The Hard Shoulder

Women’s Aid has launched a new Ally Action campaign, which is calling on men to become allies in ending gender-based violence. We have been looking at what work is already underway to try and educate/rehabilitate men who have been violent to their partners. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been speaking to those working in this area, and he has also met a former participant of the service. If y...

The families of those killed in the Creeslough disaster plan to challenge “every aspect” of the plan to redevelop the site. An application was submitted to demolish the existing building and replace it with a new structure that would include a forecourt, shop, post office and space for a memorial garden. Damien Tansey is Senior Counsel and Solicitor with Damien Tansey Solicitors, who represents fa...

One of the recommendations by the Social Democrats on Dáil reform is making the Dáil prayer a time for reflection, rather than a Catholic prayer. Is it a good idea? Kieran is joined by Senator Ronan Mullen and Social Democrat TD Gary Gannon to discuss.

Drivers in Ireland forked out over €478 million in road tolls last year. New figures released to Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act have shown that Transport Infrastructure Ireland collected a record €212 million in M50 tolls last year - marking an 11.5% increase year-on-year. Port Tunnel revenues were €32 million in 2024, up from €28.8m in 2023. Meanwhile, the rest of the road network...

Yesterday marked the final day of the first stage of the Omagh Bombing Inquiry… Joining Kieran to discuss is Helen Kerr, who was in a café in Omagh when the explosion occurred.

You’ve heard of fast fashion, but is there such a thing as fast furniture? Do you find yourself throwing out IKEA furniture every couple of months? Joining Kieran to discuss is Architect Róisín Murphy and Climate Change and Environmental Researcher, Sadhbh O'Neill.

Spain's former football federation boss Luis Rubiales has been found guilty of sexual assault for kissing player Jenni Hermoso and ordered to pay a fine of €10,800 and has also has a restraining order attacked to this. Will this have a lasting impact on women’s sport? Meghann Scully is a freelance broadcaster and joins me now…

Housing seems to be the number one issue of attack for the Opposition over the first couple of weeks of Leaders’ Questions. Has it left the Government floundering? Seán Defoe is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, and he’s been looking into this. He joins Kieran to discuss.

US President Donald Trump has launched a new attack online on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a "dictator" and saying he has done a "terrible job"... For more on this, Kieran is joined by Volodymyr Solohub, Freelance Journalist in Ukraine and Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal.

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 advice on saying curse words properly!

With Donald Trump in office, should the Irish Government keep their opinions on US politics at bay for the next 4 years? Or risk its relationship with the country? Following on from his conversation with Sean Spicer, Kieran is joined by Fianna Fáil TD for East Cork, James O’Connor, to discuss.

You might remember Tracy Carroll, she is the mother of Willow, who has spoken on the show before about issues she faced dealing with the HSE… She has now settled her case with the HSE, and has been working to better the system. Tracy Carroll joins Kieran to discuss.

Today, 40 years ago, a brand new soap opera was launched… Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London, following the stories of local residents, mainly killing each other and having affairs. But, how realistic is Eastenders to real life? Henry McKean visited London during Bafta Awards week and sent this report from the real Eastenders, speaking with pub landlords, London cabb...

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss the Irish Text Relay Service, the importance of accessibility in technology, as well as give her tech recommendations for the week!

The IDA has announced a new 5-year plan which would create 75,000 new jobs if achieved, in hopes to navigate the possibly difficult economic times ahead for Europe… To go into details of the plan, Kieran is joined by the Chairman of the IDA Ireland, Fearghal O’Rourke. Image: Reuters

A new TikTok trend which has been doing the rounds suggests that a spoonful of butter might help your baby sleep through the night. This has since been debunked, but what causes these ideas and trends to spread so quickly, and why do we believe them? Kieran is joined by Stephen O’Leary, CEO of Olytico and Pete Lunn, Founder and Head of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit to discuss.

Now, the Government has announced that they intend on living planning exemptions for cabins built on private land to be used by family members in order to alleviate those seeking houses in the current market. Joining Kieran to discuss this potential change is Minister of State at the Department of Housing, John Cummins, as well as one man who has had continued issues with planning permission on hi...

Bosses at the Iceland Supermarkets in the UK have said that they could offer small jobs to those facing conviction to combat overcrowding and help them rehabilitate. Is this a good idea, and are we doing enough to help those in our who are going through our prison service? Joining Kieran to discuss is Comedian Willa White…

It's been reported today that the long-awaited National Children's Hospital will be costing an extra €850 million and not set to open until 2026… Kieran’s guest believes that Simon Harris should resign, or furthermore, be fired for signing off on the project. Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín, joins to discuss.

Executive Chef at The K Club Gary O’Hanlon joined Kieran this week to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

Senior officials from Russia and the United States met in Saudi Arabia today to begin talks on improving ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine… To tell more, Kieran is joined by Europe Correspondent with Euronews, Shona Murray. Image: Reuters

With less than a month away until almost all the Irish Ministers embark on their St Patrick’s Day missions, one of the Ministers holding the fort while they are gone is Minister of State Micheal Healy-Rae. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Did you know that if you flush the toilet with the seat up, you could be breathing in dirty air - along with getting your bathroom surfaces filthy? In that sense, what are the dirtiest things in your home? Microbiologist, Ana Burns, joins Kieran to discuss.

St Patrick’s Day is not far away, and a flock of Irish politicians will be heading over to woo President Trump... But, is this a good tactic? Joining Kieran to discuss is former White House Press Secretary and Host of the Sean Spicer Show, Sean Spicer.

A tourist tax is being explored by the Government as a method to raise tax for local councils. Venice and Lisbon are just a few of the European cities which already impose such a levy. Should we do the same here? Joining Kieran to discuss is Michael Pigeon, Green Party Councillor for Dublin's South West Inner City and Gina Murphy, Hugos Restaurant Owner and Chairperson of Tourist SOS.