The Hard Shoulder

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to chat about carrots and the benefits they bring.

Electric Picnic is back this Summer with its biggest lineup yet according to some. Kylie Minogue will be stealing the headlines this year after it was announced she would be appearing Sunday on the mainstage To talk through the lineup, Kieran is joined by Festival Director Melvin Benn and Presenter / Kylie superfan Mairead Ronan.Image: Kylie Minogue on Twitter/X

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

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Broadcaster Meghann Scully and Assistant News Editor of the Business Post, Sarah McGuinness.  

Praise has been given to Taylor Swift's new album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ by one of Ireland’s most renowned poets.  Speaking in the Telegraph, Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Muldoon compared Taylor’s use of humour to that of her namesake Jonathan Swift. Paul Muldoon, legendary Irish poet, joins Kieran to discuss the album and the relationship poetry has with music.

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. He joins Kieran to discuss US politics and to chat about the explosion of protests in American Universities after a failed crackdown at Columbia University. Image: Reuters

This week The Journal revealed that Ireland has only 3 hospital beds for adults with eating disorders. Why is this the case, and how does this affect people with eating disorders currently?Joining Kieran to give her experience is Lauren in Dublin, who suffers from an eating disorder and has been through HSE services. Also joining Kieran to discuss why this might be happening is Dr Art Malone, Co-Chair of the Eating Disorder Special Interest Group in the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, and Consultant Psychiatrist with the HSE and Harriet Parsons, Psychotherapist and training & development manager at Bodywhys.ie.

People have been divided online after comedian Arj Barker kicked a breastfeeding mother out of a gig in Australia.  Was this the right thing to do and do mothers have fair rights to be allowed to go to gigs with their children?Kieran is joined by comedian Jim Elliot and Siobhan O’Neill White from Mams.ie to discuss.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by John Lee, Executive Editor with Daily Mail Group Ireland and Niamh Maher, Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media. Harriet Alexander, Senior Features Reporter at The Times also calls in to discuss Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction being overturned.Image: Etienne Laurent, AP

Road safety is being highlighted as an area that needs to be seriously addressed as 69 people have died on Irish roads already this year. Campaign groups are calling for penalty points to be doubled and attention has also turned to enforcement by gardaí. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been asking people if they have ever been breathalysed and what they think deters dangerous driving.

Minister of Justice Helen McEntee has faced some criticism after being unable to give a clear answer to Independent Clare TD’s Michael McNamara’s question regarding the take back system for Asylum Seekers. Michael McNamara, Former Chair of the Oireachtas Covid Committee and Independent TD for Clare joins Kieran to discuss.

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 week Simon brought a selection of soda breads…

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Pat Carty from Hotpress to discuss what he’d cull from the internet.

Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews has said he would support a tax or levy on the purchase of fast fashion clothing.  Joining Kieran is Spokesperson for SPARK, Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids, Louise Bayliss to discuss.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined Anton for the Tech Takeover. This week Jess looked at the US potentially banning TikTok if their parent company ByteDance don’t divest the company within a year.

The increasing road death stats were discussed before the Oireachtas, and Kieran’s guest has seen first-hand the impact drink driving can have. Stevo Timothy was the driver in a fatal motorbike crash killing his friend John Laffey back in 2005. The crash also left Stevo with two broken bones in his neck and seven in his back, leaving him in full paralysis from the upper chest down. He has also admitted alcohol played a role in the crash, and joins Kieran to share his story.

Newstalk is partnering with Make-A-Wish Ireland to celebrate Wish Week. Join us all week as we talk to some incredible children and their courageous families, and hear how Make-A-Wish Ireland have been beacons of light for children facing the toughest battles of their lives.  Make-A-Wish Ireland is dependent on the generosity of the public. You can donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.  One happy recipient of a wish was 15 year old Sam Dunne, who has Neuromuscular Scoliosis whose wish for a trip to Centre Parcs was made real.   His mother Ciara joined Kieran to talk about the experience and how important it was.

Classic Hits Broadcaster and Candidate for the European election in the Dublin constituency for Independent Ireland Niall Boylan joins Kieran to discuss why he decided to make the decision to run for political office.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Ellen Butler, Newstalk Reporter and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with the Irish Daily Star.

The new pedestrian bridge in Galway is set to have a new name! Droichead an Dóchais or Bridge of Hope has been chosen, and a naming ceremony will take place in a few weeks. It seems a bit bland, doesn’t it? Do we need to have an honest question about how we name things here in Ireland? Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney joins Kieran to discuss how we as a country name things. Image: Galway City Council

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Newstalk’s Sue Murphy to discuss the concept of ‘mom guilt’.

Over in Berlin a group of Irish Activists in Berlin have been told they are not allowed to speak Irish outside the Bundestag, even though it is recognised as an EU language...  Kieran joined by a member of the Irish Bloc in Berlin, Aodhán Donnelly, to discuss.

Dr Ciara Kelly, Newstalk Breakfast presenter, joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books…

Should Bambie Thug boycott Eurovision?Over 400 Irish artists have written a letter to Ireland’s Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug asking the singer to boycott the competition. They say Bambie should stay “on the right side of history.” Joining Kieran is Musician and Singer, Mary Coughlan to discuss.Image: Andres Poveda Ltd

Taoiseach Simon Harris has extended the Governments apology to the families of the victims of the Stardust tragedy.  Joining Kieran to give their takes on the apology are Newstalk reporter Stephanie Rohan and Sinn Féin senator Lynn Boylan. Also joining Kieran to discuss is one of those affected, Lisa Lawlor, who was 17 months old and lost both her parents in the tragedy.

With increased emphasis on recycling recently, it’s important to know what waste goes into which bin. And, since Kieran isn’t a bin expert, Colin O’Byrne, coordinator at VOICE joins him to answer all of your recycling queries.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

David Beckham caused a stir this weekend when he posted a video of the spice girls singing Karaoke at Victoria Beckham's 50th birthday party…  Is this a sign of a reunion? Joining Kieran is Pop Culture and Entertainment expert AND Spice Girls fan, Deirdre Molumby to discuss.

Is chatting about finances causing a burden on your relationship? The Great British Bake Off’s Prue Leith has expressed concern over her husband's online shopping habits! So, what is the best way to go about having those awkward financial questions? Joining Kieran is Dating and Relationship Expert, Francis Kelleher to discuss the relationship side, with your financial questions being answered by Paul Merriman, Financial Adviser, founder of Fairstone Ireland and the one behind askpaul.ie. 

It’s Earth Day, which is a day for celebrating our planet and highlighting what needs to be done to protect it.This comes as the EU climate survey demonstrates that this year’s climate had more heat, flooding and wildfires than the average of any other year.  Patrick O’Connor from Extinction Rebellion Ireland, joins Kieran to discuss.

This week in our Kid's Health Check, Dr Suzanne Crowe, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital joined Jonathan to chat about what to do when your child has croup.

Activist group Teachers for Palestine announced on social media a two week campaign between 29th of April to the 10th of May in order to bring awareness to events in Gaza. Alan Shatter has raised concerns about teaching kids in schools about the war in Gaza on X earlier today.Speaking with Kieran about the topic is Ian O’Doherty, columnist with the Irish Independent and Conall O’Dufaigh, member of the Teachers for Palestine Campaign.Image: Teachers for Palestine

The GRA annual conference kicks off this evening but Justice Minister, Helen McEntee will not be in attendance along with Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris.  Will Fine Gael be able to keep up their reputation of ‘the law and order party’ if they won't face rank and file Gardai? That's the question from Kieran’s guest: crime journalist, Paul Williams.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by David Hall, CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Services, and Niam O’Reilly, freelance journalist.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US is underway.Now in its 12th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, it’s Atlanta, Austin and Boston and Kieran Cuddihy has travelled along with them.Today Kieran is in Boston and joined by Adie McGennis, Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and one of the founders of Ireland Gateway to Europe and Matt Mohan, Group Executive Chairman of The FKM Group and another founder of Ireland Gateway to Europe.

Three different Irish people now living in Boston joined Kieran on the show to talk about why they left Ireland and how they're faring abroad.They are: musician Colm O'Brien, Tom Cahill, owner of the Chieftan Pub and Robbie Croft, Games Development Personnel for Boston GAA.

Taylor Swift’s latest album ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ was released in the early hours of this morning. She sent Swifties into a frenzy when she announced 15 extra tracks...Here to review the album is Boston’s Greatest Swifte, Emily Bresnahan! 

Kieran has escaped the makeshift studio in Boston Massachusetts to check out Legal Sea Foods' Harborside location, after being told so many times to try a buttery lobster roll. He talks to CEO Matt King about the business.Jess Kelly also joins him to overcome her fear of seafood, hopefully.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US is underway.Now in its 12th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, it’s Atlanta, Austin and Boston and Kieran Cuddihy has travelled along with them.Today Kieran is in Boston and joined by Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig, CEO of Skillstack and Director of Ireland Gateway to Europe, as well as Claire Kelly, Head of Growth and Partnerships with Sigmar Recruitment.

The Boston Duck tour will feel very familiar for everyone in Dublin! And it's one of the most recommended things to do.Joining Kieran to talk about the attraction is Boston Duck Tours' Director of Marketing & Sales Tom Vigna.

The Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, also known as NOAH, is a non profit community development organisation that aims to provide affordable housing in Boston. Kieran is joined by the Executive Director of NOAH, Philip Giffee. 

Many Irish who left the shores of the island found themselves here in Boston.  One such man was Sligo man Tom Stenson who founded the Eire Pub in 1963, an Irish pub which has hosted many well-known Irish faces and politicians.   Tom’s son, John Stenson the owner of Eire Pub, joins Kieran to discuss the history of the establishment.

The Hard Shoulder is live in Boston which has the largest Brain Bank in the world.  Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center researches the long-term consequences of repetitive brain trauma in athletes.  Joining Kieran is Daniel Daneshvar, Chief of Brain Rehabilitation in Harvard Medical School to discuss.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined in Boston by Gayla Cawley, City Hall reporter for the Boston Herald and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent and presenter of Tech Talk.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US is underway.Now in its 12th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, it’s Atlanta, Austin and Boston and Kieran Cuddihy has travelled along with them.Today Kieran is in Boston and joined by Audrey Carney, Director with The HR Company, Angela O’Grady, Co-Founder and Operations Director with The HR Company and Connor Heaney, Managing Director - EMEA with EXC.

The Dropkick Murphys will be playing live at The Iveagh Gardens in Dublin on the 7th of July  Now, we couldn’t come all the way to Boston and not feature the band Dropkick Murphys! So, Kieran is delighted to be joined by Ken Casey, singer and bassist with Dropkick Murphys.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US is underway.Now in its 12th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, it’s Atlanta, Austin and Boston and Kieran Cuddihy has travelled along with them.Today Kieran is joined by Dublin GAA legend and now Director of Development with DCU's Educational Trust.

More and more Americans are finding themselves in financial debt when needing to avail of healthcare procedures.  This has resulted in many questions being raised around medical care in the US and if more needs to be done to improve the accessibility and affordability of health care.  Mardge Cohen from the Physicians for a National Health Program, joins Kieran to discuss.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US is underway.Now in its 12th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, it’s Atlanta, Austin and Boston and Kieran Cuddihy has travelled along with them.Today Kieran is joined by three very impressive people, and all for very different reasons.  Tony Ward works with Fighting Blindness to promote the rights of people with disabilities around the world. Rob Kearney is an Irish rugby great and here representing Elkstone Partners, and Dr Caroline McGroary is a lecturer in accounting at Dublin City University and Princess Nourah University and is here building links with universities. 

It would be remiss of us during our time here in the US not to speak with some members of the indigenous community.  Many of the issues facing these communities from language loss and identity from colonisation will be felt for many back home with our own history.  Amy Bruton, Bluemel Award-winning Native American Storyteller and Dr. Aaron Pyle from the Indigenous Cultures Institute joined Kieran in the Texas studio.