The Hard Shoulder

With reflections being made 5 years on from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marking the first lockdown - what actually happened 5 years ago, and have things returned to full normality? Joining Kieran to discuss is Oonagh Carr, long Covid patient, Robert Maguire, Director at Massey Brothers Funeral Homes and Linda Kelly, Spokesperson for Better Maternity Care.

People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire, Richard Boyd Barrett joined Kieran Cuddihy this week to place his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Despite a statement from the Department of Housing that there are no plans for it at the moment - do we need water charges in households? Joining Kieran to discuss is Padraig O’Ceidigh, former Senator and former Chair of the Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water as well as Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire.

Ticketmaster, Eir and Ryanair are at the top of a list of companies with the most complaints in a list compiled by the CCPC in its Consumer Helpline Report. Many complaints have been submitted over 2024, but do we in Ireland complain enough, or do we prefer not to make a fuss? Siobhan Maguire, Consumer Journalist, joins Kieran to discuss.

5 years ago, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marked the first lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic. Cast your mind back to some of the weird and bizarre aspects to the pandemic - there’s too many to think of Joining Kieran to discuss is Ruth Scott, Broadcaster and Celebrant, Jen Hogan, Irish Times Columnist and Conor McAllister, co-owner of Grafton Barbers.

TikTok has announced a new change to the platform to help teenagers shut down from the day – and walk away from their screens. Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly and Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner join Kieran to discuss what’s being introduced, and the impact it could have.

With the Dáil firmly in place, there is another race on the horizon, and the rumour mill is buzzing around who might replace Michael D Higgins. But, what will potential candidates be looking to do at this stage, and how does a presidential candidacy differ from regular elections? To discuss, Kieran is joined by former Campaign Strategist Derek Mooney.

Earlier in the show, Kieran spoke with Sports Journalist Daniel Hussey, who thinks the weekend defeat to France in the Six Nations could be a stark warning for the future… So, are we over-reliant on our school system?  Does the tightening of residency rules adversely affect us? Is Irish rugby in trouble? Gordon D’Arcy, former Ireland international, joins Kieran to discuss.

US President Donald Trump has announced that the month of March will officially be declared as ‘Irish-American Heritage Month’, but that begs the question on the eve of Micheál Martin’s White House Trip; is this just opportunism, or does Trump actually want to celebrate that heritage? Susan Garraty is a former MSNBC Producer, Writer and Freelance Journalist based in the US. She joins Kieran to dis...

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Enda Murphy, Clinical Psychotherapist and Director of SeeMee.ie to discuss what to do when your child inevitably watches something a bit too scary for them!

A new survey has found that 40% of women have been harassed or felt threatened in sports or exercise… Joining Kieran to discuss this is Valerie Mulcahy, former Cork Footballer.

Syria's new authorities announced on Monday the end of an operation against loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, but it’s after nearly 1,000 civilians were killed in the worst violence since his overthrow... So, where does this leave things in a Middle East that seems to be ever-more fractured? Author, Comedian and Broadcaster Dom Joly, who born in Lebanon himself, but who knows the are...

Actor and Comedian Ricky Tomlinson, and Artist and Songwriter Asa Murphy join Kieran to discuss their new show! ‘In Conversation with Ricky Tomlinson’ is a show taking place on Thursday April 3rd in the Ambassador in Dublin, Friday April 4th in the National Opera House in Wexford, and Saturday April 5th in Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda.

With a devastating 42-27 loss to France in the Six Nations this weekend, questions are being raised about the state of the Irish team. So, are we in a new era? Kieran is joined by Daniel Hussey, Sports Presenter, to discuss.

New Leaving Cert reforms could see Home Economics shift to a purely theoretical subject to help aid with busy teachers schedules, but would children miss out on the practical life skills this way? Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments and Clare Corrigan join Kieran to discuss.

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…

Ireland will be facing off in a pivotal clash against the French tomorrow in what will be a crucial game for their Six Nations hope. To help preview the game, Kieran is joined by Denis Hickie, former Irish International and Phillip Saint-Andre, former French Head Coach.

Calls for the Molly Malone statue in Dublin to be elevated to protect her from the public and all that comes with that! So, should it be done? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Kieran to discuss. Also joining to share her thoughts is former Dublin Lord Mayor and Green Party Councillor, Hazel Chu.

‘Grá ar an Trá’, Ireland’s answer to ‘Love Island’ in the Gaeltacht kicks off for a second season on Monday March 10th and will appear all though Seachtain Na Gaeilge next week. Joining Kieran to discuss the show is James Kavanagh, Presenter of Grá ar an Trá and The Simpler Life with James and William. Image: Ruth Medjber

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 topic of Early Childcare providers has been discussed on the show recently, covering the issues in the sector. Today, Kieran is joined by Mary Moloney, Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education and Care in Mary Immaculate College and Sonya Duggan, who runs early years educational facilities in Laois, to discuss pay issues in the sector.

You know Kieran’s guest from ‘This is England’ and ‘Line of Duty’, but in a change from acting, she brings her ‘Day Fever’ daytime night club experience to The Academy in Dublin this April! Vicky McClure joins to discuss!

With Ireland facing France in the Six Nations tomorrow, people may be thinking of their storied rugby rivalry, but what is the history of the relationship between the two countries? Joining Kieran to discuss is French Ambassador to Ireland, Céline Place.

When is enough enough? Some people find it hard to know the difference between the perception of their financial status, and their actual finances. So, how bad can it get, and what are ways to alleviate it? Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for The Irish Times & Pricewatch Editor and Leslie Shoemaker, Psychotherapist, join Kieran to discuss.

A new initiative is being rolled across England which will see supervised toothbrushing taking place daily in schools across the country. It’s hoped the Government backed campaign will save the NHS millions by reducing the number of children who require hospital care for tooth decay… Is this something that should be done in Ireland? Dr. Caroline Robbins of Kiwi Dental in Carlow joins Kieran to dis...