The Hard Shoulder

Robbie Williams is coming back to Dublin in August of next year. Henry McKean met him at a press conference in Croke Park today, and joins Kieran with all the details, plus Robbie’s comments on Liam Payne and Oasis.

The Australian Government has introduced new legislation which would put a social media ban in place for those under 16 years of age. The legislation would give the likes of X, Facebook and Instagram a year to put in place methods to restrict younger users – is this the correct solution to the harms of social media? And should Ireland follow suit?Joining Kieran to discuss is Broadcaster, Wendy Grace and Cyberpsychology Lecturer in IADT, Nicola Fox Hamilton.

Today the Examiner has reported that people are using Netflix and social media while driving the car…The warning has come from Inspector Fergal O’Donovan, who is in charge of roads policing in Cork.What needs to be done to crack down on dangerous road users?Kieran is joined Brenda Bolger of the Bolger School of Motoring to discuss.

From the new age games like wordle to the old classics like sudoku, we all love a cheeky brain game to pass the time.But, how good are these games for your brain, and why do we love to complete them?Joining Kieran to discuss is Ian Robertson, Clinical Psychologist, Neuroscientist and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Psychotherapist and author, Iseult White to discuss breaking bad habits, such as nail biting and nose picking. For what reasons do kids pick them up, and how can you stop them?

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch has confirmed that he will be running in this upcoming election in his local constituency of Dublin Central.But, with his current record, and recent arrest in Spain for alleged money laundering offences, can he even run?Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor with the Sunday World and host of the Crime World Podcast joins Kieran to discuss.

In the lead up to the General Election, the Hard Shoulder is doing the Campaign Trail Tracker, a daily update of what you need to know before the big voting day on November 29th. It can be hard to keep up with all the news. This is your daily catch-up.Today, Kieran details Michael O’Leary’s comments on teachers, Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s plans to run and more.

With a General Election looming, if you haven’t already, tomorrow is the last day you can register to vote.Joining Kieran to let you know how you can register is Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of An Comuisiún Tohcháin, Ireland’s Independent Electoral Commission.

Do you have a neighbour or property in your community that is failing to cut that hedge or keeping their property in a terrible state?Angie Baily, Fine Gael Councillor for Tralee has called for private property owners to be fined for untidiness. She, along with Maura Healy-Rae, Independent Councillor for the Killarney Municipal District, join Kieran to discuss.

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer at the Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at soup for the winter, and why it doesn’t have to be boring!

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

The firing gun has officially been shot today as the Dáil has dissolved, meaning General Election 2024 is on.What are some of the issues which will be at play, and how will the parties look to secure your vote over the next three weeks?Joining Kieran to discuss is Alison O’Connor, Broadcaster and Columnist with the Sunday Times and Pat Leahy, Political Editor at the Irish Times, as well as Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie asking the public for their opinion.

The International Air Transport Association is cracking down on people who “gate lice”, AKA people who don’t adhere to the official boarding lines and start their own queues.Why do we do our own things when it comes to queues, and not adhere to proper etiquette?Jim Elliot is a Comedian and long-time queuer, and joins Kieran to discuss.

The Dáil has officially dissolved as Taoiseach Simon Harris kicks off the next General Election, with November 29th marked as voting day.So, what can we expect, and what do voters want to see changed? Kieran is joined by Political Editor with the Sunday Times, Hugh O’Connell to discuss, while Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie reports.

It's official, the General Election will take place on November 29th.After weeks of speculation, Taoiseach Simon Harris announced the date of the General Election yesterday evening.Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin, joins Kieran to discuss what is to come as Taoiseach Simon Harris dissolves the Dáil on Friday.

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) has been banned by the Israeli government from operating on their soil and in occupied Palestinian territory. Why was this decision made?Dana Erlich, Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, joins Kieran to discuss this and more, including the proposed Occupied Territories Bill, and Trump’s potential impact on peace in the Middle East.

During the US election, CNN and ABC had 30 second ad breaks of silence, orchestrated by the meditation app ‘Calm,’ which allowed viewers to have a few moments of serenity during the chaotic time.Michael Ryan, a Yoga Meditation Teacher, famously Michael D. Higgins’ Yoga Teacher, joins Kieran to discuss how important meditating is in modern life.

The €9m spend on mobile phone pouches for schools will not be a one-off investment and will cost an additional €2 million a year. That’s according to documents received under a freedom of information request from Sinn Féin.Pearse Doherty, Deputy Leader of Sinn Féin and Party Spokesperson on Finance and Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals and Deputies join Kieran to discuss.Image: Yondr

While promoting his new film Tom Hanks described being 35 as “That time when your metabolism stops, gravity starts tearing you down and your bones start wearing off…”Is it true? Is 35 where we reach our peak? Joining Kieran to discuss is Journalist and Producer of the ‘Conversations with Parents’ podcast from The Irish Times, Aideen Finnegan and Comedian Steve Cummins.

With Trump successfully winning the race to the White House - what are the thoughts from supporters and otherwise outside Trump Tower in New York City? Kieran Cuddihy has gone there to find out!Image: Trump Tower New York

Earlier in the week, Radio Host on WBAI New York, taxi driver and veteran John McDonagh said on the show that despite what the polls were saying, Donald Trump would win this election…John joins Kieran along with Kirtsten Fleming, Features Columnist for the New York Post, to discuss following Trump’s comeback victory.

The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family.He joins Kieran to discuss Trump’s decisive victory in the presidential race, and what’s next for the United States of America.Image: Reuters

With Donald Trump set to become the 47th President of the United States, what are the reactions from voters in each candidates’ home states of Florida and California?Newstalk Reporters Josh Crosbie and Barry Whyte are on the ground, and join Kieran to share what they have heard.

Donald Trump has won the election for President and has secured all branches of the US government, but what are the concerns of those who live in the US?Joining Kieran to discuss are the Co-Hosts of The Irish Stew Podcast, Martin Nutty and John Lee and Shelley Quilty-Lake, an Attorney from Wexford.Image: Reuters

Donald Trump has won the race to become the 47th President of the United States.Joining Kieran to discuss how Trump has one, and in turn, how Harris has lost is Benny Avni, Foreign editor at the New York Sun, Ellen Iones, News reporter for VOX and Ciaran Staunton, Co-Founder of END SEPSIS & Co-Founder of Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.Image: Reuters

Kieran is joined by one of Ireland’s best authors for the Election Special in New York City. You know him from books such as Apeirogon, TransAtlantic and Let the Great World Spin. He’s been living in the Big Apple for over three decades.Colum McCann, Irish Author and Founder of Narrative 4, joins Kieran to discuss.

The election polls and votes are still well under way, but one impact the result could have is on how businesses might be able to conduct operations.So, what president would be more promising for business, and how does an administration affect the markets?Kieran is joined by Tanya Young Williams, Owner of Tanya’s Luxury Fashion Boutique and Gemma Allen, Director for USA market at Irish firm Mason Hayes and Curran and Freelance Writer for Forbes and Nasdaq.

Alan Dershowitz is one of the most notable lawyers in America, who has worked with some star clients such as Mike Tyson, Julian Assange, Jeffery Epstein, but most known for representing OJ Simpon.Kieran sits down with Alan in his home in New York City to get his thoughts on the US Presidential Election.

US Election Day, November 5th, is finally here.Joining Kieran to provide insight on this pivotal day is Neil Vigdor, Reporter at the New York Times and Kirsten Fleming, New York Post’s Features Columnist.Image: Reuters

With voting day finally here for the US Presidential Election, Kieran Cuddihy decided to go down to a polling station in New York City to get a sense of what people are thinking from the ground…

With the US Presidential Election imminent, the Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from New York City to give you the latest updates on what’s happening stateside.Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte reports from California to get the reactions on the ground from voters.

Kieran’s guest is a radio host on WBAI New York and a yellow cab Taxi Driver in New York... you may know him as ‘Johnny Two Pints’.John McDonagh joins the show to discuss the election, and to give his opinion what Americans think about Trump and the current Democrat party.Image: Reuters

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from New York for the 2024 US election, and it only seemed right to bring together a panel of Irish people living in NYC to get their thoughts on the imminent election.Joining Kieran to discuss is Executive Director of the New York Irish Centre, George Heslin, Global Head of Operations and Events for 150Bond, Irish Actress in New York, Sarah Street, Co-Hosts of The Irish Stew Podcast, Martin Nutty.And John Lee and Shelley Quilty-Lake, an Attorney from Wexford.

With less than 24 hours to go in the US election and more than 77 million votes already cast, are we any closer to knowing who the 47th President of the United States will be?Joining Kieran to discuss is Brigid Bergin, Senior Politics Reporter & host for WNYC on New York Public Radio and Ellen Ioanes, News reporter for VOX.Image: Reuters

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer and Journalist and Saoirse Hanley Features Writer with Sunday Independent and Sunday World to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

The Hard Shoulder is live this Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from New York to bring election coverage, as the race to the White House between Harris and Trump is neck-and-neck.Kieran Cuddihy took to the streets of the Big Apple and interviewed Republican voter Ryan Harte and Democrat voter John right outside Trump Tower to get their thoughts.

You may remember when the Hard Shoulder was live in April from Boston and Austin, and that was thanks to the work that Ireland Gateway to Europe do.Following on from that, the Founder of Ireland Gateway to Europe and Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment, Adie McGennis and Deidre Giblin, Chair of Ireland Canada Business Association and Director National College Ireland join Kieran to announce a new opportunity they have…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at olive oil, and the best ways you can incorporate it into recipes!

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Early election tensions are already at play as Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set to block Green Party plans to reduce traffic pollution.This would see tolling charges based on road usage as well as charges on the size of vehicle used.Is this a good idea, or is it just more taxation for motorists?Kieran is joined by Oisin Coughlan, CEO of Friends of the Earth Ireland and Eugene Drennan, Spokesman of the Irish Road Haulage Association to discuss.

The 1st of November means one thing to some people out there: it’s the end of Halloween and the start of the festive season for those proud to be November Christmas celebrators!But, is it too early to start to get into the holiday mood, or are we all just Scrooges?Joining Kieran to discuss is Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Jen Hogan, Columnist with The Irish Times.

Early voting in the US is well underway, with suggestions that Harris is currently edging a lead.But, what is at play here, how does the early vote work, and is there any basis from Trump's claims of election interference?Kieran is joined by Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac Polling Analyst and former NBC Journalist to discuss.

The death toll from the floods in Spain has passed 200 and now stands at 205, as residents in the Valencia region were warned to brace for more rain.For the latest updates Kieran is joined by Graham Keeley, Spain Correspondent with The Independent UK, and Caroline Leahy, Secretary of The Midleton and East Cork Flood Protection Group joins to discuss gauging flood risks without a flood warning system.

Former Glasgow Celtic player Rudi Vata has had a career that has taken him all over the world, but he has remained connected to Ireland, with a keen interest in the Irish International Football teams. He has writing a book chronicling his journey…Rudi Vata, Author of “Football, Freedom and Paradise: Rudi Vata – My Story” co-written by Gerry McDade joins guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss.Image: @GerardMcDade on X

The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family.President Joe Biden has found himself in a bit of hot water after responding to comments made by Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe about Puerto Rico being a pile of garbage - referring to Trump supporters themselves as “garbage”.Jeff joins guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss.Image: Reuters

Former Broadcaster and Correspondent David-Davin Power has passed away at the age of 72.Guest host Mandy Johnston is joined by Ivan Yates, former Fine Gael Minister and Broadcaster to reflect on his legacy.

Today is the day for ghouls and goblins, and so it’s time for Henry McKean to visit O'Connell Primary in Dublin 1 for a special Halloween Kidstalk!

Our plan for one million electric vehicles by 2030 is simply an illusion, so writes Independent Senator Michael McDowell in the Irish Times.He joins Mandy Johnston to discuss his concerns.

There will be a few changes for this election, including who you can vote for due to boundary changes, gender quota increases, and a lot more.Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to go through all of this is Dr. Jennifer Kavanagh, Lecturer in Constitutional Law at South East Technological University.