The Hard Shoulder

There are many ways that you can examine the current presidency of Donald Trump - whether that be around international relations, tariffs, and the conflicts around Ukraine and Palestine.Joining Kieran to talk all things Trump is Tanya Gordienko, Ukrainian Analyst, Bill Forry, Boston Journalist and Greg Ballard, former Mayor of Minneapolis.Image: Reuters

The Hard Shoulder is live today from New Ross for the annual Kennedy Summer School festival, which runs for the next three days celebrating Irish and American history, politics and culture.Joining Kieran to give an overview of the Kennedy Summer School are the Directors: Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at UCG and Columnist with theJournal.ie and Eileen Dunne, former RTÉ Journalist.

Health Minister Jennifer Caroll MacNeill has said that she “absolutely” plans on introducing legislation for nicotine pouches under other nicotine legislation.But, how harmful really are nicotine pouches, and what legislation isn't required?Dr Garrett McGovern  is a GP specializing in addiction and Medical Director of Priority Medical Clinic Dundrum. He joins Kieran 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 Kieran to discuss how (and when) you should properly retire!

Today and over the next few days, emotions will be running high across the country as thousands of children begin school for the very first time.Brand new uniforms are being put on, crayons and toys will be taken out, and the first day of eight years of primary education will get underway.Newstalk Jessica Woodlock visited one school on its first day back today, and joins Kieran to share what she’s heard.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran to Trump’s comments on putting more tariffs on countries that follow EU internet regulations - which includes Ireland and the American tech companies it hosts.Image: Reuters

Kieran is joined by Steve Van Ysseldyk, the Canadian man who managed to locate his wife's missing wedding ring in a landfill.How did it end up missing in the first place, and how did he find it - they discuss!

Some patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda have had their pre-cancerous cells miscategorised, and they’re now being told whether their status is more or less dangerous than previously thought. All while the Health Minister has criticised construction company BAM over the long-delayed National Children’s Hospital.Joining Kieran to discuss it all is Co-Founder and Director of the Irish Patients Association, Stephen McMahon, and Health Correspondent for the Irish Examiner, Niamh Griffin.

Yesterday, it’s safe to say that the internet was broken when Taylor Swift announced that she was engaged to Travis Kelce.But, why do we even care about two strangers tying the knot?Joining Kieran to discuss is Cassie Delaney, Podcaster and Saoirse Hanley, Irish Independent Journalist.

A UK Crime Commissioner has urged the public to do more to stop shoplifters rather than relying on the police. Should we be encouraging people here to also intervene?Joining Kieran to discuss is Jean McCabe, CEO of Retail Excellence and Tony Gallagher, Risk, Security & Event Manager with Ashtree Risk Group and former Garda inspector.

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 Kieran to give his travel tips for Sydney in Australia!

It’s never too late to get your finances in order, and when you’re getting into the later stages of your life, it becomes more and more important. Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist with Irish Independent and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk joins Kieran to give her top financial planning tips for those aged 60+. 

International pop icon Taylor Swift has announced her engagement to American footballer Travis Kelce. Newstalk reporter Emily Keegan joins Kieran in studio to discuss.

As the Dáil is set to return in the coming weeks, former Health Editor with the Irish Times Paul Cullen and Chair of the IMOs Consultant Committee Matthew Sadlier join Kieran to discuss how the Government can best prepare the healthcare system for the coming months. 

There has sharp rise in cocaine use in Ireland in recent months. The latest Health Research Board figures from 2024 show one-in-three cases of drug treatments were for cocaine. But how is the drug getting into the country? Investigations Editor with the Sunday World and host of the podcast Crime World Nicola Tallant joins Kieran to discuss.

Author, journalist and host of A Few Scoops Aoife Moore joins Kieran to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf! 

Legendary broadcast journalist Jim Acosta will be speaking at the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross in County Wexford. The Hard Shoulder will also be broadcasting from the same location this Thursday. Jim joins Kieran to discuss his thoughts on US President Donald Trump, US/Ireland relations, his Irish roots and more.

Are men mistreating women when they mansplain, or is it just the way they talk? One celebrity thinks men are being misunderstood, so comedians Jim Elliot and Katherine Lynch join Kieran to discuss.

Some customers of the waste company Panda have expressed unease at their bins being monitored. The company has rolled out a monitoring campaign to over 50,000 customers to try and get people to put their rubbish in the correct bin. But is this an effective way to change people’s behaviour? And are customers right to be concerned about privacy? Dublin Editor with the Irish Times Olivia Kelly and Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association Conor Walsh join Kieran to discuss.

Following on from a discussion about crèche waiting lists, Chair of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers Elaine Dunne, and Principal of The Glebe National School in Donegal Town Alison Pasquier join Kieran to discuss the benefits of Early Childhood Education.

An Irish man has recounted a job a recent job interview story, and no it wasn’t his own blunder that made the story standout, it was that his interviewer was an AI chatbot. How likely is it that AI will replace the traditional job interview and how the hell do you make a good impression on AI? The HR Suit's Caroline Reidy and Tech Writer with The Irish Times Ciara O Brien.  

Journalist with The Irish Times Jen Hogan joins Kieran for this week's Kids Clinic to discuss her tips and tricks for getting your kids to do chores around the house.

Grants are being offered by Enterprise Ireland to companies affected by the US tariffs. It’s as the Government launched its plan to tackle new worldwide markets for investment into the future. CEO of IBEC Danny McCoy joins Kieran to discuss.

Daniil Medvedev suffered a shock first round lost at The US Open to Benjamin Bonzi, during which play was interrupted by a photographer, leading to Medvedev going on a rant to the umpire, along with smashing his own racquet at the end of the game. Sports psychologist Dr Aoife Quinn joins Kieran to discuss.

Actress Siobhan McSweeney, best known for her role as Sister Michael on Derry Girls, is set to host The Traitors Ireland. Siobhán joins Kieran to discuss. 

As primary schools head back to school, everything is going to get that little bit more busy on our roads. So, how congested will things become, and how do we make it as safe as possible? Former Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly and Chair of the Dublin Commuters Group Jason Cullen join Kieran to discuss.

The BreastCheck national cancer-screening programme has missed its targets for the last two years, according to figures from the HSE The aim was for 195,000 women to be screened last year, but only 137,134 checks were carried out.CEO of the Irish Cancer Society Aevril Power joins Kieran to discuss.

It’s been reported that former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin has been courted by Fianna Fail as a possible presidential candidate. Irish editor for The Independent, Fionnan Sheehan, joins Kieran to discuss.

Up to 40,000 children under the age of three are currently on crèche waiting lists.This has led to calls for the government to bring in pay parity for early years graduates in line with primary school teachers.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been meeting with parents and those working in the sector to see how difficult it is to get a place in a crèche.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy and Saoirse Hanley, Feature Writer with the Irish Independent, to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

20,000 college football fanatics are flocking to Dublin this weekend as the Iowa State Cyclones take on Kansas State Wildcats in the Aviva tomorrow.But, what is college football, and why is this game such a big deal?Joining Kieran in studio are two mega fans from the respective teams, Jake Brend, Chief Content Producer at the Cyclone Fanatic and Mason Voth, Head of Media for K-State Online.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss breakfast, and why it doesn’t have to be boring!

Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.

Across the country, some parents are being informed at the very last minute that no transport arrangements are in place for their child’s school commute next week.That is true in Meath, Louth, Kildare and Wicklow.At the same time, to deal with a lack of bus drivers, Bus Éireann are being called on to change their rules on the age of retirement. Junior Transport Minister Seán Canney this morning on Pat Kenny said drivers who hit 70 should be allowed to continue driving.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrat TD for Wicklow, Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare and Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth and Jenny, a parent in Meath.

After a long trend of falling electricity prices over the past year and a half, wholesale electricity prices rose by 4.6% in the month of July.Unfortunately, as we approach winter, we can expect the trend to continue…Joining Kieran to explain it all is Daragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at bonkers.ie.

This week marks 146 years since the apparition of Mary by pilgrims at Knock, how did it change Catholicism?Joining Kieran to discuss is Fr Iggy O' Donovan, Parish Priest in Fethard, County Tipperary.

Fast-food is growing in Ireland, but has it gotten too expensive for what it is?In the US, McDonald’s is cutting its prices after hearing complaints from its customers, who say that the fast-food chain - once known for its cheap and quick meals, is now nearly as pricey as higher-quality sit down restaurants.With more fast food giants entering the market - should we expect a lower tier of pricing?Newstalk’s Henry McKean spoke with the public to hear their thoughts, and Kieran is joined by TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer at South East Technological University, Edward Hayden and Michelin-starred Chef and owner of Kombu, JP McMahon, to discuss.

 Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s arts and humanities research institute, and presenter of Talking History joined Kieran for his weekly slot looking back at presidents of the past ahead of the upcoming presidential election... This week Patrick and Kieran talked about presidential sex scandals.

This week on the Thursday Interview Kieran was joined by Sinéad Burke, founder and CEO of Tilting the lens and disability advocate.

Across Israel, a growing number of young people are refusing to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces, publicly burning their military conscription papers and protesting against the conflict in Gaza. Military service is mandatory in Israel, but according to Kan, Israel’s national broadcaster, over 40 percent of soldiers did not show up to reserve duty in May. To discuss why Kieran was  joined by a former Israeli soldier and an active member/ administrator with the anti-war organization, Soldiers for Hostages, Shahar Sherf.

Mark Moriarty, Award Winning TV chef and Author joined Kieran to discus the latest season of his podcast “Roasted” where he prepares meals for some of the biggest names around.  

The joint agreed statement between the EU and US on the recent trade deal agreed in Scotland has been published. In particular, it seems to give Ireland a firm commitment to cap pharma tariffs at 15 per cent, while some parts of the sector may be excluded altogether. But is it being greeted with joy? Relief? Or maybe some are still disgruntled? Cormac Lucey is an Economic Commentator with The Sunday Times. He joins me now, as does IBEC’s Executive Director of lobbying and influence, Fergal O’Brien.

Japan's oldest professional player of the board game retired this week at the age of 98, it got thinking, have board games lost their allure or can they ever be replaced by the Wordle?  Cathy Maguire, Member of Board Games Ireland and Dave O’Keefe  Owner of ‘Board & Brewed’

Irish Life Health and Laya Healthcare have both announced insurance  price hikes on plans in the space of a week  It comes as the trend we have seen in increasing the cost of health insurance seen in the past two years looks set to continue into the latter half of this year  Joining me now for more on this is Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Ireland.

How much do you know about your family's ancestry roots?  Given the historical struggles this country has faced in modern history, from the famine to economic migration tracing Irish family history can quickly become difficult. But joining me next is a Genealogy nerd and Producer of Talking History on Newstalk  

The Parents of Harvey Morrisons Sherratt are calling for a commission of inquiry into CHI’s treatment of children with spina bifida and scoliosis, many of whom have been denied timely corrective surgery. Harvey passed away last month. Harveys grieving Father Stephen joined Kieran to discuss his son and why he had to wait years for life saving surgery.

Vaping amongst teens is consistently linked to taking up smoking, marijuana and drink according to an umbrella review of existing research. To discuss further Kieran was joined by Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean.

What are Labubu dolls? And why are people so mad over them?Kieran is joined by Jodie McCormack, Journalist with The Irish Sun, to talk about the Labubu craze…

Have you ever watched The White Lotus, and (in between all of the drama) wanted to have your own holiday like it? This is your chance!This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give his Ultimate Guide on having your own White Lotus holiday, and for different budget levels!

As you might know, this Sunday was the start of the National Heritage Week. This year’s edition, focused on the landscapes and cultural activities of heritage, will be made up of over two thousand events.Joining Kieran to tell more is Anne O’Donoghue, the CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust.