The Hard Shoulder

In a quiet revolution reshaping Irish sport, Leader Kicking is emerging as an unexpected launchpad for Irish GAA and rugby players chasing dreams in American football.Two of the brains behind the operation join Kieran to speak about the business and why so many Irish people are trying to break onto the gridiron.Owen Cahil, Director of US Operations and Business Developments at Leader Kicking and Darragh Leader, Head of Football Operations in Ireland at Leader Kicking join to discuss.Image: Leader Kicking

Kieran has escaped the makeshift studio to check out one of Boston’s neighbourhoods with a strong Irish connection: Dorchester.Ed Forry, Dorchester Reporter, joins to tell more.

Joining Kieran in Boston to discuss the business landscape in Ireland, ever changing with the proposed tariffs, is Entrepreneur Sean Gallagher!

A social media ban in Ireland for under 16s is under "serious consideration", with similar efforts being made in Australia already.Should it happen?Joining Kieran to discuss is Aisling O Connor, Psychologist from Connections Child Psychology and Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.

Kieran has popped out of the makeshift studio in Boston to visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.Library Director Alan Price joins to give a sense of this historic building and its contents!

From world champion in the ring to championing Irish culture, high performance, and youth sport, Kieran’s guest is in Boston with thanks to Ireland Gateway to Europe and has popped in for a chat at the Hard Shoulder makeshift studio in the Seaport Hotel.Former WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion and pundit Bernard Dunne joins to discuss.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from The Seaport Hotel in Boston this week with thanks to Gateway to Europe.Joining Kieran to look at local stories for both the United States and at home (including incredible reactions stateside over the first American Pope) is Adrian Walker, Associate Editor and Columnist with the Boston Globe and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent.Image: Britannica

White smoke! Robert Prevost has been voted to be the next Pope following the two-day conclave. It’s a historical moment, as he is the first Pope to be from the United States. He will be Pope Leo XIV.To discuss and give updates as it happens live, Kieran is joined by Fr Iggy O’Donovan, Augustinian Priest who studied with the new Pope in Rome, Gina Menzies, Theologian and Lecturer in Medical Ethics, Henry McKean Newstalk Reporter in attendance in Rome and Eileen Dunne, Journalist and former RTÉ News Anchor.

Fitness technology company Whoop has announced the new iteration of its fitness tracker product: the Whoop 5.0.Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly, was at the launch for the product, and has also been using it for a week. She joins Kieran to discuss if it’s worth getting.Image: Whoop

For most of modern history, the global order has been solidly anchored by the US and Nato cooperation, but that era may be over, partly due to the US administration’s shift away from these trusted alliances.Thomas Berger, is a Professor of International Relations at Boston University and he joins Kieran to answer why this shift may have happened (with a small interruption as white smoke billows out from the Vatican!).

The Dublin-based biotech company Nuritas, which uses AI to identify supplements and new drugs by developing bioactive peptides, is changing the pharmaceutical industry.Their CEO, Nora Khaldi joins Kieran in Boston to discuss.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from The Seaport Hotel in Boston this week with thanks to Gateway to Europe.Joining Kieran to look at local stories for both the United States and at home (including Trump’s new trade deal with the UK) is Adrian Walker, Associate Editor and Columnist with the Boston Globe and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent.Image: Reuters

From Hill 16 hero to high-performance coach, Jason Sherlock’s story is anything but typical. He’s worn the blue of Dublin and the green of Ireland, but now works behind the scenes as the Director of Development with the DCU Educational Trust.Jason is here in Boston just like the Hard Shoulder with thanks to Ireland Gateway to Europe, and he joins Kieran for a chat.

The Irish Council for Social Housing has launched its Housing Association Activity Report for 2024, which showed that over 4,000 new social homes were provided.All this is happening while the Housing Minister is still trying to find someone to head up the Housing Activation Office.Joining Kieran to discuss is the Minister for Housing himself, James Browne.

Boston was once an escape for many Irish immigrants looking for a new opportunity, but those coming to the city now will find a place with sky-high rents, rising childcare costs and groceries bills to match.What are some of the factors to these increasing costs, and what is the result of those feeling the pinch?Mike Urban, Realtor and Host of the Mike Urban Show joins Kieran to discuss.

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran in Boston to discuss humanoid robots, and how by 2030, we might have them in our homes doing household chores, but the big players like Boston Dynamics and Tesla may have their plans impacted by tariffs.Image: Boston Dynamics

The senior leaders of the Catholic Church are meeting in conclave today to elect the next pope.All eyes will be on the chimney of the Sistine Chapel to see if the successor to Pope Francis will be elected...Kieran is joined in Boston by Fr James di Perri, of Our Lady's Parish, Waltham Massachusetts to discuss.

At the beginning of April, US President Donald Trump made the announcement of his much-threatened 25% tariffs on Canadian imports.Later in April, the rest of the world felt the brunt of Trump’s desire for tariffs, with the EU and Ireland being hit with a 20% tariff on imports to the US.Despite Trump’s dialing back for the sake of negotiations, is it time now to forge new relationships and for Ireland and Canada businesses to join forces in a more meaningful way?Joining Kieran in Toronto to discuss is Gemma Healy Murphy, Partner, Litigation & Dispute Resolution Lawyer at McMillan LLP in Toronto and Craig Sowman, Partner and Co-Head of Restructuring & Insolvency at Addleshaw Goddard Ireland.

Canada has been described as having one of the most liberal systems of assisted dying in the world, similar to that operating in the Netherlands and Belgium.It introduced 'Medical Aid in Dying’ in 2016, initially for terminally ill adults with a serious and incurable physical illness, which causes intolerable suffering.In 2021, the need to be terminally ill was removed, and in two years' time, the Canadian government plans to open Maid to adults solely with a mental illness and no physical ailment.Joining Kieran in Toronto to discuss this is Dr Chantal Perrot, board member at DWDC and a MAID Assessor and Provider as well as Dr Sonu Gaind, Chief of Psychiatry at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Ever wonder who keeps the rich and famous safe when they touch down in Ireland? Kieran’s guest doesn’t just know, he runs the show!Terry McElvaney is the Group CEO of Sentinel Risk and joins to discuss.Image: Sentinel Risk

Shannon Airport saw a significant increase in passenger numbers, with an estimated 53,000 passengers passing through over the Bank Holiday weekend.Joining Kieran in Toronto for a discussion on the airport and broader Irish tourism is Ray O’Driscoll, Chief Operating Officer of The Shannon Airport Group.

After 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term as President of the United States, how different does it feel from his first run in 2017?Kieran went out to ask local Bostonians for their thoughts, and joins Jerry McDermott, owner of McDermott Realty Associates and former Sheriff of Norfolk County to discuss.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting in Boston from the Seaport Hotel this week! With thanks to Gateway to Europe.Joining Kieran to discuss some of the stories of the day that are affecting people stateside and back home is Business Reporter for the Boston Globe Jon Chesto and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent.

The Hard Shoulder is in Toronto, Canada today as part of Ireland Gateway to Europe.Kieran was able to escape the makeshift studio and found his way to visit William Peat from the Canada Ireland Foundation. They discuss the work being done at the foundation, and the strong history of Irish in Canada.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US and Canada is underway.In its 13th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America. This year, the Hard Shoulder will be broadcasting from Toronto and Boston!Kieran is joined by Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig, CEO of Skillstack and Director of Ireland Gateway to Europe to discuss.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney barely has had little time to find his seat in Ottawa’s post-election, and today he’s face-to-face with US President Donald Trump.It’s the first big test for the new Prime Minister as he promised to be tough on Trump in face of sweeping tariffs and annexation threats.Brian Lilley, Chief Political Columnist for the Toronto Sun and Tasha Kheiriddin, Canadian Public Affairs Commentator to discuss this meeting and the state of play here in Canada post-elections…

Former RTÉ Newsreader and Journalist Eileen Dunne joins Kieran to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, will inform the Cabinet today that he plans to fast-track legislation to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This comes at a time when global trade uncertainty intensifies due to the US’s new tariff policies.Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe.

The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrated a 5-4 win in game one of the second-round series against the Florida Panthers last night.Joining Kieran to discuss this, and the role ice hockey plays in Canada is "The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs", Joe Bowen, who has broadcast over three thousand leaf games throughout the course of his career.

In something that might sound familiar to people in Ireland: almost half of Canadians are worried by housing affordability. Obviously, an issue that isn’t confined to one country. But with a new Government on the way, can the crisis be solved?Joining Kieran to discuss is Tim Hudak, Chief Executive with High-Impact Advocacy, Tony Irwin, CEO and Interim President of the Federation of Rental Housing Providers in Ontario, and Sherry Larjani, Canadian Developer & Housing Advocate.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from Toronto, Canada in PJ O’Brien’s Pub, a place known to many of the Irish diaspora in the city.Joining Kieran to discuss some of the stories of the day that are affecting people here and back home is Joe Callaghan, Freelance Feature and Sports Writer and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Joining Kieran to discuss his upcoming Irish gigs, 'Achilles Neil', which will kick off this May is Comedian Neil Delamere!

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about some of the biggest recent food trends, and how you could incorporate them into delicious recipes!

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…

It has been 100 days since the new Irish government took office with a fresh mandate, new promises and high expectations. Now, the honeymoon’s over, so how are they really doing?Joining Kieran to discuss is Christina Finn, Political Editor of the Journal.ie and Joan Burton, former Tánaiste and former Leader of the Labour Party.

An Airbnb survey says a quarter of the Irish population have explored Asia, but 82% have never visited Leitrim, and 76% have never visited Westmeath. Are you one of them?Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

As the temperatures climb, it’s not just humans feeling the heat, our pets are too. From panting pups to frazzled felines, summer can be tough on our four-legged friends.So, how do we keep them cool, comfy, and out of danger? Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet, joins Kieran to discuss.

Today marks the second consecutive Friday that the mosque on sight of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland has remained closed. The centre in Clonskeagh abruptly closed last week following an internal dispute.Well, the Muslim Community of Ireland is today holding a press conference to highlight the impact of the mosque's closure on the community.Abdul Haseeb, community activist, joins Kieran to discuss.

The average child's birthday party now costs over €500, but are parents the problem and should we re-evaluate how we throw kids birthday parties, or is this just the new norm?Joining Kieran to discuss is Steve Cummins, Comedian and Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer for The Irish Times.

The Liberals were victorious this week in the Canadian elections – not quite enough to form a Government on their own, but victorious nonetheless.But, there are some who want out of Canada.Kieran’s guest is a Lawyer and Rancher in Calgary in Alberta, Canada - Jeff Rath joins to discuss.

Amid the trees of County Clare, a living memorial has taken shape: The Forest That Won’t Forget, which has been created in tribute to the women and families affected by the cervical check failures.Joining Kieran to discuss this memorial and why the 221+ group commissioned it is Lyn Fenton, Patient Advocate with 221+ Group and John Conway, Visual Artist and Co-Collaborator on the Forest that Won’t Forget with Fiona Whelan.Image: 221+

The latest skincare trend online you may have seen is the ‘caveman’ method, which essentially involves people cutting out all skincare products and entirely even forgoing washing their face with water for a period to get better skin, but should you be doing it, or is it actually causing more harm to your skin?Joining Kieran to discuss is Professor Nikki Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist in the Institute of Dermatologists and Photobiology.

39 people, including 30 men, 4 women and 5 children were deported from Ireland last night on a chartered flight that landed in the Georgian capital Tbilisi this morning. This is the second chartered flight deporting people back to Georgia this year.Michael McNamara, Independent MEP for Ireland’s South constituency, is critical of this decision by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and has asked the Minister to think of the economic realities, and give Georgian asylum seekers work permits and visas. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Screens should be banned for children under the age of six to avoid permanently impairing their brain development, French medical experts have warned, with research concluding that it permanently impairs intellectual abilities. But, in the world we live in, how do parents even begin to phase out screens?Jen Hogan, Journalist and Irish times Columnist, joins Kieran to discuss.

The government is moving ahead with plans to appoint a new Housing Tsar, who will be tasked with cutting through red tape and accelerating the delivery of new homes.But, not everyone is convinced of the powers they may have, and the salary cost of the position…Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin TD and Housing Spokesperson joins Kieran to discuss.

Should we be flattening the fly-tippers? Over in the UK, the government is telling councils to crush the vans used by illegal dumpers, and threatening actual jail time.With fly-tipping costing rural Ireland, is it time Ireland followed suit and got tough on dumping?Louise Crowley, Secretary at Limerick IFA and Dairy Farmer and Richard O’Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County join 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 you can pretend to be an expert on different topics!

When Donald J. Trump first stepped into the Oval Office in 2017, he promised to "drain the swamp" and shake Washington to its core.Now back in the White House for a historic second term, Trump’s second first 100 days tell a different story.Joining Kieran to discuss is Joe Walsh, former Republican Congressman and later Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, joins to compare each of Trump's initial stints.Image: Reuters

Caroline Reidy from the HR Suite joins Kieran to discuss the rights you have as an employee, and inform you on how to best protect yourself in the workplace…