The Hard Shoulder

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…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at kitchen gadgets! No, you can’t eat them, but they could make great gifts around Christmas!

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…

In Germany, an app is being developed to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of an attack… Is this something we should develop here, or would it breach our neutrality? Joining Kieran to discuss is Security and Defense Analyst, Declan Power.

The Assisted Dying Bill has been backed by MPs today as a vote was held to move ahead with it, with 330 votes for, and 275 against. Vincent McAviney, London-based Journalist joins Kieran to discuss what this means, and what the future looks like. Image: Reuters

In preparation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, members of Northern Ireland’s governing body have stated that they want to create a new flag for the event. As you can expect, this has sparked debate with some outraged by the proposal. Joining Kieran to discuss the situation is Ben Lowry, Editor of The Belfast Newsletter, and Claire Hanna, MP for Belfast South and Mid-Down.

TikTok have recently announced that they plan to ban users under the age of 18 from using certain video filters. This comes after child safety groups accused TikTok of adding to the already horrific mental health crisis for young people. Joining Kieran to discuss this move is Marie Loftus, a Director at the Ailesbury Clinic and Iseult White, a Psychotherapist and author.

It's time for the final ‘Henry's Front Bench', where Henry McKean meets an election candidate on a park bench and has a chat. Today, Henry meets Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD running in Dublin Central.

We are only one day away from the big polling day for General Election 2024! Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of An Comuisiún Tohcháin, Ireland’s Independent Electoral Commission about registering to vote joins Kieran to discuss the process, and what you can expect tomorrow.

As the election campaigns draw to a close, the next government’s formation is unclear. Kieran’s guest is one of the select few who have the chance of becoming the next Taoiseach – which would be making history… Joining the show to discuss the general election is President of Sinn Féin and candidate for Dublin Central, Mary Lou McDonald.

Apparently, certain Christmas traditions have been changing and going away, such as mistletoe being hung up. Is this a problem, and what do people think? Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been talking to the public, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

Things are heating up as each constituency enters the final furlongs for the general election, but eyes will be on some constituencies as they might be able to give a good sense of the national picture. Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, joins Kieran to give us a sense of these bellwether consistencies…

A little earlier this month, MG allowed Kieran and Jess Kelly to have a little test drive in their MG Cyberster, MG’s cutting-edge, all-electric performance convertible roadster. Here is how they got on! Brought to you buy MG Motors.

With less than 72 hours before polls open for the 2024 General Election, Kieran is joined by a panel to discuss how this year’s campaigning has gone, and highlighting the biggest moments. Joining him is Meghann Scully, Freelance Broadcaster, Aideen Finegan, Journalist and Producer of the ‘Conversations With Parents’ podcast and David Hall, CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Services.

As the General Election candidates get ready for Friday’s vote, you might rarely think of what TDs retiring from the Dáil are up to…  To remedy that, Kieran is joined by Catherine Murphy, retiring TD for Kildare North, Co-Founder and recent Co-Leader of the Social Democrats.

Today the Hard Shoulder is live from The K Club in Kildare. Joining Kieran in the Legacy Suite is Executive Chef, Gary O’Hanlon, who’s here to discuss how you can make the best-possible Christmas dinner from home.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran for this week’s Tech Takeover to discuss how influencers seem to be dealing out misinformation, how you can find the best deals during Black Friday and the tech recommendation of the week!

In the lead up to the General Election, big debates are being held on the Hard Shoulder. Today, Kieran is joined by candidates running in Kildare, live from The K Club, in the final debate before voting on Friday. What are the biggest issues in the area, and what is each candidate promising to do? Joining Kieran to debate is Cllr Angela Feeney, Labour General Election Candidate for Kildare North,...

This Thursday will see the finest set of Ireland’s entrepreneurs battle it out to become EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year. What does the awards night have in store, and what does it mean to be the EY Entrepreneur of the Year? Frank O’Keefe, EY Ireland’s Managing Partner joins Kieran to discuss. Image: EY Ireland

Headlines were made by St. Peter‘s Chapel in Switzerland as they installed an AI Jesus hologram. In that sense, how are religious orders adapting to the digital age of the 21st century? Joining Kieran to share his approach is Fr. Paddy, the parish priest of Abbeyleix in Laois.

Following the conclusion of the Nikita Hand case, many brands including Tesco and Musgraves are starting to distance themselves from Conor McGregor. But, why do brands sever links with celebrities? Joining Kieran to discuss the intricacies around it, and some of the biggest examples is Trevor Twamley, the CEO and Co-Founder of Sport Endorse.

It's time for ‘Henry's Front Bench', where Henry McKean meets an election candidate on a park bench and has a chat. Today, Henry had an impromptu meeting with Independent candidate Gerry Hutch, who is running in Dublin Central. He joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss.

This week, Kieran was joined by Journalist and Historian Kevin Myers to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

It's time for ‘Henry's Front Bench', where Henry McKean meets an election candidate on a park bench and has a chat. Today, Henry meets Louise O'Reilly, Sinn Féin candidate running in Fingal West.

As the General Election nears, most people want to know what the next government will look like. The seat count of each party won't be known until about Sunday, but predictions can be made! Joining Kieran to make those predictions is Professor Aidan Regan, a professor of politics at the School of Politics and International Relations in UCD.