The Hard Shoulder

Stress levels on Christmas Day reach boiling point at exactly 9:37am, a new study has found. Newstalk reporter, Henry McKean was investigating what stress levels are like on the streets of Dublin with just 21 days left of Christmas shopping...

In the year that 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York' celebrates it's 30th Anniversary, the Irish actress Brenda Fricker joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss her Oscar, filming in New York and meeting Donald Trump...

Now as some of you might be heading off to buy presents in the lead up to Christmas, we must not forget the ongoing struggles many living in poverty are facing. Only last week we passed record homeless figures with more than 11,000 people accessing services. We still don’t know the actual extent of rough sleepers as many are not included in these official figures. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been along to the Grafton Street Kitchens to speak with volunteers and service users.

Hugh Wallace returns to our screens tonight with the finale of his new show My Bungalow Bliss. Hugh has travelled all over the country to transform four drab bungalows into dream homes. Hugh joined Kieran in studio to discuss the journey and the future of the pattern of housing in Ireland...

An anti-immigration protest was staged at the front gates of St Joseph’s Convent in Fermoy last night, with the organiser calling for asylum seekers inside to be deported. The protesters carried out their action despite local concern for the children among the refugees. Kieran was joined by Cork City North-East Councillor Ken O'Flynn to discuss...

Geraldine Leonard joined Kieran to speak about about her father, who is in his 80's. He was left waiting on a trolley in St Vincent’s hospital for almost 24 hours last weekend due to staff shortages. He had originally presented at Loughlinstown Hospital A&E where he was turned away as it was past 6pm. John Brady, Sinn Féín TD for Wicklow joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

The French baguette has been awarded UNESCO heritage status. Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss what uniquely Irish foods are deserving of UNESCO heritage status... Image: Taste Atlas

After being joined on the show yesterday by Mary Rose Carroll, Assistant Director of Industrial Relations with the INMO to discuss the ongoing trolley crisis, listeners got in touch with their stories about the crisis. Geraldine Leonard got in touch about her father, who is in his 80's. He was left waiting on a trolley in St Vincent’s hospital for almost 24 hours last weekend due to staff shortages. Geraldine joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

A new trial will begin in Dublin City Council putting seagull proof sacks to use, to help end bin bags being teared open by birds. Kieran was joined by Keith Connolly Fianna Fail councillor on Dublin City Council and Niall Hatch, from Birdwatch Ireland…

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

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 brands of digestive biscuits...

Yesterday, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe spoke to Clare FM refugee crisis, and how Clare, as a county was coping. Cathal Crowe TD and Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Physicians and experts in the realm of Alzheimer’s research have hailed the “beginning of the end” in the search for effective treatments after a new drug was seen to reduce memory decline among patients in the initial phases of the disease. To discuss the landmark findings and their potential significance, Kieran was joined by Professor Sean Kennelly, Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine at Tallaght University Hospital...

New rules for banks mean the cafes and restaurants may be forced by law to accept cash payments, with an increasingly cashless society what does this mean for businesses who have already taken the plunge to being card only? James Fegan, the owner of Fegans 1924 on Chancery Street joins us now to tell us about running a business completely cashless...

12,000 people were on trolleys in our hospitals this month, that’s according to figures from the the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. The organization says it’s the highest figure ever recorded for November since records began. Kieran was joined by Mary Rose Carroll, assistant director of Industrial Relations with the INMO in Dublin and Mick Molloy, who is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine, as well as a Member of the IMO Consultant Committee and IMO Council to discuss...

The Hard Shoulder was live from the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2022 at the Powerscourt Hotel. Kieran was joined by Frank O’Keefe, EY Ireland’s Managing Partner and Bobby Kerr, Presenter of Down To Business on Newstalk to kick things off... Image: EY

New advice for the Department of Education will advise against the use of aerobic fitness tests in schools. In other words, they want to ban the bleep test. The move is aimed at trying to ensure that pupils with lower levels of fitness aren't discouraged. Kieran was joined by Professor Niall Moyna from the DCU School of Health and Human Performance to discuss...

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 the banks be nationalised?

The decision to delay road toll increases by six months will cost the taxpayer around €12.5m. Cabinet this morning officially agreed to delay the increase. Kieran was joined by Verona Murphy, Independent TD and Former President of the Irish Road Haulage Association and Hazel Chu, Former Mayor of Dublin and Green Party Councilor to discuss...

Those of you on social media will no doubt have seen Insta Fest - a new app allowing Spotify users to create their very own festival lineup! Like Spotify Wrapped, which is on the way this week, Instafest has been revealing everyone’s top artists but – more importantly - their guilty pleasures. But what constitutes a guilty pleasure? Do we all have them? Kieran was joined by Today FM’s Ed Smith to discuss all things guilty pleasures...

According to an ESRI study, over 90% of those between 16 and 24 are concerned about the environment, with over half willing to ban domestic non-essential flights and 3 in 10 saying they’ll eat a plant based diet long term. Kieran was joined by Patrick O’Connor from Extinction Rebellion Ireland and Caillum Hedderman, an environmentalist and social activist to discuss...

Banks will be allowed to pay bonuses of up to 20,000 euro to staff after Government agreed to ease recession-era restrictions. Ministers also lifted the 500,000 euro pay cap on staff at Bank of Ireland, in which the State no longer has a stake. Kieran was joined by Roisin Shortall, Co-Leader of the Social Democrats and Michael Somers, Former CEO of the National Treasury Management Agency to discuss...

A new deposit return scheme for cans and plastic drinks has been launched today. Kieran was joined by Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and Circular Economy to discuss this, proposals to allow banks pay bonuses to staff and toll charges... Image: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews

It’s been a smash hit ever since its release 2018 release, but Derry Girls may well have just snagged its biggest celebrity endorsement in one Martin Scorcese. His comments have drawn jubilation all across the Derry Girls set! Kieran was joined by Aoife Moriarty, culture journalist with Buzz.ie and Tomm Moore, Director, & Co Founder at Cartoon Saloon to discuss…

Home sizes need to be cut by 28 per cent and the construction of detached houses discouraged – that’s according to the Irish Green Building Council. Kieran was joined by Cian O’Callaghan Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson and Karl Deeter from Irish Mortgage Brokers to discuss…

Carbohydrates often get a bad rep when it comes to weight loss but a new study has revealed including potatoes in your diet could actually help with weight loss. Kieran was joined on the show by nutritionist, Gaye Godkin to discuss...

A universal levy to replace the TV licence fee has been suggested by the Taoiseach. Micheál Martin says all households should pay to fund public service broadcasting, whether or not they watch television. Kieran was joined by Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil’s Seanad Spokesperson on Climate Action, Communication Networks & Transport and Declan Ganley, Businessman and entrepreneur to discuss...

US burger chain Wendy’s is coming to Ireland. The American brand has over 7,000 outlets worldwide and is best known for its made-to-order square hamburgers. The company said it is “actively recruiting franchise partners” in Ireland. Newstalk’s own, Simon Tierney and Anthony Gray, owner of Eala Bhan and Hooked Restaurants in Sligo and Chair of Sligo Tourism joined Kieran to discuss…

‘A Man From Cork’ tells the fascinating true story of Dermot Fenton who made national headlines in 1998 following a rare heart and lung transplant operation which involved a race against the clock and a ‘mercy dash’ to London on the Irish Government Jet. His brother Pio joined Anton Savage on the show...

With the countdown to Christmas already begun, Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Anton to delve into the world of Christmas baking...

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

A Red C survey conducted by Women's Aid has found that 81% of 18-25 year olds believe that pornography is increasing young men’s interest in seeking rough or violent sex. It also discovered that most Irish people felt pornography is too accessible to children, and that it is contributing to gender inequality, coercion and sexual violence against women and girls. Anton Savage was joined by Enda Murphy Psychotherapist and director of SeeMe.ie, Mary Crilly CEO Sexual Violence Centre, Cork and Peadar Toibin TD, Leader of Aontú to discuss...

This evening, The Late Late Toy Show will be on in most television screens around the country and Ryan Tubridy joined Anton Savage on the show ahead of the big night...

Christmas party season is well and truly now upon us. Colleagues are socialising outside of the workplace, in many cases it’s straight to the pub for a night of drinking. But if that’s not for you, and you hate the thought of having to mix with co-workers. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been examining a court case in France where a man won his legal right to be what is being described as boring at work. Hear various views on work parties and find out your employment rights.

Kieran was joined in studio by Niamh Ferry, whose own battle with bowel cancer have prompted her to promote the importance of home test kits and early detection. Professor Reza Kalbassi, consultant colorectal surgeon and Niamh’s surgeon at The Beacon Hospital also joined Kieran on the show...

Today saw the Housing Agency host their annual conference, with a keen focus on solutions to the housing crisis. One of the speakers at the event was Michaela Kauer, Director of the Brussels Office of the City of Vienna, with the city being used as a role model. Michaela joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss..

Newstalk's Chief Reporter, Barry Whyte joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the protests about asylum seekers being accommodated in an old ESB office block in the East Wall area...

The 24th November 2022 marks the American Thanksgiving festival and while we might know it involves a Turkey dinner and pumpkin pie, what is the history of the Thanksgiving Festival? Kieran was joined by Scott Lucas, Professor of International Politics at the Clinton institute at University College Dublin to discuss...

People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny today introduced a bill in the Dail which aims to end the criminalisation of cannabis for personal use, Kieran was joined by Deputy Kenny and Christy Galligan, Former Garda Sergeant to discuss...

Black Friday is tomorrow, and for many, will represent a chance for consumers to avail of many discounts as they spend millions in advance of Christmas. A recent survey from Currys revealed that 91% of punters will get the bulk of their Christmas shopping done during the period. But is it all positive for retailers? Eoin Shanley, founder Copper Fish Studio in Delgany and Adrienne Sweeney is Managing Director with rainforest.ie to discuss...

Cities in Ireland should be carefree on Sundays, that's according to the National Youth Assembly on Climate. Kieran was joined by Magdalena Sedlmayr, climate activist and part of the Youth Assembly on Climate and Keith Gavin, Chair of the Irish Parking Association to discuss...

Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to take a look at some of Miley Cyrus' on screen ventures as she turned 30 this week...

The Special Criminal Court has been listening to more recorded conversations between Gerry Hutch and Jonathan Dowdall that took place a month after the Regency Hotel attack. Paul Williams, Author of The Monk: The Life and Crimes of Ireland's Most Enigmatic Gang Boss and crime journalist with the Irish Independent joined Kieran to give an update on today's proceedings..

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 brands of baby wipes on the shelves...

The Glazer family have announced that they are open to selling Manchester United. The family is open to listening to offers after owning the club for 17 years. Football journalist, John Brewin joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Leader of the Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon earlier today called the next UK General Election a de facto referendum on Scottish independence. It’s after the UK Supreme Court ruled today that Westminster needs to give permission for a second independence referendum to take place. John Nicolson, the SNP’s Shadow Culture Secretary, and MP for Ochil and South Perthshire joined Kieran on the show…

The final review into the Cervical Check controversy has found that substantial progress has been made. In 2018, Dr Gabriel Scally published his report into the scandal and made 50 recommendations for change. That same year, the HSE confirmed over 200 women had developed cervical cancer after a mis-diagnosed cervical check test result Dr Gabriel Scally joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his review and the progress thus far...

Under a new pilot project, community wardens are to be introduced to patrol Dublin's north inner city aiming to tackle anti-social behaviour. Martin Harte, CEO of the Temple Bar Company and Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice joined Kieran to discuss...

Ireland’s least curable cancers are set to double in the next 30 years. That’s the troubling statistic from Breakthrough Cancer Research who say research trials and treatments are the only way to achieve lifesaving results. Newstalk’s Sarah Madden has been speaking with the experts, the medics, and the patients and she sent us this report.

Actor Chris Hemsworth is to take some time away from acting after he discovered he has a significantly greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease due to genetics. Sabina Brennan, Health Psychologist and author of '100 Days to a Younger Brain' joined Kieran to discuss...