The Hard Shoulder

The Leaving Cert is set to change in the next school cycle with more projects, portfolios, and fewer final exams.Some say it’s a long-overdue fix to a high-stress system while others say it’s rushed, unclear, and wide open to problems like AI and unfair marking. So, what’s the assessment?TJ Hegarty, Founder and CEO of Breakthrough Maths and Eric Nelligan, Assistant Principal at St Munchin's College Limerick join Kieran to discuss.

Kieran was joined in Toronto by Adie McGuinness, Co-Founder of Ireland Gateway to Europe and Chair of Sigmar Recruitment and Clare Kelly, Head of Partnerships and Growth at Sigmar to set out the scene for this year's Gateway to Europe trip!

He’s played the long game, mastered the middle, and now, after nearly 70 years, JJ Walsh, Irish Times Chess Columnist, is making his final move by retiring.The Chess Columnist has written close to 16,000 puzzles, outlasting famous grandmasters like Bobby Fischer and Cold War tensions from his first column written back in 1955.JJ Walsh joins Kieran to discuss.

May is Coeliac Awareness Month, but what are the symptoms to look out for, and how does the diagnostic process work?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dietician and Nutritionist with the Coeliac Society of Ireland, Sarah Keogh and Marina Corrigan and her daughter Shona, who were both diagnosed with Coeliac disease.

Michael McDowell, Independent Senator and author of ‘The Definite Article: Collected Writings of Michael McDowell’ joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

We have all done it - opened the fridge or press and wondered: “What will I cook tonight?”. Well, have no fear, Chef Mark Moriarty is here to help!Mark is back with his new series ‘Mark Moriarty: Cook Like a Chef’ and will show you how to make delicious restaurant quality food in your own kitchen with some basic ingredients you are sure to have at home.Mark joins Kieran to discuss.

A new survey by Laya Health has found a stark increase in the cost of raising a child, with the average cost per child at over €169,000, up 60% in a decade. But, is it actually putting people off having kids, or do we simply deal with the costs as they arise?Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Wendy Grace, Columnist and Journalist and later Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist and Presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk and Financial Expert Karl Deeter.

A Dubliner has led his team to victory on one of the toughest quiz shows on TV! Oscar Despard, a PhD student at Cambridge, captained Christ’s College to their first-ever win on ‘University Challenge’ beating the University of Warwick by just five points in a tense final last night.Oscar Despard joins Kieran to discuss the win.Image: BBC

Many of us are more conscious of where we are buying, with a move away from fast fashion to more sustainable and environmentally conscious brands, but do we give the same level of thought when it comes to buying tech?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr Sinead Sheehan, Climate Activist.

Rachael Blackmore has retired this afternoon after a glittering racing career, which included a famous success in the 2021 Aintree Grand National.To reflect on her retirement, Kieran is joined by former Jockey Davy Russell...

Ciara Mangan, a woman who was raped at a house party in Co Mayo more than 10 years ago, spoke of the psychological stress following the 22-month long trial appealing the sentence of perpetrator Shane Noone, which a court ruling rejected.She has since founded a charity, Beyond Surviving, which supports victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.Ciara joins Kieran to discuss.

We have all fallen victim to subscriptions we had forgotten to cancel taking money from us for months, but what about the ones that were just too hard and too costly to get out of, how can we end them once and for all?Siobhain Maguire, Consumer Journalist joins me now with her advice…

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie, to discuss how you can navigate the difficult transition of regular showing and deodorant when your kids hit puberty.

One of the biggest names in music is now at the centre of one of the most explosive trials as opening statements are set to begin in the federal sex trafficking case against Sean 'Diddy' Combs.Harriet Alexander, the US Based Journalist, joins Kieran with more details…

Should RTÉ set up a dedicated TV channel for sport?Fianna Fail TD for Kerry Michael Cahill believes the station could be commercially viable, and he also believes that this would end the practice of having to pay for streaming platforms to see some of the big GAA games.He joins Kieran to discuss, as does former Commercial Director for RTÉ, Willie O’Reilly.

The US and China seem to have agreed on a tariff deal, while Volodomyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin may meet on Thursday in Istanbul over a potential ceasefire.This begs the question: are Trump’s tactics working? Has this been a good few days for the US President?Democratic Strategist James Carville joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

Just five minutes. That’s all it takes for junk food ads to tip the scales for young children. That’s according to research in the UK, which suggests that even watching a couple minutes of junk food advertising will lead to significantly more calories eaten in a day.If that is the case, should we crack down harder on junk food marketing in Ireland?Orla Walsh, Dietitian at Orla Walsh Nutrition and Mimi Tatlow Golden, Professor of Interdisciplinary studies in Childhood and Youth at the Open University join Kieran to discuss.

Much is said about the decrease in Irish tourism numbers, but what about the companies trying to bring them back up? Spud provides bespoke experiences to tourists all across the world, with a big focus on Americans.Kieran is joined in Boston by its Founder, Robert Walsh, to discuss.Image: Spud

Ireland: Gateway to Europe, in its 13th year, comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, the group made their first visit to Toronto, Canada, as well as in Boston.To wrap up the Hard Shoulder’s broadcast stateside, Kieran is joined by two founders of the group: Adie McGennis, Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and Matt Mohan Group Executive Chairman at The FKM Group to discuss how this year’s event has gone.

Ireland is to get its first winter sports arena in Dublin, and joining Kieran to discuss how he’s going to get this project over the line is Dermot Rigley, CEO of Prime Arena Holdings.

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.