The Hard Shoulder

Walk around a European city, like Amsterdam or Copenhagen, and you’ll see dozens of mid-rise apartment buildings. Neighbourhoods full of mid-rises are all too common with our European neighbours, so why not here? Could they be part of a solution to our housing issues? For more on this, Shane is joined by Sunday Independent columnist and former Chair of the Housing Agency, Conor Skehan…

Many people across the country have been tuning into The Traitors each week since it returned for its second season at Slane Castle. The show has quickly become a hot topic of conversation, popping up in friend groups, workplaces and coffee shops alike. But, why do we enjoy that shared experience of following the same TV show or sporting event as others? Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College...

51% of Irish parents have decided not to enrol their child in a sport or activity because of cost, and 80% say that the cost of their children’s sport puts pressure on the household budget... Joining Ciara and Shane for more on this is Jennifer Zamparelli, television & radio presenter and ambassador for the ‘ReBoot with Aviva’ initiative.

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane and Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…

Currently, anyone can inherit €400,000 from their parents, and in rare cases their grandparents, tax free. Any amount above that threshold is taxed at 33%. But, should this change? Joining Ciara to discuss is Barry Ward, Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire and Tom McDonnell, from the Nevin Economic Research Institute.

Harry Styles today announced he will play two major headline gigs at Croke Park next summer. This comes after fans this week noticed posters of the popstar across Dublin causing speculation to arise. This comes after the Spice Girls Instagram account had fans wondering if a tour was on the cards, a theory that was quickly debunked once the group announced they will release recordings to celebrate...

Richard Osman, author and television presenter, known for his international bestselling book series ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ joins Ciara to discuss his newest book out today: ‘We Chase Shadows’!

The European Central Bank has announced an increase in interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, bringing its main rate to 2.5%. But what does this mean for you? Joining Ciara to discuss is Michael Dowling, Senior mortgage adviser with Irish Mortgage Brokers.

The Minister for Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, has said that he wants to see "realistic" deadlines in place for the amalgamation of the Gaelic games but also said today that he has “no reason not to believe” the GAA’s commitment to integration despite the comments by Mary McAleese. Joining Shane to discuss is Editor of the journal.ie Sinead O’Carroll...

Many people across the country live in hard water areas, they know the struggle of descaling a kettle or going through bottles of washing up liquid when washing their dishes to create a small bit of suds. But, what effect does hard water have on your hair and scalp health, and are the trending shower head filters worth the hype? Joining Ciara to discuss is Sarah Cummins, a Trichologist with TRUA.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about. This week, Simon joins Ciara and Shane to discuss proper phone etiquette!

The President of the Law Society has called for an independent mediator to be appointed to help resolve the dispute over the new criminal legal aid scheme. The dispute over the new flat fee payment scheme for criminal defense solicitors has caused nationwide disruption to court hearings and led to the majority of defense solicitors withdrawing their services. Joining Shane for more on this is The...

College is just around the corner for many, or even beginning now. So,  on your first day, how do you deal with those nerves and anxiety? Newstalk’s Dylan Hand has been putting together the ultimate college survival guide, and joins Ciara to discuss!

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane and Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, joins Ciara to discuss Meta’s new ‘Muse’ AI, and how it aims to be your own personal assistant in your pocket…

A protest will be taking place in Dublin city centre this weekend of more than 30 groups and left-leaning political parties as President Trump visits Irish shores. Joining Shane to discuss this is Criminal Defence Barrister and Senior Counsel, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha, who is among a group of Irish lawyers who have signed a statement of objection to Trump’s war policies.

How we as a nation deal with death and mourning has always been unique, and so too is the way we show up for people in times of need. Food has always been at the center of that, showing up to neighbors houses with trays of sandwiches and boxes of tea bags following the death of their loved one is how we have shown support throughout the years. Society has changed remarkably over the past 50 years,...

(Spoilers for last night’s episode of The Traitors Ireland ahead!) Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss their experience on The Traitors is Denis, the murdered Faithful and Grainne, who was also a Faithful whose time was cut short…

GAA Director General Tom Ryan has said the organisation was “not ready” for the integration of the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association within the 2027 deadline of the Steering Group on Integration. This follows news that Dr Mary McAleese had stepped down as Chairperson of the Integration Committee. Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss this is Deirdre Murphy, former Head of Operations at Clare...

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Ciara and Shane to give his ultimate guide to celebrating Halloween, or Samhain, in Ireland!

Just how big does a security operation need to be when a US President visits Ireland, especially when that person is Donald Trump? And, how much does it cost? Joining Ciara to discuss is Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst.

We have all heard of the issue of derelict houses, but they are not the only empty buildings in this country. The latest figures show that one in seven commercial units are empty. Newstalk Reporter Bairbre Holmes has been looking into this, and joins Shane to discuss.

The Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of State Neale Richmond has said there is an “appeal” to reform the current inheritance tax to boost what people can receive. He stated that the reform is needed because the current model does not reflect modern families. For more on this, Shane is joined by Financial Advisor and Analyst, Karl Deeter...

Nora Owen, former Minister for Justice, joins Ciara to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Twelve countries including Britain, Canada and France have said they would put sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, after increasing attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian villages in the occupied territory. Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden also plan to limit trade with the settlements, the nations' foreign ministers...