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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

The impact of Netflix’s ‘Adolescence’ 21.03.2025

Netflix's new drama miniseries 'Adolescence' has been on everyone's lips recently, and has been receiving a lot of acclaim. Joining Kieran to discuss the show and the impact it has is Newstalk Breakfast Presenters Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly… Image: Netflix

Sport with Eoin Sheahan & Kate O'Connor's Win! 21.03.2025

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… Before that, Kieran was joined by Kate O’Connor, who won silver at the World Indoor Championships. She discusses the achievement from the stadium in Nanjing, China.

Family still seeking justice for son’s death in hit and run 21.03.2025

Shane O’ Farrell was 23 years old when he was killed in a hit and run incident while out cycling in Carrickmacross back in 2011. The driver of the car had previous convictions, and a court ruling meant that he should have been in prison at the time. For a long time Shane’s family have been campaigning for a public inquiry into the circumstances around what happened and today they met with the Mini...

Fire in Heathrow Airport being investigated by counter-terror officers 21.03.2025

Counter-terror officers from the Metropolitan Police are leading the investigation into a major fire that has closed Heathrow Airport. While there is "currently no indication of foul play" they are staying open-minded. There have been a series of disruptions in the area, with local schools and roads being closed, homes in the area being evacuated along with a series of flight cancellations. Joinin...

Calls made for more young carer support 20.03.2025

There are over 67,000 young careers in Ireland aged between 10-17, and the Labour Party will be putting forward a motion today aiming to come up with better solutions to help young careers. Kieran makes a trip to Leinster House to speak with two young carers, Lucy Connor and Conor Curran, giving testimony on their experiences.

Would you donate your body to science? 20.03.2025

Over 100 hundred bodies are donated each year to science, as people volunteer to forgo the traditional roots of burial and cremation, but how does one go about donating? Joining Kieran to discuss is Philomena McAteer, Chief Technical Officer of Anatomy at Trinity College Dublin.

Remembering Eddie Jordan 20.03.2025

Eddie Jordan, one of the most iconic men in Formula One, has sadly passed away at the age of 76… His passing has left a huge impact on the world of motorsport today, and joining Kieran to remember the man are two who knew him well: former Racing Driver David Kennedy, and Sports Journalist, David Quigley.

Did the Hot School Meals scheme forget about Coeliac children? 20.03.2025

The Coeliac Society of Ireland says that better Government oversight of the Hot School Meals scheme is required to ensure that the nutritional needs of children affected by the disease are met… The Coeliac Society are currently taking it upon themselves to liaise with the catering companies supplying meals to ensure that there are safe options available for children with Coeliac disease. Joining K...

How to do Stuff: Holding Cutlery 20.03.2025

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 give a lesson on being patriotic!

How should the Gardaí deal with public incidents? 19.03.2025

A Policing Authority report has found that The Garda needs to update its policy and procedures on dealing with public order incidents… Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan briefed Cabinet on this review following the Dublin riots in November 2023, and changes made since this time within the Garda Siochána. The Minister joins Kieran to discuss…

What is a ‘Flex’ mortgage? 19.03.2025

You have heard of fixed, variable and tracker mortgage rates, but have you heard about the ‘Flex’ mortgage? Well, it’s popular in Europe, and it’s coming to Ireland. Joining Kieran to explain is CEO of Fair Stone & Founder of Ask Paul, Paul Merriman.

Tech Takeover: The Art of the Prompt 19.03.2025

In a continuation of her 'AI 101' series, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran for this week’s Tech Takeover to talk about all things prompts! When you’re interacting with an AI model, writing the correct question can make all the difference between an unreliable answer, and an incredibly useful resource. Image: OpenAI

How do kids remember Covid? - Henry McKean Reports  19.03.2025

Does Covid cast a long shadow over attendance in school 5 years on? This time in 2020, Ireland went into lockdown - with creches, primary and secondary schools shutting for long periods of time. What was the effect and impact on kids who were just starting out in school? Henry McKean spoke with kids from South City CNS Dublin 8 to get their memories, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Is Jennifer Carroll MacNeil right about trolley numbers? 19.03.2025

Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeil spoke on Newstalk Breakfast earlier about the drop in the number of people on trolleys over the St. Patrick’s weekend compared to the previous Bank Holiday, hailing the new rostering system. How are Consultants reacting to her comments? Kieran is joined by Professor Mattew Sadlier, Chairman of the Consultant Committee of the Irish Medical Organisation to di...

Getting your garden ready for summer! 19.03.2025

The weather is getting warmer and the days are getting longer, so you’ll start to think about getting the garden ready for summer... Joining Kieran to give his top tips is RTÉ Super Garden Judge  and Woodie's DIY and Garden Expert, Brian Burke!

Cost of meat and milk continues to rise - why? 19.03.2025

A restaurant steak could set you back €50; the price of beef is set to go up as farmers warn that the costs of production cannot be absorbed anymore… Will we need to come to reality that things might get more expensive, and what are the hidden costs behind a meal in a restaurant? Joining Kieran to discuss is Caitriona Remond, Cost of Living Expert with the Irish Examiner and Wade Murphy, Owner and...

UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestine conflict 19.03.2025

Tensions in the Middle East were raised again yesterday as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that hostage talks would take place “under fire”, leading to doubts that another ceasefire might be reached. Joining Kieran to discuss this conflict and her role within it is Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur to Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Austin Stack on seeking justice for his father’s murder 18.03.2025

Brian Stack, a Senior Prison Officer in Portlaoise, was brutally shot by the IRA in 1983, leaving him paralysed and brain-damaged. He died 18 months later, and to this day, no one has been convicted of his murder. Now, his son Austin Stack, who was just 14 when his father passed away, has written a new book, ‘Justice For My Father’, detailing his ongoing quest for justice and his fight to uncover...

Should we prioritise having families over pets? 18.03.2025

The Apprentice often has innovative ideas when it comes to businesses, but one has cropped up, and that is Doggie Discos! A few eyebrows have been raised: is this an example of younger people prioritizing pets over starting families? David Quinn, Head of the Iona Institute joins Kieran to discuss.

What movies have been banned in Ireland? 18.03.2025

Following the release of Stanley Kubrick's' ‘A Clockwork Orange' in 1971, it was subsequently banned in Ireland; a ban which was only lifted in the year 2000. Movie Critic Brian Lloyd joins Kieran to talk about the other movies which have been banned in Ireland.

Irish Amazon website launches - what impact will it have? 18.03.2025

Amazon has today launched its new dedicated website for Ireland: Amazon.ie , which promises faster delivery times and even selling products from Irish businesses such as Barrys. What does the launch mean for consumers and for competing businesses? Joining Kieran to discuss is Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with The Irish Independent and Ruth Roberts of Cogs The Brain Shop. Image: Amazon

Does Conor McGregor represent Ireland? 18.03.2025

You will have probably seen in the news that controversial MMA fighter Conor McGregor was invited to The White House by President Trump on St. Patrick’s Day. His presence and his remarks do not represent the people of Ireland, according to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste. Why was he there, and what comes next? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Susan Garraty, Washington-based Journalist and former MSNBC W...

Israeli who was spat on in Dublin speaks out 18.03.2025

Gardaí are investigating an incident in which two women confronted an Israeli man at a bar in Dún Laoghaire - during which one of the women spat at him. The man who was spat on, Tamir Ohayon, joins Kieran to discuss.

Why children with scoliosis are still on waiting lists 18.03.2025

It has been 8 years since former Minister of Health, now Tánaiste Simon Harris made the promise that no child in Ireland with scoliosis would be left on a waiting list. Joining Kieran to discuss why that hasn't become a reality, and the new bill aiming to address it is Tom Clonan, Independent Senator and Claire Cahill, Co-Founder of Scoliosis Advocacy Network.

Petrol prices have drivers leaving their cars at home 18.03.2025

New research has revealed that large numbers of motorists are making changes to their driving habits in response to the ongoing increase in petrol and diesel prices across the country. More than 13% of motorists are now using public transport more frequently, with 11% opting to walk more, but what about those in more rural areas? To discuss this news, I’m joined by former Green MEP for Dublin, Cia...

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