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The Hard Shoulder

Society EN ↓ 7620 episodes

The Hard Shoulder Podcast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman is your essential drivetime companion—bringing fresh perspective and energy to your drive home. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment Listen to Newstalk at  http://newstalk.com/listenlive  | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk

Author

Newstalk

Category

Society

Podcast website

pscrb.fm

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Man arrested on suspicion of murdering Michael Gaine 19.05.2025

A man in his 50s remains in custody this morning on suspicion of murdering Kerry farmer Michael Gaine. The 56-year-old sheep farmer has been missing from his farmyard near Kenmare in County Kerry for eight weeks. The man was arrested yesterday afternoon after Gardaí confirmed on Saturday that materials found on Mr Gaine's farm are partial human remains. Joining Kieran to discuss the latest is Anne...

100,000 children denied dental screening appointments - why? 19.05.2025

100,000 primary schoolchildren were denied dental screening appointments last year. Under the HSE, primary school children should be seen by a dentist three times throughout the course of their primary school years. Joining Kieran to discuss why this is happening is Emer Tóibín, Aontú Cllr in Meath and Dr Bridget Harrington Barry, HSE Dentist based in Galway and President-elect of the Irish Dental...

Winners and Sinners 16.05.2025

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Saoirse Hanley, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

On the roof with Amanda Brunker! 16.05.2025

On a beautiful day like this, Kieran has escaped the regular studio to seek refuge on the Newstalk to bask in the lovely summer sun that has blessed Ireland this week. Joining him for a chat in his makeshift summer studio is Writer and Playwright, Amanda Brunker!

You Are What You Eat: Food to help you sleep! 16.05.2025

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about foods and recipes you can use to help with sleep!

Sport with Eoin Sheahan 16.05.2025

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…

The impact on trans rights from the UK Supreme Court 16.05.2025

Last month, the UK’s top court made a decision that’s left many trans people in Ireland feeling hurt, angry, and scared. It ruled that when the law talks about women, it only means so-called 'biological' women. For trans women, this isn’t just legal language, it’s a step backwards. It sends a message that their rights and their safety might be in question, and one person who has felt that is Jenny...

How close are we to seeing flying taxis? 16.05.2025

Los Angeles wants air-taxis to be in place by the time they host the Olympic Games in 2028. They are planning their third Summer Games, and want the service to help spectators avoid the infamous LA traffic. Joining Kieran to discuss is Russell Vickers, CEO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland and Technology Journalist Emmet Ryan. Image: Archer Aviation

Do we work worse in good weather? 16.05.2025

Are you listening from work, or did you pull a sickie because of the good weather? Apparently, you’re not alone if you did... Joining Kieran to discuss all things skiving off is Comedian Jim Elliot and Alexandra Ryan, Founder of Goss Media.

Are men to blame for climate change? 16.05.2025

Is climate change a man's world? That’s apparently the case according to a new study from France, that claims that men contribute 25 percent more than women due to their love of red meat and fast cars. So, do men need to do more to pick up the slack and should they ditch the car keys and steaks to help contribute more positively to climate emissions? Ian O’Doherty Columnist with the Irish Independ...

Should we feel that guilty over a takeaway? 15.05.2025

Meghan Markle has said she doesn’t always have the time to cook every day, but when she opts for a takeaway, she demonstrated to viewers of her new Netflix show, ‘With Love Meghan’, how to present it beautifully. But, if even Meghan Markle can admit to not having the time in her day to cook, should we really be so hard on ourselves for the weekly take away? Joining Kieran to discuss is Cooking Exp...

Will AI be the death of creativity? 15.05.2025

In a world where there is a growing influence of artificial intelligence – how do we navigate that? Does it bring unavoidable uncertainty? Kieran is joined by Margaret Heffernan, author of ‘Embracing Uncertainty’, to discuss.

The Thursday Interview: Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn 15.05.2025

Fine Gael Senator and former Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview.

Bike shed controversy continues following independent report 15.05.2025

An independent report commissioned by the OPW says there was no value-for-money assessment before work began on Leinster House's infamous €336k bicycle shed. According to the report by Deloitte, the OPW did not tell the Oireachtas what the shelter would cost. Joining Kieran to discuss is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe and Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin TD for Galway West/South Mayo, Ch...

Shopping wisely to fight food inflation 15.05.2025

The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that Irish inflation rose again in April, up by more than 2% on the same month last year. It doesn't come as a surprise, since a pound of butter now costs nearly five euro. But, how can you shop wisely to deal with inflation? Joining Kieran to discuss is Consumer Journalist, Caitriona Redmond.  

How will Ireland do at Eurovision? - Henry McKean Reports 15.05.2025

With the second Eurovision semi-final on tonight, how will Ireland fare against seemingly tough competition? Newstalk's Henry McKean joins Kieran backstage from Basel to discuss, and share what he's heard from Ireland's representative EMMY, Marty Whelan and more!

How are you enjoying the weather? 15.05.2025

How are people around Ireland enjoying this beautiful week of weather? Joining Kieran to discuss how it is impacting them is John McCarthy, owner of Lahinch Surfing, Yasmin Khan of TEDDY’S Ice Cream Dun Laoghaire, Gary Anderson from the Seafood Shack on the Pier in Killybegs and Karen O’ Neill, Senior Operations Manager from Beyond the Trees Avondale.

How to do Stuff: Picking a fast food restaurant 15.05.2025

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 to discuss how to handle one of the most difficult debates you can have: picking what to get for a takeaway!

What impact will AI have on music and creativity? 14.05.2025

A lot is said about how AI impacts our daily lives, but how will it change our music, and will it hinder artists’ creativity? Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr. Martin Clancy, Senior AI Research Fellow at DCU and Policy Fellow at Trinity College Dublin.

How to sleep during hot summer nights 14.05.2025

One downside of the beautiful summer weather is that when it’s time to hit the hay, it can be quite uncomfortable to fall asleep in the heat. Joining Kieran is to give her tips on how to not lose sleep during warmer weather is Sine Dunne, Sleep Professional and Founder of SiEST Sleep.

Tech Takeover: Gardaí issue warning on online misinformation 14.05.2025

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss the Gardaí’s warning of misinformation online following the tragic death of Kevin Flatley, and the bad actors surrounding it.

Could the housing crisis be solved in 100 days? 14.05.2025

As the Government is scrambling to come up with plans to increase housing delivery, Kieran’s guest claims not only to have the best ideas to solve the housing crisis, but that he’ll do it in 100 days to boot. Ronan O’Reilly is the Managing Director of NewKey Homes, and joins to discuss.

Eurovision kicks off! - Henry McKean Reports 14.05.2025

Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean is in Basel Switzerland for this year’s Eurovision! He joins Kieran to discuss what things are like on the ground, including his chat with Ireland’s Eurovision representative EMMY.

Has remote working destroyed Ireland’s work ethic? 14.05.2025

Has remote working destroyed Ireland’s work ethic? At a recent Mansion House event, businessman Denis O’Brien said he thinks that it has, and claims that an “entitlement culture” has come, where employees feel they can dictate terms to employers. Peter Cosgrove is the Managing Director of Futurewise, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Leaving Cert set to have big reform - will it work? 14.05.2025

The Leaving Cert is set to change in the next school cycle with more projects, portfolios, and fewer final exams. Some say it’s a long-overdue fix to a high-stress system while others say it’s rushed, unclear, and wide open to problems like AI and unfair marking. So, what’s the assessment? TJ Hegarty, Founder and CEO of Breakthrough Maths and Eric Nelligan, Assistant Principal at St Munchin's Coll...

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