The Hard Shoulder

Episode 1 of ‘The Traitors: Ireland’ is in the books, with twists and turns all over the place.Many fans of the UK series have been waiting for this Irish version to come on air – is it worth the wait?Kieran is joined by 98FM Producer Russell Alford!Image: RTÉ

With the next Presidential Election looming, questions remain on who exactly will be on the ballot. Fianna Fáil seem to be in two camps, with backing for both MEP Billy Kelleher and Jim Gavin - with former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern not ruling himself out. There are also questions about who Sinn Féin’s pick will be, and if Catherine Connolly could get their support.Joining Kieran with the latest updates is Political Correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail, Sarah McGuinness.

If you are someone who loves a loyalty card, then should you ask yourself: is the company I’m loyal to as loyal to me?Joining Kieran with her tips and tricks for getting the best subscription deals is Caitríona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner…

Speaking on the Hard Shoulder last week on the issue of shoplifting, former Garda Inspector and Risk Assessor Tony Gallagher called on the Government to explore the privatisation of the prisons service, as capacity continues to impact sentencing among other issues…So, is he right? Could the privatisation of prisons help alleviate the current problems around prison capacity?Joining Kieran to discuss is John McGuirk, Editor of Gript.ie and Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD for the Cavan-Monaghan constituency.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Ruth Scott, Broadcaster and Humanist Celebrant to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. To remember the day, Kieran is joined by Jean Whitfield and Michael Leyden, who were in the city at the time on their honeymoon.

Beans beans, good for your heart, beans beans… you know the rest!Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss butter beans!

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

With the Irish version of the TV series ‘The Traitors’ revealed to be filming in Slane Castle in County Meath, what more can we expect in the future from the venue?Joining Kieran to discuss all is son of the late Lord Henry Mount Charles, and Custodian of Slane Castle, Alex Coyningham.

Ireland will be looking to continue their winning ways against Spain on Sunday in the Women's Rugby World Cup, following a comprehensive win against Japan last weekend.Joining Kieran to look ahead to the fixture is Fiona Hayes, former Ireland international and two-time 6 nations winner, as well Aoife McDermott, former Ireland International.

With more movement on the Irish Presidential race today, the question remains on who will come out on top for Fianna Fáil, with MEP Billy Kelleher putting his name in the hat, and Minister James Lawless officially backing Jim Gavin, who is yet to actually announce if he is running. Also, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has not ruled out running yet…Joining Kieran to break this down and more is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.

The Electric Picnic music festival kicks off today and across the weekend in Stradbally, County Laois - featuring big artists like Chappell Roan, Hozier and Kneecap.Will you be attending, will you be vicariously living it through social media, or will you be ignoring it from home?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie is there, and has been talking to attendees, he joins Kieran to share what he’s heard. Psychologist Niamh Delmar also joins to discuss the fear of missing out, or FOMO.

Some small rural schools across Ireland are being excluded from the school meals scheme. To shed some light on the situation and why it’s happening, Kieran is joined by a concerned parent from Kerry, Michael Coady, Principal of St James National School in Stradbally, Co Waterford, Rebecca Miller and Co-Founder and Co-Managing Director of food supplier Carambola, Colm O’Brien.

Kieran is joined in the Kennedy Summer School by Sharon Clancy, singer and actress, to discuss her journey to becoming a jazz musician, and her upcoming debut jazz album!

As the first round of the CAO offers have been made to thousands of students across the country, what follows for many is a scramble for student accommodation as shortage drives prices…Joining Kieran to discuss all of this is Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless.

Joining Kieran in this year’s Kennedy Summer School in New Ross to discuss his life covering politics is one of Ireland’s best known Journalists in print and broadcasting, Sean O’Rourke!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald turns 100 this year, and joining Kieran to discuss its significance is Dr of Modern History Brian Murphy, Professor Kirk Curnutt, Author and Researcher and Sarah Churchwell, Professor in American Literature.

Over 60 years on from John F. Kennedy’s visit to New Ross, it is a day that is still remembered fondly.Kieran is joined by Anna Sinnott, who was there when the late US President visited in 1963, to look back on the experience.

In the current era of Trump and his influence internationally, what are Irish-American relations like today?Joining Kieran to discuss is former Massachusetts State Senator and State Representative, Linda Dorcena Forry.

From That Small Island is a four-part documentary series which looks at the story of Irish people, and one of the main focuses, the Irish diaspora: over 80 million of them. Joining Kieran to discuss the series and the current diaspora is Briona Ní Dhiarmada, Writer, Academic and Filmmaker, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Musician and Eamonn Hore Director of Services for Wexford County Council.

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…