The Hard Shoulder

Best selling author known for the ‘Artemis Fowl’ series Eoin Colfer joins Kieran to put his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder bookshelf! Favourite Book: The Book of conquests by Jim Fitzpatrick Honourable Mentions: A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, but the edition with PJ lynch illustrations & Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle. Currently Reading: Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity.  

John Moran is officially Limerick’s first ever directly elected Mayor. He joins Kieran to discuss the win and his next steps.

The government is expected to accept a proposal to join an EU military initiative, which will see Ireland work with other EU nations to help protect our seabed infrastructure against sabotage. What does this mean, and does this potentially edge us closer towards dropping our neutrality? Mark Price, Co-Chair of the Irish Anti War Movement and founding member of the Irish Neutrality League and Gerar...

Professional golfer and three time major winner Pádraig Harrington has been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame! He joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss the achievement.

The world of athletics is focused on Rome for the European Championships and the Irish athletes are leaving their mark. 21-year-old Rhasidat Adeleke claimed silver last night in the women’s 400 metres and the Irish team will be in the relay final tomorrow. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been to Tallaght Athletics Club where Rhasidat began her athletic career:

While their numbers were small in the end, there was some far right candidates who made the cut in the elections and will now have a place in local government. Who are they, what do they plan to do with their seats? To discuss, Kieran is joined by Conor Gallagher, Irish Times Crime and Security Correspondent.

This week is Men's Mental Health Week, highlighting the importance of mental health for men, which can be completely overlooked. Joining Kieran to discuss is Eoin Sheahan and Cameron Hill from Off the Ball, and Dr Brian Higgins, Galway based GP. 

Dublin-based friendship group Sunshine Sessions were set up by friends Mila Gratzaer and KK Lewis, who felt disconnected after leaving college. With so many social events seemingly involving alcohol, these events offer a sober option to make friends. Mila joins Kieran to discuss.

There were many opinion polls done on this year's local and EU elections, but how accurate are these polls? Micheal Martin spoke to Andrea Gilligan on Saturday, and threw some doubt onto their accuracy. To discuss, Kieran is joined by John Lee, Executive Editor of the Daily Mail Group Ireland and Stefan Muller, Assistant Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations at UCD.

Sinn Féin are set to have fewer elected councillors than they did in the previous election in 2019, and the EU race doesn't look much better. So, why is this the case? Why has their vote bottomed out?  Newstalk's Henry McKean has been visiting different parts of Dublin to ask voters for their thoughts, including locals on Meath Street in Dublin 8.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Isabel Haugh, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists to discuss acne, as June is Acne Awareness Month.

Ireland won big at the European Athletics Championships over the weekend.    Will we get another medal tonight? Joining Kieran to discuss is World Athletics Legend, Eamonn Coghlan.

With the local elections almost complete and signs showing for the EU elections, what can we expect when all is said and done? Joining Kieran to discuss the future of the Irish political landscape are Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent, Fionnán Sheahan, Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin Barry Andrews and Eoin Ó Broin, Sinn Féin’s Housing Spokesperson.

Apple is preparing for the biggest developer conference in years as they are set to reveal their latest developments in AI. To discuss, Kieran is joined by Ciara O’Brien, Tech Correspondent for the Irish Times, who is in Silicon Valley for the conference.

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

Kieran is joined by award winning author Kevin Barry, to discuss the highly anticipated new release, ‘The Heart in Winter’, a novel inspired by a trip to Butte, Montana 25 years ago… 

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…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to discuss the different things you can make with strawberries!

Leaving Cert students are set to sit Irish Paper 1 on Monday, however, they’re not the only ones who have an Irish exam coming up... David has travelled to Galway from Minnesota and Rusty is an American living in Galway who will both be sitting an Irish exam tomorrow morning. They join Kieran to discuss why.

Today could mark the start of a golden summer for Irish Athletics as the European Championships get underway in Rome.  Rhasidat Adeleke will spearhead Irish hopes in a pivotal championship run with the Paris Olympics just around the corner…  Sonia O’Sullivan is Olympic Silver Medalist, World Gold Medalist and 3 time European Gold Medalist, she joins Kieran to discuss.

What makes the perfect TV theme tune? One that sticks in your mind long after it airs? Well, Kieran Cuddihy spoke to the composer behind BBC News, Grand Designs and many more, David Lowe, to find out! Image: Channel 4

The RSA has said that they want to increase the price of the Driving Test and the NCT in an attempt to increase their funding. Kieran is joined by Newstalk Reporters Sheila Naughton and Emily Keegan to discuss.

Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Kieran Cuddihy to celebrate Aldi being in business in Ireland for 25 years! They discuss the impact of the supermarket giant, as well as the weird and wonderful things you can find in the middle aisle.  Henry visited Aldi in Rathmines to talk to customers and employees alike about the business.

It is 85 years since the Day landings took place in Normandy in 1944, but what involvement did the Irish have in this historic invasion? Joining Kieran to discuss is Author, Journalist and Broadcaster, Kevin Myers.

The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family.  He joins Kieran to discuss the fallout of Trump’s trial, questions of Biden’s cognitive health and how close the election will be. Image: Jane Rosenberg