The Hard Shoulder

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Jen Hogan, Columnist with The Irish Times and Newstalk Reporter Seán O'Regan to discuss...

What were the big moments from last night’s Baftas? A precursor to the Oscars in 3 weeks time. Henry McKean joined Kieran from London to discuss the moments that people are still talking about...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Maia Dunphy, Writer and Broadcaster to discuss her upcoming son's First Holy Communion...

From 2012 to 2021, over 1,000 children were hospitalised as a result of being bitten by a dog. Many children who experience dog bites are usually bitten by dogs in their own home, with children under the age of 5 years being the most at risk.   Kieran was joined by Dr Suzanne Crowe, consultant in paediatric intensive care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital to discuss what to do if your child is a victim of a dog bite...

Barbie and The Banshees of Inisherin are set  to be added the Leaving Cert Curriculum.  From 2026 students will be able to study the box office favourites, but is the curricula trying too hard to be relevant? 

The Love Island All Stars final will air tonight. The show has seen major characters return for another shot have love.But have many people tuned in over the last few weeks or is everyone got Love Island fatigue ? Kieran was joined by Audience editor of Independent.ie, Deirdre Molomby, Fashion Columnist with The Limerick Post, Jodie McCormack and journalist and Host of My Pod on Paper and Orlaith Condon. 

15 years after the first hearing began into the Metrolink project in Dublin, it has finally resumed today and will continue for some weeks.  TheMetroLink will seek to connect Swords to Dublin Airport and also the city centre  Kieran was joined by Brian Caufield, Professor of transportation at the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and Frank McDonald, Former Environment Editor with Irish Times...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Sarah-Jayne Tobin, Content editor Evoke and host of the Inspire podcast and John Lee, Executive Director, Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat about beetroot...

The GRA have voted not to invite commissioner Drew Harris to their annual conference. The relationship between Gardai and the commissioner has seemed to worsen over the last few months from disputes over rosters and a vote of no confidence. Anton was joined by Crime Journalist with the Irish Independent, Paul Williams and Former Garda Sergeant, Christy Galligan...

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action...

Doing the dishes, replacing the toilet seat, taking the bins out – Is there such thing as girl jobs and boy jobs? Anton was joined by Sarah Reynolds, Owner of Organised Chaos, Edward Hayden, TV Chef and broadcaster and Journalist, Rachel Ryan... 

A Fine Gael TD has called 24- hour around the clock public transport services in Dublin  Deputy Emer Higgins said the expansion of rail services is essential to making this happen. Anton was joined by Feljin Jose, Chairperson, Dublin Commuter Coalition and Professor Brian Caulfield of the school of engineering in Trinity College, Dublin.... 

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Anton was joined by Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs consultant and Irish Times columnist and Sheila Naughton, Newstalk Multimedia Reporter...

As it is election year in the US, every Thursday here on the Hard Shoulder we are going to get the latest from the campaign trail. Kieran was joined by Jeff Kuhner, Host of The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston... 

From Love Island to the Kardashians – are young people being pressured to get cosmetic work done? Kieran was joined by Liz Dwyer, Founder at Future Beauty & Health Show, Dr Patrick Treacy, Medical Director of the Ailesbury Clinic and Podcaster, Fionnuala Jones to discuss...

Hundreds of streets in Dublin are set to be reevaluated to see what is the best way households can dispose of rubbish.Many terraced homes are exempt from having to use wheelie bins, but for years plastic bags have been causing issues for litter.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been meeting with residents and business owners to hear their thoughts on the future of Dublin’s waste.

A new study has found that school uniforms are preventing girls from joining in with activities.  Should we be changing uniforms to a tracksuit to encourage more activity? Kieran was joined by Principal of Thornley Educate Together primary school in Swords, Paula Juliet and Columnist with The Irish Times, Jen Hogan...

The CSO has released its Consumer Price Index which gives us a look into our shopping habits on what services and goods we now buy.  It’s been updated today after 8 years with E-Cigarettes, Gin and Airfryers making their basket while Landlines, Nightclub admission fees and Swiss Roles have been ditched.  Steve Cummins Comedian and Claire Ronan Broadcaster joined Kieran to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by David Hall, CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Ambulances and Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent...

22-year-old, Daniel Wiffen from Armagh finished the 800m freestyle final in a time of 7:40.94 at the competition in Doha today.He joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder after his win...

Comedian Sil Fox is still waiting for the DPP to respond to his legal action against it over a sexual assault case against him that was thrown out of court. Sil wants to get his named cleared of everything so he can get back on the stage where he belongs...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, Senior climate advisor for Friends of the Earth to discuss sustainable diets...Image: Sadhbh O’Neill

Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined Kieran for the Tech Takeover. This week Jess looked at the fake celebrity adverts appearing on social media...

Today is not only St Valentine's Day but Ash Wednesday too.  Rumour has it the phrase 'Kiss me I'm irish' comes from Americans kissing the Blarney Stone. So we sent Henry McKean to Cork and he sent us this report...

Ivan Yates has said he does not regret his comments about the Irish language “at all” – labelling his critics ‘absolute zealots’ and ‘bullies’Before Christmas, Kieran took part in a Couch to Comhra series. Like many others have been trying to relearn the Irish language and use a cúpla focal.Has there been a resurgence in the Irish Language?  Cúla4 Presenter, Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin, Playwright Amanda Brunker and Karl Duncan in Derry joined Kieran to discuss...

Last summer, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly announced couples could avail of 1 round of free IVF but limits such as age and BMI would apply.  Helena Tubridy, Fertility Coach and former gynecology nurse and midwife, is campaigning for the age of eligibility for free IVF to be increased to 45...  

Education Minister Norma Foley today met with the heads of social media and tech companies to discuss the steps needed to keep children safe online. Minister Norma Foley joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Sarah McGuinness, Business Post Assistant News Editor and Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner...

This is The Soapbox. Today, David Quinn, Columnist with the Irish independent joined Kieran to discuss the attitude of Government to car users...

A barman in the UK has suggested that a pint of Guinness comes out the same even it is poured in one go.Kieran Cuddihy headed to Peter's Pub in Dublin to ask Enda Keogh his thoughts and also to pull his first pint ever...

Evelyn Cusack, Former Head of Forecasting Met Éireann joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

RTÉ will be back infront of the media oireachtas committee tomorrow afternoon.  The committee will be looking at the issue of the TV licence... Josh Crosbie, Newstalk's Reporter asked people if they would be paying their TV licence.Kieran was then joined by Fianna Fáil Senator & Member of the Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media, Malcolm Byrne...

It’s midterm break for some children out there, but do we have adequate play spaces for kids in our built up towns?  Kieran was joined by Sinéad Ní Bhrádaigh, Teacher in Galway Educate Together National School, Dr Anne Keogh, Senior Clinical Psychologist and Chartered Member of the Psychological Society of Ireland  and Dr Carol Baron, Associate Professor in DCU...

Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform joined Kieran to discuss public sector pay, the cost of the National Children's Hospital, the TV licence fee and more...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Niamh Maher, Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media and Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Brendan Ogle, social commentator, trade unionist and activis to discuss how communities are fighting back against the far-right...

A warning has been issued by the British Association for Dermatologists suggesting children as young as eight are using skincare products and it could leave them with irreversible skin problems. Jennifer Rock, The Skin Nerd joined Kieran to discuss...

Today, Simon Harris has launched an incentive to encourage Irish construction workers to return home from working abroad.The campaign has a budget of €750,000.Kieran was joined by Financial Analyst, Karl Deeter, Dermot Carey, Director of Safety, Education and Skills for the Construction Industry Federation Ireland and Binny Folan, who is a Brick Layer in Perth 

Valentines Day is around the corner, but for new parents it can be difficult to find that spark after having children..  How can young and new parents find time for eachother and avoid tiffs?Kieran was joined by Newstalk's Own, Simon Tierney, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments, Holly Dalton and Family Psychotherapist and author, Dr. Richard Hogan to discuss...

A petition to reopen the A&E departments in Nenagh, Ennis and St John’s was before an Oireachtas.  The petition by the Midwest Hospital Campaign Group looks to see these centres reopen to help alleviate the constant overcrowding facing University Hospital Limerick. Conor Reidy, Spokesperson for the Midwest Hospital Campaign Group joined Kieran to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent and Laura Donnelly, News Editor and Anchor with Bauer Media Group.Kieran was also joined on The Hard Shoulder by Seamus Mulrooney and 8-year-old Stevie Mulrooney, who sang Ireland’s Call in the Aviva Stadium yesterday...Image: INPHO

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists..

Ireland look to take the latest step on their quest for back to Grand Slams as they welcome Italy to the Aviva Stadium this Sunday. Andy Farrell has made 6 changes to the team that beat France with Caelin Doris captaining the team Kieran was joined by Mike Prendergast, Munster Coach and Marco Bortalami, Former Italy captain and the current head coach for Benetton to preview this Sunday's game...

Ireland were beaten yesterday in the controversial Eurobasket 2025 qualifier against Israel in Riga.  The team refused to partake in the traditional pre-match handshake with their Israeli opponents following allegations of anti-semitism from the Israeli camp.  John Feehan, CEO of Basketball Ireland joined Kieran to discuss...

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat about food to get you in the romantic mood...

Father Declan McInerney, parish priest of Eyrecourt, Clonfert and Meelick in Galway has has slammed Cork Eurovision hopeful Bambi Thug from the pulpit. Is Fr McInerney’s view a fair representation of the church’s views or should we just dismiss them? Father Iggy O’Donovan, Parish Priest in Fethard, County Tipperary joined Kieran to discuss...

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action...

The value and volume of personal loans and car loans surged by 40% according to the Banking & Payments Federation Ireland. But what is the real reason for this? Is it consumer confidence? A stabilisation in high interest rates, or people just don’t have money in their back pocket because of the cost of living crisis?Henry McKean joined Kieran with this report...

Over in the UK, Parkrun, have decided to remove data about records and speeds from their website. They say it is to encourage new runners to take part.   However, Parkrun has been criticized online, as they believe the move allows trans runners to take records in men and women's categories.  Kieran was joined by former elite marathon runner and two-time Olympian, Mara Yamauchi...