The Hard Shoulder

The operator of Holyhead Port, Stena Line, has confirmed that ferry terminals will remain closed until the 15th of January. With no return of services before Christmas, disruption to travellers and to freight shipments will be substantial... Joining Kieran to discuss is Eugene Drennan, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Eoghan Corry, Travel Journalist and Gary Pritchard, Plaid Cymru...

Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig recently launched SkillStack, a new video streaming learning platform which he describes as “Netflix meets TED”. He tells Kieran why he started the business, the calibre of people he got involved with and how NASA gave the whole thing a ringing endorsement…

Former GAA player and analyst, columnist with the Sunday Independent, and co-host of the ‘Free State’ Podcast, Joe Brolly, reacted to the closing of the Israeli Embassy in Ireland

Maria Dickenson, General Manager of Dubray Books joined Kieran to suggest books that would make the perfect gifts this Christmas... Maria's recommendations included: 'I see the moon and the moon' - Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney  'History of Information' - Chris Haughton   'Fia and the Last Snow Deer' - Eilis Fisher and Dermot Flynn  'Our London Lives' - Christine Dwyer Hickey&nbs...

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Joining me is a two-time gold medal Olympian who played a big part in Team Ireland’s record performance at this summer's Paris Olympics. It gives me real joy to welcome Fintan McCarthy, Irish lightweight rower and double Olympic gold medalist…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at how you can use rice to elevate your cooking!

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…

Is the panto the highest kind of art form? Oh no it isn’t! Or, oh yes it is? Well, Henry went out to see a production of Cinderella in The Lark in Balbriggan, and joins Kieran to share his experience, including his conversations with the cast and crew.

The Department of Education has just published some new guidelines for schools – getting rid of provisions allowing students to be excluded in a different room as a punishment. But, how will this affect teaching methods and child development? Joining Kieran to answer those questions is Rachel Harper, Principal of St Patrick’s National School in Greystones, and Anne Keogh, a Senior Psychologist.

All throughout the month of December, we have been looking at some of the biggest stories of the year, and looking at the people at the heart of it. The Irish summer was full of heavy hitting gigs from Bruce Springsteen, Pink, That That and Coldplay. However, one name took the country by storm: Taylor Swift. Joining Kieran to look back at these gigs is Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter and John Meag...

In the UK, there have been calls for a tax on junk food to be introduced, in a bid to reduce obesity… Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been looking into this, and joins Kieran to share what he’s learned.

More than a week out now until Santa delivers all the good girls and boys around the country their presents, but for adults, Roy Keane has an interesting opinion regarding gift giving… He doesn’t think adults should give each other gifts! Is he right? Holly Carpenter, Social Media Content Creator and Amanda Brunker, Playwright joins Kieran to discuss.

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 TIME Magazine picking President-elect Donald Trump as their ‘Person of the Year’... Image: TIME

We are well into Winter now, and according to the Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan, there has been an increase in influenza cases this year - with numbers expected to rise into the new year… Joining Kieran to discuss the importance of getting your flu jab and Covid-19 vaccine this Winter is Chief Medical Officer, Professor Mary Horgan.

Following the dismissal of Eoin Hayes from the party, the Social Democrats have continued talks regarding Government formation. Joining Kieran to discuss how it is going is Social Democrats TD for Dublin Central, Gary Gannon…

Warning: This item contains reference to sexual assault and violence. 40% of adults in Ireland will experience sexual violence at least once in their lifetime . That's according to the most recent data released by the CSO.  But what happens to those who report these incidents, and how are they supported through the process of evidence gathering and medical care? Newstalk's Sarah Madden report...

As you may have heard earlier – Andrea Gilligan and Kieran set the new world record for the fastest time to dress someone up as a Christmas Tree!  Recording the attempt was David Wilson, Guinness World Records’ ‘Record Specialist’. He joins Kieran to discuss the process of officiating a world record.

We have all had to pay for plastic bags while doing our shopping over recent years, but on a recent shopping trip, Kieran’s guest refused to pay for a bag and instead carried his shopping to the car… Joining to discuss is Presenter and Director, Killian O’Sullivan.

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 guest host Anton Save to try different offerings of herbal tea!

According to figures from Ebay, Irish people are far more likely to regift this Christmas than any other European country.   So, what is the art of regifting and how do you make the most of it this festive season? Joining Anton Savage to discuss is Pat Kane, Sustainability Advocate and Founder of Reuzi.

Is Ireland in a much better state than some believe? Will we have another Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil coalition – not because of a lack of choice, but because they’ve earned our vote? Former Ambassador and Consultant Commentator Daniel Mulhall has been tweeting his opinion, and joins guest host Anton Savage to discuss.

Newly-elected Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes was suspended from the party over shares that he sold from a company linked to the Israeli Defence Forces.  There is now pressure for him to resign, should he? Joining guest host Anton Savage to discuss is Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP and chair of the Development of Palestinian Relations at the European Parliament…

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly joins guest host Anton Savage to discuss why satirical news outlet The Onion was rejected in their bid to purchase Alex Jones’ InfoWars…

Newstalk’s Simon Tierney recently wrote in the Irish Independent questioning whether or not teachers should be called by their first names. So, should we drop the sir’s and miss’? Well, Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been gathering thoughts from the public, and joins Anton Savage to share what he’s heard.