Press and Katie Quinn, manager of Lilliput Stores to discuss…

A video emerged today showing the Irish women’s team’s celebrations upon reaching the World Cup next year, with the squad singing ‘Up The Ra’. The FAI, and the team’s management and players have since apologised. But what effect does this sort of chant have on those who have been victims of IRA attacks in the past. Colin Parry’s son Tim was killed in Warrington in 1993, and he joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

The transit centre at Citywest is nearing capacity and the possibility of a pause on entry to new arrivals to Citywest due to a nationwide shortage of accommodation cannot be discounted.’ That’s according to Roderic O’Gorman the Minister for Integration. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Regina Doherty, Fine Gael senator to discuss...

One bus driver has been threatened with rape while driving her bus between Cork and Carrigaline. She shared this harrowing story at yesterday's National Bus and Rail Conference in Cork. Unfortunately, it is one of many experiences of anti-social behavior in public transport and reason to finally tackle this issue by establishing transport police. Kieran was joined by Kieran, an Irish Rail worker and James Lawless TD, Oireachtas Justice Committee Chairman to discuss...

Jen Hogan wrote a piece in the Irish Times today, where she spoke to parents of kids being kept on the sideline during sporting games. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder to discuss this further by Shane Smith, Sports Scientist and Primary School Teacher...

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

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran to take a closer look at comfort foods; the most popular ones, ones from around the world and her favourite..

“Elderly” and “pensioner” are offensive ageist words that should be scrapped. That’s according to recommendations recently adapted by University of Manchester, where the staff was asked to use “mature individual” or “older people” terms instead? Is it another example of political correctness gone too far? John McGuirk, writer and political commentator, joined Kieran to discuss...

Ireland's 29 emergency departments will each be given individual plans by the HSE, to prepare them for the winter months. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has brought the overall Winter Plan to Cabinet today, that'll cost approximately 168 million euro. Kieran was joined by Priscilla Lynch, Clinical Editor for the Medical Independent and Tony O’Brien, former Director General of the HSE and Columnist with the Business Post to discuss...

Dublin South County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council have both opted to maintain reductions in the Local Property Tax. Kieran was joined by Cllr Oisin O’Connor, Green Party Councilor and Cllr Melisa Halpin, People Before Profit Councillor for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown to discuss...

The issues of keeping children on the sideline has cropped up again today, it comes off the back of a piece by contributor to this show, Jen Hogan in the Irish Times today, where she spoke to parents of kids being kept on the sideline. Kieran was joined by Shane Coleman, Newstalk Breakfast presenter and Siobhán O'Neill-White from Mams.ie to discuss...

An Post and the Irish Red Cross have opened a fund for the community of Creeslough, called the Creeslough Restoration Fund. Across the An Post network, there have been reports of people all over the country in the 920 post offices queuing up to give to the fund. Henry McKean visited The GPO in Dublin and sent us his report. Kieran was also joined by Barry Whyte, our chief reporter, who caught up with some locals, speaking outside St Michaels Church in Creeslough, where they were signing book of condolence.

The Happy Pear, a healthy Living platform launches today on iOS and Android, with the aim to support users on their journey of becoming healthier and happier people. The app will offer leading advice from experts and lifestyle practitioners. How will it support and inspire its users on the journey to healthier living? Kieran asked David and Steve Flynn, twin brothers, authors co-founders of the Happy Pear app, both joined Kieran on the show.,

Car lanes will begin to be phased out of College Green from next year as part of plans to remove traffic from Dublin city center. That’s according to the Green Party leader and transport minister Eamon Ryan. For more on this Kieran was joined by Hazel Chu Green Party Councillor and Jim Waldron of the National Private Hire and Taxi Association.

Massive explosions have hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities today. They were apparently Russian revenge strikes as President Vladimir Putin declared retaliation after an explosion on the bridge to Crimea. They have been the most intense attacks since the beginning of the war. Oleksiy Goncharenko is a Ukraine MP and Vice President of the PACE Committee on Migration, Refugees and Displaced Persons and Garrett Mullan, from Balbriggan, whose sister-in-law has been back in Ukraine for the last few weeks had both joined Kieran on the show.

On a day where we're to celebrate the humble spud, food critic Tom Doorley gives Kieran some tips on how to best prepare them.