The Hard Shoulder

Kieran’s guest is an Irish Comedian, Actor and Presenter who takes his new tour ‘Tragedy Plus Time’ to Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Kilkenny and Galway this June.Ed Byrne joins Kieran to discuss what the tour is about, and how long we should wait before making a joke about certain topics.

Kieran has escaped the studio to check out the Dublin - New York Portal as it reopens. Safe to say, there’s still plenty of excitement around there - with a parrot and even someone doing backflips! He talks to people on the street to get their thoughts on the spectacle.

There have been reports across the country of assaults on teachers and SNA’s in schools.  Kieran’s  guest, Sophie Cole, was assaulted in her classroom 17 months ago, and has been left with complex regional pain syndrome. She joins the show to share her story.

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Tech Talk on Newstalk, Jess Kelly to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to chat about chocolate cake and why eating in moderation is important.

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

A new night club is opening on D’Olier Street tomorrow night which promises to bring back the nights we enjoyed in the 90’s...  But, are the days of the night club still numbered?  Joining Kieran to discuss is owner of Hyde Nightclub and Venue and operator of Ohana Tikki Bar, Ian Redmond, DJ and Producer, Mark McCabe and Comedian, Kathryn Lynch. Also joining are listeners to share their thoughts and memories.

After 17 seasons, the show Operation Transformation has been cancelled by RTÉ.Joining Kieran to discuss the show’s history and why this happened is Dr Eva Orsmond, Specialist in obesity, founder of Dr Eva’s Clinic and judge on the show for its first seven seasons.

Today marks 50 years since the Dublin Monaghan bombings. On the 17th of May 1974, three car bombs went off in Dublin and another in Monaghan, the loyalist attack killed 33 people in total…Kieran’s guest is a professional photographer who witnessed the Dublin blasts, Tom Lawlor. 

This week the Minister with responsibility for the recently introduced deposit return scheme Ossian Smyth has told the Dáil that he accepts the scheme has had “teething issues”. Joining Kieran to talk through how it can be improved and how in general it is performing is CEO of the Deposit Return Scheme, Ciaran Foley.

A major accident on Dublin’s M50 has led to increased traffic and travel delays.Kieran is joined by Graeme McQueen, Media relations Manager with the DAA, Harry McCann, Media Relations Executive for Dublin Bus and Sean O'Neill, Director of Communications with Transport Infrastructure Ireland for more information.

It is just over 3 weeks until Ireland goes to the polls in the Local and European elections. Over the next few weeks, we are going to hear from the candidates on the Euro trail ahead of polling day on Friday June 7th. The Hard Shoulder is in Cork today six candidates for the Ireland South constituency join Kieran to discuss their campaigns.They are:Cynthia Ní Mhurchú - Fianna Fáil Candidate for the European Elections  Niamh Hourigan – Labour Candidate for the European Elections Michael McNamara – Independent Candidate for the European Elections  Paul Gavan - Sinn Féin senator and a party Candidate for the European Elections     John Mullins - Candidate for Fine Gael in the European Elections    Lorna Bogue - Leader of an Rabhartha Glas and European Election Candidate   

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 talk Trump Vs Biden, as the Presidential debates are back on the agenda.

It’s been announced that IBM will create 800 jobs in AI across Cork, Dublin and Waterford. Cork is quickly becoming a hub for tech and AI – why is this?  Kieran is joined by a man who knows all about Tech, AI and Cork, Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures, DC Cahalane, to discuss.

Over 600 free beds previously used by Ukranians in Ireland have been earmarked for International Protection applicants. Would this be a good idea? Or should they be used for something else?To discuss, Kieran is joined by John Lannon, the CEO of Doras and Paul Treyvaud, TV Chef and Proprietor of Treyvaud’s Restaurant in Killarney.

Ballymaloe Festival of Food is a new three-day food festival that this year celebrates 60 years of Ballymaloe running from the 17th to the 19th of May. Kieran is joined by Rachel Allen, Irish Chef and Columnist for the Irish independent, Fern Allen, host of the Ballymaloe History Tour and Food Coach Tracie Daly to discuss the event.

Plans for Cork’s biggest ever wind farm have been denied by An Bord Pleanála following a local campaign against it with over 10,000 signatures.Kieran is in Cork and is joined by Neil Lucey, owner and manager of the Gauganne Barra Hotel and member of the campaign to discuss.

With summer and warmer days on the way, 1 in 4 people are heavily suffering from hay fever in Ireland. The Clinical Director of Allergy Ireland, Iseult Sheehan joins Anton to answer all of your allergy-related questions.

It’s National Bike Week, and we’ve heard different takes on cycling from The Grand Tour’s James May and Cyclist Nicholas Roache.Joining Anton to discuss the week and if bikes should have license plates is Martina Callanan from irishcyclingcampaign.ie and the Galway Cycling Campaign. 

Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of the benefits of cycling. It began on Saturday the 11th and is ongoing until Sunday the 19th of May – so you should already be pedalling!There are lots of exciting events happening throughout Ireland during the week. To talk more, Anton is joined by professional road bicycle racer and cyclist, Nicholas Roache.

The run for the presidency of the EU Commission is getting underway soon and joining Anton to discuss everything that it entails is the Green candidate for the Presidency of the EU Commission, Bas Eickhout.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined guest host Anton Savage for the Tech Takeover. This week, Jess discusses the growth of social media / job platform LinkedIn.She also gives a TLDR on Google’s answer to ChatGPT, Gemini, and how we should treat our personal data when dealing with chatbots.

Parents have dropped the ball when it comes to policing their teenagers phone, a new survey reveals. To discuss further Anton is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean.

From pictures of spuds and 9/11 to proposals and flashing, the Portal’s inclusion in our capital has been prone to some questionable moments. But why are people losing the run of themselves and was this something that could have been expected? Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital joins me now.

In the UK there have been calls for bikes to be regulated like cars with licence plates as well as speed limits. Guest host Anton Savage’s guest has said this will lead to more admin and make life miserable! Anton is joined by TV presenter and Top Gear / The Grand Tour legend, James May, to discuss.Image: Paul Stuart

Street Feast brings together the community in fun events and celebrations on the 25th and 26th of May. Several hosts schedule a neighbourhood clean-up over the weekend of Street Feast, with the Neighbourly Lunch seen as a reward for taking pride in the area and maintaining it for the benefit of everyone in the community. With Anton is coordinator Sam Bishop and host Georgia Brophy from Street Feast to learn more.Image: Street Feast Ireland

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has suggested that NGOs should not give out tents to asylum seekers coming into the country. Is this the right reaction?Guest host Anton Savage is joined by Sarah McGuinness, Assistant News Editor with the Business Post and Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner, to discuss.

It was revealed that Angelina Jolie asked her kids to give their father, Brad Pitt, the cold shoulder during custody visits to try to build a wedge between them. So often children are used and are hurt during the breakdown of a relationship. How can you avoid this and make sure the process is straightforward when children are involved?  Michelle Browne, is senior family mediator and author of “Scars of Divorce: How to avoid them and achieve an amicable divorce in Modern Ireland” and joins Kieran to discuss.

Now, legislation is being sought so that the purchasing of cigarettes and other tobacco products from 18 to 21 will be prohibited. This ban will not currently affect those in the bracket as part of a “wash through”.  For more information, Kieran is joined by the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

The Irish Heart Foundation has launched its ‘Before Damage is Done’ campaign this month to encourage adults to get their blood pressure checked. 9,652 lives were lost in Ireland due to heart disease and stroke in 2022, so this year they are combating the silent killer that is high blood pressure..  Joining Kieran is Consultant cardiologist and Medical Director with the Irish Heart Foundation, Dr. Angie Brown.

Children’s Author and Limerick Native Darren Shan joins Kieran on The Bookshelf to discuss his favourite book.Favourite Book:  Secret Garden – by Frances Hodgson Burnett Honourable Mention: Salem’s Lot by Stephen King  Currently Reading: Illuminations by Alan More 

Criticism has been given towards Katie Taylor over her positive comments regarding Mike Tyson.  Katie said it was a dream to be fighting on the same card as Mike Tyson, which has sparked some discussion considering Tyson’s history of violence against Women.Bernie Linnane, Labour Party Councilor Candidate for Leitrim joins Kieran to discuss. 

There is an event tonight in Emmet Theatre, Trinity College Dublin to mark 76 years of Nakba, Gaza and the struggle for justice in Palestine with a number of speakers taking part.  Amongst them are Shawan Jabarin, General Director of the Palestinian human rights organisation Al-Haq and Lubnah Shomali, Advocacy Manager at BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights who join Kieran to discuss.

The deposit return scheme will be in full swing at the day and night festival this June to help and sustain our local environment.  Joining Kieran to discuss is Bob Coggins from the White Hag Brewery, who believes the Deposit Return Scheme is a perfect example of bureaucracy gone bad…

In the lead up to the Local and European elections, we're going to be out and about with candidates who have a unique background. To kick things off, Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie spoke with some candidates who were born outside of Ireland but now call this country home.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent with the Irish Daily Mail, and Broadcaster Meghann Scully.

The legendary Godfather of Punk Poetry John Cooper Clarke is to receive a gold medal today from Trinity College for his outstanding contribution to the arts.  He is set to kick off his “Get him while he’s alive” Irish tour tomorrow in Dublin and joins Kieran to chat.

This week in our Kid's Health Check, Dr Suzanne Crowe, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital joined Jonathan to discuss whooping cough.

Over in the UK a government commissioned report has recommended that groups such as Palestine Action and Just Stop Oil get treated like terrorist groups.Joining Kieran to discuss is Just Stop Oil Supporter Harley Brewer.

GAA president Jarlath Burns has defended the use of GAA Go and said he was surprised at criticisms of the service coming from politicians, including Taoiseach Simon Harris. Cork won a thrilling contest against All Ireland Champions Limerick on Saturday night at a sellout SuperValu Páirc Uí Caoimh, but all three of Cork’s Hurling Championship games were broadcast on GAA Go. Diarmuid O’Sullivan, former Cork Hurler and Liam O'Neill, former GAA President join Kieran to discuss.

Reports have said that there are hundreds of children who are going to be left without places in special schools this September. It has been reported there are 161 applicants for just 52 places at just one school on Baggot Street. Joining Kieran is Neasa Sheahan, principal of Catherine McAuley National School in Dublin City, and Carol Wickham, who has not got a place for her daughter in a reading school this September.

Minister for health Stephen Donnelly made a promise to reform emergency departments around the country at the INMO conference last week, but is he capable of delivering his promises?  Joining Kieran to discuss is Former HSE Director General and columnist for the Sunday Independent, Tony O'Brien and Consultant in Emergency Medicine in Mayo, Dr Lisa Cunningham.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news.Today, Kieran was joined by Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis and Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist.

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…

Newstalk Reporter, Henry McKean gives Kieran an update on an alleged violent incident between the Dutch delegate and a Eurovision staff member. He also chats with Irish hopeful, Bambie Thug ahead of the next rehearsal.

Mick McCarthy from Off the Ball joins Kieran for an overview of sport this weekend.

This week 20 years ago the 2004 championship got under way to a scandalous start with a new theme tune for the Sunday Game. Joining Kieran to look back on this story is Glen Killane - Executive Director of Eurovision Sport and former head of sport at RTÉ, Cyril Farrell - Former Galway manager, and Former Sunday Game Pundit, Gillian Horan.

Baby Reindeer has been on the forefront of everyone's mind the last few weeks, but what effect do shows like this have on victims? Kieran was joined now by Activist and co-founder of Stalking Ireland, Eve McDowell and Forensic Psychologist at Adult Education UCC, Dr Ciara Staunton

Ahead of Bruce Springsteen's tour kick-off in Kilkenny, Kieran is joined by Michael Bossone Organiser of fans for Springsteen Concerts, and Anthony Morrison Owner of Christy’s Bar and Chair of VFI Kilkenny

Kieran goes through some of the biggest stories of the day with Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs consultant and Irish Times columnist and Sarah Jayne Tobin, Content Editor at Evoke and Inspire podcast.