The Hard Shoulder

Leaving Cert students will soon be allowed to use AI. From next year, Artificial Intelligence will be allowed for certain parts of project work.  How will this work and is it a good thing?  Joining Kieran to discuss was Elaine Burke, Host of “For Tech’s Sake” and “The Connected AI” podcasts and  Dr Eamon Costello  Associate professor of digital learning at Dublin City University. 

Gino Kenny, former People Before Profit TD and assisted dying rights activist joins Kieran to discuss whether or not the next Dáil will introduce assisted dying laws.

Following the conclusion of the 2024 General Election, there will be a massive change of the guard as regards to TDs. Leaving are the Haugheys, Cowens, Coveneys, and MacSharrys amongst others – stalwarts of Dáil life.Joining Kieran to discuss this phenomenon is Fergus Finlay, former Labour Party Adviser, Campaigner, and Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

A man in his 30s has been arrested after the death of eight-year-old Malika Noor Al Katib in New Ross, Co. Wexford…Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joins Kieran to give the latest updates.

More than 300 hundred people attended the funeral of Mary Regan in Carlow after the Funeral Director Rory Healy made a public appeal to “not send off Mary alone” as she had no next of kin.But, what happens when there is no next of kin, and who tracks them down? Padraic Grennan, Managing Director of Irish probate genealogy firm Erin International joins Kieran to discuss.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran for this week’s Tech Takeover to discuss why the Spanish government is trying to introduce health warnings for smartphones and more.

The three main parties of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin met today as efforts to form a Government continue.While the speculation is that Independents will join Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, there are still plenty of unknowns.Craig Hughes, Political Editor of the Irish Daily Mail joins Kieran to discuss.

It’s been mere days since it was confirmed that assisted dying could become legal in England and Wales after the bill was backed by MPs.But, how far are we along the line here, and how far should things go?Gail O’Rorke, who was acquitted in 2015 of three counts of assisting in the suicide of her friend Bernadette Forde and patient advocate John Wall join Kieran to discuss.

The Healthy Ireland Survey reported that even though 80 percent of people report to be in good health, only 2 out of 5 people said they were moderately active for 150 minutes a week.How do we motivate ourselves to get up and get active, and why do we fall short when it comes to being physically active?Kieran is joined by Rory O’Connor, Sports Centre Manager at YMCA Fitness.

All this month the Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2024’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.The war in Gaza has only gotten worse this year as the tragic events have played out around us. In May, Irish-Palestinian man Zak Hania – who was reunited with his family in Ireland after being stuck in Gaza and escaping through the Rafah crossing spoke on the show.Zak joins Kieran again to remind you of his story…

During Dublin’s ‘Culture Night’, designated ‘safe-zones’ were introduced to allow people a space to be comfortable in the city. These plans were successful and now look to be re-introduced during the evenings.Joining Kieran is Ray O’Donoghue, Dublin City’s ‘Night-Time Economy Adviser’ to talk through the plans.

The tradition of sending Christmas cards seems to be a dying art form, but do you still participate in the practice, or do you opt for a heartfelt text instead?Stephanie Preissner, Writer and Broadcaster, joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Save the Date

Governmental talks will now commence over the next weeks as parties set out their stalls on what the priorities might be, from Finance, Health or Education.But, should Ireland’s defense and security be chief amongst them? That’s the thinking of Dan O’Brien, Chief Economist of the Institute of International and European Affairs. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Every Tuesday on the Hard Shoulder, a guest comes on to but their favourite book on the Bookshelf!This week, Restauranter, Broadcaster and Author, Sallyanne Clarke, joins Kieran to talk about her favourite read.

The BBC faces backlash as it holds its decision to continue airing episodes of Masterchef while it investigates allegations by 13 individuals of sexually inappropriate comments made by Wallace.While the MasterChef Christmas specials have been cancelled, the current series of MasterChef: The Professionals, which airs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays with Gregg Wallace as a judge, will continue to be aired as planned.Meanwhile, Wallace has apologised for suggesting allegations against him came from "a handful of middle-class women of a certain age".Meirion Jones, former editor of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, who worked for the BBC for over 25 years, joins Kieran to discuss.

Has the advent calendar lost its way? How big of a business are they around the Christmas season?Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Kieran to share what he’s seen and heard.

Ruth Roberts, from Cogs Brain Shop joins Kieran to discuss this year's Christmas Gift Guide, and hopefully give you some ideas for if you are stuck for inspiration in the coming weeks!

The new secretary-general of Nato has warned Donald Trump not to push Ukraine to sign a peace deal that would see the leaders of Russia and Iran “high-fiving”.Mark Rutte also warned such an agreement would create a “...dire security threat not only to Europe but also to the US”.So what should America be doing when it comes to Russia and Ukraine?Jeffrey Sachs is an Economist and Public Policy Analyst, who is a Professor at Columbia University, and joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

Fianna Fáil are set to lead the next government, but who will they go into a coalition with, and will we see a fully formed government?New Fianna Fail Deputy for Wicklow-Wexford, Malcom Byrne, new Independent Deputy for Dublin Bay North, Barry Heneghan and former Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin North West & Former Government Minister, Pat Carey join Kieran to discuss.

The prospect of another Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil government is becoming a quick reality as the combined numbers are nearing that magic number of 88 for a majority.However, another party might be needed to get them over the line, who could that be, and what demands would they have?Joining Kieran to discuss is former Tánaiste Joan Burton and Fionnan Sheehan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent.

All this month the Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2024’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.One of the highlights of the summer and the year must be when Team Ireland sent over 134 athletes to the Paris Olympics, which garnered the country’s best medal haul ever, with four gold and three bronze.Joining Kieran to look back are two of those athletes, Phil Healy and Sophie Becker.

Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie joins Kieran in this week’s Kids Health Check to discuss how to handle your child’s tantrums.

With counts winding down for General Election 2024, which parties had the most success, and who took the biggest hits?Kieran is joined by Alison O’Connor, Columnist with Sunday Times and Broadcaster, Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent, Irish Examiner and Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central to discuss.

In the run up to Christmas, you may find yourself mindlessly subscribing to reward systems that stores have to offer, but which ones are worth the email spam?Sinead Ryan, Irish Independent Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show joins Kieran to discuss.

Joe Biden is coming under fire stateside for pardoning his son Hunter, who is facing sentencing for two criminal cases.Joining Seán to discuss this is  Niall Stanage, White House Columnist with the Hill.

What a weekend for political nerds! But it's not over yet, with there still being a few seats around the country to fill.Joining Kieran for a roundup of the election today and to reflect on the weekend is Seán Defoe, Political Correspondent with Newstalk, Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis and Verona Murphy, newly-elected Independent TD for Wexford.

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer 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 kitchen gadgets! No, you can’t eat them, but they could make great gifts around Christmas!

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

In Germany, an app is being developed to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of an attack…Is this something we should develop here, or would it breach our neutrality?Joining Kieran to discuss is Security and Defense Analyst, Declan Power.

The Assisted Dying Bill has been backed by MPs today as a vote was held to move ahead with it, with 330 votes for, and 275 against.Vincent McAviney, London-based Journalist joins Kieran to discuss what this means, and what the future looks like.Image: Reuters

In preparation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, members of Northern Ireland’s governing body have stated that they want to create a new flag for the event.As you can expect, this has sparked debate with some outraged by the proposal.Joining Kieran to discuss the situation is Ben Lowry, Editor of The Belfast Newsletter, and Claire Hanna, MP for Belfast South and Mid-Down.

TikTok have recently announced that they plan to ban users under the age of 18 from using certain video filters. This comes after child safety groups accused TikTok of adding to the already horrific mental health crisis for young people.Joining Kieran to discuss this move is Marie Loftus, a Director at the Ailesbury Clinic and Iseult White, a Psychotherapist and author.

It's time for the final ‘Henry's Front Bench', where Henry McKean meets an election candidate on a park bench and has a chat.Today, Henry meets Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD running in Dublin Central.

We are only one day away from the big polling day for General Election 2024!Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of An Comuisiún Tohcháin, Ireland’s Independent Electoral Commission about registering to vote joins Kieran to discuss the process, and what you can expect tomorrow.

As the election campaigns draw to a close, the next government’s formation is unclear. Kieran’s guest is one of the select few who have the chance of becoming the next Taoiseach – which would be making history…Joining the show to discuss the general election is President of Sinn Féin and candidate for Dublin Central, Mary Lou McDonald.

Apparently, certain Christmas traditions have been changing and going away, such as mistletoe being hung up. Is this a problem, and what do people think?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been talking to the public, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

Things are heating up as each constituency enters the final furlongs for the general election, but eyes will be on some constituencies as they might be able to give a good sense of the national picture.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, joins Kieran to give us a sense of these bellwether consistencies…

A little earlier this month, MG allowed Kieran and Jess Kelly to have a little test drive in their MG Cyberster, MG’s cutting-edge, all-electric performance convertible roadster.Here is how they got on!Brought to you buy MG Motors.

With less than 72 hours before polls open for the 2024 General Election, Kieran is joined by a panel to discuss how this year’s campaigning has gone, and highlighting the biggest moments.Joining him is Meghann Scully, Freelance Broadcaster, Aideen Finegan, Journalist and Producer of the ‘Conversations With Parents’ podcast and David Hall, CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Services.

As the General Election candidates get ready for Friday’s vote, you might rarely think of what TDs retiring from the Dáil are up to… To remedy that, Kieran is joined by Catherine Murphy, retiring TD for Kildare North, Co-Founder and recent Co-Leader of the Social Democrats.

Today the Hard Shoulder is live from The K Club in Kildare. Joining Kieran in the Legacy Suite is Executive Chef, Gary O’Hanlon, who’s here to discuss how you can make the best-possible Christmas dinner from home.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran for this week’s Tech Takeover to discuss how influencers seem to be dealing out misinformation, how you can find the best deals during Black Friday and the tech recommendation of the week!

In the lead up to the General Election, big debates are being held on the Hard Shoulder. Today, Kieran is joined by candidates running in Kildare, live from The K Club, in the final debate before voting on Friday.What are the biggest issues in the area, and what is each candidate promising to do?Joining Kieran to debate is Cllr Angela Feeney, Labour General Election Candidate for Kildare North, Réada Cronin, Sinn Féin General Election Candidate for Kildare North, James Lawless, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and Fianna Fáil General Election Candidate for Kildare North, Vincent P Martin, Green Party Candidate for Kildare North and Cllr Joe Neville, Mayor of Kildare & Fine Gael General Election Candidate for Kildare North.

This Thursday will see the finest set of Ireland’s entrepreneurs battle it out to become EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year.What does the awards night have in store, and what does it mean to be the EY Entrepreneur of the Year?Frank O’Keefe, EY Ireland’s Managing Partner joins Kieran to discuss.Image: EY Ireland

Headlines were made by St. Peter‘s Chapel in Switzerland as they installed an AI Jesus hologram. In that sense, how are religious orders adapting to the digital age of the 21st century?Joining Kieran to share his approach is Fr. Paddy, the parish priest of Abbeyleix in Laois.

Following the conclusion of the Nikita Hand case, many brands including Tesco and Musgraves are starting to distance themselves from Conor McGregor. But, why do brands sever links with celebrities?Joining Kieran to discuss the intricacies around it, and some of the biggest examples is Trevor Twamley, the CEO and Co-Founder of Sport Endorse.

It's time for ‘Henry's Front Bench', where Henry McKean meets an election candidate on a park bench and has a chat.Today, Henry had an impromptu meeting with Independent candidate Gerry Hutch, who is running in Dublin Central. He joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss.

This week, Kieran was joined by Journalist and Historian Kevin Myers to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

It's time for ‘Henry's Front Bench', where Henry McKean meets an election candidate on a park bench and has a chat.Today, Henry meets Louise O'Reilly, Sinn Féin candidate running in Fingal West.