The Hard Shoulder

Threshold has helped an average of 472 renters facing eviction each month – or one person every 20 minutes – in the first nine months of this year. The charity has published its latest quarterly report today, which found that evictions continue to be the primary issue that faces renters. Kieran was joined by Ann Marie O’Reilly, National Advocacy Manager with Threshold and Pat Davitt, CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers to discuss…

Some TV shows hook us in from the very beginning, others take a while to warm too. Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of The Bellissimo Files Podcast, Anton Savage to chat through some TV slow burners…

Frank Brady, who serves as Ulster & North Leinster Regional Chairman for the IFA and Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss the 'red alert' warning for avian flu...

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 Anton Savage delved into the different options of deodorant...

Barbara Windsor's widower Scott Mitchell felt judged over their 26 year age gap, but here in Ireland have relationship age gaps become acceptable in society? Henry McKean visited the age gap capital of Ireland, Malahide, meeting experts and age gap couples...

At a mass in Listowel on Sunday Fr Séan Sheehy said gay couples were sinful, and criticised free contraception being provided by the HSE as it was “promoting promiscuity”. Father Seán Sheehy joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his sermon...

Darren Kennedy, Broadcaster and owner of Kennedy & Co Grooming, joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to chat through some advice on how to keep your moustache looking fresh this Movember...

Concerns around the number of gardaí leaving the force and entering Templemore Garda college have been raised by representative bodies. Policing may be compromised if there is a significant fall in the number of recruits. Garda Representative Association President, Brendan O’Connor and Niall O’Connor is a Former Guard and Reporter with TheJournal.ie joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss...

New research from the US suggests vaping can be just as bad for your heart as smoking cigarettes. While similarities between the health implications of the two habits are emerging, their regulations remain different. Should vapers be asked to join their fellow nicotine users in the smoking area in every setting? Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee and Tom Gleeson, Trustee of the New Nicotine Alliance Ireland joined Anton Savage on to discuss...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss why the modern world is bad for us...

Nine in ten nursing home residents have had positive experiences there. That's according to a new survey conducted under the National Care Experience Programme. Anton Savage was joined by Tracy Carroll, Head of the National Care Experience Programme with HIQA and Valerie Cox, Independent advocate for older people...

Anton Savage 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 climate change protestors being allowed to block roads...

An article written in the Guardian by Jonathan Liew suggests that 'commentators have taken over but it’s time to let game do the talking.' Anton Savage was joined by legendary commentator, George Hamilton to discuss the role of the commentator in sport going forward...

Taoiseach Michéal Martin has said the country is to be hit by a “frightening” wave of delayed cancer diagnoses next year, as the knock-on impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic rumble on. Sharon Greaves is one of those whose chance of a prompt cancer diagnosis may have slipped through the cracks during the pandemic. Sharon and Rachel Morrogh, Director of Advocacy, Irish Cancer Society joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Former Irish international and Unicef ambassador Donncha O’Callaghan joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder after arriving home from Somalia. He says he was 'shaken to the core' by scenes he saw there caused by drought...

The ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ Line up has been revealed, as a brand new cast of celebrities get ready to battle it out in the Australian jungle on our screens from the 6th November. Jennie Bond, Former Contestant and Royal Correspondent joined Anton Savage with her take on this year’s contestants, including Mike Tindall and Matt Hancock…

The Bishop of Kerry has apologised for comments made by a priest concerning same sex relationships, contraception and transgender rights. Bishop Ray Browne issued the apology following comments made by Fr Seán Sheehy at Mass in Listowel over the weekend. Del O’Sullivan, who was at the mass on Sunday and Cathal Foley, Sinn Fein Councillor in Kerry joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…'

The day has arrived that some have been fearing but others have been advocating for. New regulations, which came into effect at midnight, ban the sale of turf, smoky coal, and wet wood in shops and online. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been getting some reaction on this today.

Ireland becoming a Republic has been chosen as Ireland’s Greatest Moment. To mark the centenary of the Free State Newstalk has been asking its listeners to choose the most significant event in the past one hundred years. The moment was revealed in Newstalk’s Bank Holiday Special, Ireland’s Greatest Moment hosted by Simon Tierney. Ireland becoming a Republic in 1949 was followed by the signing of The Good Friday Agreement, Italia 90 and the Marriage Equality Referendum.

Kieran is getting ready to run the Dublin Marathon on Sunday. He was joined by Chris Connelly, CCFitness to give me some last minute tips ahead of the weekend…

Kieran visited Saplings Special School in Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, where Sigmar Recruitment are helping renovate some outdoor facilities for the children attending the school. Kieran spoke to some of those involved. Kieran was also joined by Adie McGuinness, CEO of Sigmar Recruitment to give a live update on the project's progress...

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...

There will be no live animals featured in the Christmas Nativity crib outside the Mansion House for the first time in 27 years. Lord Mayor Caroline Conroy brought the issue before the council yesterday and the decision has been met with disappointment from many. Kieran was joined by Farmer Fionn Sherlock whose family have been providing livestock for the crib since its beginning and Gerry Boland, founder of and spokesperson for Animals Behind Closed Doors...

Elon Musk has completed his US$44 billion (€44.10bn) takeover of social media platform Twitter. Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent to chat to Kieran about the takeover and the future of the platform...

Well the bank holiday weekend is upon us and many people will be heading out to eat. The issue of charging for no shows at restaurants has been an issue raised in recent weeks when a diner claimed they were charged 250 for missing a reservation. Oliver Dunne, Restauranteur at Cleaver East and Pink has joined me to discuss how prevalent this issue is…

Lynsey Bennett, the CervicalCheck campaigner, has died at the age of 34. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2017 following the alleged misinterpretation of smear slides. And last February, she settled a case with the HSE over it. She spoke to Kieran on The Hard Shoulder following that settlement. Gillian O’Mahony, the solicitor who represented Lynsey in that case joined Kieran on the show...

CervicalCheck campaigner Lynsey Bennett has passed away. The 34-year-old was diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in 2017, following the alleged misinterpretation of smear slides. Due to the delay in diagnosing it, she sued the HSE and the US lab that analysed her slide. She joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder in February 2021 after her settlement was agreed.

As expected, The European Central Bank raised interest rates again today. In a series of complex moves, the ECB raised its deposit rate by 75 basis points to 1.5%, as expected, taking the total increase to 2 percentage points over three meetings. How will this affect people who are having to pay the hikes? Kieran was joined by Caitriona Redmond, Cost of Living Expert for the Irish Examiner...

Hector Ó hEochagáin joined Kieran in studio to chat about his new travel series, taking over the podcast world and Hector tested Kieran his Gaeilge...

What is Ireland'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.' Dave Fanning, broadcaster & journalist joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss U2's release of their iconic 1987 album 'The Joshua Tree'...

Various trade unions have joined together today to launch the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign. The campaign calls on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. Brendan Ogle, the spokesperson for the Right2Water campaign and Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Michael McDowell, Senator and former Justice Minister, says that 'Dublin’s planners are failing to help our capital to flourish.' Senator Michael McDowell joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss this further...

Michaela McCollum was jailed for two years in Peru, when she and Melissa Reid were found with €1.6 milion worth of cocaine in 2013. Her BBC docuseries ‘High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule’ was released on Netflix at the weekend. Kieran was joined by Ali Ryan CEO and founder of Goss.ie and Ian O’Doherty Columnist with The Irish Independent to discuss...

Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to take a look behind the screens at the role of Superman and those who portrayed the iconic superhero down through the years...

The 2005 World Snooker Champion, Shaun Murphy was speaking on a podcast during the week about his gastric sleeve surgery. For more on this, Kieran was joined by Leanne Kendellen and Susie Birney, both of whom had gastric bypass surgery...

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 delved into the different options of butter on the shelves...

Exactly 60 years ago today, 26th October 1962, The Rolling Stones stepped into the recording studio for the first time. Pat Carty from Hot Press joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to chart the band's history and success...

Research out today show that people speaking loudly on their phone is the most annoying thing other commuters do. Other bug bears include, people not giving up their seat for those who need it more and someone putting their bag on the seat beside them. Loud sniffers and passengers with body odour were also listed as the most annoying things about public transport. Kieran was joined by Andrea Gilligan, presenter of Lunchtime Live, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent and Steve Cummins, comedian to discuss...

What is Ireland'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.' Former Ireland Boxing Head Coach, Billy Walsh, who now heads up Team USA, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss Katie Taylor winning Gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games...

Lewis Capaldi has recently told fans that he has Tourette's syndrome. His announcement along with a similar announcement from singer, Billie Eilish, has brought it in the public eye. James Mac Inerney, Irish makeup artist, finalist of Netflix and BBC show The Glow Up, joined Kieran to discuss what it's like to live with Tourette's...

The ECB are meeting tomorrow in Frankfurt, where they are expected to hike interest rates for the third time since the summer. And they will say it’s all in the name of avoiding a recession. Kieran was joined by consumer expert and presenter of The Home Show Sinead Ryan and Aidan Regan, who is the Associate Professor of Political Economy in the School of Politics and International Relations in UCD to discuss...

Kieran was joined for The Final Furlong LIVE from London by Comedian, John Meagher, Sarah Duffy, Presenter & podcaster and Peter Flanagan, Comedian...

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 continued with a discussion around lowering the voting age to 16...

Justice Minister, Helen McEntee joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss new late licensing laws for pubs and nightclubs and the current accommodation crisis facing Ukrainian refugees...

Countdown's Susie Dent joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss her fascination of words, 40 Years of Countdown and her new book 'An Emotional Dictionary: Real Words for How You Feel, from Angst to Zwodder'...

A piece in today's Irish Independent, explored the virtues of seaweed as a food source. To discuss the benefits of seaweed as a staple in your diet, Kieran was joined by Anne O’Hagan, owner of Ebb & Flow,an artisan producer of seaweed food products, based in Dun Laoghaire...

Nightclubs will be allowed to stay open until 6am, and pubs will be permitted longer operating hours, under new laws to be approved by Cabinet today. Kieran was joined by Former Irish Times Environment Editor,l Frank McDonald and Ian Redmond Owner of The Tramline Dublin…

The Galway Comedy Festival 2022 kicks off tomorrow and comedian Karl Spain has joined Kieran in studio to give an insight into the comedy circuit and being back on the road...

Richard Harris' archive collection is to be donated to University College Cork. Letters, photographs, literary works, artefacts and professional and personal documents which belonged to the late actor will have its public exhibition in Hunt Museum in Limerick before being moved to UCC. Jared Harris, actor and the son of a late actor joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder...

Rishi Sunak has been elected the next leader of the Conservative Party in the UK, and will therefore become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Kieran was joined by Former Conservative MP, Matthew Parris to discuss...