The Hard Shoulder

The Bear won 11 awards the other day at the Emmys, breaking its own record of awards won at the show. However, many people have begun to wonder what the deal is with classing The Bear as a ‘comedy’. Are the days of old-school sitcoms like Friends, or Seinfeld well and truly over?Joining Kieran to discuss is Impressionist and Comedian Mario Rosenstock.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Paul Merriman, CEO of Fair Stone & Founder of Ask Paul to discuss how to properly manage your child’s money - including an option from Revolut.

Investigations are still ongoing after another apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. This time, it was on his golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. A side effect of this - and a result of the age we’re in, is the internet being full of conspiracy theories surrounding this topic.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to dive into this rabbit hole is Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney.

A damning investigation from the Irish Times today revealed that staff in a creche in South Dublin has allegedly been abusing its children.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is Head of Social Studies and Early Childhood Education in Waterford College of Further Education, Author and Child Protection Expert, Shane Dunphy and Lecturer in Early Childhood Policy at Mary Immaculate College, Mary Moloney...

Did you know? 1 in 3 women will experience bladder leaks after giving birth.Despite impacting millions of women around the world, the issue is rarely discussed, and with the fear of having an accident sometimes putting women off exercise altogether.Joining Kieran to break the silence and shed light on this important topic is Aoife Harvey, a specialist in Women’s Pelvic Health physiotherapy from Women’s Health Dublin.

Huw Edwards has been given a suspended sentence earlier today over accessing indecent images.Enda Brady TRT World Presenter, joins Kieran to tell more - including how prison overcrowding played a part in the decision.It’s not just in the UK. In Ireland, we are dealing with a lot of overcrowding in our prisons. Should we be building more? Taoiseach Simon Harris believed that more prisons should be built when he was Minister for Justice in May 2023.John Lonergan, Former Governor of Mountjoy doesn’t think so, and also joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Metropolitan Police

Big changes are afoot in Dublin City centre today as a pilot scheme to ban plastic bin bags will be rolled out across 90 key streets in a bid to crack down on litter.Dublin City Council is tackling the mess caused by ripped bags and street waste, with vermin and even bottle-hunters making the problem worse. Residents and businesses will now need to switch to sturdier waste solutions which will prove tricky for upper floor buildings with limited space for storage.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Mannix Flynn, Dublin City Councilor and Will Monaghan from One Society Café.

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…

Former US President Donald Trump during the election debates distanced himself from ‘Project 2025’, which has been a key talking point of the election race.But, what exactly is Project 2025, and why are Democrats afraid of it?Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training at The Communications Clinic and columnist with The Sunday Independent joins Kieran to discuss.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at all the different uses for chickpeas!

With the rise of the use of ChatGPT to ask simple questions or for information, are we in danger of seeing the decline of Wikipedia use, especially among younger people?Ciara O’Brien, Business and Tech Journalist With The Irish Times, joins Kieran to discuss.

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…

Speaking at a book launch, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that he believes the case against Ian Bailey for the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier should have gone before a jury.The Minister for Foreign Affairs made the comments at the launch of the book ‘Sophie: The Final Verdict’ by journalist Senan Molony in Dublin.It has led to Sophie’s family calling for a public enquiry.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is Jean Pierre Gateau is Uncle to Sophie Toscan Du Plantier and Frank Buttimer, Solicitor who represented Ian Bailey.

The final episode of The Grand Tour, ‘One for the Road’, marks the end of Jermey Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May’s iconic screen trio for over 20 years, since, of course, Top Gear. Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss the sure to be emotional ending and share his interview with James May and Richard Hammond is Newstalk Reporter Alex Rowley.Image: Amazon

It is International Day of Strikes against Night Flights and there is a planned demonstration kicking off near the North Runway of Dublin Airport.Dr Niamh Maher, Resident of St Margeret's and the Ward Residents Association and Dean Mulligan Independent Cllr for Fingal, are taking part tonight, and join Kieran to discuss.

Twenty-five schools have shifted from single-sex to co-ed in the past three years, reflecting rising demand for mixed education. Now, 70% of secondary students attend co-ed schools, up from 65% a decade ago. The trend is expected to grow, as the government no longer funds new single-sex schools. Schools like Mercy Secondary in Inchicore have seen enrolment surge after making the switch. The school’s principal, Michelle O’Kelly, joins Kieran to discuss.

The Late Late Show returns for another season, and it's the second one for host Patrick Kielty. Newstalk’s Henry McKean interviews Patrick ahead of the show to get a sense of the excitement, and see how things have changed.

With school well and truly back, Henry McKean visited students to ask them about after school activities!

Now today Sinn Féin have announced that they plan to introduce a €10 a day childcare with just €345 million in State funding...But, what about supports for those who want to stay at home to raise their children?Joining Kieran is Broadcaster and Columnist, Wendy Grace...

It’s time now for What to Watch and as ever Kieran was joined in studio Sue Murphy, Newstalk’s own and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime with all the latest TV and Movie recommendations

Actor, Jared Harris, spoke to Kieran about his new movie 'Reawakening' which is in cinema’s this Friday September 13th .

Newstalk reporter, Henry McKean, found out what makes a perfect apology...

Campaigner, Louise O’Keefe, successfully took Ireland to the European Court of Human Rights for the abuse she suffered in primary school in West Cork. She Spoke to Kieran about her journey to redress.

Newstalk's Tech Correspondent, Jess Kelly, is back with her tech recs of the week.

The National Planning Framework is open for consultation until tomorrow evening, Frank McDonald, former Environment Editor of the Irish Times spoke to Kieran about how we need to rethink our investing strategy.

As we’re all aware, James Earl Jones, voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa from the Lion King, passed away this morning.Journalist Jeanne Wolfe joined Kieran to speak on some memories she has of him over the years

This week, comedian Killian Sundermann placed his favorite book on The Hard Shoulder's Bookshelf!

Last weeks of the OPW’s €335,000 Dáil bike shed shocked and angered many across the country. Former manager of the OPW, Allen Morgan, joined Kieran in studio to discuss the OPW's history of overspending public money.

Apple has revealed the hotly-anticipated iPhone 16, along with a whole slate of new products.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to tell you what you need to know is Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent.Image: Apple

The debates are beginning tomorrow between the two U.S. Presidential hopefuls, and no doubt Kamala Harris would be keen to build on what was an uplifting national conference for the Democrats.However, not everyone was too pleased with what Harris has to offer, and says that the left are disappointed.Brendan Ogle, Social Commentator, Trade Unionist and Activist joins Kieran to discuss.

The Paralympics team flying back from Paris got a hero's welcome at Dublin Airport today, and Henry McKean was there to soak up the atmosphere! He joins Kieran Cuddihy to share his report.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Tara Logan Buckley, Clinical Psychologist, to discuss how to best support your child if they are experiencing bullying.

Tánaiste Michael Martin has hit out at Minister of State in the Department of Finance, Neal Richmond, over his calls to increase the Stamp Duty, saying the sensible thing to do was wait for review before suggestions of raising it.To discuss whether or not it should be, Kieran is joined by Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Mirror.

It’s not been too long since we experienced the fantastic achievements of Team Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympics!One of the contributing factors to that feel-good factor was certainly the early bronze medal win by Mona McSharry.Mona joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss the whole experience.

Australia is better at recruiting Gardaí from Ireland than our own Government.That’s according to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who was speaking amid news today that Garda numbers fell significantly over the summer months.He joins Kieran to discuss…

During Ireland and England’s football match in the Aviva last Saturday - Irish fans were heard booing as the English anthem ‘God Save the King’ played in the stadium. Did Irish football fans cross a line?Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is Eamon Delaney, Author and Commentator, Kieran Cunningham Chief Sports Writer at the Irish Daily Star and Mark Lawrenson  Former BBC Pundit and Irish International Footballer.

This week guest host Jonathan Healy was joined by Esther McCarthy, LifeStyle Editor at the Irish Examiner and Joe O'Shea, Editor of CorkBeo.ie to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Tomorrow, Ireland faces England in the Nations League game at the Aviva Stadium, but do we care about English Irish rivalry? And, should we?Guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Barbara McCarthy, Journalist and football enthusiast and Ronan Mc Greevey, Irish Times Journalist and co-author of ‘The Kidnapping’ to discuss.

As the show is in Cork today, it only seemed right to look at a special part of its culture, spiced beef! Guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Tom Durcan, of Tom Durcan Meats in Cork’s English Market to discuss what makes the beef so special, and what you can have it with.Image: Tom Durcan Meats

Is the use of regional airports the most logical approach to relieving the passenger cap in Dublin airport?Guest host Jonathan Healy is joined by Dee Ryan, former CEO of Limerick Chamber and member of the Government’s Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) have announced they are launching an investigation into Ticketmaster Ireland and their handling of the Oasis ticket sales...Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Sinead Ryan, Columnist Columnist and Presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk.

Figures released this week show that classrooms were overcrowded, despite pupil numbers falling.Some parents who have found themselves in a supersized class of 37 is Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Musician, Broadcaster Founding member of ‘The Hothouse Flowers’.He, alongside his partner Siona Ó Braonáin and Contributor to the Irish Independent John Walsh join guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss.

Gen Z actually long for a steady relationship, and are looking for a traditional romance. Not one night stands and bed hopping as previously thought. They want to make love less often, according to a new study by The Kinsey Institute.Newstalk’s Henry McKean made this special report.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he is sticking to the commitment he made when he took office that the Government would complete its full term.But, do we believe him? Will the Dáil reach full term?Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is John Lee, Executive Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland and Paul Hosford, Deputy Political Editor with the Irish Examiner.

In another example of government overspending, the infamous Leeside trees cost €300,000 to install, and around €15,000 a year to maintain.Is it time to get rid of them?Joining guest host Jonathan Healy to discuss is Fianna Fáil Councillor for Cork City North-West, John Sheehan and Labour Councillor for Cork South-Central, Cork City South East, Peter Horgan.

As the winter months approach, so does the cold and flu season. So, what vitamins should we take to keep ourselves healthy and combat the dark days and lack of sunshine?Kieran is joined by Sarah Bererton, owner of Natural Life, to discuss.

Yesterday, a school shooting took place in Georgia - where a 14 year old boy killed 4 and wounded 9. It’s become commonplace for this to happen in the United States, and each time calls for stricter gun controls are made.Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America Correspondent and Matt Mayer, Former Senior Official in the US Department of Homeland Security under the Bush Administration, join Kieran to discuss if gun control promises would have any effect on the upcoming US election.

This month is Alopecia Awareness Month, and joining Kieran to discuss what it’s like living with Alopecia is Claire Fulham, Trichologist from Trua Trichology Clinic and Gail Porter, TV Presenter, Broadcaster and Charity Ambassador.

A study found that 9 out of 10 parents get annoyed when they get a one-word answer from their kids, but how can we support them to open up, even if they say their day was “fine”?Kieran is joined by Steve Cummins, Comedian and Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and Author of ‘Love in and Out’ to discuss.

The Leinster House bike shed has taken over the news in the last couple of days, but this is not the first time the government has overspent…Joining Kieran to remind you of some of the other times the government made this kind of mistake is Author and Journalist, Seamus OReilly.