The Hard Shoulder

A new initiative is being rolled across England which will see supervised toothbrushing taking place daily in schools across the country. It’s hoped the Government backed campaign will save the NHS millions by reducing the number of children who require hospital care for tooth decay…Is this something that should be done in Ireland?Dr. Caroline Robbins of Kiwi Dental in Carlow joins Kieran to discuss.

Have you found yourself waking up with aches and pains? You’re probably not sleeping properly!Joining Kieran to discuss the best and worst sleeping positions for your neck and back is Chiropractor and Clinical Director at Chiropractix, Dr Paul Bradley.

If you saw children roaming the streets with their heads in books - don’t worry! It’s just World Book Day!Over 900 thousand book tokens have been given out to students to redeem a free World Book Day title.Joining Kieran to discuss the day and where it came from is Maria Dickenson, Chair of Bookselling Ireland and Author Helena Duggan to discuss.

The NTA’s Bus Connects’ Dublin Progress Report revealed today that contactless payment with card/phone on public transport won't be available here for another three years, even though it is readily available in other countries…In what other ways can public transport in Ireland be compared to systems abroad?Joining Kieran to discuss is Mark Paul, London Correspondent with The Irish Times and Freelance Journalist in Sweden, Phillip O'Connor.

Ireland is an increasingly secular society, so why are Dublin's Marina Grottos still some of the best maintained in the world? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

Meghan Markles’ lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan’, released on Netflix this week.Has this marked the return of the ‘domestic goddess’? And is this something people still want to be?Joining Kieran to discuss Columnist with the Independent and Presenter of the Home Show, Sinead Ryan and Freelance Journalist, Niamh O’Reilly.Image: Netflix

Bus Connects’ Dublin Progress Report has revealed today that passenger boardings have increased since the new Bus Connects network has been implemented.Hugh Creegan, Interim CEO of the National Transport Authority, joins Kieran to discuss.

This morning on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers explained that we will not have anymore one-off supports toward energy costs…So, why are energy costs increasing, and is the Government right to not provide one-off supports?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist and Senior Research Officer with ESRI and Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, and TD for Donegal.

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 give advice on the perfect handshake!

For most of us, early retirement sounds like packing up the desk at 60.But a growing number of Irish people are devoting themselves to the FIRE movement - with hopes to retire at 50 or even just 40 years of age.So, how are they doing it? And can we do the same? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

A new report aiming to kickstart a new era of preventative health is recommending a stand-alone national adult immunisation strategy.Karina Butler is Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at UCD, former Chair of The National Immunisation Advisory Committee. She joins Kieran to discuss why she thinks this is necessary.

Earlier in the programme, Henry McKean reported on the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow in UCD.The aim of the event was to encourage the next generation of road users to actively consider the importance of road safety and the impact that dangerous driving, speeding, substance use and distracted driving can have on themselves and others.So, are young drivers particularly unsafe?  Or are these problems for drivers of all ages?Joining Kieran to discuss is Shane O’Donoghue, Editor of completecar.ie as well as Newstalk Reporter / young driver, Alex Rowley.

From retro-inspired shirts to audiences with footballing legends replete with anecdotes and golden-era reminiscing, the commercialization of nostalgia in sport has become big business.Why is it that now, more than ever, our obsession with the rosy past is at its absolute peak?To talk football-nostalgia, Kieran is joined by Gavin Cooney, Sports Writer with The42.ie and Liverpool and Ireland legend, Mark Lawrenson.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss augmented reality glasses - and specifically, the pair that she is wearing: the Even Realities G1! What is the technology, and what can it be used for?

People across the country will be announcing what practices or activities they might be giving up for rent for the next 40 days, as it is Ash Wednesday. But, has the day become less popular?Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist is one of those who got their ash today, and joins Kieran to discuss.

A new report from the ESRI has shown that there has been a rise in school absenteeism in Deis Schools since the Covid period.So, what happened to allow this to happen, and have we failed to address issues on the return back to in person schooling?Joining Kieran to discuss is Noel Loftus, Principal at St. Attracta's National School and Louise Bayliss, Co-Founder of SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids)...

What happens when a friendship feels more like a race than a bond? In ‘The White Lotus’, the reunion of Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie shows just how toxic female friendships can become when rivalry and comparison take over. From body image to career success, their “support” for each other is laced with quiet jealousy and competition.How common are these types of friendships, and how do you know if you’re in one? Joining Kieran to discuss is Esther McCarthy, Lifestyle Editor and Weekend Magazine Columnist at the Irish Examiner, Holly Carpenter, Social Media Content Creator and Dr. Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and Author…Image: HBO

Being a farmer is often noted as tough work, but one aspect which has been making the job harder is illegal trespassing. So, how big of an issue is it?Louise Crowley, Chair at the Limerick IFA and Dairy Farmer and Conor O’Leary, Munster Regional Chair at the IFA and Chair of IFA Countryside join Kieran to discuss…

Young drivers under the age of 24 are 85% more likely to be involved in road accidents than drivers over the age of 25, and 135% more likely to cause injury to another party, according to AXA.The Roadsafe Roadshow is an interactive real life immersive experience of what it's like for victims dying in a car crash, and their families left behind…Henry McKean has been learning more, and joins Kieran to discuss.

At almost the peak of the Celtic Tiger era, Ireland opened what could be considered its truly flagship shopping centre in Dundrum.To look back on that era, and the shopping centre’s time up to now, are Lisa Cannon, Entertainment Broadcaster and Producer and Darren Kennedy, Stylist and Presenter.

One of the legends from Italia 90, Andy Townsend, joins Kieran ahead of an event hosted by the RDS on Patrick’s Day weekend.Two special nights to mark the occasion as the heroes from Italia 90 will share memories of the time.

Tom Dunne joins Kieran Cuddihy to go through all the best music that’s come up on his radar this week, along with some chat about the Oscar's.

Former Detective, Pat Marry, Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Justice, and Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link join The Hard Shoulder to discuss a disturbing rise in burglaries, according to new CSO figures.Burglaries rose by 10% in the 12 months up to September last year with a reported average of more than 27 burglaries a day.

Actress and Model, Vicky McClure joins The Hard Shoulder.The Trigger Point and Line of Duty star, sits down with Kieran to discuss her new production Dayfever, which comes to Dublin’s the Academy in April.

It’s the Kids Clinic Q & A.Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach from ParentSupport.ie joins Kieran, so get all your questions answered here.

Lewis Goodall, co-presenter with the News Agents and LBC presenter in his own right, joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the latest on a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.But a chaotic few days in the White House may yet stand to be an obstacle.Get all the latest here.

Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee sits down with Kieran on The Hard Shoulder.The Fine Gael TD for Meath East joined the show to speak, among other things, her new briefing as Education Minister and the anticipation toward a Patrick’s Day visit to the United States.

Former Mayo GAA Footballer, David Brady joins Kieran to talk through ambitious Government plans that could see a cure to rural isolation, and especially so for elderly people.

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…

A heated argument broke out between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenksy during a visit to the White House.Joining Kieran to discuss this exchange is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal and Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International Politics in the Clinton Institute in UCD.Image: Reuters

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about all the benefits you can get from a blood orange! Plus, what meals you can incorporate them into.

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

32 people, including 28 men, three women and one child, have been deported to Georgia on a chartered flight.The Minister for Justice gave a warning by saying "If you're seeking asylum and you're not entitled to asylum - don't come to Ireland…”Is that the message we want to send out?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Colm O’Gorman, Founding Director of The Open Community and Human Rights Campaigner as well as Paul Treyvaud, owner of Paul Treyvaud’s Restaurant in Killarney.

A new survey by KPMG has found that the majority of people wouldn't want an increase in taxes to allow for reusable energy…Joining Kieran to discuss this is Leader of the Green Party, Roderic O’Gorman.

More bad news for consumers as SSE Airtricity have announced that they are to hike their electricity and gas prices from April 2nd.It means that the typical electricity bill will go up by 10.5%, and by 8.4% for gas customers...Thiswill put an additional 47 cent per day on the average electricity bill and 31 cent per day on the average gas bill.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Darragh Cassidy, Head of Communications with Bonkers.ie and Catriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

There have been calls by a citizen’s jury that the Government should form a regulator to oversee the use of AI in our healthcare system.Joining Kieran to discuss is Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and the HSE’s Chief Clinical Information Officer, Richard Greene and Professor of Computing at DCU, Alan Smeaton.

Forrest Gump is near the top of a list of movies that are considered ‘must-see’, but people haven’t seen, a new survey reveals.Someone who is actually trying to watch every ‘must-see’ movie is Newstalk’s Aidan McKelvey! He joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Paramount Pictures

The UK Government today backed plans for a second runway at Gatwick airport, with the condition that environmental requirements are met.While Gatwick has this new runway coming, are we making the most of our own airports in this country?Michael O’Leary, the Group CEO of Ryanair, joins Kieran to give his thoughts on this, as well as the Government's upcoming visit to Trump.

Legendary Hollywood actor Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their New Mexico home earlier today...Newstalk's Henry McKean has been out asking the public for their thoughts on Gene's legacy, and Harriet Alexander, Reporter with The Times based in the United States join Kieran to discuss the investigation surrounding these two deaths.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has revealed that a domestic violence register for those convicted of rape or serious sexual assault will be established in Ireland.He told the Dáil that the only way the public knows about such cases is if a journalist happens to be in court, or if a victim waives their anonymity.Is this a welcome move?Hazel Behan, sexual assault survivor and Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre join Kieran to discuss.

The James Bond franchise has been sold to Amazon, but we are still no closer to knowing who that next Bond actor will be.Someone who might have a clue is the Casting Director of the last 13 Bond films, Debbie McWilliams. She joins Kieran to discuss what goes into picking the next superspy.Image: MGM

Thousands of children and special care patients are being forced to wait months, even years for dental treatment under general anesthetic. Many patients are being forced to wait in pain and discomfort with no option to pay for treatment.Why is this happening?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr Gillian Smith, Dentist at the Fitzwilliam Clinic in Bray and Ned Carroll, whose 31-year-old daughter Maryann, who has autism and one of those patients struggling to access treatment…

Should Communion preparation and celebrations happen outside of school hours and over the weekend? Kieran is joined by two people who believe it should…Fr Iggy O’ Donvan and David Quinn, Head of the Iona institute join 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 give advice on getting rid of hiccups!

With Pope Francis’ condition, we may end up with a new Pope soon, but how do they pick a Pope, and what does the Pope really do day-to-day?Joining Kieran to discuss is Theologian, Gina Menzies…Image: FilmNation Entertainment

The search for Malaysia Airlines flight 370, or MH370 to most, has reopened after it went missing over 10 years ago…Malaysia Transport Minister says firm Ocean Infinity has resumed hunt for the plane, which is one of aviation’s biggest mysteries.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Jeff Wise, Aviation Journalist and host of the ‘Finding MH370’ podcast.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss a new wave of scams on TikTok, with scammers using artificial intelligence to create fake and convincing shop pages…

Have we lost etiquette at gigs? Dave Hanratty, Podcast Producer at the Independent and Host of the ‘No Encore’ Podcast, was at one last night with appalling behaviour...He joins Kieran to discuss.

Kieran’s guest is hopeful that the Trump administration has a sell by date, and it’s actually sooner than you think…Democratic Strategist, James Carville, joins to discuss.Image: Reuters

A new survey released ahead of National Stop Food Waste Day on March 1st has found that over a third of Irish Consumers regularly throw food away costing some Irish households up to 374 euro per year!To discuss and give her tips on preventing food waste at home, Kieran is joined by Dietician, Sara Keogh.