The Hard Shoulder

This Saturday, a protest is due to be held outside of Dublin Zoo calling for an independent investigation into concerns about animal welfare.  Dublin Zoo denied any allegation of a breach in animal welfare and an investigation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) last month cleared the zoo of any wrongdoing based on 17 allegations by a whistleblower, dating from 2004 to 2022. But what about the zoo and its role in society? Joining Kieran to discuss is Gerry Boland, Animal Advocate and Founder of Animals Behind Closed Doors.

Ireland waits with bated breath as Kellie Harrington prepares to become a back-to-back Olympic champion tonight.The boxer has her sights set on gold ahead of the women's 60kg Boxing Final, with her opponent being China’s Wenlu Yang.Joining Kieran for a boxing preview of the event is Irish Olympic boxer and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Michael Carruth.

Recently, streamer and YouTube star ISHOWSPEED was in Ireland, known for his outlandish nature and provocative stunts, such as jumping over oncoming cars.With many young men enjoying his work, are they starved of positive role models in the era of social media ?Joining Kieran to chat about this is Calvin O’Brien,Co Host of Talking Bollox Podcast.

Since its emergence in the past year, Ozempic has been hailed as a wonder drug for those with life threatening obesity.But, there has been huge demand for the drug from those with non-life-threatening weight issues.Joining Kieran to discuss the implications of the non-legitimate use of Ozempic is Dr Michael Crotty, a GP who specialises in obesity medicine.

Poet John Cooper Clarke joined Kieran Cuddihy to put his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder bookshelf! He also gives some honourable mentions and talks about what he’s currently reading.

Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her VP candidate. Joining Kieran to reflect on this news, and talk about Tim’s career is veteran Minnesota journalist and Co-Host of current affairs show Almanac, Eric Eskola.Image: Reuters

One thing that has become a feature of many of the immigration protests across the country is setting the various earmarked IPAS centres on fire...Misinformation and disinformation swirl around events and situations and they escalate into abandoned buildings or premises being attacked and in some cases, torched.Kieran’s guest was lucky not to be in her home when protesters set it alight. The then Ross Lake House Hotel in Galway was set on fire when protesters believed it would become an IPAS centre last December.Shannon Kincaid is the former owner of Ross Lake House Hotel and not only was her home torched, but so were all of her belongings, she joins Kieran to discuss.

Ahead of this year’s inevitable general election, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe, has been taking a look at what the major parties actually stand for.This week, he joins Kieran Cuddihy to put Fine Gael under the microscope.

Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball joins Kieran Cuddihy from Paris to discuss how Ireland has been doing since the 2024 Olympics has commenced, including the Champions catwalk, and previews the boxing final happening tonight.

It’s the time where teenagers across the country are being prompted by parents to get up, get out and get a job.But, with limited opportunities for teenagers to work, are we being unfair towards Irish adolescents? Author and Irish Times Columnist, Jen Hogan and Irish Independent Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show, Sinead Ryan join Kieran to discuss.

Every week on the show we look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…This week stand in presenter Jonathan Healy was joined by Esther McCarthy, Life Style Editor at the Irish Examiner and by Joe O'Shea Editor of CorkBeo.ie.

A man was arrested this morning suspected of ramming a van into the gates of multiple State and Government buildings in Dublin. So should this be sounding alarm bells about how secure our government is.Tom Clonan Trinity Senator and Security Analyst spoke to Stand in presenter, Jonathan Healy about this.

Henry McKean got reaction from locals down in Skibbereen after Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy retained their Olympic glory in Parid

Today Ireland's first Velodrome got the green light for construction. So is continued investment the best way to silverware and are we investing enough? Stand in presenter, Jonathan Healy was joined by Una May, Chief Executive Of Sports Ireland , Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with Irish Daily Star and by Colin Lowth, Former Olympic butterfly swimmer for Ireland to discuss this more ...

The Body Worn Cameras proof of concept was launched in Limerick by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris earlier today  and Minister for Justice Helen Mcentee spoke to Jonathan Healy on the Hard Shoulder today.

A recent report by the RSPCA shows that 7 in 10 children have never seen a cow being milked, and a fifth have never fed ducks in the park. Are children’s lack of interaction with animals really a cause for concern? Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss this was Dairy Farmer and Limerick IFA Secretary Louise Crowley and Ciara Brennan, Vegan and owner of Happy Food by Ciara ..

Cork Chamber has today reiterated its calls for a LUAS-style light rail to be introduced in the southern capital Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork spoke to Jonathan Healy about this..

Kieran was broadcasting live from Newstalk Towers out on the sunny balcony for this special edition of The Hard Shoulder.Joining him to soak up the good weather, Kieran was joined by Andrea Gilligan Newstalk Presenter and Saoirse Hanley, features writer for The Sunday Independent and the Sunday World. 

Many mothers are all too aware of the difficulties of maintaining a work-life balance when they have children. During the week, Singer Lilly Allen remarked that having children “ruined her career”.To debate this, Kieran was joined by Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer and Journalist, Mary McCarthy Columnist for the Irish Independent.

Whether you are sunbathing in the French Riviera or out the back garden, one companion won’t be far and that is your holiday book.  Newstalk’s own, Ciara Treacy joined Kieran on the show to give her brilliant recommendations

The ‘Access to Cash Bill’  to guarantee access to cash and protect its use has been published today  The new legislation addresses issues with access to cash, especially in rural and regional areas and also for businesses and individuals. Jack Chambers, Minister for Finance and FF TD for Dublin West joined Kieran on the Show.

Mick McCarthy from off The Ball joined Kieran for an roundup of the Olympics on Day 8 of the action in Paris

Barbara Scully, author and broadcaster, joined Kieran to chat about the process of aging.

For something a little different, this week, Kieran was joined by Killian Ginnity from Newstalk’s digital team    and Elaine Burke Host of For Tech's Sake to chat about how to keep your tech cool in the heat

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options this new year. This week Simon and Kieran put some different Ginger Biscuit to the test...

A year after the All Ireland Rail draft report was published, the full report is set to be released tomorrow. On the eve before its publication, Kieran was joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, Senior climate advisor for Friends of the Earth and by John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinty College Dublin, to discuss the report.

Ger Gilroy, From Off The Ball Joined Kieran to give on an update on Day 6 of the action at the Paris Olympics

There have been recent complaints about cannabis use in Dublin, with many suggesting that the smell of weed around the city centre has gotten out of hand. Are there more complex issues at play when it comes to recreational cannabis use in Ireland? Kieran was joined by Graham De Barra, Director of Help not Harm to discuss this

We are finally get the sunshine we have so craved this summer and with the sun, comes the barbeque. But who will be standing at barbeque? Newstalk's Simon Tierney has been writing for The Journal and says that we have genderised the barbeque and that it is a man’s domain.Simon and Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments joined Kieran on the show to discuss this.

Irish Rail has had to put up warning signs ­telling people not to rummage in station bins for bottles and cans worth money under the Deposit Return Scheme.  Is this a sign that people are buying into the new system?  Broadcaster and Columnist, Wendy Grace and David Hall  CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Serivces spoke to Kieran about what they thought.

With 5 road deaths on our roads in 48 hours this weekend, What more needs to be done to reduce deaths on our roads?  Kieran spoke to Vice President of the Irish Road Victims Association, Leo Leighio about this

A new film is set to be released detailing Roy Keane and Mick McCarthy's infamous falling out ahead of the 2002 World Cup.Steve Coogan, is reportedly penned to play Mick McCarthy. Kieran was joined by Jason McAteer, former Republic of Ireland International, and Mario Rosenstock, Irish comedian and creator of the Gift Grub, on Today FM to discuss the new film.

A new survey carried out by curries has found 26% wash their bed sheets only once a month and 5% of those surveyed admitting to not knowing what ANY of the symbols on the machine mean.  Should we take washing our clothes more seriously?  Kieran was joined by Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin, Leslie Shoemaker and Today FM’s Cathal O'Sullivan to discuss this.

Despite the fanfare around the Olympics, the main event for Irish sport this weekend remains the All Ireland Final, and fans from Galway and Armagh will be flocking to Dublin in their droves and both counties look to secure their first title in over 20 years.Róisín Murtagh,  PRO of Crossmaglen Rangers   and  Padraig Lally All Ireland winner with Galway and owner of Taffe’s Bar in Galway City spole to Kieran about this..

The Olympic Opening Ceremony is taking place in a little while but Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball ,who is in Paris,  has already been to a ceremony of sorts, where the flag bearers were revealed. Ger joined Kieran on the show to fill him in

Writing in the examiner this week, Columnist Michael Moynihan suggested Cork City need to get more creative with their transport by introducing the likes of  Gondala lifts...  Michael spoke to Kieran about this..

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef, joined Kieran today to chat through some food. This week, Mackerel is taking center focus

 Now, footage has resurfaced this week of JD Vance suggesting that the US is ran by childless cat ladies. Friends Actress Jennifer instagram took to Instagram to say she couldnt believe the comments.  Well did JD have a point or did he take it too far?   Joining Kieran to discuss this was Columnist with the Irish Independent, Ian O’Doherty and Journalist & Author, Valerie Cox 

Sarina Bellissimo, Presenter of The Bellissimo Files Podcast and Newstalk’s own Sue Murphy joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Actor Colin Farrell is marking a significant birth of his close  friend Emma Fogarty Emma is Ireland’s longest-surviving person with epidermolysis bullosa or (EB), and has survived cancer twice and is celebrating her “miracle” 40th birthday. Colin in her honour, will be running the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in October with the aim of raising €400k for Debra, the charity for epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Kieran spoke with Emma on the show

According to a new Newstalk Amarach Poll, 58% of parents of children under 18 don’t think sport is accessible and affordable for families.  What effect does this have on communities when young people can’t access sporting facilities and what can be done to improve this?  Tom Magee Liberty Saints Rugby Club President and Gary Gannon, Social Democrats Education Spokesperson spoke to Kieran about this

Looking back to last year's Rugby World Cup in France, one issue had Travellers in a tizzy, and that was bed bugs.   So should you still be concerned if you are heading off the France for the Olympics and what can you do to make sure you don’t let the bed bugs bite.  Trevor Hayden, Managing Director Complete Pest Control spoke to Kieran and gave him advice.

“Community engagement” has been a consistent talking point in the conversation around housing international protection applicants, but one local authority actively doing it is South Dublin County Council. Alan Edge is an Independent Councillor for South County Dublin  and he spoke to Kieran about this

When it comes to communicating with our nearest and dearest, why is it we are the least loving towards them? We send snappy or blunt texts to partners but treat colleagues and strangers with more affection nearly? Mary McCarthy has been writing about this in her column in the Irish Independent and she and Nimah Maher, Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media  spoke to Kieran about this.

It’s time once again for the Shopping Trolley where we review the same product from various stores and as ever I’m guided by expert shopper Simon Tierney Today Simon takes Kieran through the price of chutney

We’ve been discussing all evening news that €725m of public funding has been guaranteed for the national broadcaster over the next three years... For more analysis on the subject, Kieran was joined by Terry Prone Chairman of the Communications Clinic   and  Willie O'Reilly, Former RTE employee and media commentator and by Jane from Wexford has also got in touch with the show this evening.

The Ireland Rugby Sevens have kicked off their 2024 Olympic Campaign this afternoon against South Africa. The boys in green will up again tonight at 8pm when they face Japan.  To give her latest reaction, Former Irish International Fiona Hayes Spoke to Kieran

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent and host of ‘Tech Talk’ joined Kieran for the Tech Takeover.This week, Jess tells us what save elope is

So should the government have gone with greater reform when it comes to the funding announcement with RTE? Kieran got the views from Cathal Crowe ,Fianna Fáil TD for Clare   and by Aengus O Snodaigh  Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Gaeilge, the Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture and TD for Dublin South Central.

We all have them .. the dreaded drunk drawer...So how can we keep on top of it and not let our drawers get out of hand?   Kieran spoke to Sarah Reynold Founder of Organised Chaos about keeping them clean