The Hard Shoulder

Dr Tara Logan Buckley, Clinical Psychologist joined Kieran for a new segment where they will dig a little deeper into the mysteries of the mind and mental health. The series continued by taking a look at why being a bit of a psychopath can be a good thing...

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 Japan...

It has been confirmed today that the changes to the Leaving Certificate papers for Irish and English have been delayed in order to allow further reflection. Education Minister Norma Foley joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss this further…

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 the eviction ban be extended?'

It’s 25 years today since the untimely death of actor and comedian, Dermot Morgan. Kieran was joined by Patrick McDonnell aka Eoin McLove to discuss his memories of the legendary actor…

The Government intends to establish an inquiry into the states handling of the Covid-19 pandemic to inform future responses to public health emergencies. Key decisions in relation to the format of the inquiry has not yet been made but they hope to have the inquiry set up by the middle of this year. Peadar Tóibín TD and Aontú Leader, Craig Hughes, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail and Majella Beatie, Chairwoman of Care Champions joined Kieran to discuss...

The Children’s Rights Alliance 15th annual report card evaluates and grades the Government's progress on actions for children. For the second year running, youth and adolescent mental health received an E, the lowest grade. The report described recent reports on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service as “the tip of the iceberg of serious failings Tanya Ward, CEO of Children’s Rights Alliance and Ian Power, SpunOut.ie joined Kieran to discuss…

Joe Brolly joined Kieran to give his views on the new Windsor Framework and whether the DUP will accept the new protocol deal or not...

It was reported today in The Irish Times that Dublin Bus wrote a letter to the National Transport Authority in November saying a lack of taxis was leading to passengers stranded on the side of the road and anti-social behaviour due to the increased demand. Kieran was joined by David Hammond, who is one third of Fully Charged on Spin 103.8, Feljin Jose, Chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition and Sunil Sharpe, Spokesperson for Give Us The Night...

The Windsor Framework, the new post Brexit Deal has been struck between the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European President Ursula Von der Leyen. But does this satisfy the Grass Roots DUP? Henry McKean has visited Sandy Row in Belfast a DUP stronghold to get reaction...

This morning, climate activists glued themselves to the main entrance of the offices of the world’s largest investment management firm, BlackRock, in Ballsbridge. It comes as Extinction Rebellion Ireland are beginning a campaign of civil non obedience. They are targeting companies and corporations that are actively investing in fossil fuels. Kieran was joined by Sinead Whelan, an Extinction Rebellion Activist who was glued to door of BlackRock and Nathan, a fellow Extinction Rebellion Activist to discuss…

The British Prime Minister has announced the 'Windsor Framework' - a replacement deal for the Northern Ireland Protocol. The agreement between UK and EU will see changes to the way goods travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Ben Lowry, Editor of the Belfast Newsletter and Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment joined Kieran to discuss…

Penney’s are now offering free sewing classes so shoppers can learn to repair their own clothes. Customers can sign up online and bring their own clothes for mending! Customers will learn skills such as hemming and fixing zippers. Kieran was joined by Irish designer and owner of Rashiiid, Rachel Maguire.

Irish sky watchers were last night treated to a surprise northern lights vista across the country. But what is the aurora borealis, and why did it make an impromptu visit to our skyline? Dr. Colman Gallagher, Planetary geomorphologist at the UCD School of Geography and the UCD Earth Institute to explain the science behind the northern lights

Having just marked one year since the start of the war, Ukraine remains in a state of emergency, while Russia shows no sign of backing down. How does this affect us and our neutrality moving forward? Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that members of the Defence Forces will be sent to Ukraine. John O’Brennan, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at NUI Maynooth and Richard Boyd Barrett is People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire joined Kieran to discuss Irish neutrality…

The UK and EU have reached a deal on Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trade rules. Newstalk’s political correspondent Sean Defoe joined Kieran Cuddihy to explain the new ‘Windsor Framework’...

Today marks one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians have fled to Ireland and are now attending school, working and integrating into Irish society. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie met with some Ukrainian nationals who are calling Ireland home for now.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to discuss the most important meal of the day, breakfast.

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

Acting Minister for Justice and Equality, Simon Harris joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the appointment of 24 additional judges this year as a result of recommendations from a top level report, eviction bans, and one year on since the Russian invasion of Ukraine...

On Wednesday, People Before Profit tabled a bill in the Dáil urging the Government to extend the ban. The Government intended to oppose the legislation but after the Minister failed to inform the Dáil, the bill progressed to detailed scrutiny stage. John Mark McCafferty, Chief Executive of Threshold joined Kieran to discuss the possibility of an extension to the eviction ban...

As part of a series of reports done by Sean Moncrieff while he was in Ukraine last week to mark a year of the war, Sean got into discussions about whether Vladimir Putin could be tried for war crimes. He met with Roman Koval, who is head of communications and field researcher in Truth Hounds. They are private war crime investigators who’ve been gathering evidence since the invasion of Crimea in 2014. Kieran was also joined by Yvonne Mcdermott Rees, Professor in law at Hillary Rodham Clinton School of Law at Swansea University, who specialises in International criminal law to discuss war crimes further…

The CSO have today revealed Jack is once again Ireland’s most popular boys’ name, holding onto the top spot for the sixth consecutive year, while Emily became the most popular girls’ name for the first time since 2019. The Irish name Fiadh fell two places, from first to third - which got us thinking about Irish names and the challenges that can arise when trying to pronounce them. Niamh Maher Creative Director with Journal Media and Newstalks Roisin Davis joined Kieran to discuss the trouble they run into having Irish names…

'As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern & the Good Friday Agreement' is a new podcast that tells the story of the Good Friday Agreement as told by those who negotiated it and marks the first time all those involved have reunited to reflect on the negotiations in 25 years. Head to newstalk.com/goodfridayagreement.

On the 24th of February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, making tomorrow the 1-year anniversary of the war. The often to-ing and fro-ing battles have gone one way then another, with a myriad of atrocities committed. Ukrainian Historian, Nadia Dobrianska who had to relocate to Ireland due to the conflict, joined Kieran from Newstalk’s Cork Studio to discuss…

Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the shooting in Omagh of DCI John Caldwell, the ongoing discussions around the Northern Ireland Protocol and the return of Bertie Ahern to Fianna Fáil...

Legendary commentator, John Motson sadly has passed away today at the age of 77. He leaves behind a résumé which spanned 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships & 29 FA Cup finals Broadcaster and commentator, George Hamilton joined Kieran to remember the man himself…

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s new podcast ‘As I Remember It’ was launched last night. A Newstalk Original podcast, it tells the story of the Good Friday Agreement through the eyes of those who negotiated it – marking the first time they have come together to reflect on the agreement and the 25 years that followed. Liz O’Donnell, Former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs from 1997 -2002 features in episode seven of the podcast, and she joined Kieran on the show this evening to discuss her role…

Well a new survey this week ranking European cities has shown eating out in Dublin is more expensive than London, Paris or Rome. CEO of Fáilte Ireland Paul Kelly told Breakfast Business with Joe Lynam yesterday that pricing was related to Dublin being a good quality destination. Kieran was joined by Martin Hart, CEO of the Temple Bar Company and Ciara Treacy, Newstalk's Digital and Social Media Executive to discuss...

Three men have been arrested in relation to the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh. Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joined Kieran with the latest...

Conor Moore of 'Conor Sketches’ fame is winning huge acclaim with his current stage show. Conor Sketches Live returns to the 3Olympia Theatre next week and he joined Kieran in studio to discuss...

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 instant coffee on the shelves...

The co-leaders of the Social Democrats have announced they are stepping down. Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall confirmed they are resigning with immediate effect, and a leadership contest will take place soon. Kieran was joined by Fergus Finlay, Columnist with the Irish Examiner and Hugh O’Connell, Deputy Political Editor with the Irish Independent to discuss...

Friday marks the one year anniversary since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. From the day the war began, to Ukrainians making their way here to Ireland, to audiences in the Dáil with President Zelensky, it’s been quite a year. Kieran welcomed Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko to the programme today…

It took over four hours for an ambulance to arrive at a life-threatening emergency call 94 times last year. According to Freedom of Information figures, released to Newstalk, 21 of these were over five hours. The HSE aims to respond to life-threatening heart and respiratory calls within 18 minutes and 59 seconds in 80% of cases. Kieran was joined by Eamon in Cork and David Hall, CEO of Lifeline Ambulance Services to discuss…

In light of recent events involving attacks on Gardaí, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar condemned the incident but he also raised concerns about a general rise in violence in society. For more on this and what can be done, Kieran was joined by James, a taxi driver in Dublin, Jill O’Mahony, Sociology Lecturer at Southeast Technological University and Padraig Rice, Policy and Research Manager at LGBT Ireland...

Dr Tara Logan Buckley, Clinical Psychologist joined Kieran for a new segment where they will dig a little deeper into the mysteries of the mind and mental health. The series continued by taking a look at the different attachment styles out there, how they form and how they affect our romantic relationships...

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 Seville...

Public Expenditure Minister, Paschal Donohoe joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the details of the €1.3 billion package of cost of living measures announced by the Government today. Minister Donohoe also addressed comments made by Former Taoiseach, John Bruton on Newstalk Breakfast and the ongoing controversy surrounding former Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey after he received a 99 per cent debt write-down from AIB...

Vladimir Putin has accused Ukraine and the West of starting the war almost a year ago, while Moscow simply used "force to stop it". The Russian President made the accusations during his State of the Union address, laying out his plans for the next 12 months. Putin says Ukraine was made "anti-Russian" long ago. Meanwhile the US president Joe Biden has been speaking in the past hour in Poland. He says the democratic world has stood up to Moscow and NATO is more united than ever. Bill Browder, CEO and co-founder of the investment fund Hermitage Capital Management joined Kieran 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 'Should we increase the size of the military?'

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have condemned an attack on gardaí in Ballyfermot in Dublin. An officer was struck in the face with a bottle after being surrounded by a crowd of young people. Two Garda vehicles were also damaged in the incident. Barry Whyte, Newstalk’s Chief Reporter joined Kieran from Ballyfermot where he met with locals to discuss…

‘Flowers’ by Miley Cyrus has taken over the charts all through 2023, so much so that it recently broke the Spotify record for most streams in a single week. It’s also already become one of the most dissected “diss tracks” of all time, given the not-so-subtle shade which is thrown at ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. This world of the diss track is nothing new of course, and to talk through some of the more memorable examples through the years, Kieran was joined in studio by Ed Smith of Today FM Rocks…

The government has signed off on a €1.3 billion package of cost of living measures. This includes €200 of bonus welfare payments, a €100 child benefit top-up, more supports for businesses to meet energy costs, and an extension of the lower VAT rate of 9 per cent for the hospitality industry. Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Sean Defoe to talk through the key points of the announcement. Claire Kerrane, Sinn Fein TD and party spokesperson on social protection and Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, Chair of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation joined Kieran to analyse the measures.

The big energy news today has been that Pinergy has been the first in the Irish energy market to reduce its prices since the pandemic. Their prices will be reduced by 7.1% from the end of March. Daragh Cassidy of bonkers.ie joined Kieran in studio to discuss. In other energy and fuel news, AA Ireland are looking for clarity on fuel increases due in March. Paddy Comyn is Head of Communications with AA Ireland and he also joined the discussion…

Actress Pauline McLynn joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss why she is supporting the Irish Heart Foundation FAST campaign, her latest work and Irish BAFTA wins…

It’s almost one year since Education Minister, Norma Foley floated potential reforms for the Leaving Cert. The first reform would look at moving some of the coursework, including Paper 1 of English and Irish into 5th Year. However, there have been some concerns expressed on that front. Kieran was joined by Carl O’Brien, Education Editor with The Irish Times, Michael Gillespie, General Secretary of the TUI and Julian De Spainn from Conradh Na Gaeilge to discuss…

The seemingly inextricable link between sports and the gambling industry has been an increasingly prominent issue in recent years - but what about the athletes caught in the middles of these commercial links? David Wheeler, an English professional footballer who currently plays for Wycombe Wanderers, has recently written about his own misgivings around the prominence of gambling advertising in the sporting sphere. He joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

New research from the Motor Insurers Bureau has shown that the number of uninsured private vehicles on Irish roads grew for the third year in a row. Last year, the total number of private vehicles driving without insurance reached just over 187,000 - an increase of almost 14,000 on 2021. Kieran was joined by Fianna Fáil Senator, Timmy Dooley and Peter Boland from the Alliance for Insurance Reform to discuss...

Critics including the UK Prime minister have condemned the rewriting of Roald Dahl’s books to remove content deemed offensive, such as references to weight, mental health, violence, gender and race. Is it ok to modernise literature ? Or has this woke culture gone wild? Kieran was joined by Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist and Author and Sheila O'Flangan, Author of ‘What Eden Did Next?’ to discuss…