The Hard Shoulder

A Dublin pub has been getting a bit of flack online for its choice of name and shop front.  Biddy Mulligans Old Ale and Stale house, formally the Sackville Lounge, has been criticized online by Dubliners who feel the new signage and name is appealing to tourists which is a move away from its traditional pub roots.  Bobby Gainer Last operator of the Sackville Lounge and Roy Curtis, Sportswriter Sunday World joined Kieran to discuss...

Kieran was joined by Michael McGrath, Minister for Finance and Fianna Fail TD for Cork South Central ahead of the Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis…

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Gerard Howlin  Public Affairs consultant and Irish Times columnist and Laura Donnelly, Bauer Media Group News Editor…

Today mark’s World Parkinson's Disease Day, an illness that effects more then 15,000 people in Ireland.  Kieran was joined by Shane O’Brien CEO of Parkinson's Ireland and Sinead O’Kane who was diagnosed at the age of 39...

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 week Simon brought a selection of wheat breakfasts cereals...

More than 1,600 students attended a road safety event in Co Mayo today.Frontline workers and survivors highlighted the impact road deaths can have at the AXA Road Safe Roadshow at the TF Royal Theatre. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie spoke to the students and those taking part.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined Anton for the Tech Takeover. This week Jess looked at the crackdown on password sharing by Disney+...

It is setting up to be a bumper here for elections in Ireland but it is the same story here in the US with Trump and Biden set to battle it out for the US Presidency in November.  What are some of the issues which will play the most important part in this coming election cycle and what roadblocks lie ahead for the candidates? Kieran is joined by Niall Swan, an Irish Democrat in Austin, to discuss.

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Sadhbh O’Neill, Senior climate advisor for Friends of the Earth to discuss why the electorate is now caring more for climate...Image: Sadhbh O’Neill

Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent The Irish Examiner joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of his favourite books...

Simon Harris was elected Taoiseach earlier this afternoon. Kieran was joined by Political Editor with the Irish Independent, Philip Ryan, Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson and senator, Barry Ward and Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Matt Carthy...

This week there has been much talk of this new airport to be build in Arklow. Middle Eastern investors have secured 600 acres at the Wicklow site with plans to build the East Leinster International Airport   What other mad ideas have people tried to build in Ireland? Newstalk's Simon Tierney has been looking in to this and he joined Kieran to discuss...

Outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in his farewell speech made some interesting comments around Ireland’s defence strategy.But how prepared is Ireland for such an attack and is our Defence Forces up to scratch if needs be?  Kieran was joined by Conor King Lieutenant Colonel, and General Secretary of RACO and Patrick Bury, Senior Security lecturer at the University of Bath, former NATO analyst and army officer...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by John Lee, Executive Editor of the Irish Daily Mail and Stefanie Preissner, writer and broadcaster to discuss...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Shane O'Donoghue, Editor of CompleteCar.ie  to discuss why the rules of the road are important...

It's International Romani Day. Henry McKean met the Roma community up and down the country to find out about their culture...

This week in our Kid's Health Check, Lucy Perrem, Paediatric Respiratory Consultant with Children’s Health Ireland and Member of the Asthma Society of Ireland’s Medical Advisory Group joined Kieran to chat about asthma in children...

Today is Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s last day in the role.  Minister Simon Harris is set to take the hot seat tomorrow but what challenges lay ahead for the incoming Taoiseach Kieran was joined by Alison O'Connor Columnist with Sunday Times and Broadcaster and Fionnan Sheahan Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent joins me now... 

The Dublin Fruit and Veg Market is set to reopen in August 2026 according to Dublin City Council chief executive Richard Shakespeare.The building has only been used since private events since 2018. Does Dublin need a commercial food market and how will it compare to those abroad?  Kieran was joined by Social Democrat TD, Gary Gannon and CEO of The Temple Bar Trading Company, Martin Harte... 

Tomorrow is a seismic day for Ireland as Simon Harris gets set to take over as Taoiseach and if his speech at this past weekend’s Ard Fheis is anything to go by he is hoping to achieve big things in his short tenure. He also spoke about law and order, health and  a lot more – however today marks Leo Varadkar’s last day as Taoiseach as he prepares to resign this evening. Today he was undertaking his final engagements in the job as the North South Ministerial Council. He says Stormont shouldn't be impacted by such disruptions.For more on this, Kieran was joined by Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with Irish Daily Star and Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist...

It's been 30 years since the world lost one of its most iconic and enigmatic figures, Kurt Cobain, the frontman of Nirvana.Buzz O'Neill, the nightlclub promoter and Morty McCarthy, from The Sultans of Ping joined Kieran to discuss...

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

It is 10 years since An Garda Síochána went through one of its most turbulent times that saw the then Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan resign from his top position.  Many will remember he stood down due to his handling of information from whistleblowers Maurice McCabe and John WIlson, and the controversies over the wiping of driver penalty points.  Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with The Irish Examiner joined Kieran Cuddihy 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...

Blind Date is set to make a return on the BBC, with Claudia Winkleman set to present. Kieran was joined by presenter and architect on RTÉ’s Room to Improve and former Blind Date contestant, Dermot Bannon to discuss his time on the show. Dermot also discussed the RIAI Simon Open Door campaign... 

Storm Kathleen is set strike tomorrow morning with Orange Weather status set for several counties accross Ireland.  It seems like there has been no let up for farmers across the country as the poor conditions hit hard on their work.  Kieran was joined by Ivan Curran, Broadleas Farm, Stamullen, Co Meath, Hannah Quinn Mulligan Journalist and farmer and Edward Hayden TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Anton was joined by Meghan Scully, Broadcaster and Conor Lally, Irish Times Crime and Security Editor... 

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... 

A new study has revealed that a United Ireland will cost €20 billion a year for 20 years. That is according to a new research paper by the Institute of International and European Affairs think-tank.  But are these figures accurate and is unification worth the cost? Kieran was joined by Editor of An Phoblacht and the former General Secretary of Sinn Féin, Robbie Smyth and Newstalk Business Editor, Joe Lynam to discuss...  

After 6 weeks of hearings and over 120 submissions from various parties – the public hearings in to the long proposed Metrolink in Dublin have finally come to an end. Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor of The Irish Times joined Kieran to discuss...

Molly Ringwald from the film The Breakfast Club has commented that the movie did not age well.It got us thinking, what other movies have aged poorly? Or are we all a bit too woke?  Kieran was joined by Founder of Goss Media, Ali Ryan and Comedian Jim Elliott to discuss

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Anton was joined by Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training at The Communications Clinic and columnist with The Sunday Independent and Jen Hogan, Journalist, author, and columnist with The Irish Times to discuss.Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather also joined Kieran to discuss the bad weather that is expected over the weekend...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Anton Savage for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. This week Simon brought a selection of soup to taste...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Anton was joined by Brendan Ogle, social commentator, trade unionist and activist to discuss why he thinks Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are moving to the right of centre…

Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined Anton for the Tech Takeover. This week Jess looked at why AI is threatening music artists...

The National Transport Authority is considering scrapping the direct route connecting Rosslare to Connolly Station in Dublin.   The proposal could add to overall journey time as commuters will need to connect to the city via DART.   Ciara Murphy from rail advocacy group South East on Track uses the Wexford-Dublin route daily. She joined Anton to discuss the proposal…

“Seagulls are being forced into our urban spaces by the loss of their natural spaces, and we must learn to live with them.“ That's according to scientists who say we must better respect our avian friends but is that easier said than done? Anton is joined by Keith Connolly, Fianna Fáil Councillor on Dublin City Council to discuss.

Overcrowding issues at University Hospital Limerick are back in the spotlight again after the tragic details emerged from a HSE review.Listeners got in touch with Newstalk, to share more devasting accounts of how the overcrowding has affected their loved ones.We sent Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie to Limerick to meet with those working there and those who are being admitted.

Salman Jamal is a well known journalist in Somalia, but due to his work, an attempt was made on his life. And with a promise that a second attempt would not fail, he had no option but to flee and seek refuge. His journey has brought him to Ireland and to Citywest, while his wife and three kids are still in Somalia.Salman joined Anton in studio to talk about his experience. 

The ASTI Annual Convention is underway this week in Wexford and one of the issues that has been raised is how we can keep our young teachers from going abroad.Anton Was joined by English and History Teacher in Abu Dhabi, Ciara McKenna and High School teacher in Perth, Micheál O’Sé to discuss...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Anton was joined by Jack Horgan Jones, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times and Sinead Ryan, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Independent and the Presenter of The Home Show at Newstalk to discuss...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Noeline Blackwell, Human rights lawyer and Consultant and Online safety co-ordinator with the Children’s Rights Alliance to discuss why she thinks we are too harsh on NGOs...

Mr Motivator the iconic fitness instructor has said in the Daily Mail that we need to be a bit more honest with how we view ourselves, and why we should be able to tell people to address their unhealthy weight.Mr Motivator, aka Derrick Evans joined Anton on The Hard Shoulder...

Children's Author Helena Duggan joined Anton on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

A private company has submitted plans to Fingal County Council to create a third terminal at Dublin Airport. D. A. Terminal 3 Ltd, the company owned by Ulick and Des McEvaddy will submit full plans for the terminal within the next 6 weeks. Ulick McEvaddy joined Anton on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Frankie Muniz, he of Malcolm in the Middle fame is taking part in the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity Get me Out of Here and he made the admission that he has never eaten a tomato or a strawberry. What does one do if people who are picky eaters and how awkward it is when out for dinner, maybe on a date or if you’re hosting Anton was joined Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments and Comedian, Steve Cummins to discuss...

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. It’s a disorder that is misunderstood and as we have heard on this program throughout the years under supported. Anton Savage was joined by Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, Keith Walsh, Podcasting and PR Guru and Cara Darmody, 13-year-old Autism Activist... 

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