The Hard Shoulder

‘Man flu’ is a term used to describe a mild illness, but with exaggerated symptoms. Men take more sickies on average than women, five sick days a year, compared to just four days for women.So, does this fit the bill for you?Henry McKean has been asking people at the Ploughing Championships, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

Joining Kieran for a chat at the Ploughing Championships is Antrim Manager Davy Fitzgerald, who is today not looking for Ireland's fittest family, but instead the fittest farmer!

Gardaí investigating the disappearance of a missing child have discovered skeletal remains in Donabate, north County Dublin.Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte now joins Kieran from the scene to give the latest updates.

Kieran is joined by two men who, despite having full-time jobs, decided on a career change that would allow them to devote their time to their sport and to the GAA.One is an official Sliotar supplier to the GAA and the other is a master craftsman of ash Hurleys…Liam Mockler from Cúl Sliotars and Adrian Moran from Moran Hurley’s join to discuss!

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has published the report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming.The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine a range of issues in the area of farm succession and barriers to entry into the sector for young farmers.The new report has made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas including Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) supports; pensions; taxation; access to finance; access to land; collaborative arrangements; advisory services; education and training; gender balance; and the overall attractiveness of the sector.Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon.

Here in Ireland, the Mexican community is growing, with businesses and events popping up all over the country. How do they celebrate Mexican Independence Day here, and what does Mexican culture look like in Ireland?Newstalk's Alex Alcala Reports!

Kieran is joined by journalist and author Michael Moynihan to discuss his new book: ‘More Than A Game: The GAA and Where It's Going’!

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month,, and joining Kieran to discuss is Laura Cullinan, CEO of Childhood Cancer Ireland and parent of a survivor to discuss the Gold Ribbon Programme, which was launched to support families of children who are fighting cancer...

Images have resurfaced today in The Irish Daily Mail of Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes, where he wore a blackface Barack Obama costume to a Halloween party in college back in 2009, for which he has since apologised.Kieran is joined by Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore to talk more on the current situation…

Actor and Director Robert Redford has passed away at the age of 89…Joining Kieran to look back on his legacy is Brian Llyod, Entertainment Journalist and host of the Screenland Podcast.

In recent times, E Scooters have been frequently flagged and branded as more dangerous than their estranged cousin: the E Bike.But, is this the case?Well, according to a new study by Sweden’s Chalmers University of Technology Electric Bike users are eight times more likely to crash than E Scooters.Joining Kieran to discuss this further is Consultant in Emergency Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital, Dr John Legge, and Columnist for the Irish Mirror, Joe O’Shea.

People watching the Traitors Ireland were left "howling" after contestant Paudie drew the line at hugging another player.Henry McKean is at the Ploughing asking the question: do men from rural Ireland just not hug?He joins Kieran to share what he’s heard!

A recent survey by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission showed 84% of Irish people are worried about the cost of living crisis…What can be done to improve things?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Economist at TU Dublin, Emma Howard, and Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland, Suzanne Rogers.

On his current tour ‘Desperate House Husband’, Kieran is joined to discuss all by Comedian, Actor, Broadcaster and author, Bernard O’Shea!

Adriana Casserly is a Freelance Writer and Journalist in the northwest of Ireland. Previously, she was a Staff Editor at The New York Times. Why did she move? Because she believed that the United States was not safe for her children.With the recent assasination of Charlie Kirk, and the frequency of mass shootings, will the USA ever see the status quo change when it comes to guns?Adriana joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Dr Patricia Byrne, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist to discuss how you can support your child when they take up a new skill or hobby.

The process of drafting legislation that will remove Dublin Airport's 32 million a year passenger cap is expected to happen soon. Is it the right idea?The Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said he is now pursuing "a legislative course of action" to make the lifting of the passenger cap happen. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Earlier today, a Cork mother confronted Taoiseach Micheál Martin about her daughter’s need for hip surgery and the years of negligence from the Government.Antoinette Burke’s daughter, Katie, has cerebral palsy and requires a femoral and pelvic osteotomy surgery. An operation that Irish surgeons are unable to carry out, forcing her to have it abroad in the U.S. state of Florida…Antoinette believes that the surgery could have been carried out here in Ireland when Katie was a child, but doctors at the time refused.Antoinette joins Kieran to discuss.If you would like to help with Katie's hip surgery, you can support at https://gofund.me/19ffd38b1  

Dame Esther Rantzen appeared on Good Morning Britain in the UK this past Friday, and spoke candidly about her plans for death. It's as the UK Parliament continues to debate and scrutinize their Assisted Dying Bill.Why is it taking the UK so long to pass this legislation, and what is it doing to families affected by it?Her daughter, Rebecca Wilcox, joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

To discuss the latest in the county council nominations for President, Kieran is joined by Independent Kerry Councillor Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan, and Acting Political Editor with the Irish Examiner, Paul Hosford.

Threats to politicians are on the rise, with some recently made to Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family and the murder of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk in the United States last week. While the majority of people, politicians and the public, condemn and speak out against these threats, we are still left asking how can they be prevented?Dr. Peter Boylan wrote a letter to the Irish Times condemning the threats made to Tánaiste Simon Harris, saying they are “completely unacceptable”. However, he points to the failure of Irish politicians to unequivocally condemn Kneecap for a 2023 performance, when they say to the crowd “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”Dr Peter Boylan, former Minister of National Maternity Hospital and Chairman of Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and author of ‘In the Shadow of the Eighth’ joins Kieran to discuss.

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

The World Athletics Championships will be held in Tokyo, taking place from the 13th to 21st of September. What are Ireland’s hopes for success?Joining Kieran to discuss is Freelance Sports Journalist, Cathal Dennehy.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss apples, and the lovely things you can make out of them!

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.

“We got him” was the message from Utah Governor Spencer Cox earlier today, as 22-year old Tyler Robinson was taken into custody, who is suspected of killing Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.US-based Journalist Harriet Alexander joins Kieran with the latest updates.

The Association of Catholic Priests are calling for golfers not to take part in next year's Irish Open, which will be held at Trump International in Doonbeg, saying it is “shameful” and “another example of appeasing Donald Trump”.Joining Kieran to discuss is one of the association's Co-Founders, Father Tony Flannery.

A new report from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) shows that the number of evictions facing renters has increased by 17% compared to a three month period last year.Why is this happening, and how is it affecting people?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating and joins Kieran to discuss.

Ireland’s rugby game against France takes place this Sunday, as the tournament reaches knock-out stages. How will they fare?Joining Kieran to look ahead to the fixture is Allison Miller, former Irish rugby player and Fiona Hayes, former Ireland international, and two-time Six Nations winner.

Bord Gáis Energy customers are facing electricity price hikes of more than €200 a year after the company became the second provider to announce increases in less than a week. So, should you be making a switch or is there even any savings left to be made?Joining Kieran to discuss is Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Conor Pope.

Last week, a man in Kildare who has recently found out that his car could split in half at any moment contacted the show. Gareth Landy, a concerned motorist from Kildare, bought a car in Northern Ireland, but has now had to shelve out for another as the Irish NCT and Northern Irish MOT deemed the car roadworthy, despite being structurally unsound.Gareth joins Kieran to discuss.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Dee Reddy, Entertainment Journalist joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and influential ally of President Donald Trump, was fatally shot on Wednesday while speaking at a University in Utah.A manhunt for a lone shooter is still ongoing, and joining Kieran to discuss is Harriet Alexander, US-based journalist and Jerry McDermott, owner of McDermott Realty Associates and former Sheriff of Norfolk County. Also joining later to discuss is Erol Morkocs, Spokesperson for Republicans Overseas.

As party campaigns kick off, The Hard Shoulder’s series learning more about the history of the presidential office continues.Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute, and Presenter of Talking History joins Kieran to look back on stories of people who didn’t quite make the cut for the role of President.

Former Green Party Leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!

RTÉ has said that Ireland will not take part in this year’s Eurovision, unless Israel is removed…If Israel does take part, should RTÉ stand its ground and boycott the competition?Joining Kiernan to discuss is Musician Steve Wall and Writer Yankey Fachler, and later Patrick O’Donovan, Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media and Sport and Fine Gael TD for Limerick County.

John Kelly’s new book ‘The GAA Covered’ is out this Friday, and examines the history of the sports association through the provided match programmes throughout the years.He joins Kieran to discuss!

The latest Freedom Flotilla is making progress towards Palestine to break the aid blockade implemented by Israel.So, what is the latest?Activist and Actor Liam Cunningham join Kieran to discuss this, and how the tide may be turning in multiple areas.

Yesterday on the show Kieran spoke with Eric Nelligan, who is a teacher, Assistant Principal and Aontú Spokesperson on Education and Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and author of ‘Home Is Where The Start Is’, who debated whether phone bans would work.It’s after the Ombudsman for Children’s Office said blanket bans on phones are not in the best interest of children.Today, Kieran is joined to discuss by Fionn McWeeney, who was a member of the Youth Advisory Group in the Ombudsman for Children Office, who helped in an advisory role with the Smart Phone Ban report.

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 (on International TV Dinner Day) to discuss how you can make the perfect TV dinner!

It’s been noted that the Irish football team is unable to hire a Sports Psychologist.Boss Heimar Hallgrimsson has previously spoken of how heavy the Irish jersey can weigh, and maybe a bit of that was seen yesterday, as they fell to Armenia in their World Cup qualifier.So, does the team need help with their mentality, and would a sports psychologist help?Sports Psychologist Aoife Quinn joins Kieran to discuss.

40 years after Ireland's first heart transplant took place at the Matter Hospital in Dublin, Kieran is joined by Professor Freddie Wood, the surgeon who was central to the development of the heart transplant programme in Ireland.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran to discuss how traditional banks are taking on Revolut’s instant money transfer features with their own ‘Zippay’ system. When will this get implemented, and how much of an impact will it have?

Over the past few months, concerns have been raised over staffing issues at Oberstown Children Detention Campus.It was also revealed that, at times, that there are not enough beds for referrals from the Children’s Court.To find out what goes on inside Ireland’s detention centre for children, Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie goes inside Oberstown and hears from the staff, as well as interviews a teenager who spent time there last year.Listeners may find some of the content distressing.

Poland shot down Russian drones over its airspace early today.It marks the first time Poland has directly engaged Russian assets since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.Joining Kieran to discuss is Christopher Berenda, Reporter with RMF FM and Cormac Smith, former Special Adviser to Ukraine’s Foreign Adviser.Image: Reuters

As the winter season comes in, so do the spiders and the silverfish. How can you get them out? Does peppermint oil or conkers on your windowsill work as a deterrent, or is it simply an old wife's tale?Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin joins Kieran to discuss.

Despite the school year being underway, there are a number of kids still without a school place, and are now being left behind by their peers.Kieran is joined by the parents of two of those kids, Mairead Carty and Sinead O’Reilly, to discuss.

The Ombudsman for Children's Office has said that a blanket ban approach on phones is not in the best interest of children, and it does not effectively protect them from potential online harm.Joining Kieran to discuss is Eric Nelligan, Teacher, Assistant Principal & Aontú Spokesperson on Education and Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and author of ‘Home is Where the Start Is’.

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 Albufeira and the Algarve!

Following the first Irish satellite’s journey in space concluding, we’re going to look back on what it achieved.To talk more on this, Kieran is joined by the Director of UCD’s Centre for Space Research, and the Endorsing Professor for EIRSAT-1, Lorraine Hanlon.Image: European Space Agency