The Hard Shoulder

RTÉ’s ‘The Great House Revival’ is back this Sunday at 9pm on RTÉ 1 and the RTÉ Player. Joining Kieran to discuss is its host, Architect Hugh Wallace!

Ireland and Scotland both began their Six Nations campaigns with wins last weekend: Ireland beating England in the Aviva, and Scotland beating Italy in Murrayfield.Scotland look to end a long run of games, stretching back to 2017, where they haven’t beaten the Irish.To discuss what we can expect in the upcoming face-off, Scotland international Scott Hastings as well as former Irish International Fiona Hayes join Kieran.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to showcase leeks, and how you can use them!

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…Image: Reuters

From today, rural roads nationwide have changed their speed limits from 80 km/h to 60 km/h - in a first wave of combating an increase in road deaths in the country.What do you think of the change? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

Kieran is joined by the brilliant comedy duo Pat and Faye Shortt to discuss their new tour ‘Knuckle Down’, which is touring around Ireland this month and next!

In the UK they have changed planning rules so more mini nuclear power stations can be developed in England and Wales. So, should Ireland start depending on nuclear power?Joining Kieran to discuss is Co-Founder of 18 for Zero, Denis Duff and one of the Directors of Friends of the Irish Environment, Tony Lowes.

In France they will fine you up to €200 if you have your phone on loudspeaker on the train, should something similar be done here?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail, Sadhbh O’Neill, part-time Lecturer in TUD and regular commuter and Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and author.

Are you looking to give a helping hand to someone this year? Well, Le Chéile is a mentoring service that is looking for volunteers to make a difference in young people's lives.Cormac Ryan, Mentoring Programme Coordinator at Le Chéile, joins Kieran to discuss.

Donald Trump has reiterated his plan for a US "takeover" of Gaza.Trump's plan - first announced on Tuesday night - was rejected by Palestinians and leaders around the world on Wednesday, but he has taken to Truth Social to say that if Gaza was turned over to the US by Gaza then they “would actually have a chance to be happy, safe and free”.Meanwhile, Israeli Minister Israel Katz has said countries, including Ireland, should be obligated to take refugees affected.Jerry McDermott is Executive Director at the Irish Cultural Centre and former Sheriff of Norfolk County in Massachusetts, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Irish comedy Writer and Director Graham Linehan has his sights set on new horizons as he is planning a big move to the US to work on a new sitcom.Graham is leaving the UK for many reasons, but one he outlined in a video he streamed is that he feels “freedom of speech is in bad shape at the moment” in the UK, so he is embracing the United States…Graham joins Kieran from London to discuss.

New plans have suggested that Primary Teachers are set to get training in foreign languages such as French, Spanish and German in a hope to be introducing language classes from third class level in 2026.Is this a good idea, or are we putting too much on the plate of our primary teachers?Joining Kieran to discuss is Rachel Harper, Principal of St Patrick's National School, Greystones, Co Wicklow and Mick Culman, who is a Primary School Teacher in Dublin.

When you are playing games with your small ones, do you let them win? Is it unfair to let your kids never win when playing games, or is there a method to the madness?Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Journalist and Writer and Jen Hogan, Irish Times Columnist join Kieran to discuss.

A medical panel of specialists have found that the "baby deaths" placed on Lucy Letby were due to natural causes or errors in medical care, they did not find any murders...Kieran is joined by John Sweeney, Host of 'Was There Ever A Crime? The Trials of Lucy Letby', to discuss.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Simon Tierney returns to the airwaves with his new series: ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.For the first edition, Simon joins Kieran to talk about urinals, and how to use them properly!

With the Dáil returning today, what were the main topics discussed and debated?Joining Kieran to go over what was covered is Craig Hughes, Political Editor at the Irish Daily Mail and Christina Finn, Political Editor at The Journal.

You may have heard of this ongoing row between ‘It Ends With Us’ co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Well, Blake Lively is suing Baldoni over harassment and emotional distress.Joining Kieran to discuss is Simon Thompson, Entertainment Journalist based in LA and PR Expert Mark Borowski.Image: Sony Pictures

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to talk all things The Sims as the first two games get re-released for the 25th anniversary of the series, along with her tech tips and recommendations!Image: EA

President Donald Trump has said that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere…Can this happen? And what does the future look like if this becomes a reality?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Alistair Bunkall, Sky’s Middle East Correspondent from Jerusalem, and Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor with the Economist.Image: Reuters

A recent survey has revealed that 70% of 25 year olds in Ireland are living at home. But, how much rent can you charge them to live at home, and could you make a profit?Joining Kieran to discuss is Paul Merriman, CEO of Fair Stone & Founder of Ask Paul.

The first day of the Dáil today saw new TDs take their seats, as well as attacks on the Government’s record on housing, as well as their response to Storm Éowyn.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Sunday Business Post, as well as the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with Responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond.

Research in the UK suggests that Gen Z are the most spiritual group in society - which includes religion.Is this true? And how religious are Gen Z?Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist and Ciara Lawless, Singer and Songwriter join Kieran to discuss.

Customers can expect more price hikes to their bills, as TV, broadband and mobile packages are set to increase.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into this, and he joins Kieran in studio with the details.

‘Saturn’ by SZA won a Grammy award for Best R&B Song, which means that Irishman Cian Ducrot won his first Grammy as co-writer of the song!Cian joins Kieran from Los Angeles to discuss the achievement.

Singer and Actor Mary Byrne joined Kieran this week to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

Trump’s tariffs have caused outrage across the world, especially in Canada.But, what impact will they have, even with the recent 30 day pause?Tyler Meredith, Partner of Meredith Boessenkool & Phillips Policy Advisors and former Economic Advisor to Justin Trudeau joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

Thousands of new road speed signs are being erected across the country, as reduced speed limits are due to come into force from this Friday.Gardaí are planning major enforcement campaigns in conjunction with the changes.Geraldine Herbert is the Motoring Editor for the Sunday Independent, and joins Kieran to discuss.

A first for iPhones, but not one you might expect, as a new app called ‘HotTub’, which contains adult content and pornography can be accessed on the device.So, how have we got to the point that pornographic apps are available on iPhones, and is this something that we should be concerned about?Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner and Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with the Irish Independent, join Kieran to discuss.

Hugh McElveen who lost his 13 year old daughter Eve to brain cancer in 2022 spoke to Kieran about his journey with grief.

Ger Gilroy from Off The Ball & Elaine Burke from the "For Tech Sake" Podcast joined Kieran to talk through the winners and sinners of the week.

Eoin Sheahan joins Kieran to preview Ireland v England in The Rugby Six Nations, The National Hurling & Football National League and all the Premiere League action taking place this weekend.

Kieran speaks to David Smith, Washington Bureau Chief for The Guardian. 

This week three time Olympian and Waterford native Thomas Barr announced his retirement from Athletics. The World Athletics Champion spoke to Kieran about his career and his decision to call it a day.

The speaking rights issue in the Dail is rumbling on and talks are continuing to try to resolve the row over speaking time rights in the Dáil. Kieran is joined by Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail as well as Patrick O'Donovan, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media of Ireland and Fine Gael TD for Limerick County. 

One year on from the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme, Kieran is joined by Noel McCarthy Fine Gael TD in Cork as well as CEO of the convenience stores & newsagents association, Vincent Jennings and Assistant Editor of Weekend Magazine at the Independent, Aoife Rooney to discuss if it has been a success. 

Kieran was joined in studio by Sarina Bellissimo, broadcaster and presenter of the Bellissimo files and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime with all the latest recommendations for the big screen and small 

You often go to Lidl for all your shopping goods or your weird buys from the middle isle but how would you fancy a pint at Lidl. Well good news in the north as the Lidl in Dundonald, Belfast has won its bid to open a pub in it’s complex. Brenda Power, Columnist with the Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Times spoke with Kieran 

Efforts are still underway in the Potomac river, rescuing as many as 64 people believed to be dead after an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a commercial American Airlines plane. Kieran gets all the latest on the Washington DC plane crash

with the announcement that bin charges are on the rise, there have been calls for the councils to enter the market to take charge of bin collection.  Is this a worthy idea or is competition in the market best for value and service? Daithi Doolin, Sinn Fein Councilor and Conor Walsh, Secretary Irish Waste Management Association joined Kieran to discuss

As the Storm Éowyn clean-up continues, Cavan County Council has set up local community hubs where those affected by power cuts and water outages can come and avail of facilities such as charging, heat, wifi and tea and coffee.But, anger and frustration is growing. Some are desperate after 6 days of no electricity, water and broadband, describing it as a humanitarian crisis.Henry McKean sent this report this evening from a Virginia Cavan hub.

For the final Shopping Trolley Hotline, Newstalk’s Simon Tierney brings in three different offerings of bagels for him and Kieran Cuddihy to compare!

Counting has begun in the Seanad elections, with polls closing for the NUI panel and the Dublin University/Trinity College panels at 11am today.But, what powers will our new Senators have? And how do they compare with other powers of Upper Houses in other countries?Economist David W. Higgins and Associate Professor in Political Science at DCU Eoin O’Malley join Kieran to discuss.

‘Neven’s Portuguese Food Trails’ has kicked off on RTÉ, with Neven Maguire exploring Iberian nation’s food culture and history. You can catch it on Wednesdays at 8pm, and watch back on the RTÉ Player.To tell more, TV Chef Neven Maguire joins Kieran!

Sky News has unveiled plans for a complete overhaul of its programming and newsroom.Sky News 2030 aims to create a model of premium paid content, which they will say will safeguard its future.But, does this move say something about the future of linear television, and the future of news consumption?Dr Eileen Culloty is Assistant Professor at the DCU School of Communications and Deputy Director of the Fujo Media Institute. She joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week's Tech Takeover, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to talk all things video doorbells, and what you should keep in mind in terms of your and others' privacy.

About 133,000 homes, farms and businesses are still without electricity and 7,500 premises remain without water following Storm Éowyn last week.One of the areas most affected has been Galway, and someone who has been in the midst of it is entrepreneur, Declan Ganley.Declan joins Kieran, as well as Oisin Coghlan Chief Executive at Friends of the Earth Ireland, to debate about what’s been happening.

The highly anticipated documentary ‘Boyzone: No Matter What’ will be available on Sky this Sunday, February 2nd.Boyzone’s Shane Lynch joins Kieran to discuss!Image: Sky

You may have seen today that the Office of Public Works (OPW) paid €490k to build a wall in Dublin… To be exact: a 70 meter wall in front of the Workplace Relations Commission’s office.Peadar Toibín, Leader of Aontú and TD for Meath East joins Kieran to discuss.

A Twitter user shared their receipt from the Temple Bar Pub, showing that five pints cost them 49 euro! Has Temple Bar gotten too expensive? And will this put tourists off coming to Dublin?Joining Kieran to discuss is Travel Journalist Joan Scales and Ger Hough, owner of Hough's Pub in Bangher County Offaly.

The Taoiseach and Government Ministers are visiting the communities most severely impacted by Storm Éowyn.180,000 remain without power around the country, and it might not be restored for some until next Friday…Micheál Martin has been visiting emergency hubs in the likes of Roscommon, as has the Minister for Housing James Browne. He joins Kieran to discuss.