The Hard Shoulder

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...

The No. 1 podcast series hosted by Newstalk’s Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney returns for a second series. ‘Inside the Crime’ investigates the unsolved murder of RTÉ set designer, Charles Self. The new series of Inside The Crime tells the story of Charles Self, a young gay man who was murdered in Dublin 40 years ago. Subscribe now at newstalk.com/insidethecrime or wherever you get your podcasts.

Science Week is taking place from 13th to 20th November with events running right across the country both in-person events and online. For more information see SFI.ie One of the topics being discussed throughout the week is concussion. Dr Lisa Ryan, Head of Department of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition at Atlantic Technological University in Galway joined Kieran to discuss concussion and some of her research...

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 new series continued with a discussion around should the corporate tax rate be increased?

Kerry Katona and Alison Spittle have joined forces to host the 'The Wheel Of Misfortune' podcast on BBC Sounds. Kerry and Alison joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to chat about how the podcast came about and what listeners can look forward to...

Driver shortages and IT problems have been blamed for "ghost" buses in Dublin. Dublin Bus today apologised to the Oireachtas Transport Committee today apologised for a deterioration in their Real-Time Passenger Information systems and cancelled buses in recent months. Anne Graham CEO of National Transport Authority and Mark Ward Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health and TD for the Constituency of Dublin Mid-West to discuss...

With over 100,000 patients being on trolleys in 2022, Ireland has hit an unwanted record. It’s the highest amount of patients on trolleys there has ever been at this stage of a year. And it’s one of the reasons why my next guest believes Ireland will struggle to keep its nurses and midwives. Phil Ni Sheaghdha, General Secretary for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Readers of the New York Times will be aware of an apparent civil war in the realm of dentistry. Should you brush your teeth before or after breakfast? Vanessa Creaven, Galway Based Dentist & Co-Founder Of Spotlight Oral Care joined Kieran to settle the debate

The number of Irish millionaires in Ireland jumped by 2.5 times in the last eight years on account of soaring property prices making those with wealth all the wealthier. According to data from the Central Bank 223,000 households, or 12% of the total in the country, have a net wealth of €1m or more. Kieran was joined by Economic and Social Analyst from Social Justice Ireland, Collette Bennett and Ciaran Nugent, Economist with the Nevin Economic Institute…

Sadhbh O’Neill, Lecturer in climate policy and politics at DCU's School of Law and Government, joined Kieran live from Egypt, where she is attending COP27...

Iarnród Éireann is set to introduce a quieter carriage on Heuston to Cork services from today. The quieter carriage is being reintroduced both to improve services for customers with sensory issues, and to provide choice to all customers, following public feedback. Adam Harris CEO of As I Am….

A new report into long covid has shown almost 90% of those living with Long Covid in Ireland have not returned to their pre-Covid level of health. The study of 988 participants, reported that prolonged symptoms significantly impacted their quality of life, affected their ability to work and caused significant disability. Kieran was joined by Rachel Dandy, long covid sufferer and Dr. Brendan O’Shea Assistant Professor Department Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity, Kildare GP and Specialist in Occupational Medicine, to discuss...

The US midterms take place tomorrow. It’s traditionally a pseudo-referendum on the sitting President, and both Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have been trying to rally support. Kieran was joined by Donald Trump’s former Press Secretary, Sean Spicer to preview the elections...

Reports today suggest that yet another tech company, META is following in Elon Musk’s footsteps and getting ready to slash their workforce in the next few days. Meta currently employs approximately 6,000 people in Ireland, for which half of them are staff. So as fears grows about our tech sector, should we really be worried about ‘the end of our tech bubble’? Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent, joined Kieran to discuss...

Almost 4,500 local authority homes are unoccupied. That is according to figures published by the National Oversight and Audit Commission. These homes would, of course, help towards the 50,000 new homes that will be needed each year to solve the housing crisis. Kieran was joined by Tom Phillips, managing director of Tom Phillips and Associates, as well as adjunct associate professor of architecture and planning in UCD and architect and broadcaster Roisin Murphy, to discuss…

Jennifer Lawrence Had a "Feminist Meltdown" over changing her last name after marrying Cooke Maroney. Speaking to the New York Times Jennifer Lawrence shared that though there was some hesitancy to change her last name, her time in the Hunger Games film franchise influenced her decision. Henry McKean has been meeting people holding onto their maiden name and taking their married name...

Donald Trump has said that he could very well run for the US Presidency in 2024. It’s ahead of the midterms, which take place this coming week in America. Paul Brandus of West Wing Reports joined Kieran to discuss Trump's comments and the upcoming elections...

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Kieran to take a closer look at some unknown ingredients from her flavour pantry, and how we can build flavour in dishes...

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...

Hollywood has always been awash with urban movie myths, but American Pie star Seann William Scott recently confirmed that his pay-cheque for the 1999 blockbuster was well short of the multi millions eventually raked in at the Box Office. His initial fee for the movie was 8,000 dollars. His iconic role of Stifler would eventually become synonymous with the franchise! Kieran was joined by John Fardy, host of Screentime on Newstalk to discuss some of the other supporting actors and actresses who stole the show in their respective movies…

There are concerns being raised in Killarney that the tourist town is under pressure due to the number of asylum seekers and refugees staying there. The Mayor of the Kerry town says Killarney is at “breaking point”. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been to the Kingdom to get some reaction to this.

500 people employed by Twitter in Ireland are finding out today whether or not they've lost their jobs. The social media company is reducing their staff levels around the world by half, after the company was taken over by Elon Musk. Kieran was joined by Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology correspondent and Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to discuss...

A special taskforce is to be set up in Dublin as a response to high levels of street crime. While full details of the force are yet to be announced it is understood the taskforce will operate across the entire six divisions in the Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region and not just the city centre. But does this go far enough in addressing high crime levels in the city centre? Green Party Councilor and former mayor Hazel Chu and Mary Whelan, Owner of Eirlooms Irish Craft and Design in Dublin 2 and member of ‘Dublin Can Be Heaven’ joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

As the FIFA World Cup in Qatar approaches, FIFA are calling on nations and soccer fans to ‘focus on the football’ rather than the politics. Should we be boycotting Qatar 2022 World Cup? Kieran was joined by Oscar Lopez, commentator and podcaster, Aodhan O’Riordain TD, Labour spokesperson on Education and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star to discuss…

As Ireland get set to host World Champions South Africa on Saturday, the IRFU are keen to address concerns around the general fan experience & atmosphere for rugby matches at The Aviva Stadium. The new measures, which come in response to increasing discontent regarding the impact of alcohol sales in the venue, will be rolled out for the first time at this month’s internationals. Kieran was joined by The Irish Times’ rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley, who has long been among the voices calling for action in this regard...

Carlsberg are celebrating 30 years of their sponsorships with Liverpool FC. Liverpool and Ireland legend, John Aldridge joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his career and the current shape of Liverpool FC...

The economy is still expected to grow, despite the cost of living crisis, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation has predicted. CEO of Ibec, Danny McCoy joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss their latest quarterly economic outlook...

The Bounty chocolate bar is to be removed from Celebrations boxes in the UK this festive season. However, it's not the first time it has hit the headlines. 35 years ago the chocolate treat was at the centre of a bizarre court case when a man deliberately poisoned his wife's Bounty. Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran on the show to delve further in the story behind this bizarre case...

According to a new Bord Bia report, the number of people dining out has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, with lunch and early bird dinners replacing late night eating. Gina Murphy Owner of Hugo's restaurant Dublin joined Kieran to discuss the shift in dining habits…

Irish Rail are to lodge an application to An Bord Pleanála for a major upgrade of the Cork rail network. An application will be made for the construction of a second rail track along the 10km section of railway line between Glounthaune and Midleton in Cork. Barry Kenny, Irish Rail’s Corporate Communications Manager and Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Damien Boylan joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...