The Hard Shoulder

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Joining Kieran to discuss his upcoming Irish gigs, 'Achilles Neil', which will kick off this May is Comedian Neil Delamere!

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about some of the biggest recent food trends, and how you could incorporate them into delicious recipes!

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…

It has been 100 days since the new Irish government took office with a fresh mandate, new promises and high expectations. Now, the honeymoon’s over, so how are they really doing? Joining Kieran to discuss is Christina Finn, Political Editor of the Journal.ie and Joan Burton, former Tánaiste and former Leader of the Labour Party.

An Airbnb survey says a quarter of the Irish population have explored Asia, but 82% have never visited Leitrim, and 76% have never visited Westmeath. Are you one of them? Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

As the temperatures climb, it’s not just humans feeling the heat, our pets are too. From panting pups to frazzled felines, summer can be tough on our four-legged friends. So, how do we keep them cool, comfy, and out of danger? Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet, joins Kieran to discuss.

Today marks the second consecutive Friday that the mosque on sight of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland has remained closed. The centre in Clonskeagh abruptly closed last week following an internal dispute. Well, the Muslim Community of Ireland is today holding a press conference to highlight the impact of the mosque's closure on the community. Abdul Haseeb, community activist, joins Kieran t...

The average child's birthday party now costs over €500, but are parents the problem and should we re-evaluate how we throw kids birthday parties, or is this just the new norm? Joining Kieran to discuss is Steve Cummins, Comedian and Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer for The Irish Times.

The Liberals were victorious this week in the Canadian elections – not quite enough to form a Government on their own, but victorious nonetheless. But, there are some who want out of Canada. Kieran’s guest is a Lawyer and Rancher in Calgary in Alberta, Canada - Jeff Rath joins to discuss.

Amid the trees of County Clare, a living memorial has taken shape: The Forest That Won’t Forget, which has been created in tribute to the women and families affected by the cervical check failures. Joining Kieran to discuss this memorial and why the 221+ group commissioned it is Lyn Fenton, Patient Advocate with 221+ Group and John Conway, Visual Artist and Co-Collaborator on the Forest that Won’t...

The latest skincare trend online you may have seen is the ‘caveman’ method, which essentially involves people cutting out all skincare products and entirely even forgoing washing their face with water for a period to get better skin, but should you be doing it, or is it actually causing more harm to your skin? Joining Kieran to discuss is Professor Nikki Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist in the Inst...

39 people, including 30 men, 4 women and 5 children were deported from Ireland last night on a chartered flight that landed in the Georgian capital Tbilisi this morning. This is the second chartered flight deporting people back to Georgia this year. Michael McNamara, Independent MEP for Ireland’s South constituency, is critical of this decision by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and has asked...

Screens should be banned for children under the age of six to avoid permanently impairing their brain development, French medical experts have warned, with research concluding that it permanently impairs intellectual abilities. But, in the world we live in, how do parents even begin to phase out screens? Jen Hogan, Journalist and Irish times Columnist, joins Kieran to discuss.

The government is moving ahead with plans to appoint a new Housing Tsar, who will be tasked with cutting through red tape and accelerating the delivery of new homes. But, not everyone is convinced of the powers they may have, and the salary cost of the position… Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin TD and Housing Spokesperson joins Kieran to discuss.

Should we be flattening the fly-tippers? Over in the UK, the government is telling councils to crush the vans used by illegal dumpers, and threatening actual jail time. With fly-tipping costing rural Ireland, is it time Ireland followed suit and got tough on dumping? Louise Crowley, Secretary at Limerick IFA and Dairy Farmer and Richard O’Donoghue, Independent Ireland TD for Limerick County join K...

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 you can pretend to be an expert on different topics!

When Donald J. Trump first stepped into the Oval Office in 2017, he promised to "drain the swamp" and shake Washington to its core. Now back in the White House for a historic second term, Trump’s second first 100 days tell a different story. Joining Kieran to discuss is Joe Walsh, former Republican Congressman and later Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner, joins to compare...

Caroline Reidy from the HR Suite joins Kieran to discuss the rights you have as an employee, and inform you on how to best protect yourself in the workplace…

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss Scattered Spider - one of the most dangerous and prolific hacking groups in the world, and presumed to be behind the recent hack of Marks & Spencer. She talks about how these hacking groups operate, and how some of them are asking AI to generate malicious code…

Negotiations on the procurement of Ireland's first military radar programme are set to get underway this summer. The system could cost hundreds of millions of euros. Mark Mellett is the former Defence Forces Chief of Staff, and joins Kieran to discuss.

With the great weather and summer months ahead, one of the downsides is the insects coming in through open windows and doors. Whether it is that one fly that keeps buzzing around your room as you are about to fall asleep, or the fear of being stung by wasps, Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin joins Kieran to discuss the best ways to get rid of insects without the fly swat...

Following the publication of the Grace Report earlier this month, many questions have been raised about the level of care that people in our system have been receiving, and whether it is in fact fit for purpose… Joining Kieran to discuss is Tracey Carroll, mum of Willow, to discuss what she believes needs to change in the system.

The 3 Arena is closing its bars during the David Gray concert this weekend, following a rowdy crowd at his last show in the venue. But, should it be down to personal responsibility? Should concert goers just show respect to fellow revelers and the artist? Henry McKean joins Kieran to discuss, and share what he’s heard.

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou M is slamming the Taoiseach's plans to appoint a new Housing Tsar, claiming the role is an expensive job share, and that the Government lacks new ideas. Seán Defoe, Newstalk's Political Correspondent, joins Kieran to discuss.