The Hard Shoulder

Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar has said the show is poised to return next year after being left “frustrated” by the finale.This comes after fans were left somewhat disappointed following the finale of the show back in 2021.This begs the question, can Line of Duty director Jed Mercurio rewrite the wrongs of a failed ending?Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss this and more is Editor of Geek.ie, Olivia Fahy.Image: BBC

The hunger crisis facing Palestinians has been high on the agenda in talks between the British Prime Minister and Donald Trump in Scotland today.It’s as Israel allows foreign countries to parachute aid packages in.So, what is happening, and what’s next in addressing the crisis?Gershon Baskin is a Hostage Negotiator and the Middle East Director for the International Communities Organization, a UK-based NGO. He joins guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss.

Former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle have been invited to accept the Freedom of the City of Dublin when they visit the capital in September.The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Ray McAdam, said the couple had received the city's highest civic honor in February 2017 by Dublin City Council, however they have not yet had the opportunity to formally accept it.Is now the right time to receive this award? And should they get it at all?Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss this and more is Eddie Punch from the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and Law Lecturer from the University of Galway & Columnist with The Journal, Larry Donnelly.

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…

Excitement is building across the country as Kerry prepare to take on Donegal on Sunday.The Kingdom will be looking to secure their 39th All-Ireland title, while Jim McGuinness has built up confidence in Donegal.Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been around the county to hear how fans are feeling ahead of Sunday.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss pork, and how you can use and enjoy it!

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, including the All-Ireland Football Final.

A silent vigil has been held outside the Department of Justice by members of the Indian community in response to a man who was brutally attacked in Tallaght.Newstalk Reporter Barry Whyte joins Kieran with the latest updates.

The All-Ireland Football Final is this Sunday, Donegal taking on Kerry in Croke Park.So, who will come out on top?Former Kerry All-Ireland winner Killian Burns and Donegal legend Brian McEniff join Kieran to discuss.

Energy company Flogas is to increase its variable electricity charges by around 7%, with effect from 25 August.Why is this being done?Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin, Spokesperson on Finance, and TD for Donegal, joins Kieran to discuss.

Amazon has withdrawn plans for a €300 million industrial plant after it was denied access to electrical connections within its stated time frame. More than 500 jobs were expected to be created in northwest Dublin’s Ballycoolin because of the project.Sunday Independent Columnist Conor Skehan says that the project’s cancellation is a consequence of government policies. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Ireland has some of the longest school holidays in Europe, which can make it a struggle for parents to organize childcare. Education Minister Helen McEntee has defended the length of summer holidays—three months for secondary schools and two months for primary schools.McEntree said, “Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time that’s taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.”So, should the length of summer break be reduced? How can parents source childcare for the hours when they’re at work?Joining Kieran to discuss is Rachel Harper, Principal of St Patrick’s National School in Greystones and Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer and the Presenter of Better with Money from The Irish Times, as well as the mother to a five-year-old and a two-year-old.

John Fardy, Presenter of 'Screentime' and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

As party campaigns kick off, it's week 2 The Hard Shoulder’s president series, learning more about the history of the presidential office.Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute, and Presenter of Talking History joins Kieran to discuss some of Ireland’s ugliest elections!

Peter Hanly, Actor and Playwright joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71, with reporting from TMZ claiming a cardiac arrest as the cause of death.Off the Ball’s Richie McCormack joins Kieran to look back on the wrestling star’s career, life and controversies.

The recent listeria outbreak has resulted in a recall of 141 ready meals. Despite the convenience of store-bought ready meals, the outbreak is a reminder that consumers have little control over how the products are made or what ingredients are used.Ross Golden-Bannon, member of the Irish Food Writers Guild, joins Kieran to discuss how to make DIY ready meals that are healthier and less expensive than store-bought!

If you are struggling to keep your kids entertained this summer, we have got you covered.Can getting the kids to do DIY help alleviate their summer boredom?Peter Finn also known as Pete the Builder and co-host of ‘Home Rescue: The Big Fix’ joins to discuss!Peter’s show ‘Home Rescue: The Big Fix’ returns in September!

Disabled people in Ireland rely on disability allowance, but strict means testing mean these payments are often revoked.Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird, Disability Journalist and advocate, joins Kieran to discuss her own experience, after she was taken off disability allowance for earning €80 over the weekly threshold…

With the news that the previous government's €2 billion retrofitting grant is under review, why is the grant not being taken up by more people? Is it too difficult to avail of, and is it actually saving people any money?Joining Kieran to discuss is former President of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, Carole Pollard.

Basketball Ireland say that they are assessing their next steps after being drawn alongside Israel in the group stages of the EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers.They say they’re extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and have spoken to governing body FIBA Europe in order to address some matters. They say that they are also liaising with the players, Sport Ireland and the Government.The women’s team have previously expressed their unhappiness with being forced to make a decision on whether or not to play against Israel, and did refuse to shake hands with Israeli players during a game last year.To discuss, Kieran is joined by former Basketball Ireland player Rebecca O’ Keefe and Social Democrats TD & Spokesperson on Sport, Sinéad Gibney…

Some mortgage providers have seen an uptick in the number of people taking out four person mortgages.As it becomes harder and harder to buy a home in Ireland, is taking out such a mortgage wise?Joining Kieran to discuss is David Hall, CEO of Icare Housing.

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 make your bed properly!

A recent investigation from The Journal has found that hundreds of cameras from the Chinese company Hikvision are installed in “hospital wards, university campuses and council offices” around the country. The problem? The products are banned for government use in the UK, USA and Australia.For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran to discuss this, and whether or not we should be concerned.

The Central Statistics Office has released its report on how Ireland compared to other EU countries on price levels of food, beverages, and tobacco in 2024. Ireland ranked most expensive of all 36 European countries for non-alcoholic drinks, with prices 40% higher than the EU27 average. Food prices were 12% above the average, making Ireland’s groceries the second most expensive in the Eurozone.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Irish Examiner Consumer Columnist, Catriona Redmond, Michelin-starred Chef and owner of Kombu JP McMahon and Head of Social Justice and Policy at St Vincent de Paul, Louise Bayliss.

From putting garlic in your sock for athlete’s foot to taking rescue remedies for nerves, do any natural remedies actually have healing benefits, or are they just wives’ tales?Joining Kieran to discuss is Pharmacist, Health Advocate, and host of the ‘Wonder Care Podcast’, Sheena Mitchell.

Thousands of people have been protesting in Kyiv, urging the President to veto a controversial bill that threatens anti-corruption infrastructure.It marked the first major rally against the government in more than three years of war.The government move has been seen by some as proof that Ukraine is not ready to join the EU.Independent MEP Michael McNamara and Anatoliy Prymakov, Director at Ukrainian Action in Ireland, join Kieran to discuss.

The ESB is hiking the prices on EV charging by up to 15%, which means a significant increase for those who drive electric vehicles.Adrian Weckler is Technology Editor with the Irish and Sunday Independent, and he joins Kieran to discuss.

England’s Lionesses gave ITV its biggest audience of the year last week with many Irish fans turning in to support the women. This is a stark contrast to the often found “Anyone but England” posts from last year’s men’s Euros, so why are we more likely to support the Lionesses?Joining Kieran to discuss is Katheleen McNamee from Off the Ball and Editor of CorkBeo.ie, Joe O’Shea.

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 the city of Turin in Italy!

The Government’s National Development Plan has been unveiled today, which will see investment to the tune of €200 billion over the next decade.But, will this be all it’s cracked up to be?Joining Kieran to discuss is Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC and Frances Ruane, the Chair of the state’s National Competitiveness and Productivity Council.

Professor Luke O’Neill, Immunologist at Trinity College Dublin and Newstalk regular joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

As Dublin City Council have confirmed stewards will no longer guard the Molly Malone statue, new proposals have been put forward to install flower beds to deter tourists from groping her…Joining Kieran to discuss is Dublin City Councillor for Labour, Fiona Connolly.

The final elements of the €200 billion National Development Plan have been agreed and published earlier today, with the government setting out how we will invest in all our infrastructure for the next 10 years.But, what exactly will the money be spent on, and was every base covered?Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and TD for Galway West/South Mayo and David Timoney, Chief Economist at Davy, join Kieran to discuss.

Have you ever been steered wrong by Google Maps? After one woman ended up on the set of Fair City looking for Lidl, perhaps it's time to question if we have become too reliant on the app to get around?Joining Kieran to discuss is Technology Journalist Elaine Burke and Motoring Editor of the Sunday Independent, Geraldine Herbert.

The final elements of the €200 billion National Development Plan have been agreed and published earlier today, with the Government setting out how we will invest in all our infrastructure for the next 10 years.So how will the €200 billion be spent?Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Reform and Digitalisation, Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader and TD for Dublin City West, Jack Chambers, joins Kieran to discuss.

A new tower on Tara Street has drawn the ire of some, including Frank McDonald, writing in the Irish Times.It begs the question: are our city plans and planning structures fit for purpose?Joining Kieran to discuss is Róisín Murphy Architect, artist, conservation activist and Lecturer in Griffith College Dublin and Tony Reddy of Reddy Architecture and Urbanism.

In the past few months, it has been noted that Russian tankers are engaging in suspicious and sometimes bizarre behaviour off the coast of Ireland.Ireland’s extremely limited ability to monitor these vessels has led to environmental and national security concerns among many Irish officials, as these ships continue to sail through the country’s exclusive economic zone.Joining Kieran to discuss this further is Crime and Security Correspondent with The Irish Times, Conor Gallagher.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Development Therapist & founder of Cogni Kids to discuss how you manage bathtime and hair washing if it tends to make your kids distressed.

Is all well between Ireland and the US?The US Ambassador to Israel has recently suggested that the Irish may have “fallen into a VAT of Guinness”, because of our stance on Israel and Palestine.This is all in the wake of the Occupied Territories Bill, which will be continuing to make its way through the Oireachtas.But, what are relations like? Is this souring things?Niall Stanage is White House Columnist for The Hill, and joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

From today, robust age verification checks must be strictly enforced on video-sharing platforms based in Ireland and the rest of Europe.The age verification requirements are part of a broader effort to create a safer online environment for children and address harmful content such as cyberbullying and the unwanted promotion of self-harm and eating disorders.So, how will they be enforced?Joining Kieran to discuss is Rena Maycock, Founder of Child Cybersafety company CHIRP and Rachel O’Connell, Technical Author of the soon-to-be International Age Verification Standards, and former Chief Security Officer at Bebo.

If you’re not washing your bath towel after every two uses, then you’re risking your personal hygiene and exposure to bacteria.Dr. Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology in the University of Leicester, joins Kieran to discuss.

A UK surgeon volunteering with Medical Aid for Palestinians’ Emergency Medical Team at Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza has reported alarming levels of malnutrition, particularly among children, and evidence of targeted shootings of civilians at Israel’s militarised distribution points…Nick Maynard is that surgeon, and joins Kieran to discuss.

There is a tower that has reared its head around Trinity College and College Green – a new tower of build-to-rent apartments, but is there room for towers of that in Dublin?Joining Kieran to discuss this is Frank McDonald, former Environment Editor for the Irish Times, welcome to the programme and Executive Director of Progress Ireland, Sean Keyes.

Excitement is building in Munster as Cork and Tipperary prepare to battle it out in Croke Park on Sunday.It is the first time the two counties have met in an All-Ireland decider and by all accounts tickets have never been in such demand.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been in the Rebel County soaking up the atmosphere.

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…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to the Korean delicacy kimchi, and how you can enjoy it to the fullest!

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…

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said that he believes drugs should remain criminalised - saying that countries who have decriminalised or legalised certain substances face more issues than before.Is he right?Joining Kieran to discuss is Garrett McGovern, Addiction Specialist and Medical Director, Priority Medical Clinic in Dundrum and Patricia Casey, Consultant Psychiatrist in the Mater Hospital and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at University College Dublin.

It all kicks off this Sunday as Cork face Tipperary in the All Ireland Hurling Final.Who will clinch it in the end?To give their 2 cents Kieran is joined by Jimmy Barry Murphy, Cork GAA legend and Nicky English, Former Tipperary Captain.