The Hard Shoulder

Do you think you could be Ireland's next big influencer? According to a recent survey, 60% of Irish adults under the age of 35 want to be an influencer. So, what is the reality behind the glamour, the brand deals and the PR events? Joining Kieran to discuss this is Rob Kenny, influencer and Owner of Rob Kenny PR.

It's Pride Week this week, and celebrations are getting underway across the country! Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar joins Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss why Pride still matters.   

Tonight, round one of the US presidential debates kicks off on CNN, with Donald Trump facing Joe Biden. What’s the play for the two hopefuls, what should you expect and what should you look out for? To give more information and to preview the debate, Kieran is joined by Jeff Kuhner, Host of The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston and Ed Flynn, Boston District 2 City Councillor... 

Do you eat chicken with your pasta and drink your cappuccino after midday? Well, if so, you are guilty of some of the common faux pas that annoy Italians! Kieran is joined by Luca De Marzio, owner of the Dublin-based Italian restaurant Rosa Madre to discuss some of those food crimes.

There is a shortage of GPs across the country that is leading to patients having to wait weeks, in some cases, for application forms to be signed off by a doctor. GPs say this is purely due to the delays created by the demand on their services. Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been examining this, and he joins Kieran to discuss.

Kieran’s says there is such widespread cocaine usage in Ireland, that it’s likely in Leinster house. Speaking in the Dáil, Labour TD Alan Kelly said that we need to change the narrative once and for all when it comes to drug usage in Ireland. Alan joins Kieran to discuss.

You’ve heard about some of the demands from celebrity riders, but what do these stars look for when they come to Ireland? Joining Kieran to discuss is Siobhan Byrne, CEO of Adam & Butler, who booked many holidays for A-listers; including Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift and Channing Tatum.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores. Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joins Kieran to compare different varieties of canned fish.

New research from the World Health Organisation has revealed that 1.8 billion adults are at risk of disease from not doing enough physical activity. That's one third of the world's population not reaching the baseline amount of exercise, which is 3 times a week... Joining Kieran to discuss is Physiotherapist and founder of Personal Health, Andrew Dunne and Founder of Beyond BMI, a medically-led ob...

While it is arguably safer to ditch sunbathing in favour of fake tan, how do we begin to celebrate our paleness? Kieran is joined by Mairead O'Hagan Anderson, joint owner of Killybegs Seafood Shack and parent to discuss this. 

Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent and host of ‘Tech Talk’ joined Kieran for the Tech Takeover. This week, Jess discusses how patients in Ireland will soon be able to access their medical records online!

Aer Lingus have cancelled a whopping 270 flights so far affecting hundreds of customers... What should you do if you have had your plans affected by Aer Lingus? Joining Kieran to answer your questions is Presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk and Consumer Journalist with the Irish Independent, Sinead Ryan.

Waterways Ireland is proposing to redesign parts of the Grand Canal bank in Dublin in an effort to prevent future encampments of asylum seekers. So, does the Grand Canal need a redesign? Newstalk’s Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, Mannix Flynn, Independent Dublin City Councillor and Kevin Byrne from the South Georgian Core Residents’ Association all join Kieran to discuss.

Apparently, Taylor Swift’s pre-show demands include mac and cheese and Red Bull! What are some other celebrity riders? And what would you put on yours? Newstalk’s own Henry McKean joined Kieran Cuddihy with celebrity demands, and thoughts from the public.

Zak Hania was trapped in the Gaza Strip for 7 months and returned to Dublin last month, previously giving his harrowing experiences of living in that warzone to The Hard Shoulder. Unfortunately, Zak’s life continues to be deeply changed by this war, as ten of his family members were killed overnight in Gaza. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.  This week, he’s not alone! Fionn as well as Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to talk about Las Vegas, Nevada.

Newstalk’s Henry McKean went out to get the public’s reactions to the sad passing of GAA commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. They share their memories and fondness for the sporting legend…

From Drew Barrymore to Macaulay Culkin, child stars were never far from our screens. However, they haven’t gone away. With online platforms like Tiktok, it's easier than ever to become a child celebrity. But, what are the effects and impacts from being a part of that world? And do we need to be more careful about young people on social media? Dr Francis Rees, Doctor of Law, joined Kieran to discus...

Former RTÉ journalist Tommie Gorman has sadly passed away at the age of 68. Joining Kieran to reflect on his passing is former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former RTÉ journalist Sean O’Rourke.

Jack Chambers has been selected to take on the role of Minister for Finance, replacing Michael McGrath, who has been nominated by the Government as Ireland’s next European Commissioner. Harry McGee, Political Correspondent with the Irish Times, joins Kieran to discuss who Jack Chambers is for those who don’t know, and why he has been chosen.

Irish actress Eilish O’Carroll joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to place her favourite book on the Bookshelf! Favourite Book: The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini Honourable Mention: A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini Currently Reading: Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus

The Irish sporting community was shocked the hear about the passing of legendary GAA commentator Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh. Joining Kieran to offer tribute and remember the man is Presenter Mary Kennedy, Sports Commentator Des Cahill, Diarmuid Lyng, former Wexford Captain and Off the Ball Presenter and Hector Ó hEochagáin, Irish television Presenter.

Kevin Bakhurst, Director-General of RTÉ, has launched a new year plan to take RTÉ into a new direction which includes increasing content spend, moving Fair City production off the RTÉ site and more. Kevin joins Kieran to discuss the plans.

A protest is to take place this evening outside the Dáil in solidarity with Natasha O'Brien and other survivors of gender-based violence. One of those attending is Meav McLoughlin-Doyle, whose ex-husband was jailed for six years in March for domestic abuse. Meav joins Kieran to discuss. If you feel impacted by the recent coverage, or are a victim of domestic violence - you can call the Women’s Aid...

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Paul Kealy, Managing Director of Tony Kealys to discuss the importance of car seats for children, and how to secure them properly.