The Hard Shoulder

Now, at around 7.45pm, Rhasidat Adeleke is set to take part in the 400m semi final run at the 2024 Paris Olympics. How hopeful are we in Rhasidat Adeleke? And how far can she go? John Treacy, Irish Olympian and Silver Medal Winner in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics joins Kieran to discuss.

Sky News is reporting that police are aware of at least 100 far-right protests planned for tonight, with thousands of specialist officers braced to respond as unrest continues to escalate in the UK following last week’s attack in Southport. Dominic Grieves Former UK Attorney General and Conservative MP, as well as Bonnie Greer, Author, Playwright and Columnist with the New European join Kieran to...

Team Ireland is celebrating after a historic win at the Olympics last night as Kellie Harrington won gold for a second time. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been to her homeplace of Portland Row in Dublin’s North Inner City to soak up the atmosphere.

Is the Metro Link project in Dublin actually worth the mass amounts of time and money invested in it? Or should we bite the bullet, and use the money elsewhere? Independent Senator Michael McDowell certainly thinks so, as he was writing today in the Irish Times. He joins Kieran to discuss.

This Saturday, a protest is due to be held outside of Dublin Zoo calling for an independent investigation into concerns about animal welfare.   Dublin Zoo denied any allegation of a breach in animal welfare and an investigation by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) last month cleared the zoo of any wrongdoing based on 17 allegations by a whistleblower, dating from 2004 to 202...

Ireland waits with bated breath as Kellie Harrington prepares to become a back-to-back Olympic champion tonight. The boxer has her sights set on gold ahead of the women's 60kg Boxing Final, with her opponent being China’s Wenlu Yang. Joining Kieran for a boxing preview of the event is Irish Olympic boxer and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Michael Carruth.

Recently, streamer and YouTube star ISHOWSPEED was in Ireland, known for his outlandish nature and provocative stunts, such as jumping over oncoming cars. With many young men enjoying his work, are they starved of positive role models in the era of social media ? Joining Kieran to chat about this is Calvin O’Brien,Co Host of Talking Bollox Podcast.

Since its emergence in the past year, Ozempic has been hailed as a wonder drug for those with life threatening obesity. But, there has been huge demand for the drug from those with non-life-threatening weight issues. Joining Kieran to discuss the implications of the non-legitimate use of Ozempic is Dr Michael Crotty, a  GP who specialises in obesity medicine.

Poet John Cooper Clarke joined Kieran Cuddihy to put his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder bookshelf! He also gives some honourable mentions and talks about what he’s currently reading.

Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota governor Tim Walz as her VP candidate.  Joining Kieran to reflect on this news, and talk about Tim’s career is veteran Minnesota journalist and Co-Host of current affairs show Almanac, Eric Eskola. Image: Reuters

One thing that has become a feature of many of the immigration protests across the country is setting the various earmarked IPAS centres on fire... Misinformation and disinformation swirl around events and situations and they escalate into abandoned buildings or premises being attacked and in some cases, torched. Kieran’s guest was lucky not to be in her home when protesters set it alight. The the...

Ahead of this year’s inevitable general election, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Sean Defoe, has been taking a look at what the major parties actually stand for. This week, he joins Kieran Cuddihy to put Fine Gael under the microscope.

Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball joins Kieran Cuddihy from Paris to discuss how Ireland has been doing since the 2024 Olympics has commenced, including the Champions catwalk, and previews the boxing final happening tonight.

It’s the time where teenagers across the country are being prompted by parents to get up, get out and get a job. But, with limited opportunities for teenagers to work, are we being unfair towards Irish adolescents? Author and Irish Times Columnist, Jen Hogan and Irish Independent Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show, Sinead Ryan join Kieran to discuss.

Every week on the show we look back on the week that was, but with a few twists… This week stand in presenter Jonathan Healy was joined by Esther McCarthy, Life Style Editor at the Irish Examiner and by Joe O'Shea  Editor of CorkBeo.ie.

A man was arrested this morning suspected of ramming a van into the gates of multiple State and Government buildings in Dublin.  So should this be sounding alarm bells about how secure our government is. Tom Clonan Trinity Senator and Security Analyst spoke to Stand in presenter, Jonathan Healy about this.

Henry McKean got reaction from locals down in Skibbereen after Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy retained their Olympic glory in Parid

Today Ireland's first Velodrome got the green light for construction. So is continued investment the best way to silverware and are we investing enough?  Stand in presenter, Jonathan Healy was joined by Una May, Chief Executive Of Sports Ireland , Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with Irish Daily Star and by Colin Lowth, Former Olympic butterfly swimmer for Ireland to discuss...

The Body Worn Cameras proof of concept was launched in Limerick by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris earlier today  and Minister for Justice Helen Mcentee spoke to Jonathan Healy on the Hard Shoulder today.

A recent report by the RSPCA shows that 7 in 10 children have never seen a cow being milked, and a fifth have never fed ducks in the park.  Are children’s lack of interaction with animals really a cause for concern? Joining Jonathan Healy to discuss this was Dairy Farmer and Limerick IFA Secretary Louise Crowley and Ciara Brennan, Vegan and owner of Happy Food by Ciara ..

Cork Chamber has today reiterated its calls for a LUAS-style light rail to be introduced in the southern capital  Dan Boyle, Lord Mayor of Cork spoke to Jonathan Healy about this..

Kieran was broadcasting live from Newstalk Towers out on the sunny balcony for this special edition of The Hard Shoulder. Joining him to soak up the good weather, Kieran was joined by Andrea Gilligan Newstalk Presenter and Saoirse Hanley, features writer for The Sunday Independent and the Sunday World. 

Many mothers are all too aware of the difficulties of maintaining a work-life balance when they have children.  During the week, Singer Lilly Allen remarked that having children “ruined her career”. To debate this, Kieran was joined by Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer and Journalist, Mary McCarthy Columnist for the Irish Independent.

Whether you are sunbathing in the French Riviera or out the back garden, one companion won’t be far and that is your holiday book.   Newstalk’s own, Ciara Treacy joined Kieran on the show to give her brilliant recommendations

The ‘Access to Cash Bill’  to guarantee access to cash and protect its use has been published today   The new legislation addresses issues with access to cash, especially in rural and regional areas and also for businesses and individuals.  Jack Chambers, Minister for Finance and FF TD for Dublin West joined Kieran on the Show.