The Hard Shoulder

The 4th of October marks the start of Space Week and the Explorium in Sandyford is hosting a range of special events this week in celebration. And someone who is taking part and is no stranger to space is former astronaut Daniel Tani, who joins Kieran to discuss.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at the inspirations you can have to make the perfect lunch!

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…

Lebanese families living in Ireland are waiting on as the Israeli bombings escalate in their country… Israel bombed Beirut early again yesterday, killing at least six people and wounding seven, after its forces suffered their deadliest day on the Lebanese front in a year of clashes with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Kieran is joined by Roland Mansour and Rachad Merashli, who have both been in Ireland for...

You might think that the young generation are better at recycling - not so, according to a new survey. Just 19% recycle all their paper and plastic compared to over 54% for the older generation. Henry McKean has been digging through all of this and sent in this report!

Declan Cregan, a former gambling addict and Officer at Gambling with Lives spoke to Ellen Butler on Breakfast Briefing this morning about this new report from Maynooth and Belfast that suggests that sports programmers are heavily saturated with gambling adverts. Does more need to be done to challenge this, and are some people vulnerable to harm here? Oisin McConville, Gambling Care Ambassador and...

As of Monday, e-scooters will be prohibited on public transport. The move has been made by the NTA as they claim it will be better for safety and ‘help prevent the risk of combustion on board buses and trains’. Joining Kieran to discuss whether or not this is fair is Colin Baker of Back from the Future IT Support and e-scooter user David Maloney.

Former minister and Fianna Fáil TD Mary O’Rourke has sadly passed away at the age of 87. Joining Kieran to discuss her legacy is Mandy Johnston, Presenter of Taking Stock on Newstalk, Mary Hanafin, former Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Boris Johnson's memoir ‘Unleashed’ is set to be released next week, but Kieran’s guest has gotten his hands on an early copy. Joining Kieran to discuss what it contains is London Correspondent for The Irish Times, Mark Paul.

The 4th of October marks the 20 year anniversary of the murder of Rachel Callaly, who was killed by her husband Joe O’Reilly. As possible parole hearings are on the horizon, Rose Callaly, Rachel’s mother joins Kieran to discuss.

Iarnród Éireann has confirmed that train services in Dublin will go back to the previous timetable from the 14th of October. While the new timetables had increased some intercity services, it ultimately led to congestion and knock-on delays on routes. Iarnród Éireann has acknowledged the disruption, apologised to customers and spokesperson Barry Kenny has said they "got it wrong". Joining Kieran t...

On Tuesday, Minister for Finance Jack Chambers announced the government's budget and went against the advice of the budgetary watchdog The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council. Seamus Coffey, Chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Lecturer in Economics at UCC, joins Kieran to discuss the decisions made.

The government has come into criticism over the past 48 hours for its decision to allocate €9 million in the Budget for equipment to store students’ phones during the school day. Minister for Education Norma Foley joins Kieran Cuddihy to respond and discuss. She also discusses the passing of former minister Mary O’Rourke, and the controversy surrounding the SPHE course in schools following a ‘whis...

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 compare different kinds of meat! Well, ones you don’t put in the fridge…

Following news of an earthquake off the coast of Donegal, Kieran is joined by James Grannell from the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies, who is a Seismic Network Data Analyst to tell more about it, as well as other earthquakes in Ireland.

Yesterday in the budget, the government announced that the free IVF scheme is to be expanded to include donor-assisted IVF and to assist couples experiencing “secondary infertility”. But, do these measures go far enough for couples seeking IVF treatment? Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr. John Kennedy, Medical Director at Thérapie Fertility and IVF patient Leslie Buchanan.

Well known Cork chip shop Jackie Lennox's is closing its doors after 73 years. Established in 1951 on the southside of the city, it fed generations of families. Newstalk’s Henry McKean visited and met owner Brian Lennox, who says it's like a death in the family. He sent in this report.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss the phone pouches being used in schools, as well as Free Now’s ridiculous new ‘technology fee’...

While Budget 2025 took up most of the news yesterday, multiple Israeli missiles hit Beirut overnight...  Joining Kieran with the latest news is Freelance Journalist in Beirut, Clotilde Bigot. Image: Reuters

With Budget 2025 making all the headlines, a lot of the stories are being favourable to the Government. However, joining Kieran is Alan Shatter, the former Minister of Defence and Justice & Equality, who is now the Chairperson for the Inheritance Tax reform Campaign. He discusses his issues with this budget.

Most people would admit to scrolling on their phone around their family or their partner. But, a recent article in the Guardian highlights how it can cause tension between people – possibly affecting those relationships. Comedian Jim Elliott and Columnist and Audience Editor at the independent, Saoirse Hanley join Kieran to discuss.

Darragh Higgins is almost 13 yrs old and has been left in limbo regarding his scoliosis treatment. His spine is currently at a 120 degree curve… His mother Keara is speaking out to give a voice to Darragh and get him the help he deserves, and joins Kieran to discuss.

The government has come into criticism for its decision to allocate €9 million in the Budget for equipment to store students’ phones during the school day. Is this really the best use of education funding? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Conor Murphy, English Teacher in Skibbereen and Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals and Deputies.

You’ve heard today’s Budget 2025 from the government coalition, but what would the opposition do if they were in the hot seat? Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin TD and Housing Spokesperson joins Kieran to discuss his reaction to the announcements.

Normally, listeners send in their thoughts at home via texts, but on a special day like the reveal of next year’s budget, it seems right to hear from some listeners directly. Kieran is joined by listeners Barbara Taylor, Tracey Carroll and Matthew Murphy to discuss their thoughts on Budget 2025.