The Hard Shoulder

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 details Michael O’Leary’s comments on teachers, Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s plans to run and more.

With a General Election looming, if you haven’t already, tomorrow is the last day you can register to vote. Joining Kieran to let you know how you can register is Art O’Leary, Chief Executive of An Comuisiún Tohcháin, Ireland’s Independent Electoral Commission.

Do you have a neighbour or property in your community that is failing to cut that hedge or keeping their property in a terrible state? Angie Baily, Fine Gael Councillor for Tralee has called for private property owners to be fined for untidiness. She, along with Maura Healy-Rae, Independent Councillor for the Killarney Municipal District, join Kieran to discuss.

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer at the Independent 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 soup for the winter, and why it doesn’t have to be boring!

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…

The firing gun has officially been shot today as the Dáil has dissolved, meaning General Election 2024 is on. What are some of the issues which will be at play, and how will the parties look to secure your vote over the next three weeks? Joining Kieran to discuss is Alison O’Connor, Broadcaster and Columnist with the Sunday Times and Pat Leahy, Political Editor at the Irish Times, as well as Newst...

The International Air Transport Association is cracking down on people who “gate lice”, AKA people who don’t adhere to the official boarding lines and start their own queues. Why do we do our own things when it comes to queues, and not adhere to proper etiquette? Jim Elliot is a Comedian and long-time queuer, and joins Kieran to discuss.

The Dáil has officially dissolved as Taoiseach Simon Harris kicks off the next General Election, with November 29th marked as voting day. So, what can we expect, and what do voters want to see changed? Kieran is joined by Political Editor with the Sunday Times, Hugh O’Connell to discuss, while Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie reports.

It's official, the General Election will take place on November 29th. After weeks of speculation, Taoiseach Simon Harris announced the date of the General Election yesterday evening. Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin, joins Kieran to discuss what is to come as Taoiseach Simon Harris dissolves the Dáil on Friday.

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) has been banned by the Israeli government from operating on their soil and in occupied Palestinian territory. Why was this decision made? Dana Erlich, Israeli Ambassador to Ireland, joins Kieran to discuss this and more, including the proposed Occupied Territories Bill, and Trump’s potential impact on peace in the Middle East.

During the US election, CNN and ABC had 30 second ad breaks of silence, orchestrated by the meditation app ‘Calm,’ which allowed viewers to have a few moments of serenity during the chaotic time. Michael Ryan, a Yoga Meditation Teacher, famously Michael D. Higgins’ Yoga Teacher, joins Kieran to discuss how important meditating is in modern life.

The €9m spend on mobile phone pouches for schools will not be a one-off investment and will cost an additional €2 million a year. That’s according to documents received under a freedom of information request from Sinn Féin. Pearse Doherty, Deputy Leader of Sinn Féin and Party Spokesperson on Finance and Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals and Deputies join Kieran to disc...

While promoting his new film Tom Hanks described being 35 as “That time when your metabolism stops, gravity starts tearing you down and your bones start wearing off…” Is it true? Is 35 where we reach our peak? Joining Kieran to discuss is Journalist and Producer of the ‘Conversations with Parents’ podcast from The Irish Times, Aideen Finnegan and Comedian Steve Cummins.

With Trump successfully winning the race to the White House - what are the thoughts from supporters and otherwise outside Trump Tower in New York City? Kieran Cuddihy has gone there to find out! Image: Trump Tower New York

Earlier in the week, Radio Host on WBAI New York, taxi driver and veteran John McDonagh said on the show that despite what the polls were saying, Donald Trump would win this election… John joins Kieran along with Kirtsten Fleming, Features Columnist for the New York Post, to discuss following Trump’s comeback victory.

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. He joins Kieran to discuss Trump’s decisive victory in the presidential race, and what’s next for the United States of America. Image: Reuters

With Donald Trump set to become the 47th President of the United States, what are the reactions from voters in each candidates’ home states of Florida and California? Newstalk Reporters Josh Crosbie and Barry Whyte are on the ground, and join Kieran to share what they have heard.

Donald Trump has won the election for President and has secured all branches of the US government, but what are the concerns of those who live in the US? Joining Kieran to discuss are the Co-Hosts of The Irish Stew Podcast, Martin Nutty and John Lee and Shelley Quilty-Lake, an Attorney from Wexford. Image: Reuters

Donald Trump has won the race to become the 47th President of the United States. Joining Kieran to discuss how Trump has one, and in turn, how Harris has lost is Benny Avni, Foreign editor at the New York Sun, Ellen Iones, News reporter for VOX and Ciaran Staunton, Co-Founder of END SEPSIS & Co-Founder of Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. Image: Reuters

Kieran is joined by one of Ireland’s best authors for the Election Special in New York City. You know him from books such as Apeirogon, TransAtlantic and Let the Great World Spin. He’s been living in the Big Apple for over three decades. Colum McCann, Irish Author and Founder of Narrative 4, joins Kieran to discuss.

The election polls and votes are still well under way, but one impact the result could have is on how businesses might be able to conduct operations. So, what president would be more promising for business, and how does an administration affect the markets? Kieran is joined by Tanya Young Williams, Owner of Tanya’s Luxury Fashion Boutique and Gemma Allen, Director for USA market at Irish firm Maso...

Alan Dershowitz is one of the most notable lawyers in America, who has worked with some star clients such as Mike Tyson, Julian Assange, Jeffery Epstein, but most known for representing OJ Simpon. Kieran sits down with Alan in his home in New York City to get his thoughts on the US Presidential Election.

US Election Day, November 5th, is finally here. Joining Kieran to provide insight on this pivotal day is Neil Vigdor, Reporter at the New York Times and Kirsten Fleming, New York Post’s Features Columnist. Image: Reuters

With voting day finally here for the US Presidential Election, Kieran Cuddihy decided to go down to a polling station in New York City to get a sense of what people are thinking from the ground…