The Hard Shoulder

Yesterday Brendan Gleeson joined Kieran Cuddihy to talk about Bewley's Big Coffee Morning, which is taking place on September 26th, and he spoke about the importance of hospice care.Kieran’s guest got in touch after hearing Brendan speak and wanted to put the other side across: assisted dying.Audrey Farrelly joins to discuss…

A recent post on X (Twitter) has gone viral, encouraging women to leave chore lists for their bewildered male partners.But, is this a good idea for relationships? And do men weaponise their own ‘incompetence’ to avoid jobs?Joining Kieran to discuss is Peter Finn, AKA Pete the Builder And Content Creator Holly Carpenter.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to compare different options for chocolate mousse!

Kieran Cuddihy chatted with legendary actor Brendan Gleeson, who is supporting Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice. They discuss Brendan’s life and career, and why hospice care is so important.Register to host a coffee morning on Thursday, September 26 – or on a date that suits you – at hospicecoffeemorning.ie or call 0818 995 996. If you cannot host or attend a coffee morning, you can make a donation at hospicecoffeemorning.ie/donate

Minister for Education, Norma Foley, and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton , have today launched the first year of a new scheme which will see free schoolbooks and classroom resources provided to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools.To explain it all, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Minister Norma Foley.

Hugs are often given to others as a wholesome display of affection, but can it be overused and have its meaning watered down? Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly joins Kieran to discuss.

Today saw the loss of one of Ireland’s most prominent feminists and journalists, Nell McCafferty.Nell famously took part in the contraceptive train in 1971 and paved the way for legalisation of contraception here in Ireland. Eamonn McCann, Activist and Journalist and Ailbhe Smyth, Activist and Campaigner join Kieran Cuddihy to discuss her impact.

Saint Killian’s Cork is a school which provides education and care to children with acute, learning and neuro-developmental disabilities.Children with these conditions require therapeutic hours and this service is crucial for their development.However, since 2019 Saint Killian’s has been without any therapy services for their children and has been excluded from a recently announced pilot project bringing therapies back to schools.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Sue Linehan, Principal of St. Killian’s Special School in Mayfield Cork and Fiona Coughlan from Parents Unite, a group of parents advocating for their children with additional needs.

The RSA latest ad and campaign ‘Lose Your Licence, Lose Your Independence’ has come under fire, with claims of ableism.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is Neasa Hourigan, Green Party Finance Spokesperson and Louise Williams, Coordinator of Monthly Cycles.Image: RSA

If Irish rock star Phil Lynott was still alive, he would have been 75 today. Newstalk’s Henry McKean met Thin Lizzy super fans celebrating the date, remembering the Irish music legend.

Musician, Broadcaster and founding member of ‘The Hothouse Flowers’, Fiachna Ó Braonáin joined Kieran to put his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

Shamrock Rovers, in a statement yesterday, hit out against national TV broadcasters for failing to broadcast big European matches in recent weeks.They state that “The club exhausted every avenue” to get the games broadcasted.Kieran is joined by John Martin, Chief Executive of Shamrock Rovers F.C to discuss.

The curtains will soon be drawn, and the winner crowned, as Tralee prepares for the live final of The Rose of Tralee competition tonight. Steeped in tradition, and met with its fair share of scepticism, there is a lot to love about the show that has been aired across our television screens for decades. Here with me now to discuss is Chef and Radio Broadcaster Edward Hayden and Olivia Fahy, Editor of ‘Geek Ireland’.

Earlier today, Kieran Cuddihy was told that his son won’t be seen by the dentist until sixth class; he is currently in fourth class…This is due to the extreme staff shortages in dentists all over Ireland, causing a backlog so long some children aren't seen by a dentist until secondary school.Joining Kieran to tell more about the dentist shortages and waiting lists around the country is Chair of the GP committee of the Irish Dental Association, and owner of Kiwi Dental in Carlow, Caroline Robbins.

It has been a number of years since an Irish public figure took a British Honour title, like Sir Bob Geldof, but has Ireland fallen out of love with British titles? And should we consider implementing our own?To discuss, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Gerard Craughwell, Independent Senator and John Gilligan, the Former Mayor of Limerick.

The Democratic National Convention gets underway today in Chicago. What can we expect?Joining Kieran from the DNC to discuss is Bob Mulholland, Delegate and Member of the Democratic National Committee for California.Image: Reuters

Is the requirement to fill out a personality test to secure a house viewing the latest bizarre element of renting in Ireland's housing crisis?To discuss, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Meghan from Newstalk and Peter Dooley from the Dublin Renters Union.Later, Kieran is joined by Dr. Rory Hearne, Assistant Professor of Social Policy at Maynooth University to discuss how the market has gotten to this point, and what needs to be done to change things.

Now, the new gambling bill is set to be published this autumn and will hope to curtail advertising as well as protect children from gambling.Joining Kieran to help explain what the bill is and how it has gotten to this point having faced considerable lobbying is Minister of State Department of Justice with responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice and Fianna Fail TD for Wexford of Justice James Browne.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Iseult White, Psychotherapist and Author to discuss whether or not you should use reward systems with your children.

With alcohol consumption in Ireland dropping by almost a third in the last two decades, a move towards sobriety is becoming a popular choice for many.But, with our deep-rooted drinking culture still so prevalent in the country - are there enough spaces for non-drinkers to socialise?Joining Kieran to discuss is Resilience Coach, Expert Psychotherapist and best-selling author Siobhan Murray.

Have superhero movies led to the death of cinema? Former Marvel actor and star of Succession Brian Cox seems to think so, despite the latest superhero movie, Deadpool & Wolverine becoming the second highest grossing movie of 2024.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Deirdre Molumby, Pop Culture and Entertainment Expert and Film Critic, Brian Lloyd.Image: Marvel

All eyes are on the Democratic National Convention as it starts in Chicago today, and who better to discuss presidential politics than Kieran’s next guest, American actor and ‘The West Wing’ legend, Richard Schiff!They discuss Biden’s decision to step out of the race, and how the election might shake out.Image: NBC

Electric Picnic has come and gone from another weekend, but one of the highlights for some would have been the Wolfe Tones playing the main stage yesterday.Was it okay for thousands of fans to chant “oh ah up the ra”? Or do we need to start having a mature conversation around rebel songs?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Ronan McGreevy, Irish Times journalist, author of 'Great Hatred: The Assassination of Field Marshall Sir Henry Wilson MP' and Ben Lowry, Editor of The Belfast Newsletter.

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Presenter of Weekend Breakfast, Alison Curtis and Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Manchán's Europe By Train, is a new series kicking off on RTÉ 1 this Sunday where beloved Manchán Magan shows Europe through the scoop of rail and ferry, with no flying allowed!Manchán joins Kieran to discuss.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to reinvent the noodle with some great recipes!

Never has a presidential race been so dramatic and full of twists and turns then the one in the US.Comedian Jim Elliot is on the ground stateside in Tennessee putting a finger on the pulse that is American politics. He joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss how former President Donald Trump possibly embarrassed himself on a livestream with Elon Musk on X / Twitter…Image: Margo Martin

As back to school looms on the horizon, it raises the question, should we shorten the school holidays?Italians certainly think they should, a petition to cut their 14 week long summer is circulating, but are they right? Or should we let our kids have down time?Kieran is joined by comedian Steve Cummings and Jen Hogan, Journalist and Irish Times Columnist to discuss this...

One-way flights from Dublin to London could cost up to €500 this coming Christmas, unless Dublin Airport’s passenger cap is lifted. So says Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who spoke to Shane Coleman on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.Padraig O Céidigh, Former Senator, Founder of Aer Lingus Regional & Former Chair of Shannon Airport Group joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss further.

Some people may be used to getting ID’d at the club door for looking too young, but what about getting ID’d for looking too OLD?It begs the question, does clubbing come with an age limit?Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer for The Irish Times and Freelance Journalist, Florence Okojie joins Kieran Cuddihy 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.He joins Kieran to discuss how, following Biden’s dropout and Kamala Harris taking his place, she is surging in the polls compared to Donald Trump? Will he be able to catch up?

The interest and obsession in former Love Island stars’, Molly Mae Haugh and Tommy Fury’s split is the perfect example of how invested people get in celebrity relationships. But, why are we so intrigued?Kieran is joined by Alexandra Ryan, founder and CEO of Goss.ie, to discuss.

The country's first e-scooter rental scheme was launched today in Wexford town in conjunction with Bolt, but what impact will this have on the town, and should we consider expanding the roll out across the country?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Joe O’Shea, Columnist for the Irish Mirror and Colin Baker of Back from the Future IT Support.

Playboy magazine is coming back, and while some people may feel its return is misogynistic in 2024. But, is this just a distraction? Is the real concern what our kids are watching in general?Dr. Caroline West, sex educator and sexual violence prevention educator joins Kieran to discuss.

Plans are underway for Cork's first Olympic swimming pool, but right now, it’s sitting in a warehouse.Joining Kieran to discuss is Giuseppe Whelan, Chairman of Dolphin Swimming Club.

Transition Year was first introduced in secondary schools 50 years ago, but how has the program changed since then? And what are the pros and cons of the so-called ‘doss’ year?To discuss, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Eric Nelligan, Assistant Principal at St Munchins College Limerick and Aontú’s Education Spokesperson, and Newstalk's own Alex Rowley.

We all love our pets, and if you own a dog, you probably give them a kiss on the forehead, or maybe even on the mouth. But how unhygienic is this really? And what implications could it have for health?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr Primrose Freestone, Associate Professor in Clinical Microbiology in University of Leicester.

The removal of branding from cigarette boxes successfully reduced smoking among young people, but should a similar approach be taken with unhealthy food?To discuss, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Gráinne Mullins from Grá Chocolates...

If a friend or family member opens up to you about their mental health struggles, what is the best way to support them?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Geoffrey McCarthy, Psychotherapist and CEO of the Beacon of Light Counselling Centre in Clondalkin and Emer O’Neill, Broadcaster with RTÉ.

Many of the fantastic Irish Olympic athletes are no doubt having a deserved rest after a stellar competition.But, for some medal winners, such as Daniel Wiffen, many brands and businesses will be lining up to work with an Olympic champion.What is life for these individuals business-wise? And how much change does it have on their professional life?Joining Kieran to discuss is Trevor Twamley, CEO and Co-Founder of Sport Endorse. 

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss why you should sometimes delete your old emails and files - not just for the environment - but your pocket too!

Social Democrats’ TD Gary Gannon has raised concerns whether Dublin City has become too dangerous in the wake of a series of incidents following the Olympic homecoming earlier this week.Joining Kieran to discuss how dangerous Dublin City really is is Will Monaghan, owner of One Society Café.Will Monaghan is the owner of One Society on Gardiner Street. Will, as someone working in the City Centre, do you think things have got worse in the city?

The age-old debate of tattoos: should people think more before they ink? Or are we being too judgmental when it comes to body modification?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Irish Independent Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk Sinead Ryan and her son, Andrew, who just got a new tattoo.

Between navigating social cues and dating apps, trying to find a partner is a difficult endeavour.That mission isn’t easier if you are trying to get back out there after a divorce. So how do you get back on the horse? Frances Kelleher, Life Coach and Dating Expert, joins Kieran to discuss.

Research released earlier this summer showed that seat belt wearing rates have decreased among drivers and on top of that, drivers have been buying devices called ‘beep stoppers’ aimed at disabling car systems that beep when seat belts are not worn while driving.Is driving behaviour and attitudes at an all time low?Geraldine Herbert is a motoring editor and columnist with the Sunday independent and joins Kieran to discuss.

It’s been five years since the proposed White Water Rafting centre hit the public eye.Is the idea still a dud? Or should we consider it in light of our recent conversations around investing in sports infrastructure?To discuss, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Donna Cooney, Green Party Cllr and Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin and Dermot Lacey, Labour Party councillor on Dublin City Council.Image: Dublin City Council

Electric Picnic is upon us as the gates of Stradbally Hall open up to 75,000 people from Thursday.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie got a sneak preview of what people can expect. Hear from the organisers, stage creators and those performing.

Pharmacists should be able to prescribe for a range of common conditions.  So found a new report published today by the Expert Taskforce to Support the Expansion of the Role of Pharmacy.   Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran on this....

Once upon a time the dinner table was the focal point of a family home where we all gathered to talk about the day and share our food together. But these days, the TV pulls our attention instead or we eat on the go. Should we revisit the dinner table and make a point of sitting together, sharing experiences and connecting? Joining Kieran is Tara O’Connor, Event planner and Table-scapist from the Designed Table and Michelle Harding, founder of School of Life ....

Kieran is joined by Broadcaster and Presenter Sarina Bellissimo.She’s been glued to the TV since the Paris Olympics began, and shares the best moments she’s found as a viewer from home.