The Hard Shoulder

The Scoping Inquiry Report for sexual abuse in schools released yesterday, which complied over 2400 sexual abuse allegations against 42 religious orders, representing over 308 schools. One of the schools was Blackrock College, and Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is a survivor of abuse there, William. If you were affected by this podcast, you can contact support at One In Four, nationwide, at 01 662 4070...

Children are not telling parents when they get upset online. According to CyberSafeKids 25% of 8 to 12 year olds are bothered by harmful content or unsolicited contact. Meanwhile phone ownership has risen in primary school-aged children, despite ‘smartphone-free’ initiatives. For this edition of Kidstalk, Henry McKean looked at cyber safety with St Kevin's School in Sallynoggin, Dublin. To find ou...

Dublin Airport passenger numbers are soaring to new heights.  The DAA has issued a warning that Dublin Airport is to exceed its annual passenger cap of 32 million, while also applying to increase its limit to 40 million. Joining Kieran to discuss is resident of St Margarets and the Ward Residents Association Niamh Mar, and Sabrina, who is a resident in Portmarnock.

As school is back in swing for another year, some children with special needs are being left behind in what is being described as a ‘Hunger Games’ system. That’s according to Tracey Carroll, mother of daughter Willow with special needs. She joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss.

If you find yourself with a full social calendar one week and living on beans and toast the next, we may have tips and tricks to change your mindset around spending, and the best tips and tricks to save. Joining Kieran to discuss is Caz Mooney, Irish Budgeting Influencer.

Norma Foley has announced many changes this week to the Leaving Cert Curriculum. One of these changes is that SPHE will be compulsory from September 2027, but should it be? Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr. Siobhan O'Higgins, Lead on the Active Consent Programme at NUI Galway and President of Catholic Secondary School’s Parents Association, Alan Whelan.

David Gillick, former Euro champion and Olympian, Masterchef and author of’ Back On Track’ and ‘David Gillick’s Kitchen Ambassador’ joined Kieran Cuddihy to add his favourite book to The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

Ahead of this year’s inevitable general election, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe, has been taking a look at what the major parties actually stand for. With the cabinet returning after their summer break, Seán joined Kieran Cuddihy to profile both The Green Party and People Before Profit.

Labour have launched their Cost-Of-Living Action Plan today - which begs the question: are we still facing a cost-of-living crisis? Or is that becoming a thing of the past? Colette Bennett, Director of Advocacy and Researcher at The Wheel and John Fitzgerald, Adjunct Professor in Economics at Trinity College Dublin join Kieran to discuss.

With a new bike shed in Leinster House costing the government approximately €356k, people are justifiably annoyed. But, why is it so expensive, and could things have been done differently? Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public (including shed experts!) and joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss.

A new bicycle shed for Leinster House which allows for storage of 18 bikes cost more than €335,000… Quantity Surveyor Shay Lally joined Kieran to discuss the addition, and how it could possibly cost this much.

We’ve all probably dabbled in AI to do simple tasks like writing a Limerick for your partner or asking it history questions. But, what can you do if you are considering using AI to help in your work, and what are the best ways to ensure you get the best out of it? Joining Kieran to discuss is Host of Futureproof on Newstalk, Jonathan McCrea.

Cut, slice, peel, dice – there are so many ways to enjoy a cucumber! A TikTok trend has recently taken the social media world by storm, with one creator, dubbed ‘The Cucumber Guy’, going viral on the app for his cucumber salad combinations. Joining Kieran to discuss all things cucumbers, and how you can get the most out of the fruit at home, is Member of the Irish Food Writers Guild, Ross Golden B...

For this week’s Kids Health Check, we’re looking at gaming, and how best to manage that habit of our little ones. Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie joins Kieran to discuss.

Sinn Féin has today announced its new housing policy, pledging to spend €39 billion over the next five years to deliver 300,000 homes. Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss this, and also the scandal over the €355k bike shed in Leinster House.

A primary school in Cork is being forced to teach their pupils in hallways and the staff room due to overcrowding in their classrooms… Kieran is joined by Toni Maguire, Principal of this school, Fermoy Educate Together, to discuss.

Many issues are currently facing An Garda Síochána from recruitment, retention and how we view the force. How do we improve our current system and get the best out of our force? Former Garda and Founder of Out of Blue Training Stephen Moore, joins Kieran to discuss...

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Presenter of Weekend Breakfast, Alison Curtis and Elaine Burke, Presenter of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Coldplay will take centre stage at Croke Park again tonight as excited gig-goers prepare for the band’s 2nd concert out of 4 Irish performance dates. It has undoubtedly been an amazing summer for the Irish music scene, both for homegrown talent, and big names from overseas that have caused thousands of fans to flock to Irish stadiums to see them perform. Joining Kieran to discuss the success of co...

Are you unsure where to start when it comes to making the kids’ lunch?  Fear not! TV Chef and Mindful Eating Coach Aisling Larkin joins Kieran to give a crash course.

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…

Grab your popcorn and get comfy, because tomorrow is National Cinema Day! It’s been an incredible year for homegrown Irish talent on the big screen, and it appears that the magic of going to the cinema is still as popular as ever. Joining Kieran in the studio to discuss the power of the pictures is Alice Black, Head of Cinema at The Lighthouse Group.

One of the Keynote speakers at this week’s Kennedy Summer School is the former leader of the Green Party and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan. He joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss what he will speak on, and the importance of climate change globally.

New Research by DNG has revealed 4 in 10 new homes bought last year were bought by bulk buyers... Should we let this happen? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Rory Hearne, Associate Professor in Social Policy in the Department of Applied Social Studies in Maynooth University and Author of ‘Gaff’ as well as Barry Ward, Fine Gael Senator.

People who regularly have lie-ins on Saturdays and Sundays have been found to develop heart disease less often than the chronically sleep-deprived. Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been talking to experts about this, and joins Kieran to discuss.