The Hard Shoulder

There’s huge excitement in Dublin as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings face each other this Sunday in Croke Park. It’s the first regular season NFL game to take place in this country.Newstalk Reporter David O’Connor has been looking at all aspects of the sport, including merchandising and safety, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Former Rehab CEO Angela Kerins has submitted €2.1 million euro in legal costs as a result of the court action she took against the Houses of the Oireachtas...It’s a saga that, in total, has lasted for more than a decade now.For more on this, Kieran is joined by Martin Wall, Public Policy Correspondent for the Irish Times.

Chris Andrews, Sinn Féin Senator, is on board the Spectre boat in the flotilla that is destined for Gaza when it was attacked by Israeli drones and struck four times on Tuesday night…Chris joins Kieran from the boat to discuss and give the latest updates. Also joining to discuss is Dr Muhamed Shaallan, a Surgeon who was in Gaza…

It's definitely early to think about it, but as we enter the last quarter of the year, you may already be imagining the budget for Christmas... What are the spending tips to follow now, so you don’t end up feeling the effects in January?Joining Kieran with her top tips is Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk.

Former US President Barack Obama will be awarded the Freedom of Dublin today, with some Independent Dublin Councillors calling for a boycott.Dublin City Council voted in 2017 to grant him the honour, and he has decided to accept it in a ceremony in Dublin with Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and a number of councillors in attendance.Do you think it’s good that this is happening?Joining Kieran to discuss is Independent Dublin City Councillor Cieran Perry, as well as Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan.

Ahead of the upcoming presidential election on October 24th, posters are popping up across the country, which raises the question: are they still necessary?Joining Kieran to discuss is Shelly Heterich Quinn, former County Councilor and Ger Deere, Mayo County Councilor.

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 (in the best way possible) break up with someone…

“Thats one small step for Man one giant leap for Mankind”...We may hear those words again in the coming years as yesterday Nasa announced its first crewed mission to the moon in 50 years is to take place next February, as they prepare for another lunar landing as early as 2027.Joining Kieran to discuss is Leo Enright, Space Commentator and former Chairman of the Irish Government’s Science Awareness Program.

Budget day is almost upon us, and it’s once again in the shadow of the high cost-of-living...A big part of that is energy prices, and many providers have announced hikes, which for many will kick in next week. Is there any hope for a reduction in costs?Joining Kieran to discuss this more is Darragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie.

Former US President Barack Obama is to be awarded the Freedom of Dublin tomorrow. What does this mean, and should there be a new award?Joining Kieran to discuss is Irish Times journalist and Historian, Ronan McGreevy.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran ahead of the big Dublin NFL game to talk about some of the unique technology used in the sporting organisation.Image: NFL Football Operations

Europe and the US will face off against each other in just two days as the Ryder Cup returns.The Americans will be keen to reclaim the cup after the Europeans won out last time…Joining Kieran to look ahead to it all is Irish golfing legend and member of 6 Ryder cup teams, Pádraig Harrington.

Traitors Ireland is the most successful RTÉ programme since Love/Hate getting Late Late Toy Show ratings. Henry McKean met Traitors and Faithfuls at The Traitors Finale Watch Party, and sends in this report!

Maria Steen has failed in her attempt to be a presidential candidate in the coming election…Receiving 18 votes of support from Oireachtas members out of 20 ,she narrowly missed the mark.Joining Kieran with the latest and to discuss is Pat Leahy, Political Editor with the Irish Times and Peadar Tóbín, TD for Meath West and Aontú Leader.

Legislation is being discussed in the Dáil on the restriction of vape products.To talk more about this issue and the impact it’s having on young people, Kieran is joined by Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at CHI Crumlin & member of the Irish Thoracic Society Council, Professor Des Cox.

Should we be tracking our kids, or are things like Xplora watches simply another way to helicopter parent?Joining Kieran to discuss is Mary McCarthy, Columnist with The Irish Independent and Ciara O’Brien, Business and Tech Journalist with The Irish Times.Image: Xplora

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 recommendations for a winter getaway!

Joining Kieran is Social Democrats Senator Patricia Stephenson, who has recently visited the West Bank to understand what life is like for Palestinians there…

Former Rugby International Shane Byrne joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

The budget for processing and providing accommodation to asylum seekers has grown to €1.2 billion this year. Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD and chair of the Oireachtas Migration Committee is calling on Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan this afternoon to provide more transparency on where this money is being spent…TD Matt Carthy joins Kieran to discuss, as well as Immigration Lawyer Cathal Malone to discuss what is driving the substantial cost of the system.

Donald Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly today for the first time in 6 years. He lambasted the assembly and others on various matters, from immigration to climate change…This comes as the United Nations struggles to deal with conflicts and international crises.Joining Kieran to discuss is Paul Brandus, West Wing Reports Founder and White House Bureau Chief.Image: Reuters

Presidential Hopeful Maria Steen is edging closer and closer to being on the ballot on Friday the 24th of October. Having secured the support of Independent Ireland today she has received 17 votes out of the required 20.Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times and Minister for State and Independent TD for Sligo Leitrim, Marian Harkin.

After weeks of lies and betrayal and an audience that was gripped to their screens, we have reached the finale of The Traitors, airing tonight…Are you excited? Who do you think will win?Comedian Alison Spittle joins Kieran to discuss!

With the World Athletics Championships concluding in Tokyo last weekend, did Ireland fall short, match or surpass expectations?And, do we need to do more to support our Irish athletes?Joining Kieran to discuss is Paul McDermott, High Performance Director with Sport Ireland.

We’re coming closer to the introduction of a ‘digital euro’, but what does it all mean? Joining Kieran to explain it all in detail is Jonathan Keane, Journalist with The Currency.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Dr. Iseult Sheehan, Clinical Director at Allergy Ireland to discuss how you can manage your child’s food allergies.

Minister of State Robert Troy said today that he was not trying to exclude those with a disability, carers or a parent without access to childcare when suggesting that local authorities should prioritise workers when it comes to social housing.But, he has maintained that he wants work to pay for workers.With the housing crisis as it currently is, does that say something about whether work pays or not?Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing & TD for Dublin Mid-West and Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing & TD for Cork South-Central.

With the deadline approaching for candidates for the next Presidential election, who will be on the ballot on voting day?Joining Kieran with the latest updates is Political Reporter with The Journal, Jane Matthews, and, to discuss, Fianna Fáil Cllr for Leitrim County Council, Mary Bohan.

Much excitement over the weekend as Kate O’Connor won silver in the Women’s Heptathlon, all while Cian McPhillips just missed out on an 800m medal, coming fourth.Joining Kieran to reflect on the World Championships, and whether more support is needed for our athletes, is former Olympian, and former CEO of Sport Ireland, John Treacy.

How important is religion when it comes to ceremonies in life? Instead of a holy Communion, can kids have a different type of event?Joining Kieran to discuss is Columnist with the Irish Independent, David Quinn and Aideen Finnegan, Presenter of the ‘Better with Money’ podcast with the Irish Times.

Agóid Náisúinta na nGael, a National Protest for the Irish Language, took place in Dublin over the weekend. Chief among protesters’ demands is more housing in the country’s Gaeltacht areas…Newstalk Reporter James Wilson took a trip down to Cape Clear in Cork to find out about the impact of the housing crisis on our native language, and sends in this report.

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…

Eoin O’Malley is Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, and his new book, ‘Charlie V Garret’, details the fascinating rivalry between Charles J. Haughey and Dr Garret FitzGerald…He joins Kieran to discuss!

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss the art of snacking, and how you can do it without going overboard!

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. Plus, Cathal Denehy, Freelance Sports Journalist, joins to discuss how things are going at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

Mary Lou McDonald has said Sinn Féin will endorse a presidential candidate with ‘plenty of Irish’ ahead of tomorrow's announcement, causing speculation on who the likely candidate will be…Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland Editor with The Irish Independent.

Irish author, Naoise Dolan has said she accepts that death is a “necessary risk” as she prepares to set sail on the Global Sumud Flotilla on Saturday from Italy, delivering aid to Gaza.She joins Kieran to discuss…

South Dublin County Council has recently passed a motion calling for a moratorium on new data centres being built in the area unless they operate wholly on renewable energy resources.However, People Before Profit Cllr Jess Spear doesn’t believe this motion goes far enough… She joins Kieran to discuss.

Dublin’s four local authorities will meet this month to commence their drive for national legislation to enable councils to implement a tourist tax.Representatives are coming together to lobby the government to give councils the power to introduce a “transient visitor levy” on overnight stays in hotels, short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnbs, and other accommodation.The proposed tax, led by the Transient Visitor Levy Working Group, would be applied at a local level, meaning individual councils would have the power to impose the tax as they see fit, or choose not to impose it at all.So, should we have it? And, how does it work in other countries?Joining Kieran to discuss is Labour Councillor for Galway County Council, Helen Ogbu, Reuters Chief Correspondent for Italy, Crispian Balmer and Journalist with “The Local” in Germany, Paul Krantz.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O’Callaghan from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

In today’s day and age, we are constantly being fed news. In fact, most of us can’t seem to escape the news!With news alerts flooding our phones, many people struggle to switch off from what is happening across the globe.This of course can be very fatiguing, but what can we do to stop this?Joining Kieran to discuss this is Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly and Elaine Burke, from the For Tech's Sake podcast.

Christine Duff of The Traitors Ireland fame joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!

Neil and Donna Sands, the Irish couple behind the landmark Tattle Life case, are seeking to appear before the Oireachtas to discuss online abuse after appearing in Westminster on Monday.The pair will also request that Google be called to appear before the media committee to explain its continued monetisation of the platform.Neil and Donna Sands join Kieran to discuss.Image: goss.ie

He’s already secured some support, but what are his odds of reaching the Áras?Joining Kieran to discuss his Presidential hopes is Entrepreneur and Businessman, Gareth Sheridan.

To date, 57 people have drowned in Irish waters this year…Emergency services are also reporting a higher number of rescue operations than 2024.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been meeting with those who work at sea, and volunteer in recovery missions. He sends in this report.

US television host Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was pulled from the air last night, hours after the US government threatened to cancel broadcasting licences because of comments the host made about the killing of far-right activist Charlie Kirk…The stunning move by network ABC to remove one of America’s most influential late-night shows was blasted by critics as government censorship, but celebrated by Donald Trump.Joining Kieran to discuss is Senior Lecturer at the School of Media in Technical University Dublin, Harry Browne, and also Professor and Political analyst, of the Clinton institute, UCD, Scott Lucas Image: Reuters

Should smartphones and gaming devices be confiscated from repeat offenders of anti-social behaviour? Well, that is what the Dáil is being asked today!Independent Dublin TD Paul Gogarty is behind the motion, which also suggests imposing curfews and fining parents…Joining Kieran to discuss this is Youth Worker from Justask.ie Declan Keenan and former Garda Sergeant, Christy Galligan.

26% of Irish adults have no retirement plan in place. That's according to new figures released by the Consumer and Competition Protection Commission. So what's standing in the way of proper pension planning, and why do 61% of those without a plan expect the State Pension to fund their retirement? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

When it comes to the farming industry in Ireland, there is no shortage of challenges for those involved. But, what are the major concerns for farmers today?Joining Kieran to discuss is President of the Irish Farmers Association, Francie Gorman.

How is tech changing the farming industry?Joining Kieran to discuss is Seamus Kenny, Founder of Kilkenny start up Autocoupler and Breifne O'Brien, Tech Journalist with Agriland to discuss!