The Hard Shoulder

The weather outside is frightful… and that means commuting can be too! Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been out asking commuters about their recent experiences as winter takes its hold, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.

There are many seats to be filled in the General Election, and based on current polling numbers, we are likely to see a good return of Independents in the Dáil. Is this something to be concerned about? Or will the Independents possibly be a stabilising factor to whoever ends up in the hot seat? Joining Kieran to discuss is Michael McDowell, former Senator, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice.

In this election there has been much talk about the cost of living crisis, the housing crisis, too many teachers in the Dáil crisis, but little chat about the climate crisis. Is this not a big issue for voters? Joining Kieran to discuss is Oisin Coughlan, Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Ireland and Ian O’Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent.

It's time for Kidstalk! The kids from South City Community National School Dublin chat to Henry McKean about the General Election, and what they would like to see get done.

Sharon Horgan of ‘Bad Sisters’ fame has been doing the rounds for their new season and sparked some interest when she introduced the Irish phrase “Gee” on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert to an audience who had never heard it before. So what are other Irish slang and phrases we adore, and why do we Irish have so many sayings? Joining Kieran to discuss is Edward Hayden, TV Chef and Culinary Lectu...

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 is in Tralee to talk with Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy-Rae.

Pricewatch, a column in The Irish Times, has been gripping readers for 20 years, as it is the place where consumers can find the best value for their money. The creator of the column, Conor Pope, who is also the Consumer Affairs Correspondent for The Irish Times, joins Kieran to discuss all things buyers, businesses, scams, and his renowned journalistic career!

This week, Kieran was joined by RTÉ Broadcaster Dave Fanning to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf! Favourite Book: 1234 Beatles in Time by Craig Brown Honourable mention: Thomas Hardy – Mayor of Casterbridge Currently Read: David Hepworth  - A Fabulous Creation: How the LP Saved Our Lives

Sweden has sent out millions of pamphlets advising residents how to prepare for possible war. This is while Finland has launched a new website on preparedness, as the war between Russia and Ukraine grinds on. The move follows the Nordic neighbours dropping decades of military non-alignment to join NATO after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022… Freelance Journalist Philip O’Connor, who’s...

Today is International Men’s Day, and rather than focusing on toxic masculinity, which is covered quite often in the media, Kieran is joined by a panel to talk about ‘positive masculinity.’ Michael Harding Author and Columnist with the Irish Times and Joe O’Shea, Editor of Cork Beo join to discuss.

In the lead up to the General Election, big debates are being held on the Hard Shoulder. Today: Housing. What are parties promising, and how can issues with supply and cost be solved? Joining Kieran to debate is Rory Hearne, Social Democrats Candidate for Dublin North West, Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Fein Housing Spokesperson and General Election Candidate for Dublin Mid West, Darragh O'Brien, Minister fo...

As the various political leaders get briefed on the topics of tonight's RTE Leaders’ debate,  will you be watching? Many of those who avoid politics throughout the year may well consider tonight’s debate a ‘cannot-miss’. Why is that? Kieran is joined by Broadcaster and Journalist Stefanie Preissner and later by Lorcan Nyhan from the Communications Clinic and Comedian Jim Elliott to discu...

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie to discuss potty training, and how best to ease the transition from nappies.

County Clare has been included in Condé Nast Traveller's list of the 25 best places to visit in Europe, and features alongside Marseille and Vienna! Condé Nast notes traditional Irish music as a selling point as well as County Clare becoming the hub of a grassroots revival of other skills, and an inspiring example of ecotourism along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Joining  Kieran to discuss all...

US officials are saying that President Joe Biden has given the green light for Ukraine to use long-range missiles supplied by the US to strike Russia. What impact could this have on the war in Ukraine? And should we be worried about Russian vessels in the Irish sea? Joining Kieran to discuss is Jason Corcoran, journalist and Russian analyst, and Donnacha O’Beachain, Professor of Politics at DCU.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you will know that on Friday, November 29th, voting will take place for the general election. But, what issues are facing students at this current moment, and what do they want to see resolved? Joining Kieran to discuss is Jenny Maguire, Student Union President of Trinity College Dublin.

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Saoirse Hanley, Columnist and Audience Editor for The Independent  and Niamh O'Reilly, Freelance Writer and Journalist to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

This day two weeks we will be going to the polls, and all sectors of society are looking to see what party will deliver for them. We've heard from the publicans, the farmers, and plenty of others, but what about the hairdressers. What are the customers telling their hairdressers they want to see come out of the election? Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been visiting salons right across Dublin...

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…

Kieran was joined by Dave Moore, presenter of The Dave Moore Show on Today FM to discuss his new book 'Dave's Bad Jokes'.

Newstalk reporter Henry McKean met TV presenter Gráinne Seoige in Kylemore Abbey, to discuss running in the General Election for Fianna Fail in Galway West . Henry sent this report from a park bench.  

Now that we're coming into the Christmas season Kieran was joined by Alexandra Ryan, CEO and Founder of Goss.ie and Brian Lloyd, Entertainment Journalist to debate if there is still a need for Christmas adverts.

Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of SUAS Aerospace, plans to launch rockets from the west coast of Ireland, where his company will operate two commercial spaceports, by next year. Rory is convinced this project will be worth billions, and is therefore opportunistic for Ireland. He 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 Trump’s picks for cabinet when he begins his presidency next year, and why Democrats aren’t happy about them. Image: Reuters, AFP

In the lead up to the General Election, big debates are being held on the Hard Shoulder. Today: the cost of living. With it being an issue for the majority of voters, how will the candidates tackle it and reduce costs? Joining Kieran to debate is Pearse Doherty, Deputy Leader of Sinn Féin & Party Spokesperson on Finance, Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Southwest,Barry Ward, Fin...