The Hard Shoulder

It’s less than a week out from the highly anticipated US presidential election, and Harris and Trump are neck and neck in the polls... However, guest host Mandy Johnston’s guest is sceptical of these polls.Karl Deeter, Financial Advisor, joins to discuss why he thinks Trump will win by a higher margin than predicted.

More and more companies are adjusting to a 4-day work week, but is this what is best for productivity, or will it encourage more burnout and longer working days?Joining guest host Mandy Johnston to discuss is Managing Director of Futurewise, Peter Cosgrove and Ellen Kavanagh from Waxperts.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to look at options for Halloween treats this season!

According to a new survey, opening an umbrella indoors and putting new shoes on a table are some of the top things we are superstitious about.So, Henry McKean asked the people of Cork: are you superstitious?

It’s been 50 years since the blockbuster Rumble in the Jungle fight, where Mahammad Ali knocked out George Foreman in the 8th round to take home the World Heavyweight Championship.To look back to one of the biggest sporting events in history, Olympic gold medal Boxer, Michael Carruth and Eoin Sheahan from Off the Ball join Kieran.Image: History.com

As the US Election period enters its final days, how are Democrats feeling as the ballot day comes around the corner?Joining Kieran to discuss is Ed Flynn, Boston District 2 City Councillor.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss how (if you believe it or not) CDs are making a comeback!

YouTube star Spanian has said he was “in shock” after visiting Dublin for the first time.Anthony Lees, more commonly known as Spanian, has 893,000 subscribers on YouTube.He is known for travelling the world and walking through some of its most dangerous and notorious neighbourhoods to see how life really is for people living in these places, and he was not impressed with his visit to the capital.To discuss Dublin’s appeal for tourists, Kieran is joined by Mannix Flynn, Independent Dublin City Councillor, Will Monaghan, Owner of One Society restaurant on Gardner Street and Hidden by One Society in Smithfield and Brendan Kelly Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.

The arguments around the closure of the International Rugby Experience are rumbling on with the Limerick City and County Council meeting yesterday to discuss what happened, and what can be done.One Limerick man, who chronicled the meeting online is Seamus Ryan. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Last week, the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, announced an update on National Development Plan (NDP) delivery and capital expenditure for the third quarter of 2024. The renewed plan was released in 2021, where it was evident travel infrastructure was and continues to be a focal part of the scheme.Minister Paschal Donohoe joins Kieran to discuss the updates.

With only a week away until the US Presidential Election, many are hotly anticipating the results - especially when it comes to the states where the outcome is less than certain.Joining Kieran to discuss what things look like on the ground across five states is Stephen Caruso, Pennsylvania Capitol Reporter for Spotlight PA, Rachel Louise-Just, Political Correspondent for ABC 15 Arizona, Tom O’Connor, Freelance Journalist in Chicago, Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief for North Carolina Public Radio and Chad Livengood, Politics Editor & Columnist for The Detroit News.

As the general election looms on the horizon, one thing is certain: the waves of information which will come at you through newspapers, radio and online.Through this influx, there will no doubt be a fair share of misinformation, so what’s the best course of action to tackle this issue?Joining Kieran to discuss is Stephen O’Leary, Founder of Olytico and Dr David Robert Grimes, Scientist and author of ‘The Irrational Ape’.

This week, Kieran was joined by 1993 Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

A number of TDs have said that the Dáil should sit next week to vote on the contentious Occupied Territories Bill.Why is it so contentious, and should we consider progressing this bill?Kieran is joined by Economist Dan O’Brien and Professor of Politics at Maynooth University, John O’Brennan, to discuss.

All cars being brought into Ireland should be fitted with technology to prevent them from reaching speeds above 100km/h.That’s the call from Michael Ring, Fine Gael TD for Mayo. He joins Kieran to discuss further.

Kieran’s guests ran the Dublin Marathon over the weekend, and while you have probably seen endless positive posts about endurance and all the hard work being worth it… it’s not as glamorous as it looks.Joining Kieran to discuss is comedian Kyla Cobbler and Newstalk’s own Aaron Jordan.

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…

The Dublin Marathon takes place this Sunday, where 20,000 runners will descend upon the capital to take on the 42km route...Kieran is joined by CEO of Sanctuary Runners and former All Ireland footballer Michael Darragh Macauley, and two Sanctuary Runners who will be running this Sunday, Kofi Kpoglo and Patience Dube.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at how you can make the perfect foods for this Halloween season!Image: @aisling_larkin_ on Instagram

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…

In Northern Ireland, an online predator has been jailed for at least 20 years as part of the largest case of catfishing the UK has ever seen.Joining Kieran to discuss this case is Hannah Patterson, Reporter from Coolfm and Downtown and Shane Dunphy, Head of Social Studies and early childhood education in Waterford College of Further Education, Author and Child Protection Expert.If you were affected by anything discussed, please call:Childline on Freephone - 1800 66 66 66 or choose the ‘Live Chat’ button at childline.ie  Or the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre on Freephone: - 1800 77 88 88

The anonymous art curator known only as Art Riddler, is hosting his art exhibition in Dublin from this evening.He joins Kieran to discuss what his work is all about.Image: @artriddler on Instagram

The International Rugby Experience in Limerick City will cease business operations and close this December, after only official opening in May last year.The museum, which was built by the JP McManus Foundation, cost €30 million and was due to be given to the local council, but this plan has now fallen through.What happened here? And what effects does it have on Limerick City as a whole?Joining Kieran to discuss is Willie O’Dea, Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick and Fiona Hayes, Former Ireland International.

According to a new survey, 36% of adults say that the pub is the best place for talking about their problems. Is this really the case?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been talking to pub-goers, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

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 how, with only 2 weeks left until voting day, Kamala Harris has changed her messaging to attack Trump.Image: Reuters

Gardaí today continued the search at the Durnin’s former family home in Dundalk for the third day, with Gardaí now focused on an area of wasteland to the rear of the back garden.After first being reported missing on August 30th, the Gardaí have since escalated the case to a murder investigation.Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joins Kieran to give the latest updates.

The new Dublin city taskforce has declared we need 1000 new Gardaí in Dublin, but how can this number be reached if only 2 Gardaí have qualified since the last Garda recruitment drive?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Gary Gannon, Social Democrat TD and Stephen Moore, founder of Out of Blue Training.

Yesterday, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Committee met with the Oireachtas Budgetary oversight committee to talk about new EU economic rules, and they proposed introducing new legislation to cap the budgetary spending increases.Kieran is joined by Seamus Coffey, Chair of IFAC and Lecturer in Economics in UCC to discuss.

A number of toll charges across Ireland’s road network are set to increase from January 1st next year, with southbound prices in the Dublin Port Tunnel rising to €13 during morning peak hours, and a 10c increase for unregistered cars without a tag or video account travelling along the M50.Sean O'Neill, Director of Communications with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, joins Kieran to discuss.

It has been announced today that former MEP Clare Daly will be switching constituencies for the upcoming general election and running in Dublin Central.After losing her European Parliament seat, Daly will now run for the Dáil under the ‘Independent 4 Change’ banner.She joins Kieran to discuss the decision.

With the clocks going back by an hour in a few days, there have again been calls to abolish daylight savings time.Joining Kieran to discuss is Seán Kelly, Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South and Professor David Malone from Maynooth University.

Mother Mandy Kelly has launched a fresh appeal to get an Interpol arrest for her ex-husband who kidnapped her two children while they were on holiday in Egypt.Mandy Kelly joins Kieran from Egypt to discuss.

A new campaign, "Stop Crime Against Retailers", launched today at Fallon & Byrne in Dublin, is calling for immediate government action to combat the alarming rise in crime threatening retailers nationwide.A recent ShelfLife retailer survey has revealed that 100% of retailers have experienced criminal activity in the past year.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie went out to ask these retailers for their thoughts on shoplifting, and what they would like to see done. He joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

Labour TD Alan Kelly joined Kieran earlier to discuss how he begged his father to go to UHL when he was unwell.Alan mentioned that he wants clarity from Stephen Donnelly on when UHL’s new 96-bed block would open...Joining Kieran to discuss when we might see change is former HSE Director General and Columnist for the Sunday Independent, Tony O’Brien. 

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss how the National Security Agency (NSA) have given out tips to better the security on your tech devices.

The Dáil is set to vote on the final version of the Assisted Dying Report tonight. This is the report which a committee on the issue last March called on the government to legalise assisted dying in certain restricted circumstances.The Bishops of the Catholic Church are calling on TDs to reject the report with the Irish Primate, the Archbishop Eamon Martin calling on members to get in touch with their TDs to express their views.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin and Chairman of the Bishops’ Council for Life.

Dublin City Council earlier today launched the Dublin Drone Innovation Partnership, which will look at what the future of drones could be.Joining Kieran to discuss what this future use may look like is Bob Foley, a licensed Aircraft Engineer and co-founder of Engineers with Drones.

The reports of overcrowding and staffing issues in University Hospital Limerick (UHL) are commonplace nowadays, with some in the region fearing engaging with those services.No one knows this better than Alan Kelly, Labour TD for Tipperary, who spoke in the Dáil yesterday about having to convince his own crying father to go into the hospital…Deputy Alan Kelly joins Kieran to discuss.

Cork has been named as one of National Geographic’s 25 best places in the world to visit in 2025!Cork is the only Irish entry in a list that includes destinations from across the world.So, what makes the Rebel County so special?Joining Kieran to discuss is Neil Prendeville, Presenter of the Neil Prendeville Show on RedFM and Anne Marie Cronin, Freelance Photographer & Owner of a Photography Gallery in Castletownbere, West Cork.Image: Ireland.com

Today, the famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) Dublin Portal on North Earl Street has connected to a new city in the United States: Philadelphia!Kieran decided to go down during the opening to get opinions from the public.

The European Commission has announced that it will be banning the skincare product retinol, but for what reason?Joining Kieran to discuss is Isobel Haugh, a Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists.

This week, Kieran was joined by Presenter Mary Kennedy to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

It's 40 years since Michael Buerk’s shocking TV report from Korem in Northern Ethiopia, as families starved to death in front of him. The report moved many, and directly led to the creation of Live Aid and Band Aid.Today, Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Kieran with a report to remember that time.

The Government has been advised to increase driving licence and car testing fees, hike penalties for dangerous road users and expand direct exchequer funding of road safety amid a series of dire financial warnings about the Road Safety Authority.That’s according to an external review into the agency reported by The Irish Times this morning.Michael Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry and Dominic Brophy, Director of the Professional Driving Instructors Association join Kieran to discuss.

Following the tragic death of Liam Payne last week, many people have been fascinated with what happened. Reports today note that traces of a drug called ‘pink cocaine’ was found in his system. But, what is this new drug?Joining Kieran to discuss is Harry Shapiro, the director of Drugwise, a UK based online drug information website.

Coimisiún na Meán, the media regulator this week published its online safety code, promising “an end to the era of social media self-regulation”.Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, X, Pinterest, Tumblr and Reddit will be obliged to comply with the new code, or face fines of up to €20 million, or 10 percent of a platform’s annual turnover, whichever is greater.The code is a legally binding set of rules regulating content on video-sharing platforms with their EU headquarters in Ireland, with the expressed aim of protecting users from harmful content.Niamh Hodnett is Online Safety Commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán and joins Kieran to discuss further.

An update from Microsoft now detects when a user's language is 'not inclusive'. For example: an alternative to maternity leave could be ‘childbirth leave’...Is this language policing? Or should we all be a bit more inclusive?Joining Kieran to discuss is Irish Independent Columnist, Ian O’Doherty and Chairman of The Communications Clinic, Terry Prone.

A plan to revitalise Dublin city centre was launched by Taoiseach Simon Harris today, calling for significant changes across safety, culture and transport.Richard Shakespeare is CEO of Dublin City Council, and joins Kieran to discuss.

A children’s play centre has had to apologise after it decorated its play area with body bags for Halloween. Parents say they were shocked to see such graphic decorations at the soft play centre in Gloucestershire in the UK. So, are some Halloween costumes and ornaments a bit too much?Joining Kieran to discuss is Alison Curtis, Presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM.

With the kids well and truly back to school, head lice are also making their return. These pesky critters spread quickly in classrooms, but don’t worry there are quick tips on how to spot, treat, and prevent them.Kieran is joined by Andrew Hennessy of Head Lice Experts to discuss.Image: HSE