The Hard Shoulder

This is The Soapbox. Today, Broadcaster and author, Barbara Scully joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to tell us to not to worry, because the best years are still ahead of you, even in your 50s and 60s

Hugh Wallace, Director with Douglas-Wallace Architects joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of his favourite books...

A motion has passed unanimously by Mayo County Council today, to cease cooperation with the Department of Integration over the housing of Asylum seekers and refugees in the County. Protests have also continued outside Racket Hall in Roscrea today, where 17 international protection applicants have been housed since yesterday. Minister Roderic O’Gorman met with some local representatives today to discuss the concerns of locals. Kieran was joined by Cllr Michael Kilcoyne, Independent Councillor Mayo CC and Deputy Jackie Cahill, Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary to discuss...

Some of you may have seen the programme on RTÉ The Last Priests in Ireland.There is also a programme airing which is titled The Last Nuns in Ireland.We sent our reporter, Josh Crosbie to meet with some of those who have chosen this way of life.

SuperValu Park – that is the potential new name for the home of Cork GAA Páirc Uí Caoimh. The county board is meeting tonight to ratify the potential deal with reports suggesting the deal could fetch the cash strapped board between €250,000 and €300,000 annually. Kieran was joined by Larry Tompkins Former Cork Footballer, Kenneth Collins Sinn Féin councillor and John Hayes, All Ireland winner with the Cork footballers in 2010... 

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Ellen Butler, Newstalk Reporter and Mary McCarthy, Columnist with the Irish Independent to wade through today's top stories...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Fergus Finlay, former CEO of Barnardos joined Kieran to Post Office Scandal in the UK and how this is not the first time or perhaps the last time we will see stories like this...

With so many types of vitamins on the market it can be difficult, and even overwhelming, to decide which ones are best to buy for your kids. Dr Suzanne Crowe, a consultant in paediatric intensive care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital joined Kieran to discuss which vitamins are essential for your little ones...

People caught with a small amount of drugs should not end up in the criminal justice system – that was the view of Junior Minister for Drugs Hildegarde Naughton speaking in an interview with the Irish Independent. Kieran was joined by Dr Austin O Carroll Founder Safetynet and Clinical Director Granby GP service for Homeless and Michael O’Sullivan, Former Garda Assistant Commissioner & Former Head of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau...

Sarah Irvine was diagnosed with a progressive form of multiple sclerosis back in 2019. The condition causes the body’s immune system to attack cells in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord which can have a significant impact on an person’s mobility. Sarah Irvine is now hoping to travel to London to get StemCell treatment which is hoped will slow or even stop the effects of her MS...Image: Sarah's MS Hope Trust

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has suggested that free parking for public sector workers could be scrapped to help cut down on congestion in the city centre. Is this a reasonable thing to do or is it unfair to the public sector workers? Kieran was joined by Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times and Keith Gavin, Chair of Irish Parking Association 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 Davin-Power, Journalist and commentator and Jack Power, News Reporter with the Irish Times...

Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Comedian Steve Cummins and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists..

The annual Ireland Gateway to Europe trip to the US has announced it will return in 2024.  Now in its 12th year, it comprises an annual mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to the US.  Kieran was joined by Adie McGennis, Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and one of the founders of Ireland Gateway to Europe and Robert MacGiolla Phádraig, another founder of Ireland Gateway to Europe...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat through some of her top tips for Christmas dinner...

Roscrea’s only operating hotel, Racket Hall, will see its 40 rooms repurposed to accommodate 160 asylum seekers. This decision has sparked protests among locals  Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, Chief Executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation joined Kieran to discuss...

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...

St Vincent's University Hospital has apologised in court to the family of a 76-year-old Freda Fox from Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, who died after losing 17 litres of blood during a complex operation carried out by two trainee surgeons.  Vanessa, Freda’s daughter, joins me now and thank you for taking the time to speak to us today 

Israel has denied allegations of genocide following South Africa’s case against them at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).   Shona Murray, European Correspondent for Euro News joined Kieran to discuss...

If you are a cyclist you will be pleased to hear that a new National Cycle Network plan has been launched this week. The Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan has promised that there will be 3,500km of cycle lanes  by 2040.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into this and has met with people who are fans of the idea and those who live near cycleways.

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Liz Dunphy, Senior reporter Irish Examiner and Gráinne Ní Aodha, News Reporter with Press Association to discuss today's top stories...

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. Next Tuesday sees the first major step on the road to the White House as the Iowa caucuses take place. Kieran was joined by Jeff Kuhner, Host of The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston... 

Unions representing the public servants have rejected an offer of pay increases of 8.5 per cent over 2½ years, with lower paid workers offered 12 per cent. Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform joined Kieran to discuss...

As the war in Gaza continues, patients and medical staff suffer due to lack of workers, supplies and medication.  Nick Maynard is one of the few British doctors who has seen the issues firsthand as he travels back and forth between the UK to Gaza to help at their only functioning hospital. Kieran was joined by Professor Nick Maynard, leading consultant Upper GI surgeon based in Oxford and Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent, Euronews...

Thousands of students are taking part in this year's BT Young Scientist Exhibition.550 projects from 219 schools are being showcased in the exhibition hall at the RDS.Artificial intelligence, mental health and diversity are the common themes this year.Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent visited the exhibition today and she joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Unions representing the public servants have rejected an offer of pay increases for of 8.5 per cent over 2½ years, with lower paid workers offered 12 per cent. This got us thinking, what would be fair pay for the public sector given the amount of money the government has to play with Kieran was joined by Edgar Morgenroth Professor of Economics at DCU and Mick Barry, Socialist TD for Cork North Central...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sportswriter with the Irish Daily Star and Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk to chat through today's top stories...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Brendan Ogle, social commentator, trade unionist and activist joined Kieran to look at the limits to 'balance' in public discourse in the internet age...

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 new year. This week Simon and Kieran put a variety of microwavable burgers to the test...

Christopher Nolan, director of Oppenheimer, has pleaded with people to make the return to DVDs and Blu-ray. The director has said it’s important to own the film on Blu-ray so that “no evil streaming service can come steal it from you.”Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joined KIeran to discuss...

Dublin traffic has been named as the second slowest city centre in the world. According to a survey, last year on average a 10km journey through central Dublin took an average of 29 minutes and 30 seconds - a one minute increase from 2022’s average.  It’s clear that congestion issues can’t be solved overnight and a Minister for just Dublin isn’t feasible right now, so what can be done? Green Party Councillor Janet Horner and CEO of Dublin Town Richard Guiney joined Kieran to discuss...

Fourteen people, including two children, have been discovered in a refrigerated lorry at Rosslare Europort after a 999 call was made from inside the trailer to the UK.The discovery was made on Monday aboard a ferry from Belgium.They are all understood to be in good health and were medically assessed at the scene.Henry McKean met with truck drivers in Dublin Port who travel to Europe and The UK regularly...

Almost 3 in 5 of us have never attended a women's sports event – that's according to a new Red C research launched today by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association in conjunction with Lidl to mark the start of the Ladies Football National League. The survey also found that 46% of people said that men’s sport is generally better to watch. Kieran was joined by Nora Stapleton, Women in Sport Lead with Sport Ireland, she is also a former Grand Slam Winner with the Irish Rugby team and a former Donegal footballer and Aisling Maher, Dublin Camogie Captain to discuss...

Dublin traffic has been named as the second slowest city centre in the world. According to a survey, last year on average a 10km journey through central Dublin took an average of 29 minutes and 30 seconds - a one minute increase from 2022’s average.  Kieran was joined by Fianna Fail TD, John Lahart and Brian Caulfield, Professor of transportation at the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Ciara Phelan, Senior Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and Michael Kelly, Journalist and Former Editor of the Irish Catholic to chat through today's top stories...

It’s Penneys, Hun! Penneys has invited the cameras in for the first time for a new six-part documentary. Inside Penneys will begin tonight on RTE 1 at 8.30pm. From just one shop in Dublin’s Mary Street, to more than 430 stores in 16 countries. Penneys has grown from humble beginnings to become an affordable trendsetter and global fashion giant. Henry McKean got a look behind the scenes in advance of the new TV show tonight...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Niall Breslin aka Bressie, singer and host of the hugely successful podcast 'Where is My Mind' joined Kieran to discuss the current state of mental health services in Ireland...

Terry Prone, author and Chairman of the Communications Clinic  joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss hospital waiting lists, CAMHS, housing for hospital staff and the future of Micheál Martin as leader of Fianna Fáil...

Operation Transformation returned last week and episode 2 airs tomorrow. This will be the 17th season of the show that aims to promote a healthier lifestyle. Kathryn Thomas, Presenter of Operation Transformation joined Kieran on the show...

Today, legislation was brought to Cabinet to enact the Government decision taken before Christmas to reduce welfare payments for new arrivals from Ukraine. Ukrainians arriving in Ireland in the coming weeks will receive an expense allowance of €38.80 a week, which is down from the current jobseeker's rate of €232 per week. Kieran was joined by Tom McEnaney, Media consultant and founder of Effective Aid Ukraine, Michael Baskin, From the Ukrainian Crisis Centre in Ireland and Nadia Dobrianska, Ukrainian in Ireland...  

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Brianna Parkins, Columnist with The Irish Times and John Lee Executive, Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland to chat through today's top stories...

This is The Soapbox. Today, David Quinn, Columnist with the Irish independent joined Kieran to discuss public debate and how people are shutting down certain sides of the debate if it doesn’t suit a narrative...

The return to school after the Christmas holidays can result in many children catching the common cold, but what can appear to be a simple cold can become more serious.  Consultant Pediatrician, Dr. Niamh Lynch, joined Kieran to discuss what to do when a simple cold becomes more serious…  

Legendary German Footballer Franz Beckenbauer has passed away at the age of 78.  Nathan Murphy from Off the Ball joined Kieran to discuss...

There has been a record numbers of visas granted to young Irish people heading to Australia. Along with this, we’re seeing reports today of staff at the National Maternity Hospital  commuting 2½ hours to work due to Dublin living costs How can we address this and help people to live in our city and also encourage people to stay here in Ireland and lend their expertise and skills to our services rather than moving to the Austalia, Canada or the UK. Kieran was joined by Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital and Aodhan O’Riordain, Labour TD for Dublin Bay North, as well as their Education and Justice spokesperson...

Ireland is in the midst of a cold snap at the moment with temperatures expected to drop as low as minus 5 degrees in some areas tonight. Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning for the entire country which will be in place from 9pm tonight until 10am tomorrow morning. Kieran was joined by Joanna Donnelly from Met Eireann and Shane O’Donoghue, Editor for CompleteCar.ie to discuss...  

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis and Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut to chat through today's top stories...

Whether it’s down to financial needs, the thrill of adventure, or just seeking a better way of life, the Irish have been flocking abroad for generations.Record numbers of visas have been granted for young Irish people heading to Australia.Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie was there himself and he’s been looking into this for us.

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer with Sunday Independent and Sunday World to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists..