The Hard Shoulder

A new Lancet report has found that eating excessive ultra processed foods is leading to increased risk of chronic diseases. They are calling for a global response to put pressure on the production of processed foods, and improve access to healthier alternatives. How bad are these foods for us, and what can we do to avoid the worst of them?Joining me now to discuss is Consultant Endocrinologist and HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity Donal O’Shea, Dietician and Founder of Eatwell Sarah Keogh and Gerry Devlin, Chef & owner of Dublin Cookery School.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has resigned from Irish public life and is taking a job at the World Bank.Newstalk’s Henry McKean chatted to people in Cork about changing their careers in middle age, and sends in this report.

The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.So, where else to start but at the beginning of the year, where the country faced the devastation brought by Storm Eowyn?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon-Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice, and Independent Cllr for Kerry County Council, Jackie Healy Rae.

In the latest development of the Enoch Burke case, the High Court has ordered his immediate imprisonment.To chat through this and more, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney.

Author Sinead Moriarty joins Ciara Doherty to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Fine Gael Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has stepped away from his role in Government to take up a position at the World Bank.To chat about the significance of this decision, Ciara Doherty is joined by Fine Gael Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeil, as well as Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.

As pressure mounts in the US for the release of the Epstein files, there are many wondering what exactly these files are, and information they contain.To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by the Lawyer who represented victims of Jeffrey Epstein, Yasmine Meyer.

It’s that time of year again where dictionaries begin naming their words of the year. Cambridge Dictionary has gone with ‘parasocial’ while Collins has chosen ‘vibe coding’. With previous words of the year including ‘brat’ in 2024 and even ‘austerity’ in 2015.How well do these words capture the years they’re chosen, and why are we so obsessed with the words of the year?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Journalist and host of the ‘No Encore’ music podcast, Dave Hanratty.

Temperatures will dip close to zero for the remainder of the week; however, the wind chill factor could make it feel more like minus 10! So, how can you keep your house warm and your bills down this winter?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with The Irish Examiner.

Huntington's disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects people emotionally, mentally, and physically. Sufferers usually show symptoms in their thirties and forties. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for the condition.  Joining Ciara to reflect on the impact the disease can have and how to manage it was Dr. Niall Pender, Professor of Psychology at the RSCI, along with Fiona, who lost her husband to Huntington's disease.  

All day today, the nation has been looking back on Ireland’s win against Hungary yesterday, but now we’re going to look ahead as to what could be awaiting us in the World Cup playoffs, and what our chances will be? To chat, Ciara was joined by joined by former Irish international, Ray Houghton, who was at the game on commentary duty yesterday. And Mick McCarthy from Off the Ball

This week on our kids Clinic Ciara was joined by Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author to discuss How to support your kids through major life changes - divorce, house and school moves.    

Now, despite all of us learning to sneeze and cough into our elbow during the pandemic, new research has emerged with different advice. A study from the University of Utah has shown that coughing into your shirt or jumper actually prevents more germ molecules from escaping.Joining Ciara to  discuss the findings is Brendan O’Shea, a GP, Adjunct Assistant professor of Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College, and Medical Director of KDOC – the out-of-hours emergency care service.

Now, Donald Trump has urged Republicans in the House of Representatives to back a vote to release files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. Trump, who has previously dismissed calls to release the files, says he has nothing to hide. But what does this mean and what might happen now?  Joining Ciara was Harriet Alexander, a Features writer with the Daily Mail based in the US

A new law setting a 6km/h speed limit for cyclists, skaters, scooter and e-scooter riders on pavements in Slovakia has received parliamentary approval.  The new measure aimed at improving safety means pavement users who exceed the limit could be fined up to 100 euros.Just how problematic are cyclists who cycle on pavements? Should we do the same?  Joining Ciara to discuss this is Columnist with the Irish Independent and daily cyclist, Liam Collins.

According to a new  CCPC survey  30% of people are influenced by influencers when making purchases. So, how big a role can influencers play in marketing ? And should there be more regulation when it comes to online advertising ? Newstalk's Josh Crosbie reports

Ireland’s World Cup hopes are still alive, after the most remarkable game against Hungary in Budapest yesterday. Ireland needed a win, and that’s exactly what they got in the 96th minute when Troy Parrott poked home the winner after a Liam Scales flick on. To chat about the game, I’m now joined by Former Irish International, Jason McAteer, and former coach of Liam Scales at Arklow Town FC, Lar Mahoney.

The deaths of five young friends, all under the age of 25, in a road crash in Co Louth at the weekend have left communities in Louth and Monaghan devastated.  The friends have been named as: Chloe McGee, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Chloe Hipson.     Joining Ciara to reflect on the terrible tragedy was  Monaghan Councillor, Peter Conlon and Psychologist, Richard Hogan

The deaths of five young friends, all under the age of 25, in a road crash in Co Louth at the weekend have left communities in Louth and Monaghan devastated.  The friends have been named as: Chloe McGee, Alan McCluskey, Dylan Commins, Shay Duffy and Chloe Hipson.    Barry Whyte, Newstalk’s Chief reporter, joined Ciara from Louth.  

This week, Jonathan Healy was joined by Ralph Riegel, author and Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Jennifer Horgan, Irish Examiner Columnist to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Jonathan Healy to discuss dried fruit - their benefits, and how you can use them!

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Jonathan Healy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Calls are ongoing for measures to ensure that children in single-parent families have access to the same amount of parental leave as those in two-parent families.To chat more about this, Jonathan Healy is joined by Carly Bailey from One Family.

US President Donald Trump has been responding today to the latest trove of emails by Jeffrey Epstein with a Truth Social post calling it “THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN HOAX”. He has asked the FBI, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into those Epstein reportedly had a relationship with. This includes, as listed in Trump’s social media post: “Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, J.P. Morgan, Chase, and many other people and institutions”.For more on this, Jonathan Healy is joined by BBC News’ North American Correspondent, Anthony Zurcher.Image: Reuters

We can keep dreaming of following Ireland to the World Cup in North America next Summer, as Ireland claimed a historic victory against Portugal last night in the Aviva…Newstalk’s Henry McKean got thoughts from the public, and joining Jonathan Healy to chat about the game and our hopes for Sunday is former Irish International, Ray Houghton, and Commentator and Broadcaster, George Hamilton.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Over the past few years, AI is becoming more and more apparent in our daily lives. It's used in all factors of people's lives, but how much is it being used in critical digital infrastructure? And, how many jobs are at risk?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Throughout the show today, we have been discussing the government's new housing plan launched today, which promises 12,000 new-build social homes each year, and the delivery of an additional 300,000 new houses by the end of 2030.How realistic is this, and what problems might the Government face in delivering it? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Architect Róisín Murphy and Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland.

Senator and author Lynn Ruane joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Earlier in the show, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins, joined to discuss the Government's new Housing Plan, which was launched today.But, does this new plan do enough?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, Conor Skehan, former Chair of the Housing Agency and DIT Lecturer in Planning and Killian Woods, Senior Business Reporter with The Business Post.

Ahead of their new tour ‘Skittish’, Ciara Doherty is joined by the comedy trio Foil Arms & Hog: Sean 'Foil' Finegan, Conor 'Arms' McKenna and Sean 'Hog' Flanagan to discuss all!

Limerick Influencer Shauna Lindsay suffered a stroke when boxing at the gym - even capturing it on video, which she shared on Instagram.She joins Ciara Doherty to discuss the terrifying moment.

The Government today published its new housing plan: 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness'.It aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030 which the Government has described as “ambitious, but also realistic”.John Cummins is Minister of State for Local Government and Planning and Fine Gael TD for Waterford. He joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Ciara to discuss how you stop fidgeting!

Coimisiún na Meán’s Investigations Team has today commenced a formal investigation into the provider of the X online platform, under the EU Digital Services Act.So, what does this mean? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is the Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, John Evans.

Dementia in dogs is a very real issue that many pet owners face, but how can you spot it, and how can you treat it?To chat about this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet.

Studies have shown that going to a museum or gallery can have major health benefits. In light of this, some are saying that people need to sometimes skip the gym, and have a cultural workout instead.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Cultural Art Therapist with the National Gallery of Ireland, Andrea Clare Plunkett.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss why the incoming social media ban for under 16s in Australia, and how they plan to implement it…

Over half of 18 to 30 year olds have never tested for STIs. That’s according to a new survey from the HSE.It shows that 7 in 10 find testing stressful, because of the possible implications of having an infection, and are also nervous of the home kits not being discreet.Dr. Derek Freedman is a Specialist Consultant in Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. He joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Farmers have today been highlighting concerns around compulsory purchase orders for the development of greenways, as many travelled from across Ireland to protest outside Leinster House today. It was as the Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee met to hear contributions on the issue.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Paul O’Brien, Chair of the Irish Farmers' Association Infrastructure Project Team, John Joe Fitzgerald, National Vice-President of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association and Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare & member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee.

Disney has dropped the trailer for Toy Story 5, and it is accompanied with the tagline ‘The Age of Toys Is Over’. The film will focus on a tablet that has been bought by the family, thus scaring the toys into thinking that they will soon be obsolete!So, is the age of toys truly over in the real world?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Michael White Founder of Ro Óg, a company which makes handcrafted toys and Clinical Psychologist Anne Keogh.Image: Disney

New emails released have suggested further details to the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.To chat about this amid ongoing pressure on the US Government to release the Epstein files, Ciara Doherty is joined by Adrian Walker of the Boston Globe.

According to a recent survey, nearly 80% of childminders that responded are considering closing their service ahead of new regulations being introduced in September 2027.To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by the Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Children, Deputy Claire Kerrane, Chief Executive of Childminding Ireland, Bernadette Orbinski Burke and Childminder Leigh Ann Gilmore.

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Ciara Doherty to give the ultimate guide on Universal’s newest theme park in Orlando: ‘Epic Universe’.

A new bee has been discovered by scientists in Australia. The ‘Lucifer’ bee, which gets its name from the unusual with devil-like horns, is the first of its kind…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Aoife Nic Giolla, Co-Founder of the Native Irish Honeybee Society, and owner of Galtee Honey Farm.Image: Dr Kit Prendergast, Curtin University

James May, who is probably best known for his presenting role on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, is back launching his new show ‘James May’s Shed Load of Ideas’. He joins Ciara Doherty to discuss!Image: Armonico

Journalist Lise Hand joins Ciara Doherty to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Following the housing order for all poultry, which came into effect yesterday amid bird flu risk, Ciara Doherty is joined by one of those impacted, Nigel Renaghan, Ulster/ North Leinster Regional Chairman of the IFA to discuss…

Sinn Fein’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn raised the issue of long Covid and renewed calls for the State to recognise long Covid as an occupational illness in line with other EU member states.It was found that the Department of Social Protection reviewed the EU recommendation and determined that Covid does not meet the criteria required for recognition in respect of the Social Welfare Acts.But, what is life like for those who still suffer from long Covid?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Jennifer, who has been dealing with long Covid since her first infection in 2020 and Professor Jack Lambert, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, with a special interest in long Covid.

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ Bill on Thursday calling for a legislative pathway towards reducing the voting age from 18 to 16 years.So, should it be reduced?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Noel Howard, Spokesperson for Social Care Ireland and Aidan Farrelly, Social Democrats TD for Kildare North.