The Hard Shoulder

According to a new survey by Currys, which has cracked open Ireland’s fridges, one in four of us has a mystery tupperware in the fridge we’re too afraid to open, with nearly half of our fridges containing leftovers we’ll never eat. So, how dirty are our fridges if they contain leftovers, and how best can we manage our fridges to make sure they're clean and tidy? Joining Kieran to discuss is Laura...

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 Kieran on International Tea Day to discuss how to make the perfect cup of tea!

Kieran is joined by ultra-runner, Stephaine Case. Stephaine took part in a recent ultra marathon, which she not only won, but she did so while stopping throughout the 100k to breastfeed her six-month-old daughter!

The latest update from the Department of Housing has said that the number of homes being completed will have to rise substantially for the remainder of the year if the Government is to have any hope of meeting its annual target of 41,000 units. This comes as growth estimates have shown that population growth slowed in Ireland during 2024, but is still growing. Are housing issues possible to solve...

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss how bin collecting is about to get a lot smarter. Waste disposal company Panda is rolling out surveillance during collections, which will identify any mix ups when it comes to recycling and contamination - but is it a GDPR issue?

As many companies now have a hybrid system of remote working, is it leading to poor communications and the need for too many meetings? Are we having too many meetings in our day, and just doing too little work? Life Coach Mark Fennell joins Kieran to discuss, and give his meeting-efficiency tips.

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that the two Irish diplomats were among the delegation that Israeli soldiers fired at in the vicinity of in the West Bank… Journalist Hannah McCarthy joins Kieran to discuss the latest, and Independent Senator Frances Black joins to discuss the new Occupied Territories Bill the Tánaiste will be bringing before the Cabinet, which includes a ban on imports from those t...

Yesterday on the show you may have heard Kieran speaking to Cara Darmody during her 50-hour picket outside Leinster House. She is calling for the Government to address the large number of children awaiting an assessment for a disability or autism for six months or longer. Joining Kieran today to discuss this is Jane Johnstone, mother and carer to Evan and Daniel to tell her own story and Catherine...

New figures from the department of justice show that 60,0000 people were caught by Gardaí driving while using their phones between 2022 and 2024. There are currently more than half a million drivers with penalty points on their licence, of which 866 have 12 points, meaning they are under an automatic six-month ban. Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Kieran to discuss.

Author Anthony Horowitz has said he believes that social media is impacting children's attention spans and it’s causing them to no longer be able to concentrate on longer novels. But, are their attention spans getting worse, or do we need to change how we approach reading? Joining Kieran to discuss is Lorraine Levis, Author ‘Once Upon a Reader: Raising Your Children with a Love of Books’ and Head...

Should young teenagers have a say at the ballot box? Today, Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly is bringing forward a bill that could shake up Irish democracy, proposing the voting age be lowered to 16. Is this a good cause to increase political engagement in our system, or is this too much responsibility, too soon? Social Democrat TD for the Kildare North, Aidan Farrelly, and James Geoghegan, Fine...

Theatre Maker and Television Presenter Martin Beanz Warde joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Schools across the country will be wrapping up their final classes and exams ahead of the summer break, but some 6th class students will be finishing up in the coming weeks not knowing what secondary school they will be attending in September… This is particularly a problem in areas which have seen high population growth in recent years. Rachel Harper, Principal of Saint Patrick's National School...

Disability Rights Campaigner Cara Darmody is staging a 50 hour protest over the long waiting lists for special needs assessments. Cara has been fighting for these issues for her two brothers, Neil and John, who have autism. Kieran spoke with Cara outside the Dáil, as well as Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children, Disability and Equality and TD for Roscommon–Galway.

We have had our new government now for a few months, but given the controversy surrounding the speaking rights row, it took a while for the 34th Dáil to get up to speed. But, Kieran’s guest believes that our current government is turning the Dáil into a 'do-nothing' parliament. Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner, joins to discuss.

People aged 16 and 17 are as civically informed as their peers aged over 18, but are “unjustly restricted”, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly. Today, they will table a bill seeking to reduce the voting age in Ireland from 18 to 16. Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public for their thoughts, and joins Kieran to discuss.

New figures from the Injury’s Resolution Board show that motor accident claims over the past 6 years are down 30%, and the value of those awards paid for claims are down over 40%. Yet, insurance premiums remain stubbornly high… So, what’s the best way to get the best deal on your motor insurance? Shane O’Donohue, Editor of CompleteCar.ie , joins Kieran to discuss.

Would you let your four-year-old go for a walk alone? Are we protecting them from danger, or are we hindering their development by not allowing them to be independent? Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr Clare Moriarty, Postdoctoral Researcher working at Trinity Research in Social Sciences in Trinity College Dublin and Jen Hogan, Journalist with the Irish Times.

In 2015, Ireland made history becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. A decision that sent waves across the world. As we look back on its 10th anniversary, we want to look at the ripple effects of the vote and how it influenced another nation, Australia, to get its people to vote for marriage equality... Tiernan Brady, Global Director of Inclusion and Clifford Cha...

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting European Union chiefs today for a landmark summit to usher in a closer relationship, in the first meeting of its kind since the UK formally left the European Union more than five years ago… But, what will this mean for Ireland? Joining Kieran to discuss is Britain's Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston…

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Dr Sandra Cummings, Consultant Audiologist Consultant Audiologist at the Hearing and Balance Center at the Beacon, to discuss what to do when your child gets an ear infection.

Kieran’s guest is playing the Ambassador Theatre on June 11th, with tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster. Rhys Darby, one of New Zealand’s greatest comedy exports, joins the show!

Average rents in Dublin have risen to above €2,000 euro for the first time. The average rent in 2011 would have cost you €765 euro - now it’s €2,053, and they’re continuing to rise right across the country… Joining Kieran to discuss is Eoin O’ Broin, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing and Marian Finnegan, Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald.

Gary Lineker has confirmed he will leave the BBC early and has apologised for a controversial social media post which led to his premature departure. He presented Match of the Day for over 20 years, and was due to front the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup, however this now won’t be the case… Joining Kieran to shed more light on the situation is Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter with The Su...

Last week on the show, Fine Gael Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn joined Kieran for the Thursday Interview and one of the things she spoke about was girls' participation in sports, and why getting rid of school uniforms could help them get involved in sport more easily. So, should we rethink the school uniform to encourage kids to stay active? Joining Kieran to discuss is Sonia O’ Sullivan, Irish Gold M...