The Hard Shoulder

It's a new year, and that means new rates for insurance companies – with health insurance in particular set to increase.Joining Kieran to discuss and give his top tips on keeping your premiums as low as possible is Dermot Goode from totalhealthcover.ie, a part of the Lockton Group.

Post-Christmas, getting your kids to sleep on a more regular schedule can become difficult. So, for this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Erica Hargaden, founder of Babogue & Expert Sleep Consultant to discuss what you can do to help the process.

Disruption continues across the country thanks to the snow and cold weather.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie joins Kieran to share what he’s seen and heard from mountain rescue services in Wicklow as well how passengers are dealing with train delays in Heuston Station.

Last week, it was agreed by stakeholders engaged in the construction of the national children’s hospital that it would be completed by June 2025. The project has been engulfed in controversy over its cost.Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at the Irish independent has firsthand experience of how badly the children of Ireland need new healthcare facilities.He, as well as Paul Davis, Procurement Lecturer at the School of Business in DCU, join Kieran to discuss.

Following a conversation on the Pat Kenny Show last week on the European Commission tightening restrictions on Retinol, influencer Holly Carpenter hit back at host Jonathan Healy for saying that we were being “influenced by eejits”.So, what kind of advertising standards do influencers have? Joining Kieran to discuss is Holly Carpenter, Social Media Content Creator and Alexandra Ryan, CEO of Goss.ie.

This week guest host Adrian Kennedy was joined by the presenter of Fully Charged on Spin1038 Aisling Bonner and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer at the Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

With the Christmas season over - you may find yourself with gifts that aren’t exactly to your liking. So, what do you do? Do you keep them out of politeness, or do you get rid of them?Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss.

A lot of people have been in and out of Dublin City the last few weeks, but does Dublin city need City Wardens, and what exactly would they do?Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy is Kevin Byrne, candidate for the Trinity Seanad Election.

In recent months, Elon Musk has been very vocal on X, formerly Twitter, about various political issues both in the US and Europe. But, is his behaviour on X dangerous?John O’Brennan, Professor in European Politics in Maynooth University and Eoin O’Malley, Associate Professor of Politics at DCU join guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss.

It might be one of your New Year’s Resolutions to read more. Well, Ciara Treacy from Newstalk’s Digital Team joins guest host Adrian Kennedy to give her recommendations from books released in 2024!

Caroline Vakil, Campaign Reporter for The Hill, joins guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss some of the biggest stories happening in the United States: the tragic attack in New Orleans, the Cybertruck explosion outside Trump’s Vegas hotel and the race for US House Speaker.Image: Reuters

Sexually Transmitted Infections, or STIs, were on the rise in 2024 – showing worrying signs. It follows a huge uptick the year before, with Ireland not set to reach its target of eliminating sexual diseases by 2030.Joining Adrian Kennedy to discuss the increase is Dr. Derek Freedman – a Specialist Consultant in Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Diseases based in Ranelagh.

Following on from the financial splurge of Christmas, many people are left wondering how to get their finances back in shape for 2025. Thankfully, we’ve got you covered!Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy to give his top tips is Robert Whelan, the Managing Director of Rockwell Financial Management.

Despite any excitement when it comes to the potential for snow, this upcoming cold snap can have serious effects – especially on older people. ALONE, the charity that helps older people age at home, has called for older people to seek all available supports during this period.Joining guest host Adrian Kennedy to discuss is Sean Moynihan, the CEO of ALONE, and to give an update on what we should expect from the weather is Joanna Donnelly, Met Éireann Meteorologist.

Has Ireland become too woke? Guest host Adrian Kennedy’s guest argues that Ireland is now the epicentre of wokeness.Irish Independent Columnist, Ian O’Doherty, joins to discuss.

It’s the Rewind 1990 with Henry McKean, where he speaks to the change makers from that year, and looks back on its biggest moments.

Christmas, as we know, is harmonious with the turkey and the Christmas trifle… but also, for the cheese board!Kieran is joined by Julie Walker, Area Sales Manager for the Traditional Cheese Company, to discuss how you can make the perfect cheese board for Christmas.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Psychotherapist and author Iseult White joins Kieran to discuss how you can handle sharing with your children. With Christmas looming, you can run into issues of toys being hoarded!

It is officially Christmas, and you will know Kieran’s guest from some of the most iconic family movies, including Miracle on 34th Street and Matilda…Mara Wilson joins Kieran to chat!

Christmas is just around the corner, and joining Kieran to discuss Pagan and early-Christian Christmas is Blindboyboatclub!

With only two sleeps left until Christmas, you are sure to hear the likes of Last Christmas and many other festive songs everywhere you go. So, do they become annoying? Or are you all for the seasonal sounds?Joining Kieran to discuss are comedians Katherine Lynch and Steve Cummins.

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…

A US government shutdown is fast-approaching after the House of Representatives voted against a Donald Trump-backed spending bill last night.If no deal is agreed by midnight local time tonight, some federal services will begin shutting down from the early hours…Spokesperson for Republicans Overseas UK, Jennifer Ewing, joins Kieran to discuss.

With only a few days to go, Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to give her top tips for the perfect Christmas dinner.

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…

It's set to be the busiest day of the year in Dublin Airport today, with 93,000 passengers travelling through both terminals. However, the total number of travellers is down by 90,000 this festive season due to the passenger cap. Will we see the passenger cap lifted in the next 12 months?Joining Kieran to discuss is Travel Journalist Eoghan Corry and Ulick McEvaddy, Aviation Entrepreneur and Businessman.

According to recent research, your Christmas tree decorations harbour 5 times as many germs as your toilet seat!Joining Kieran for more on this is Dr Amalia Scannell, Microbiologist in the UCD Institute of Food and Health…

With singer Daniel O’Donnell issuing a warning over people impersonating him for money - there are scams going around this year that you should look out for.Sinead Ryan, Journalist with the Irish Independent and host of the Home Show on Newstalk joins Kieran to give her top tips.

It’s only a few days away until Christmas, and it’s getting down to the wire of last minute presents, the food shop and getting the house ready. But, who is doing the brunt of this work?Tanya Sweeney is writing about this today in the Independent, and says the woman still takes on the burden of all of this, but is that true?Comedian Jim Elliott and Aideen Finnegan, Journalist and producer of the Conversations With Parents Podcast join Kieran to discuss.

Jacqueline Smyth, Tusla National Lead for Foster Care joins Kieran to discuss the shortage in foster care they are experiencing…

Content Creator Padraig Wilson McCarthy joins Kieran to look back on some of the best feel-good moments of 2024!

Copper Face Jacks in Dublin city centre has bucked the trend of Dublin’s dying nightlife by recording profits of nearly €3 million, with revenue returning to pre-Covid levels. So, are we being too harsh on Dublin’s nightlife?Joining Kieran to discuss is Ian Redmond, the owner and operator of the Hyde Nightclub and operator of Ohana Tiki Bar.

Research from Cadbury's suggests that half of all adults consider themselves great secret keepers, but sadly a quarter of us can’t help spilling the beans…So, what is the reason why we keep secrets, and why we find it so hard to keep information to ourselves?Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital and Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times join Kieran to discuss.

The Federal Aviation Administration in the US has issued a one-month ban on drone operations in certain areas of New Jersey, unless operators receive special permission from the government due to “special security reasons”.This is as dozens of night-time drone sightings have been reported across New Jersey and other states along the eastern coast of the US over the last several weeks.For more on this, Kieran is joined by US-based Journalist Harriet Alexander.

Dating apps are not as popular as they once were, with around 1.4 million people in the UK leaving the online dating scene in the past 12 months.So, are dating apps dead?Sarah Burke, Dublin Reporter with Irish Independent and Mairead Loughman, Matchmaker and Podcast Host join Kieran to discuss.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.Tis’ the season, so this week, Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy to try offerings of Christmas crackers and cakes!

Musician Gavin James has taken some time out from his Irish Tour, which begins in Whelan’s this week, to join the show!He joins Kieran to discuss his new single: ‘Once in a Lifetime’.

Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran Cuddihy for the Tech Takeover! This week, she discusses her biggest Tech Tips from 2024! Including money, organisation and life-admin.

It was announced today that the Kneecap movie has been shortlisted for TWO Oscars. Best International Feature Film, and Best Original Song for ‘Sick in the Head’.Joining Kieran to discuss the achievement is Head of Distribution for Wildcard Distribution, Gillian Cooper.

The 34th Dáil sat for the first time today.With a bit of business being the selection of a Ceann Comhairle… With the new Ceann Comhairle being Independent TD for Wexford, Verona Murphy.Joining Kieran to discuss what has been happening is Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance and TD for Donegal Pearse Doherty,  Malcom Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow-Wexford and Craig Hughes, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail.

SOSAD is an Irish mental health charity that specializes in care for those suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress. But, in an unfortunate turn of events, funding promised for the charity by Minister of Mental Health Mary Butler has not been delivered. Now, they fear that they’re on the brink of collapse – leaving hundreds without care…Joining Kieran to discuss is the CEO of SOSAS, Carol Murphy.

Socks for Dad, hand cream for mom and a designer collar for Bruno. Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports on the expensive Christmas being enjoyed by Ireland's cats and canines.

Every year, Irish Daily Mail Commentator Philip Nolan leaves a Christmas tip for the binmen. Should we be doing the same?He joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Jonathan McDonnell

The 34th Dáil is set to meet for the first time today to elect the Ceann Comhairle, with many new faces elected to experience the Dáil for the first time.What is that first experience of Dáil Éireann like, and what is the first day actually like?Joining Kieran to discuss is Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare and Noel Rock former Fine Gael TD.

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for killing a Russian General in Moscow, after an explosive device attached to a scooter was detonated.Are we seeing the playing field in the Ukraine War change, and what could the war look like in the future?Bill Browder, Financier and Commentator joins Kieran to discuss.

This week, Presenter Mairead Ronan joins Kieran Cuddihy to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!Favourite book: I Feel Bad About My Neck, by Nora Ephron.Honourable Mention: The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, by Haemin Sunim.Right now: The Racket, by Conor Niland.

The father of Enoch Burke, Sean Burke, has been given a two month jail sentence for assaulting a female Garda in 2023.Stephanie Rohan, Newstalk Reporter, joins Kieran with all the details…

It's time for a Christmas Kidstalk! The kids from South City Community National School, Dublin, talk to Henry McKean about Christmas…

As the 34th Dáil begins tomorrow, one of the first things the new Dáil will do is vote on the next Ceann Comhairle. However, Fianna Fáil have confirmed their support for Independent TD, Verona Murphy in tomorrow’s secret ballot...Joining Kieran to discuss is Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghail.

As Christmas nears, a lot of us are starting to get worried about the prospect of cooking for the family. But, it can be easier for some than others – including Kieran’s guest.Mark Moriarty: Chef, TV Show Host, and Author joins to discuss all things Christmas food.