The Hard Shoulder

According to recent research, your Christmas tree decorations harbour 5 times as many germs as your toilet seat! Joining Kieran for more on this is Dr Amalia Scannell, Microbiologist in the UCD Institute of Food and Health…

With singer Daniel O’Donnell issuing a warning over people impersonating him for money - there are scams going around this year that you should look out for. Sinead Ryan, Journalist with the Irish Independent and host of the Home Show on Newstalk joins Kieran to give her top tips.

It’s only a few days away until Christmas, and it’s getting down to the wire of last minute presents, the food shop and getting the house ready. But, who is doing the brunt of this work? Tanya Sweeney is writing about this today in the Independent, and says the woman still takes on the burden of all of this, but is that true? Comedian Jim Elliott and Aideen Finnegan, Journalist and producer of the...

Jacqueline Smyth, Tusla National Lead for Foster Care joins Kieran to discuss the shortage in foster care they are experiencing…

Content Creator Padraig Wilson McCarthy joins Kieran to look back on some of the best feel-good moments of 2024!

Copper Face Jacks in Dublin city centre has bucked the trend of Dublin’s dying nightlife by recording profits of nearly €3 million, with revenue returning to pre-Covid levels. So, are we being too harsh on Dublin’s nightlife? Joining Kieran to discuss is Ian Redmond, the owner and operator of the Hyde Nightclub and operator of Ohana Tiki Bar.

Research from Cadbury's suggests that half of all adults consider themselves great secret keepers, but sadly a quarter of us can’t help spilling the beans… So, what is the reason why we keep secrets, and why we find it so hard to keep information to ourselves? Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital and Jen Hogan, Co...

The Federal Aviation Administration in the US has issued a one-month ban on drone operations in certain areas of New Jersey, unless operators receive special permission from the government due to “special security reasons”. This is as dozens of night-time drone sightings have been reported across New Jersey and other states along the eastern coast of the US over the last several weeks. For more on...

Dating apps are not as popular as they once were, with around 1.4 million people in the UK leaving the online dating scene in the past 12 months. So, are dating apps dead? Sarah Burke, Dublin Reporter with Irish Independent and Mairead Loughman, Matchmaker and Podcast Host join Kieran to discuss.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands. Tis’ the season, so this week, Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy to try offerings of Christmas crackers and cakes!

Musician Gavin James has taken some time out from his Irish Tour, which begins in Whelan’s this week, to join the show! He joins Kieran to discuss his new single: ‘Once in a Lifetime’.

Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran Cuddihy for the Tech Takeover! This week, she discusses her biggest Tech Tips from 2024! Including money, organisation and life-admin.

It was announced today that the Kneecap movie has been shortlisted for TWO Oscars. Best International Feature Film, and Best Original Song for ‘Sick in the Head’. Joining Kieran to discuss the achievement is Head of Distribution for Wildcard Distribution, Gillian Cooper.

The 34th Dáil sat for the first time today. With a bit of business being the selection of a Ceann Comhairle… With the new Ceann Comhairle being Independent TD for Wexford, Verona Murphy. Joining Kieran to discuss what has been happening is Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Finance and TD for Donegal Pearse Doherty,  Malcom Byrne, Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow-Wexford and Craig Hughes, Political Correspo...

SOSAD is an Irish mental health charity that specializes in care for those suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress. But, in an unfortunate turn of events, funding promised for the charity by Minister of Mental Health Mary Butler has not been delivered. Now, they fear that they’re on the brink of collapse – leaving hundreds without care… Joining Kieran to discuss is the CEO of SOSAS, Carol M...

Socks for Dad, hand cream for mom and a designer collar for Bruno. Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports on the expensive Christmas being enjoyed by Ireland's cats and canines.

Every year, Irish Daily Mail Commentator Philip Nolan leaves a Christmas tip for the binmen. Should we be doing the same? He joins Kieran to discuss. Image: Jonathan McDonnell

The 34th Dáil is set to meet for the first time today to elect the Ceann Comhairle, with many new faces elected to experience the Dáil for the first time. What is that first experience of Dáil Éireann like, and what is the first day actually like? Joining Kieran to discuss is Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare and Noel Rock former Fine Gael TD.

Ukraine has claimed responsibility for killing a Russian General in Moscow, after an explosive device attached to a scooter was detonated. Are we seeing the playing field in the Ukraine War change, and what could the war look like in the future? Bill Browder, Financier and Commentator joins Kieran to discuss.

This week, Presenter Mairead Ronan joins Kieran Cuddihy to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf! Favourite book: I Feel Bad About My Neck, by Nora Ephron. Honourable Mention : The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, by Haemin Sunim. Right now: The Racket, by Conor Niland.

The father of Enoch Burke, Sean Burke, has been given a two month jail sentence for assaulting a female Garda in 2023. Stephanie Rohan, Newstalk Reporter, joins Kieran with all the details…

It's time for a Christmas Kidstalk! The kids from South City Community National School, Dublin, talk to Henry McKean about Christmas…

As the 34th Dáil begins tomorrow, one of the first things the new Dáil will do is vote on the next Ceann Comhairle. However, Fianna Fáil have confirmed their support for Independent TD, Verona Murphy in tomorrow’s secret ballot... Joining Kieran to discuss is Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghail.

As Christmas nears, a lot of us are starting to get worried about the prospect of cooking for the family. But, it can be easier for some than others – including Kieran’s guest. Mark Moriarty: Chef, TV Show Host, and Author joins to discuss all things Christmas food.

Ireland's first medically-supervised injection centre in Merchants Quay is set to open over the Christmas period, nine years after it was approved by a Fine Gael-Labour  government. It will operate for 56hs a week, 7 days a week. It will be open for 18 months during its pilot period, but concerns still remain over the facility… Kieran is joined by Eddie Mullins, Merchants Quay CEO and Cieran...