The Hard Shoulder

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 profile Fianna Fáil, finding out what makes them different to the other party with Fianna in its name.

A recent survey by The Sunday Times has revealed that there are over 1,000 teacher vacancies in both primary and secondary schools across Ireland ahead of the academic year.So, what is the cause for our lack of teachers across the country? Mr Aaron Wolfe, principal of Coláiste Éamann Rís secondary school in Cork, joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Enda Murphy, Clinical Psychotherapist and Director of SeeMee.ie to discuss travel anxiety and a fear of flying with children.

With new terminology being used every day, how do we decide what makes the Irish translation? From individual to official requests, the process of adding new words to the Irish language is a lengthy yet fascinating journey.Dr Gearóid Ó Cleircín, Assistant professor at DCU’s Fiontar and Scoil na Gaeilge and Member of An Coiste Téarmaíochta joins Kieran to discuss.

Following a successful year for Irish athletes in Paris at this year's Olympic Games, it raises the question on the distribution of the state's funding allocations for high performance sports.Despite a €25 million state funding allocation for high performance sports in Ireland, some Olympic athletes continue to be reliant on second careers to fund their training and ­participation in world events.However, horse racing and greyhound racing together received €95 million in state funding this year, significantly more than all other sports. Should this fund be reviewed?Kieran is joined by Micheal Healy Rae, Independent TD for Kerry and Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD for Dublin, to discuss.

Police have described Banksy’s recent artwork in London as ‘criminal damage’, which begs the question: is graffiti or art, or mere vandalism?Joining me now to discuss is Catherine O’Halloran: psychotherapist, youth worker and Founder of Draw Out Limerick and Street Artist Shane Sutton.

Death threats and abuse have become commonplace in the lives of our politicians, so says a new survey from the Irish Independent, which reported that 60 of 67 TDs surveyed have had threats made against them, with the threats ranging from being “threatened with a gun”, to a threat of being hanged.Seán Ó Fearghaíl, Ceann Comhairle and Hazel Chu, Green Party Councillor and Former Lord Mayor of Dublin join Kieran Cuddihy to discuss.

The Paris Olympics have concluded, and celebrations are taking place all across the country, but for the first time in Irish sporting history - official homecoming celebrations are underway. O’Connell street in Dublin is shut for the day as the most successful Irish effort at the Olympics so far is honoured.Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie joins Kieran to share what he’s seen and heard so far, and Sinead O’Carroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie joins to discuss as well.

It’s been an outstanding few weeks at the Olympic Games for Team Ireland - with our athletes providing incredible results for the nation and making us all so proud.Kieran is joined by former triathlete and Ireland’s Chef de Mission for Paris, Gavin Noble to discuss Team Ireland and their Olympic journey.

Our outstanding performance at the Olympics has prompted calls for further funding to improve our sports sector within Ireland.Kieran is joined by Ireland’s Minister for Sport to discuss Ireland’s Olympic journey, and what funding can be funneled into Irish sport.

The Centre Cultural Irlandais has become a home for Team Ireland during the Paris Olympics, especially when they have to leave the Olympic Village. Kieran is joined by Nora Hickey M’Sichili, Director of Irish Cultural Centre to discuss how the events have gone, and the role the centre plays outside of the Olympics.

Kieran is in Paris for the Olympics and caught up with Bantamweight boxer for Ireland, Jenny Lehane.Although Jenny didn’t get the ultimate outcome she would have wanted, they discuss what it’s like to reach the Olympics, and represent the country in boxing.

Rowing Ireland is on a high after Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy’s stellar gold cinch at the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls final last week.The talent that has been shown thus far in the Olympics by the Irish rowing team has clearly been inspirational. Kieran is joined by the incredible rowers Philip Doyle, Paris bronze Medalist, and Aifric Keogh, Tokyo Bronze Medalist to discuss.

It’s never easy to admit to oneself that age is catching up on you.What do you do if your loved ones are at that point and might need to give up driving, or need help around the house?How do you approach those conversations with them?Tara Logan Buckley, Clinical Psychologist, joins Kieran to discuss.

Former champion National Hunt jockey Nina Carberry is a Fine Gael politician that has recently become elected by the European Parliament for the Midlands–North-West constituency.She joins Kieran to discuss her switch to politics as well as the recent release of her new children’s novel , ‘Pony Camp Chaos’.

New figures from the Residential Tenancies Board show that the rental market has grown with Landlords, who own over 100 properties, owning up to 22 percent of the rentals in Dublin City.Is this fair? And does more need to be done to stop this?Dr. Rory Hearne, Assistant Professor of Social Policy at Maynooth University and Author joins Kieran to discuss.

Following Rhasidat Adeleke’s qualification to the 400m Sprint, questions have been posed about her form and potentially illness or fatigue. Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy joins Kieran to discuss, and preview the rest of the events Ireland is taking place in.

Croke park will see another huge match this Sunday, as Cork and Galway clash in the All Ireland Camogie Final…Joining Kieran to preview the game is Sarah O'Donovan, former Cork/Dublin player and Aislinn Connolly, All Star and former Galway player.

Kieran Duggan joins Kieran Cuddihy to tell how he ended up giving the two Olympic Rowing gold medalists: Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy, a lift home!

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe has today published his department’s Mid-Year Expenditure Report.He joins Kieran to discuss.

From people looking at their phone while driving to not using their indicators, we all have pet peeves that annoy us on the road.Kieran is joined by Former President now Spokesperson of the Irish Road Haulage Association Eugene Drennan, as well as Multimedia Presenter and Producer Meghann Scully to discuss their driving pet peeves.

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 Utah and has been talking to locals, and mentioning those lesser-talked about stories: he joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss how Independent candidate RFK Jr admitted to dumping a dead bear cub in Central Park…

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 olive oil offerings!

A recent survey by Girlguiding shows that insecurity among young girls is rising exponentially. Over one-third (34%) of girls aged 7-10 feel that societal expectations of their appearance are higher than for boys, marking an 11% increase from a decade ago.With more young people than ever interacting with social media content on a daily basis, there is a growing concern that girls are comparing themselves to others online – worsening self-esteem from a very young age.To discuss, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Newstalk Reporter Sheila Naughton and Saoirse Hanley, Audience Editor and Columnist with the Irish Independent.

Kieran is joined by award winning author Donal Ryan to discuss his new book, ‘Heart, Be At Peace’ and why he is revisiting the characters from his debut novel.The book will be available from the 8th of August!Image: Penguin Books

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Killian Ginnity from Newstalk’s Digital Team joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss why Elon Musk and Twitter/X is suing advertisers for not advertising on his platform. Yes, really.

Now, at around 7.45pm, Rhasidat Adeleke is set to take part in the 400m semi final run at the 2024 Paris Olympics.How hopeful are we in Rhasidat Adeleke? And how far can she go?John Treacy, Irish Olympian and Silver Medal Winner in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics joins Kieran to discuss.

Sky News is reporting that police are aware of at least 100 far-right protests planned for tonight, with thousands of specialist officers braced to respond as unrest continues to escalate in the UK following last week’s attack in Southport.Dominic Grieves Former UK Attorney General and Conservative MP, as well as Bonnie Greer, Author, Playwright and Columnist with the New European join Kieran to discuss what’s behind the recent chaos.Image: Sky

Team Ireland is celebrating after a historic win at the Olympics last night as Kellie Harrington won gold for a second time.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been to her homeplace of Portland Row in Dublin’s North Inner City to soak up the atmosphere.

Is the Metro Link project in Dublin actually worth the mass amounts of time and money invested in it? Or should we bite the bullet, and use the money elsewhere?Independent Senator Michael McDowell certainly thinks so, as he was writing today in the Irish Times. He joins Kieran to discuss.

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