The Hard Shoulder

Are we too quick to place labels on mental health? Former Prime Minister Tony Blair was speaking on the Jimmy’s Job’s of the Future Podcast, and raised concerns about “over-medicalising” the 'ups and downs' of life… Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, joins Kieran to discuss.

Dancing With The Stars is on Irish screens currently, with Kieran’s guest being one of those gracing the dance floor! Kevin Dundon is Chef and owner of Dunbrody Country House Hotel, and joins the show to discuss his experience so far.

As we move into the 6th day of the Los Angeles wildfires, it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Tens of thousands of acres have been burnt, and over a hundred thousand people have been evacuated. Joining Kieran to give the latest updates from the ground is Peter Bowes, a Reporter from BBC North America, and to give their personal experience, Reb Kennedy, Irish Music Producer, former regular of the L...

The School Meals Scheme continues to be rolled out across the country – this means 3,200 schools and 550,000 children will soon be eligible for the programme. But, is it worth the time and resources? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Trina Golden, Principal of Owenabue Educate Together National School in Carrigaline, Cork, as well as Broadcaster Wendy Grace…

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer at the Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at snacking - and why it doesn’t necessarily have to be unhealthy!

One name has been cropping up again and again in the news, and that is Elon Musk. The billionaire has caused a stir in the UK with his promotion of individuals like Tommy Robinson, and criticism of what he sees as inaction of the Labour Government to address grooming gangs in the UK. His father Errol Musk, joins Kieran to discuss.

The wildfires in California are still burning, with constant updates about the carnage continuing to pour in. Joining Kieran to give his experience of the fires is Teddy Leonard, owner of the Reel Inn in Malibu, California, as well as Riva Duncan, Executive Secretary of the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters and TV host Darren Kennedy also join to discuss. Image: Reuters

The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family. This week, Jeff joins Kieran to discuss the most destructive wildfire ever to hit Los Angeles and if anyone, Like Governor Gavin Newsom as Trump suggests, is to blame. They also discuss the funeral of former US Pres...

Ryanair have just announced that they’re going to be suing a passenger after their behaviour forced a flight from Dublin to Lanzarote to divert and stop in Porto. The company is seeking damages of €15,000 to pay for costs associated with the unexpected stop. But, should they take the passenger to court? Joining Kieran to discuss is Padraig O’Ceidigh, the former owner of Aer Arann and Aer Lingus Re...

After the owners of RIP.ie announced that they would start charging people to put up funeral notices on their website, a few smaller new sites began to spring up around the country offering the service for free. Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrat TD for Wicklow, is now calling for a state-run funeral service to centralize funeral notices. She joins Kieran to discuss.

As Christmas is a time for relaxation and over-indulgence, you may have fed your pet more than usual - one or two walks may have been forgotten about… But, should you put them on a diet? Joining Kieran to discuss is Pete Wedderburn, also known as ‘Pete the Vet’!

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands. This week, Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy to try different kinds of porridge!

Ahead of his ‘An Evening with Michael Harding’ tour, Author and Columnist with Irish Times, Michael Harding, joins Kieran to discuss the value you can gain from conversations…

Firefighters in California are struggling to contain wildfires burning around Los Angeles. A state of emergency has been declared, as around 30-thousand people have been ordered to leave their homes in the exclusive suburb of Pacific Palisades… Executive Vice-President of the Golden Globes, Tim Gray, joins Kieran to discuss what it’s like on the ground. Image: Reuters

Temperatures are set to get as low as –8 degrees tonight, with an orange weather warning in place from 6pm this evening for 25 counties… Kieran is joined by Tom Brosnan, Civil Defence Officer in Kerry to discuss conditions in his area, and Newstalk’s Henry McKean and Barry Whyte join to give the latest updates.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran after visiting the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas! She discusses some of the big things on show there. Image: Reuters

When you hear of an Irish stew, you may think of the traditional Irish dish, but it's far more than that! Instead, it's an award-winning podcast – shortlisted for another title at the Irish Pod Awards – made by Irishman Martin Nutty, and Irish-American John Lee about everything about the global Irish. The hosts, John and Martin, join Kieran to chat on what’s been happening stateside.

“The heart of rural Ireland has stopped beating and without a whimper of protest”… Those are the sentiments of Consultant Historian, Dr. Liam A. Heffron, who wrote recently in the Western People about his experience of rural decline in Ireland. So it begs the question: is rural Ireland in trouble? Dr. Liam A. Heffron joins Kieran to discuss. Also joining later is David Brady, former Mayo GAA footb...

Joining Kieran this week to put his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf is Conor Niland, former professional tennis player and author of the new book: ‘The Racket, On Tour with Tennis’s Golden Generation-and the other 99%’.

Temperatures continue to drop as the cold snap remains. While local authorities are doing everything at their disposal, people are having real trouble up and down the country. Joining Kieran to give an insight into how people are managing is Councilor Liam Galvin from Limerick, and Declan Gorman, the Director of Centre Ground Gritting. Henry McKean also joins Kieran from Charleville in Cork to dis...

For New Year's resolutions, people take a wealth of challenges to start running, maybe picking up an instrument, or even learning a language. Well, for the new year, Kieran is embarking on a new challenge called 100 days of Gaelige, in which will try to use cúpla focail every day for the next three months. To help Kieran embark on this journey, he’s joined by Louise Cantillon, Today FM Presenter a...

Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK this weekend - just weeks after reports that he was in talks to donate to the party. He has also tweeted ‘Free Tommy Robinson’, as he continues to serve an 18 month sentence for contempt of court. Political Commentator Adam Boulton joins Kieran to discuss. Image: Reuters

It's a new year, and that means new rates for insurance companies – with health insurance in particular set to increase. Joining Kieran to discuss and give his top tips on keeping your premiums as low as possible is Dermot Goode from totalhealthcover.ie , a part of the Lockton Group.