The Hard Shoulder

More people are now opting for prepaying and pre planning for their funeral before they die, some even opting to be involved in the ceremony virtually on the day. Joining Kieran to discuss more is Undertaker Colm Kieran, owner of My Farewell Wishes, which have been connecting with their customers through their TikTok videos…

Transport for Ireland is losing €20 million a year to fare evasion. Nearly 7% of Dart passengers do not have a valid ticket, and fare evasion rates jump to 15% on the Dublin to Drogheda and Dublin to Longford routes. What is going on? And are you a fare dodger? Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Kieran to discuss.

The next phase of the Dublin City Transport Plan has come into effect. The new restrictions will be in place 24/7, and they will mean that only public transport, taxis and cyclists will be allowed to turn left from Westland Row onto Pearse Street. Joining Kieran to discuss the impact of this change is Paul Woodborne, Sales Manager at Sweeney & O’Rourke, catering showroom located on Pearse Stre...

Today is Celebration Day in the UK, which is a time for communities to take a special moment to pause and remember those important in their lives who may no longer be with us. Is this something that Ireland should emulate, or are we too scared of having opening conversations about grief? Joining Kieran to discuss is Sallyanne Clarke, Restauranter and Author and Ruth Scott, Broadcaster and Wedding...

You may have heard of creatine, which is popular among athletes and fitness influencers, but does it have any benefits, and is it even safe? Joining Kieran to discuss is Shelly Gray, Today FM Presenter and Registered Dietitian and John Belton, Personal and Wellness Trainer.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie, to discuss how you can handle rebellious teens as they grow up, while also giving the privacy and freedom they want.

Gardaí have said that there has been a significant decrease in robbery, burglary, violent disorder, crimes against the person and theft offences this year. Provisional Garda figures for the first three months show a decrease across all property crimes, but an increase in organised crime and fraud offences, compared to the same period last year. Is this being felt on the ground? Will Monaghan, owne...

A Michelin star chef in London, Gorgio Locatelli, has blasted people using their phones in restaurants, claiming that people should get off their phones and enjoy the moment. Does he have a point? Have phones gone too far in restaurants, or are we allowed to enjoy our food as we wish? Edward Hayden, TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer at the Southeast Technological University and Saoirse Hanely, Journal...

A fresh call has been made to reintroduce 100% mortgages for first time buyers. Independent Ireland leader TD Michael Collins has said there is a clear need for targeted, responsible mortgage products that reflect today’s economic realities. Despite there not being enough supply for demand, hearing 100% mortgages for many will strike PTSD of the Celtic Tiger days… Joining Kieran to discuss is John...

Gardaí have upgraded the missing persons case of Fiona Pender, who was pregnant when she went missing in 1996, to a murder investigation as a new search operation is set begin this week for the Offaly woman. Stephen Breen, Crime Editor with the Irish Sun, joins Kieran to discuss.

Is the lack of male teachers causing a lack of male role models for children in school? Joining Kieran to discuss this is Simon Lewis, Principal of Carlow Educate Together and Host of the 'If I Were The Minister for Education' podcast and Micheal Kelly, Director of Public Affairs with the Papal Foundation Aid to the Church in Need.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball and Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

He’s taken on governments, grilled broadcasters, and championed workers with that unmistakable calm fire. From the picket lines of London to his family roots in Cork and Armagh, Trade Unionist Mick Lynch has never been far from the fight. He is in Dublin for the Tressel Festival, which kicks off this weekend and he is taking part in a discussion tomorrow at 3pm in the Liberty Hall Theatre on his p...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to discuss how you can cook a beautiful steak in the summer sun!

US President Donald Trump has said he is recommending a 50% tariff on all goods from the European Union being imported to the United States. It marks an escalation in the continuing trade wars… Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews, Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty and later Joe Lynam, Newstalk Business Editor and Presenter of Breakfast Business join Kieran to discuss. Image: Reuters

At least 1,800 children who had hip dysplasia surgery are to be medically reviewed following an audit which found surgeons in Cappagh & Temple Street hospitals were carrying out a high number of unnecessary operations… Marie Sherlock, Labour Party TD and Spokesperson on Health, Shauna Bowers, Health Correspondent with The Irish Times and later Elaine Flanagan, Mother of Harlow and David Cullin...

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

One in four people in Ireland are ‘clinging on’ when it comes to their finances, according to the Credit Union. Over half of us are financially ‘comfortable’, but 20% of us are just ‘coping’. To discuss further, Kieran is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean.

With their folded ears and big eyes, the Scottish fold cat is beloved by many celebrities including Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. However, there are calls in the UK to ban the breeding of Scottish Folds due to painful genetic deformities. So, what are these problems with this breed and why are they so popular? Clare Meade, Cat Vet with Cat Hospital joins Kieran to discuss.

Tonight, in Croke Park, a vote will be taking place that could change camogie forever. That is the vote to allow players the decision to choose whether they would like to wear shorts instead of skorts. So, will the vote come to pass? And what will happen to camogie if it does not? Karl O’Brien, Chairperson of Dublin Camogie and Aislinn Connolly, former Galway camogie player and all star join Kiera...

TikTok Comedian, Musician and Influencer Garron Noone joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!

Students and households across the country are preparing for their state exams which kick off in two weeks (on June 4th), but what is the best way to approach the paper when it is put in front of you to get the maximum marks you can? Joining Kieran to give some practical advice is Aoife O'Driscoll, English teacher in Cork CBC, textbook author and webinar deliverer at Tralee ED Centre.

10 years ago today, Dublin Castle was the scene of celebrations after the historic victory for Marriage Equality. One of the people involved in the campaign and who was there on that day 10 years ago was Fine Gael TD for the Cork South-Central Jerry Buttimer. Kieran escapes the Newstalk studio and joins him to discuss.

Over 17 hundred complaints were made to the Ombudsman for Children’s Office last year, with almost 600 of those relating to education. So, where do we go from here? Joining Kieran to discuss is Ombudsman for Children, Dr Niall Muldoon.

The UK is considering introducing chemical castration for sex offenders as a means of reducing reoffending and also dealing with prison overcrowding. Is this an acceptable form of punishment in 2025, and does it work for its intended purpose? Also, is it something Ireland should consider? Joining Kieran to discuss this is Dr. Patrick Randall, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Director of Fore...