The Hard Shoulder

Presenter and Broadcaster Anna Daly joined Kieran Cuddihy this week to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Google has confirmed that it would add the label of ‘Gulf of America’ to its maps following the political action made by US President Donald Trump.But, how common is it for a location to have two contesting names, and what other examples are there?Pádraig Carmody, Professor of Geography at Trinity College joins Kieran to discuss.

According to figures from Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, less than half of men believe that people make up accusations, with 25 percent believing that consent is not as big an issue it is made out to be.Is there an issue with how men see consent and sex and what can be done to help educate men in this endeavor?Eve McDowell Communications and Engagement Officer with Active Consent and David Hall, CEO of Sonas Domestic Violence Charity join Kieran to discuss.

The names of the 29 victims, including a woman pregnant with twins, were read aloud and a minute's silence held as a public inquiry into the 1998 Omagh bombing got under way.Chairperson Alan Turnball said those who listen "will be shocked at a level of grief imposed on ordinary decent members of society doing nothing other than living their daily lives".Campaigner Eamonn McCann joins Kieran to discuss.

It is being reported today that extra Senior Ministers are being sent to the US this St Patrick's Day in an attempt to prevent any dramatic policy decision from Donald Trump. Is this the right move, or is it time to scrap the Government trip to the states?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dublin MEP, Regina Doherty and People Before Profit TD, Richard Boyd Barrett.

Anyone can be scammed, and the proof lies with Kieran’s guest.Consumer Expert Brendan Burgess was done out of a significant amount of money. He joins Kieran to discuss what happened.Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor for the Irish and Sunday Independent also joins to give his advice so you don’t get scammed yourself.

With the passenger cap being temporarily lifted for 2025, Fionn Davenport, Travel Journalist and Lonely Planet author joins Kieran to tell us how airlines are adapting to the changes…

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author, to discuss how you can best deal with separation anxiety with your children.

Amongst protests and walkouts, President Michael D. Higgins read at a ceremony yesterday marking Holocaust Memorial Day.It comes as the Chief Rabbi Yoni Wieder had asked the President not to attend the ceremony due to comments he made in the past. So, should he have listened to this request?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Lior Tibet, Jewish-Israeli woman based in Dublin, and one of the protesters at the event.

100,000 people are to be without power until February, and over 109,000 are still without water after the damage caused by Storm Éowyn.What are the latest updates on when things should return to normal, and what has the Government response been like?Kieran is joined by Head Of Water Operations with Uisce Eirinn, Margaret Arterage, Siobhán Wynne, ESB Networks Regional Manager, Michael Horan from Insurance Ireland and MEP for Midlands North West, Ciaran Mullooly.

With the new Cabinet being announced recently, you may have noticed the gender imbalance in particular, with three women at the Cabinet table: Helen McEntee, Jennier Carroll MacNeill and Norma Foley.Is this something to be concerned about?Frances Fitzgerald, former Fine Gael Tánaiste and MEP, joins Kieran to discuss.

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Chef Edward Hayden and Journalist Eimear Ní Bhraonáin to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

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: Vincent Thian / AP

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to look at all the ways you can incorporate lentils into your meals!

You’ll have likely heard the news yesterday evening that former soldier Cathal Crotty has been jailed by the Court of Appeal for two years for his “brutal and unprovoked” physical assault on Natasha O’Brien in Limerick city.Natasha joins Kieran to discuss.

Most partnerships are built on a list of promises, to take care of them and support them through thick and thin.But, there is one act so grievous that it will destroy that trust… watching ahead of your shared TV show!Is it the worst thing imaginable? Or a bit overblown?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Social MEdia Content Creator Holly Carpenter and Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media, Niamh Maher.

With weather warnings still around the country, the worst of Storm Éowyn is over, but what damage has it left behind, and what can be expected tonight and tomorrow?Kieran is joined by Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather to discuss.

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.This week, Jeff joins Kieran to discuss Trump’s first actions in his second term as President, including the pardoning of January 6th rioters.Image: Reuters

Storm Éowyn is predicted to be the worst storm to ever hit the country, and is making its way - with a red weather warning on from tonight.To give the latest updates on services, Kieran is joined by:Linda Hughes, Meteorologist at Met EireannJeremy Ryan, Director of Public Transport Services at the National Transport AuthorityKeith Leonard, Director of Fire and Emergency Management at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local GovernmentBarry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish RailSean Daly, Master of the Rotunda Hospital

At 2 o’clock, Micheál Martin was voted Taoiseach by the Dáil. He then travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin to get his seal from Michael D. Higgins. With his Cabinet coming together, Kieran is joined by The Irish Examiner’s Special Correspondent Mick Clifford, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West and Housing Spokesperson, Eoin O’Broin, and Mandy Johnston, Presenter of Taking Stock on Newstalk to discuss what this next Government looks like.

The LA fires (which are still burning) got a special mention at the Oscar Nominations earlier. There were high hopes for this year’s Best International Feature Film and Best Original Song; Kneecap lost out on both… But, good news for the Donald Trump biopic ‘The Apprentice’, which is Irish produced.Was Kneecap snubbed? Henry McKean has been asking around, and joins Kieran to discuss.

After the unprecedented scenes in the Dáil yesterday, you’d be excused for wondering what was going on in Leinster House. Micheál Martin became Taoiseach, and his full Cabinet picks are expected soon.Joining Kieran to discuss and give insight is Sarah McGuinness, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail, and Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.This week, Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy to look at different offerings of salad dressing!

With chaos evident in the Dáil today, what went wrong - and when will the next Taoiseach be elected?Joining Kieran to discuss is People Before Profit TD Dún Laoghaire, Richard Boyd Barrett, Philip Ryan, Political Editor with the Irish independent and Alan Farrel, Fine Gael Senator.

US President Donald Trump has called a bishop "nasty" and demanded an apology.This is after she told him from the pulpit that he was sowing fear among the country's immigrants and LGBTQ people…Reverend Richard Coles joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent joins Kieran to discuss the Tomorrow Golf League (TGL): a new indoor golf tournament backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Is it a glimpse into the future?Image: TGL

With a status red warning issued from Met Éireann, Storm Éowyn is expected to hit Ireland this Friday…To discuss what you can expect, Kieran is joined by Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather.

174 TDs entered the Dáil chamber at 11am, intending to nominate the new Taoiseach and thus get the new Government enacted.However, after a fourth suspension, the Dáil has been abandoned until tomorrow…What happened, and why does there seem to be so much chaos?Kieran is joined by Alison O’Connor, Columnist with the Sunday Times and Broadcaster and Matt Carthy, Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan, to discuss.

President Donald Trump plans to make good on his promise to end illegal immigration, and has also promised a wave of deportations.This is a move that is causing fear and anxiety across the states and within the Irish community where there remains a large proportion of undocumented Irish living in the US.Fiona McEntee, Managing Partner at McEntee Law Group has been inundated with emails and calls from those who are “extremely concerned” about their situation.Fiona joins Kieran from Chicago to discuss.

Road safety campaigners have urged Google to remove satnav alerts for random Garda speed cameras and checkpoints to ensure reckless drivers are detected.Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Dáil Éireann is set to return tomorrow, with a new Government and a fresh agenda set out by their Programme for Government.But, how did the programme come to be, what compromises did they have to make and what goes into governmental talks?Joining Kieran to discuss is Ossian Smyth, Minister of State for Communications and candidate for the Trinity College panel of the Seanad election and Craig Hughes, Political Editor with the Daily Mail.

Presenter and Architect Dermot Bannon joined Kieran Cuddihy this week to place his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

A recent survey has looked into what home appliances different generations use. It found that Gen Z-ers were more likely to see the coffee machine, and air fryers as ‘must-haves’ when compared to older generations.Joining Kieran to discuss and be Gen Z’s representative in this debate is Aoife Rooney, the Assistant Editor of the Weekend Magazine at the Irish Independent.

Donald Trump is still dominating the agenda following his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States yesterday.With talk about taking back Panama, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, much has been said about what impact this presidency may have on not only American politics, but also global politics.BBC World Affairs Editor, John Simpson, joins Kieran to discuss.

We get texts on a whole range of topics, but all through the month of January, you have been getting in touch to ask for advice on electricity and gas contract renewals. In that vein, Kieran is joined by Head of Communications with Bonkers.ie, Darragh Cassidy, to discuss the best ways to keep your costs down!

The state appeal against the leniency of Cathal Crotty sentence is due to take place this week, but victim Natasha O’Brien isn’t holding out any hope regarding the hearing…Natasha joins Kieran to discuss, as she awaits the coming appeal this Thursday.

Some accents are stereotyped to be more likely to commit crime, a survey in the UK has found.Is there any truth to this in Ireland, do we judge solely based on accents? And, on the opposite end, can a posh accent help you get away with crime?Henry McKean has been out asking the public in his own accent, and joins Kieran to discuss.

It has been about 24 hours since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America…He’s started withdrawing from climate deals, has vowed to take Panama back, and his friend Elon Musk has been in hot water over what many have deemed a Nazi salute.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe is still in Washington D.C., and joins Kieran to look back at what has happened, and shares what he's heard from people on the ground.Image: Reuters

Israel has confirmed that it has released over 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first hostage exchange, as agreed in the ceasefire agreement between the state and Hamas.Is this the stage now for peace in the region, and what lies ahead for the two states?Maoz Inon is an Israeli Entrepreneur and Peace Activist who lost both his parents during the October 7th attacks. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Today is 'Blue Monday', which is supposed to be the most miserable day of the year, but forget that!Kieran is joined by Newstalk Producer Dee King to discuss reasons why we shouldn't be so down on this day.

Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America.What will his second term mean for Ireland?Tech Entrepreneur and Broadcaster Mark Little joins Kieran to discuss, and Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe joins to give reactions from the ground in Washington D.C.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Caroline Robbins, Chair of the GP Committee of the Irish Dental Association and owner of Kiwi Dental in Carlow joins Kieran to discuss dental decay in children, and setting up good routines…

With Donald Trump now officially the 47th President of the United States, Kieran is joined by Colum McCann, Author and Co-Founder of Narrative 4 and Jerry McDermott, Executive Director, Irish Cultural Centre and former Sheriff of Norfolk County in Massachusetts to discuss the road ahead, as well as react to his opening speech.Image: Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool

An survey by Eir found that children on average are getting their first phones at 9 years old! Is this too young, and when is it okay for a child to get a phone?Henry McKean has been out asking that question, and joins Kieran to discuss.

With Donald Trump being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States today, Kieran is joined by ‘West Wing’ actor Richard Schiff to discuss the man, as well as what we could anticipate for his second term.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe also joins Kieran from Washington D.C. to discuss what the feelings are on the ground there.Image: Reuters

The theme of Christmas really seemed to be one of illness – you couldn’t speak to anyone without exchanging stories of when and how you were sick over the holidays. This has continued into January. So, why is this happening?Joining Kieran to discuss the reasons behind the spike is Sheena Mitchell, Pharmacist and owner of the ‘totalhealth’ pharmacy and podcaster of the ‘WonderCare Podcast’.

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…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at all the ways you can use buttermilk in your recipes!

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…

Today, the Israeli security cabinet recommended approving the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal.A full cabinet meeting is taking place, with ratification meaning that the deal could take effect as early as Sunday… but, what will the future look like for this conflict?Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Project and former Israeli Peace Negotiator joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters