The Hard Shoulder

Former MP and Olympian Sebastion Coe has been out canvassing for the role of President at the International Olympic Committee. One belief they have said is that the protection of female sports is important, which suggests that transgender athletes may not be allowed to compete in female categories. Is this fair, and would female Olympians welcome this change? Joining Kieran to discuss is former Ol...

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 former Justice Minister and now independent candidate, Alan Shatter, in Dublin Rathdown.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands. Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to try different offerings of prunes!

The CEO of Hugg, Fiona Tuomey joined the show to speak about the lack of support for children's mental health... So, how can we reform children's support services in this country? Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr. Kieran Moore, Medical Paediatric Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist and an Associate Professor of Psychiatry in UCD, who spent 16 years working in Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAM...

Over the coming weeks, politicians will be canvassing, knocking from door to door, and you may be left facing a politician cluelessly, unsure of what to ask them. Dr. Jennifer Kavanagh, Lecturer in Constitutional Law at South East Technological University, joins Kieran to discuss what you should ask a politician when they land on your doorstep.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran for this week’s Tech Takeover to discuss how Donald Trump has appointed tech mogul Elon Musk to head a new ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ in the United States, and what impact that may have. Image: AFP

In the lead up to the General Election, the Hard Shoulder is doing the Campaign Trail Tracker, a daily update of what you need to know before the big voting day on November 29th. It can be hard to keep up with all the news. This is your daily catch-up. Today, Kieran discusses more reports of poster vandalism, and accusations of mudslinging between parties.

The civil case taken by Nikit Hand against Conor McGregor has been ongoing in court today. Nikita Hand has taken a civil action against Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, claiming she was sexually assaulted in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Today, Conor McGregor took the stand and gave evidence. Frank Greaney, Newstalk Court’s Correspondent joins Kieran to discuss.

Fiona Tuomey founded HUGG, Ireland’s national suicide bereavement charity, following the death of her 11-year-old daughter Milly by suicide in 2016. She joins Kieran to discuss the impact suicide has and the importance of suicide prevention.

1 in 10 people in the UK have admitted to not cleaning parts of their homes in more than a year. A survey commissioned by Febreze Fabric Refresher found that the most neglected places are behind and under furniture, inside drawers and curtains. Associate Professor Dr. Amalia Scannell, Microbiologist and Food Biotechnologist in the UCD Institute of Food and Health, joins Kieran to discuss why we sh...

The average cost of renting a home is almost €2,000 a month, an increase of 43% on pre-pandemic prices. That’s according to new research by Daft.ie . To discuss, Kieran is joined by James Murphy, a Landlord in Meath, Marian Finnegan, Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald and Naoise O’ Faogain, a Dublin-based renter and representative for the tenant's union CATU.

68% of people have never switched their current account according to a new Credit Union survey… To answer some of your questions regarding the ins and outs of switching accounts, Kieran is joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk.

We’re sorry to tell you this news, but Instagram is dead! That is according to Aisling Bonner, Co-Presenter of Fully Charged on Spin 1038, who says that the app is nothing like it used to be. She joins Kieran to discuss why.

The RSA have launched their plans for World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims ahead of the official day on Sunday, November 17th. Laura Rice, daughter of Alan Rice who died in a road traffic collision in 2021, joins Kieran to discuss how important it is for communities to come together and remember those who are lost...

This week, Kieran was joined by Playwright Amanda Brunker to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) are considering significant reform to the Leaving Certificate in an effort to curb the anxiety and pressure which final exams are causing students. Current changes under consideration are that there would be a single English and Maths exam, and that students would undertake a project worth 40% in both subjects to make up marks. Joining Kier...

In the lead up to the General Election, the Hard Shoulder is doing the Campaign Trail Tracker, a daily update of what you need to know before the big voting day on November 29th. It can be hard to keep up with all the news. This is your daily catch-up. Today, Kieran discusses newly-released manifestos, and claims in Kerry that election posters have been stolen, and even burned. Also, today is the...

Prince William has been named as the sexiest bald man of 2024, according to new research. But, how do you become a sexy bald man? Joining Kieran to discuss and share their own stories is Newstalk’s own Simon Tierney and Hugh Keenan.

For the first of the big debates for the General Election on the Hard Shoulder, today’s focus is on infrastructure. How will the candidates vying for votes aim to improve public transport, roads and public amenities? Joining Kieran to debate is Roisin Garvey, Deputy Leader of Green Party, Spokesperson for Rural Development and Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Green Party Candidate for Clare, C...

Robbie Williams is coming back to Dublin in August of next year. Henry McKean met him at a press conference in Croke Park today, and joins Kieran with all the details, plus Robbie’s comments on Liam Payne and Oasis.

The Australian Government has introduced new legislation which would put a social media ban in place for those under 16 years of age. The legislation would give the likes of X, Facebook and Instagram a year to put in place methods to restrict younger users – is this the correct solution to the harms of social media? And should Ireland follow suit? Joining Kieran to discuss is Broadcaster, Wendy Gr...

Today the Examiner has reported that people are using Netflix and social media while driving the car… The warning has come from Inspector Fergal O’Donovan, who is in charge of roads policing in Cork. What needs to be done to crack down on dangerous road users? Kieran is joined Brenda Bolger of the Bolger School of Motoring to discuss.

From the new age games like wordle to the old classics like sudoku, we all love a cheeky brain game to pass the time. But, how good are these games for your brain, and why do we love to complete them? Joining Kieran to discuss is Ian Robertson, Clinical Psychologist, Neuroscientist and Emeritus Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Psychotherapist and author, Iseult White to discuss breaking bad habits, such as nail biting and nose picking. For what reasons do kids pick them up, and how can you stop them?

Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch has confirmed that he will be running in this upcoming election in his local constituency of Dublin Central. But, with his current record, and recent arrest in Spain for alleged money laundering offences, can he even run? Nicola Tallant, Investigations Editor with the Sunday World and host of the Crime World Podcast joins Kieran to discuss.