The Hard Shoulder

Ireland and Scotland both began their Six Nations campaigns with wins last weekend: Ireland beating England in the Aviva, and Scotland beating Italy in Murrayfield. Scotland look to end a long run of games, stretching back to 2017, where they haven’t beaten the Irish. To discuss what we can expect in the upcoming face-off, Scotland international Scott Hastings as well as former Irish International...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to showcase leeks, and how you can use them!

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… Image: Reuters

From today, rural roads nationwide have changed their speed limits from 80 km/h to 60 km/h - in a first wave of combating an increase in road deaths in the country. What do you think of the change? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

Kieran is joined by the brilliant comedy duo Pat and Faye Shortt to discuss their new tour ‘Knuckle Down’, which is touring around Ireland this month and next!

In the UK they have changed planning rules so more mini nuclear power stations can be developed in England and Wales. So, should Ireland start depending on nuclear power? Joining Kieran to discuss is Co-Founder of 18 for Zero, Denis Duff and one of the Directors of Friends of the Irish Environment, Tony Lowes.

In France they will fine you up to €200 if you have your phone on loudspeaker on the train, should something similar be done here? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Barry Kenny, Corporate Communications Manager with Irish Rail, Sadhbh O’Neill, part-time Lecturer in TUD and regular commuter and Dr Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and author.

Are you looking to give a helping hand to someone this year? Well, Le Chéile is a mentoring service that is looking for volunteers to make a difference in young people's lives. Cormac Ryan, Mentoring Programme Coordinator at Le Chéile, joins Kieran to discuss.

Donald Trump has reiterated his plan for a US "takeover" of Gaza. Trump's plan - first announced on Tuesday night - was rejected by Palestinians and leaders around the world on Wednesday, but he has taken to Truth Social to say that if Gaza was turned over to the US by Gaza then they “would actually have a chance to be happy, safe and free”. Meanwhile, Israeli Minister Israel Katz has said countri...

Irish comedy Writer and Director Graham Linehan has his sights set on new horizons as he is planning a big move to the US to work on a new sitcom. Graham is leaving the UK for many reasons, but one he outlined in a video he streamed is that he feels “freedom of speech is in bad shape at the moment” in the UK, so he is embracing the United States… Graham joins Kieran from London to discuss.

New plans have suggested that Primary Teachers are set to get training in foreign languages such as French, Spanish and German in a hope to be introducing language classes from third class level in 2026. Is this a good idea, or are we putting too much on the plate of our primary teachers? Joining Kieran to discuss is Rachel Harper, Principal of St Patrick's National School, Greystones, Co Wicklow...

When you are playing games with your small ones, do you let them win? Is it unfair to let your kids never win when playing games, or is there a method to the madness? Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Journalist and Writer and Jen Hogan, Irish Times Columnist join Kieran to discuss.

A medical panel of specialists have found that the "baby deaths" placed on Lucy Letby were due to natural causes or errors in medical care, they did not find any murders... Kieran is joined by John Sweeney, Host of 'Was There Ever A Crime? The Trials of Lucy Letby', to discuss.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Simon Tierney returns to the airwaves with his new series: ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about. For the first edition, Simon joins Kieran to talk about urinals, and how to use them properly!

With the Dáil returning today, what were the main topics discussed and debated? Joining Kieran to go over what was covered is Craig Hughes, Political Editor at the Irish Daily Mail and Christina Finn, Political Editor at The Journal.

You may have heard of this ongoing row between ‘It Ends With Us’ co-stars Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively. Well, Blake Lively is suing Baldoni over harassment and emotional distress. Joining Kieran to discuss is Simon Thompson, Entertainment Journalist based in LA and PR Expert Mark Borowski. Image: Sony Pictures

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to talk all things The Sims as the first two games get re-released for the 25th anniversary of the series, along with her tech tips and recommendations! Image: EA

President Donald Trump has said that the United States would take over the Gaza Strip after Palestinians are resettled elsewhere… Can this happen? And what does the future look like if this becomes a reality? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Alistair Bunkall, Sky’s Middle East Correspondent from Jerusalem, and Shashank Joshi, Defence Ed...

A recent survey has revealed that 70% of 25 year olds in Ireland are living at home. But, how much rent can you charge them to live at home, and could you make a profit? Joining Kieran to discuss is Paul Merriman, CEO of Fair Stone & Founder of Ask Paul.

The first day of the Dáil today saw new TDs take their seats, as well as attacks on the Government’s record on housing, as well as their response to Storm Éowyn. To discuss, Kieran is joined by Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Sunday Business Post, as well as the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with Responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond.

Research in the UK suggests that Gen Z are the most spiritual group in society - which includes religion. Is this true? And how religious are Gen Z? Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist and Ciara Lawless, Singer and Songwriter join Kieran to discuss.

Customers can expect more price hikes to their bills, as TV, broadband and mobile packages are set to increase. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into this, and he joins Kieran in studio with the details.

‘Saturn’ by SZA won a Grammy award for Best R&B Song, which means that Irishman Cian Ducrot won his first Grammy as co-writer of the song! Cian joins Kieran from Los Angeles to discuss the achievement.

Singer and Actor Mary Byrne joined Kieran this week to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

Trump’s tariffs have caused outrage across the world, especially in Canada. But, what impact will they have, even with the recent 30 day pause? Tyler Meredith, Partner of Meredith Boessenkool & Phillips Policy Advisors and former Economic Advisor to Justin Trudeau joins Kieran to discuss. Image: Reuters