The Hard Shoulder

Labour Leader Keir Starmer has suggested that if he is Prime Minister he’ll wrap up work on Friday at 6pm. How realistic is this and can a politician find a reasonable work/life balance? Pat Rabbitte, former Labour Leader, joins Anton to discuss.

Author of ‘Someone in the Attic’ Andrea Mara joined Anton Savage to put her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf this week! Favourite Book: Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert Honourable Mention: The Chimney Sweeper’s Boy by Ruth Rendell Currently Reading: Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena

Social Democrats Founders and former Leaders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy have announced that they will step down at the next general election. They both join Anton Savage to discuss why.

Violent offenders must be rehabilitated if we are to end the scourge of violence against women, so wrote former Senator Máiría Cahill in the Sunday Independent. She joins Anton to discuss this viewpoint.

Waning housing demand may set the country on course for an oversupply problem in the coming years. That’s according to a new report published this morning by the ESRI. John McCartney is Director of Research at BNP Paribas Real Estate joined Anton Savage to discuss.

You might have heard on Newstalk Breakfast that Dublin has dropped in the Economist's annual Global Liveability ranking. How has living in Dublin become for some communities and do we need to ensure we have a safer Dublin? Two people who have had negative experiences: Ednan Hameed, taxi driver and Mustafa Aker, Turkish man living in Dublin join guest host Anton Savage to discuss.

Ronaldo has been criticised for crying after missing a penalty in the Euros last night. This got us thinking, are men allowed to openly show their emotions? Newstalk's Henry McKean was out asking about it, and joins Anton to share what he's heard.

Dublin City Council is due to discuss the city's transport plan during its full meeting later. This follows calls from Minister of State Emer Higgins for the plan to be postponed. Joining Anton Savage to discuss the viability of the plan, and its potential economic impact on Dublin is Hazel Chu, Green Party Councillor and Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Keith Gavin, Chairman of Irish Parking Assoc...

Did you know that comedy is not recognised as an art in the Arts Act of 2003? That means comedians can’t get funding from the Arts Council. Comedian Ailish McCarty has been trying to amend this, and joins Anton to discuss.

Wimbledon kicked off today and has gotten off to a slightly underwhelming start according to guest Jenny Claffey, the former pro tennis player. She joins Anton to look at today’s key takeaways.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Anton is joined by Dr Suzanne Crowe, Consultant in Pediatric Intensive Care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital to discuss what we should pack when bringing our kids on holiday to keep them healthy.

Waste management services warn that the charges on green bins could be increased in response to financial losses due to the Deposit Return Scheme. According to the Irish Independent, these companies are worried that annual losses could amount to €15 million.  In response to this development, People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central, Bríd Smith, has argued for the privatisation of wast...

“Our national parliament is now less powerful and less sovereign — which gives Irish voters less direct say over how we are governed.” So writes David Quinn in the Sunday Independent. He joins Anton, as well as Bobby McDonagh, Former Irish Ambassador to the UK & EU, to discuss.

From HBO, to Netflix specials and now tiktok and instagram reels - comedy has changed a lot in recent years. But are internet comedians and online funnymen making stand up worse or better? For international Joke day, Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden finds out.

Minister of State with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail Emer Higgins said she will ask Dublin City Council to pause the upcoming transport plan that is due to come into effect next month because of concerns about the impact it could have on jobs and retail sales in the city. She joins Anton Savage to discuss.

The Vatican has enforced a strict dress code for employees in St. Peters Factory to cover visible tattoos and piercings... Should we still be asking employees to cover tattoos? Joining guest host Anton Savage is HR and Employment Law Expert from the HR Suite, Caroline Reidy, Owner of Wildcat tattoo studios, Dolores Murray and Chief Political Writer of Spiked Online, Brendan O'Neill.  

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and Saoirse Hanley, Features writer at the Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

From a career that began at the age of sixteen alongside Serena Williams to his career peak at the US Open and Wimbledon in 2011, Limerick born Conor Niland, former professional tennis player joins Kieran to discuss his new book, 'The Racket', which delves into the world of elite tennis. 

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to showcase various ways to improve your food when cooking!

That’s right, Taylor Swift isn't the only superstar in town this weekend! Shania Twain is in Malahide Castle, The Saw Doctors are on in Fairview Park and on the other side of town, Longitude is taking place in Marley Park. Joining Kieran to run through all the events in the capital this weekend is Today FM’s Shelly Grey. 

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Apparently, one in 20 people have walked out on a meal at a restaurant without paying, and it seems on the rise according to a UK survey. Sarah is a waitress and apparently knows all about this. She joins Kieran, as well as Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurant Association of Ireland to discuss how much of a problem it is in Ireland.

Taylor Swift has landed in Dublin and her long awaited Eras tour will kick off in the Aviva this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. To discuss the buzz around the concerts, Kieran is joined by a panel of Taylor Swift super fans! Newstalk Producer Sean Reidy, Newstalk Reporter Bella Finn, Independent Columnist, Mary McCarthy and Mary’s daughter Alex all join!

US President Joe Biden has come under fire after an alarming performance against Donald Trump in their first election debate last night. Joining Kieran to dissect the display is Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac Polling Analyst and former NBC journalist, Bob Mulholland Democratic Party Strategist based in California.

Kieran’s guest has just about recovered from last year’s challenge for the Lust for Life mental health charity, but Niall Breslin, aka Bressie, is embarking on yet another gruelling challenge to raise even more money for the charity.  “The Rising 2024” will see him really test his limits physically and mentally, and he joins Kieran to discuss.