The Hard Shoulder

The consulting company Deloitte just released a report which noted that more than half of Gen Z and Millennials are putting off major life decisions because of their finances. But, this isn’t a new phenomenon - it seems that every week there is another story on how Gen Z are worried about their future financial affairs… Joining Ciara to discuss this is Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Ne...

The Climate Change Advisory Council has today called for the Government to start actively considering the feasibility of relocating families affected by coastal erosion. They are pushing for new legislation to provide funds and a plan for how to implement a “managed retreat”. Joining Ciara to discuss this is Lisa McDonald, a Fianna Fáil Councillor from Rosslare in Wexford and coastal protection ca...

The family of the Belfast knife attack victim, Stephen Ogilvie, has appealed for calm following last night's violence in Belfast, which saw people forced to flee their homes, with multiple cars and homes set alight… For more on this, Shane is joined by Barry Whyte, Newstalk's Chief Reporter and Peter Shirlow, Director at the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies.

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 the ultimate guide on travelling Europe by rail!

Are Irish people against online grocery shopping? - Meghan O’Halloran Reports Ireland’s three biggest supermarket chains, Dunnes, Tesco and Supervalu all operate their own grocery delivery services. Deliveroo has also weighed in, allowing customers to order from up to three different shops at once, only paying one delivery free. With all of this choice available to Irish consumers - are there rese...

The Government’s controversial plans to reform the triple-lock system are before the Cabinet today, with Minister for Defence Helen McEntee’s Defence Amendment Bill looking for approval. Joining Shane to discuss this further is Irish Times Political Correspondent, Harry McGee.

Kathryn Stockett, author of the New York Times bestselling novel and basis for the Academy Award-winning film ‘The Help’ joins Ciara to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Galway has been ranked as the sixth most expensive city for rent prices in Europe. As of last month, the average rent for an apartment in Galway City was €2,100… Joining Shane to discuss this is Shane Forde, Fine Gael Cllr for Galway City East.

A Sinn Féin motion calling for the October 4th fixture in the Aviva stadium in Dublin to be boycotted will be brought to the Dáil this evening. With the party saying that humanitarian conditions in Gaza mean the “international community cannot continue with business as usual”. Joining Shane with more on this is Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central and Party Spokesperson for F...

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a "brutal" knife attack in Belfast at 10:30pm last night. A video circulating online shows the attack before a number of people, including one wielding a hurley stick, confronting the apparent attacker until the police arrived. Joining Ciara to discuss this is Brian Kingston, Belfast North DUP Member of Local Assembly.

The Republic of Ireland will play France in their final game of the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying Group at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble on Tuesday. A win would see Carla Ward’s side through to the World Cup Finals next year... Joining Shane to discuss ahead of the match is Méabh De Búrca, Pundit and former Ireland International. Image: FAI

Today, the commission into the sexual abuse committed by pedophile Bill Kenneally released a report outlining a “clear and serious dereliction of duty” by Gardaí, even by the standards of the time. Joining Ciara to discuss is Ralph Reigal, the Southern Correspondent for the Irish Independent and Barry Murphy, one of the survivors of Keneally’s sexual abuse. If you have been affected by anything yo...

Merchants Quay Ireland opened Ireland’s first supervised drug injecting facility in December 2024, but more centers may open in the near future. TDs have called for Cork to open an injection centre, and the Department of Health has confirmed interest in opening centres in both Cork and Limerick. Joining Shane to discuss is Eddie Mullins, the CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland.

Childcare seems to be a constant issue for parents around the country, but while most are focused on the price of care, some parents are finding créche closures becoming increasingly common. Joining Ciara to discuss this is Elaine Dunne, the Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childcare Providers and a parent who has experienced repeated closures…

Israel and Iran have traded strikes for the first time since the ceasefire was agreed in April, threatening to drag the Middle East back into a wider war, with the US President Donald Trump telling both sides to stop “shooting”. Joining Ciara to discuss is Bel Trew, The Independent's Chief International Correspondent and David Blevins, Sky News US Correspondent. Image: Reuters

Journalist Ruth Medjber today wrote an article in today’s Irish Independent on the difficulties she has faced in finding a GP. So, why is it so difficult, and what needs to change? Joining Shane to discuss is Brendan O’Shea, Kildare GP and Medical Director at KDOC.

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara and Shane are joined by Ollwyn Moran, M.Ed. from CogniClinic & CogniKids ( cogniclinic.ie ) to discuss how to properly parent adolescents who are rebelling and pushing boundaries.

A jury has been sworn in for the trial of Riad Bouchaker, who is accused of trying to murder three children in Dublin city centre three years ago. Frank Greaney, Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent and host of the podcast ‘All Rise’, joins Ciara with the latest updates.

The board of the Rotunda has until close of business today to give the HSE a list of public-only consultants who have been given permission to continue providing private practice at the maternity hospital. It comes after the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill turned down an invitation for a meeting with the board of the hospital, with the Department of Health saying no such meeting woul...

Fake Tan has been a fixture in Irish adolescence for years now, but is it time to finally ditch the tan from a tube? Joining Ciara to discuss is Jane Cowen, Lifestyle Columnist with the Irish Examiner.

The Republic of Ireland's home UEFA Nations League fixture with Israel is likely to be moved to a neutral venue. Joining Shane to discuss this is Ben Symes, Football Reporter for Off The Ball.

Swan Alley, located between Thomas Street and Hanbury Lane, has long been a source of discussion among members of the South Central Area Committee... Last week, it was gated shut due to the ongoing issues related to drug abuse, anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping. Is this the correct thing to do to tackle anti-social behaviour? Joining Ciara to discuss is Brendan Brady of Brady Associates on...

Irish Business Against Litter has released their anti-litter league table today, and it showed that coffee cup litter was at its highest level since 2023, but what’s behind this increase, and how can we combat it? Joining Shane to discuss is Colin O’Byrne, Programme Director at Voice Ireland, and Rosie Sharp, Creative Director at Hubbub.

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy published an open letter to President Putin, in which he proposed the two leaders meet in-person to agree an end to more than four years of war… Joining Shane to discuss this is Donnacha Ó Beacháin, Professor of Politics at DCU and author of ‘Unfinished Empire: Russian Imperialism in Ukraine and the Near Abroad’.