The Hard Shoulder

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from Toronto, Canada in PJ O’Brien’s Pub, a place known to many of the Irish diaspora in the city.Joining Kieran to discuss some of the stories of the day that are affecting people here and back home is Joe Callaghan, Freelance Feature and Sports Writer and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent.

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

Joining Kieran to discuss his upcoming Irish gigs, 'Achilles Neil', which will kick off this May is Comedian Neil Delamere!

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about some of the biggest recent food trends, and how you could incorporate them into delicious recipes!

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…

It has been 100 days since the new Irish government took office with a fresh mandate, new promises and high expectations. Now, the honeymoon’s over, so how are they really doing?Joining Kieran to discuss is Christina Finn, Political Editor of the Journal.ie and Joan Burton, former Tánaiste and former Leader of the Labour Party.

An Airbnb survey says a quarter of the Irish population have explored Asia, but 82% have never visited Leitrim, and 76% have never visited Westmeath. Are you one of them?Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Today marks the second consecutive Friday that the mosque on sight of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland has remained closed. The centre in Clonskeagh abruptly closed last week following an internal dispute.Well, the Muslim Community of Ireland is today holding a press conference to highlight the impact of the mosque's closure on the community.Abdul Haseeb, community activist, joins Kieran to discuss.

As the temperatures climb, it’s not just humans feeling the heat, our pets are too. From panting pups to frazzled felines, summer can be tough on our four-legged friends.So, how do we keep them cool, comfy, and out of danger? Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet, joins Kieran to discuss.

The average child's birthday party now costs over €500, but are parents the problem and should we re-evaluate how we throw kids birthday parties, or is this just the new norm?Joining Kieran to discuss is Steve Cummins, Comedian and Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer for The Irish Times.

The Liberals were victorious this week in the Canadian elections – not quite enough to form a Government on their own, but victorious nonetheless.But, there are some who want out of Canada.Kieran’s guest is a Lawyer and Rancher in Calgary in Alberta, Canada - Jeff Rath joins to discuss.

Amid the trees of County Clare, a living memorial has taken shape: The Forest That Won’t Forget, which has been created in tribute to the women and families affected by the cervical check failures.Joining Kieran to discuss this memorial and why the 221+ group commissioned it is Lyn Fenton, Patient Advocate with 221+ Group and John Conway, Visual Artist and Co-Collaborator on the Forest that Won’t Forget with Fiona Whelan.Image: 221+

The latest skincare trend online you may have seen is the ‘caveman’ method, which essentially involves people cutting out all skincare products and entirely even forgoing washing their face with water for a period to get better skin, but should you be doing it, or is it actually causing more harm to your skin?Joining Kieran to discuss is Professor Nikki Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist in the Institute of Dermatologists and Photobiology.

39 people, including 30 men, 4 women and 5 children were deported from Ireland last night on a chartered flight that landed in the Georgian capital Tbilisi this morning. This is the second chartered flight deporting people back to Georgia this year.Michael McNamara, Independent MEP for Ireland’s South constituency, is critical of this decision by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and has asked the Minister to think of the economic realities, and give Georgian asylum seekers work permits and visas. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Screens should be banned for children under the age of six to avoid permanently impairing their brain development, French medical experts have warned, with research concluding that it permanently impairs intellectual abilities. But, in the world we live in, how do parents even begin to phase out screens?Jen Hogan, Journalist and Irish times Columnist, joins Kieran to discuss.

The government is moving ahead with plans to appoint a new Housing Tsar, who will be tasked with cutting through red tape and accelerating the delivery of new homes.But, not everyone is convinced of the powers they may have, and the salary cost of the position…Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin TD and Housing Spokesperson joins Kieran to discuss.

Should we be flattening the fly-tippers? Over in the UK, the government is telling councils to crush the vans used by illegal dumpers, and threatening actual jail time.With fly-tipping costing rural Ireland, is it time Ireland followed suit and got tough on dumping?Louise Crowley, Secretary at Limerick IFA and Dairy Farmer and Richard O’Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County join 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 you can pretend to be an expert on different topics!

When Donald J. Trump first stepped into the Oval Office in 2017, he promised to "drain the swamp" and shake Washington to its core.Now back in the White House for a historic second term, Trump’s second first 100 days tell a different story.Joining Kieran to discuss is Joe Walsh, former Republican Congressman and later Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, joins to compare each of Trump's initial stints.Image: Reuters

Caroline Reidy from the HR Suite joins Kieran to discuss the rights you have as an employee, and inform you on how to best protect yourself in the workplace…

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss Scattered Spider - one of the most dangerous and prolific hacking groups in the world, and presumed to be behind the recent hack of Marks & Spencer. She talks about how these hacking groups operate, and how some of them are asking AI to generate malicious code…

Negotiations on the procurement of Ireland's first military radar programme are set to get underway this summer.The system could cost hundreds of millions of euros.Mark Mellett is the former Defence Forces Chief of Staff, and joins Kieran to discuss.

With the great weather and summer months ahead, one of the downsides is the insects coming in through open windows and doors. Whether it is that one fly that keeps buzzing around your room as you are about to fall asleep, or the fear of being stung by wasps, Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin joins Kieran to discuss the best ways to get rid of insects without the fly swatter!

Following the publication of the Grace Report earlier this month, many questions have been raised about the level of care that people in our system have been receiving, and whether it is in fact fit for purpose…Joining Kieran to discuss is Tracey Carroll, mum of Willow, to discuss what she believes needs to change in the system.

The 3 Arena is closing its bars during the David Gray concert this weekend, following a rowdy crowd at his last show in the venue. But, should it be down to personal responsibility? Should concert goers just show respect to fellow revelers and the artist?Henry McKean joins Kieran to discuss, and share what he’s heard.

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou M is slamming the Taoiseach's plans to appoint a new Housing Tsar, claiming the role is an expensive job share, and that the Government lacks new ideas.Seán Defoe, Newstalk's Political Correspondent, joins Kieran to discuss.

As the 2025 camogie season is about to kick off, it raises the question of how to encourage and support young women to stay in sport. Young girls are significantly more likely to quit team sports during exam years compared to their male peers, but why is that, and how can we support our young girls to stay in sport?Joining Kieran to discuss is Donegal GAA player Abigail Temple Asokuh and Anna Geary, Broadcaster, former Cork Captain and Presenter of the docu-series ‘Why Girls Quit Sport’...

Former Mayo footballer David Brady joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

New proposed asylum legislation would see the processing time for asylum seekers reduced from 18 months to just three months if passed.The Minister for Justice is seeking approval to progress legislation to address processing times. It would also restrict hearings and see the introduction of a new state body with responsibility for appeals. Officers will be given new powers to issue deportations without sign off from the Minister also.Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, joins Kieran to discuss.

The BBC does not have a “toxic culture” but there is a “minority of people who behave unacceptably and whose behaviour is not addressed”, that is according to an independent review published which comes in the wake of the scandal of disgraced former Newsreader Huw Edwards.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Alley Einstein, UK Journalist.

Spain and Portugal are still getting over the very sudden power outage that caused havoc across the countries yesterday.Power lines, phone coverage, water connections, trains, traffic lights - you name it, it all stopped at the same time putting the both countries to a standstill yesterday…Simon Hunter is a Spain-based journalist, and he joins Kieran to give the latest updates.Image: Reuters

The trial of Richard Satchwell has kicked off, with the Cork man being accused of killing his wife Tina Satchwell in 2017 in their home in Youghal, Co. Cork.Tina Satchwell originally went missing back in 2017, but her remains were discovered last year at their Cork residence in a makeshift grave under the stairs.With more details of the trial, Newstalk Southern Reporter Jamie O’Hara joins Kieran.

It’s almost been a year since Kieran’s guest became the first directly-elected Mayor of Limerick. How has the role been for him so far, and should the direct mayoral election be taken elsewhere?John Moran joins to discuss.

Hundreds of tonnes of dog poo end up in our bins every week, but are compostable or plastic dog poo bags the way to go?Henry McKean has been speaking to dog owners and vets, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Solo travel continues to grow in popularity, but what are the top travel tips if you are planning a solo trip?Joining Anton Savage to discuss is Joan Scales, Travel Journalist, Clare Dunne, Chief executive of the Irish Travel Agents Association and Rory King from Rory’s Travel Club.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a temporary ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.It will run from 8 May to 11 May, the Kremlin said on Telegram.It also comes following a much discussed meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodomyr Zelenskyy over the weekend.Bill Browder, Financier and Commentator, joins guest host Anton Savage to discuss.Image: Reuters

For this week’s Kids Health Check, guest host Anton Savage is joined by Dr. Iseult Sheehan Clinical Director at Allergy Ireland to discuss how you can support your teenagers while they are doing their Junior and Leaving Cert exams.

Electricity has returned to parts of northern, southern and western Spain, but the impact of a power outage across part of Europe today is still being felt.Guest host Anton Savage is joined by Newstalk Reporter Kamron Clarke to bring you up to date, and Travel Journalist at TravelExtra.ie, Eoghan Corry, joins to discuss.

Former Bishop of Ferns Brendan Comiskey, who resigned in April 2002 over failing to address allegations of clerical sexual abuse in the diocese, has died aged 89.The allegations resulted in an inquiry into child sexual abuse known as the Ferns Report.Joining guest host Anton Savage to discuss is Founder and former Director of One in Four, Colm O’Gorman…

Over 800 thousand people may have to wait longer for their pensions, as Cabinet is expected to further delay the auto-enrolment pension scheme until January 2026, instead of the original September 2025 deadline…Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary is expected to tell colleagues that more time is needed to deliver what is described as a “complex” system.Sinn Féin says the scheme has been promised for the last 20 years, and further delays are unacceptable.Louise O Reilly, Sinn Féin’s Enterprise Spokesperson and TD for Dublin Fingal West joins guest host Anton Savage to discuss.

A statutory maximum working temperature is among the proposals being put forward by the union Unite to protect workers in extreme weather conditions. Unite is proposing four days paid ‘climate leave’ for those travelling in hazardous conditions, along with a maximum working temperature, which they believe is dependent on the type of work.Joining Anton Savage to discuss this is John Barry, Founder of MSS the HR people and member of the ISME (Irish Small and Medium Enterprises) National Council and Tara Shine, CEO of Change by Degree.

Parking panic is sweeping Gen Z, with two-thirds of young drivers admitting they’ve asked parents or friends to park for them!New research from the UK shows that parking fears are so bad, many would rather walk further or avoid tight spaces altogether than attempting a tricky manoeuvre.Lara Lewis, Driving Instructor and Saoirse Hanley, Journalist at the Irish Independent join guest host Anton Savage to discuss.

The latest marriage statistics for Ireland have been released.The figures show the number of couples getting married in the traditional Catholic way is declining. The gap between marriages in a church compared to civil ceremonies is narrowing even more.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been examining the figures.

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

Ireland is set to land in Edinburg tomorrow for the last round of the Women’s Six Nations Championship against Scotland.Ireland will look to end the competition on a high but Scotland will hope to repeat their win against the girls in green when they last played in the country in 2023…Joining Kieran to discuss is Alison Miller, former Irish International and Megan Gaffney, former Scottish International.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about how you can make meals that will get your kids to actually enjoy what they’re eating!Image: aislinglarkin.ie

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…Image: @LFC on Twitter

Tesla boss Elon Musk has led the newly created advisory body - the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) - since last year; however, he has said his "time allocation to Doge" would "drop significantly" from next month, adding he would spend only one to two days per week on it after accusations he has taken his focus off Tesla…Joining Kieran to discuss is his father: Errol Musk.Image: Reuters

Holiday season is just around the corner, and while you’re booking flights and packing bags, there’s one thing you can’t afford to forget: travel insurance.Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Pricewatch Editor and Co-Host of the ‘In the News’ podcast.

A new Oireachtas committee focusing on artificial intelligence has been established headed by Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne.He joins Kieran to discuss what they hope to achieve.