The Hard Shoulder

Kieran has escaped the studio to check out the Dublin - New York Portal as it reopens. Safe to say, there’s still plenty of excitement around there - with a parrot and even someone doing backflips!  He talks to people on the street to get their thoughts on the spectacle.

There have been reports across the country of assaults on teachers and SNA’s in schools.   Kieran’s  guest, Sophie Cole, was assaulted in her classroom 17 months ago, and has been left with complex regional pain syndrome. She joins the show to share her story.

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Tech Talk on Newstalk, Jess Kelly to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to chat about chocolate cake and why eating in moderation is important.

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…

A new night club is opening on D’Olier Street tomorrow night which promises to bring back the nights we enjoyed in the 90’s...   But, are the days of the night club still numbered?   Joining Kieran to discuss is owner of Hyde Nightclub and Venue and operator of Ohana Tikki Bar, Ian Redmond, DJ and Producer, Mark McCabe and Comedian, Kathryn Lynch. Also joining are listeners to...

After 17 seasons, the show Operation Transformation has been cancelled by RTÉ. Joining Kieran to discuss the show’s history and why this happened is Dr Eva Orsmond, Specialist in obesity, founder of Dr Eva’s Clinic and judge on the show for its first seven seasons.

Today marks 50 years since the Dublin Monaghan bombings. On the 17th of May 1974, three car bombs went off in Dublin and another in Monaghan, the loyalist attack killed 33 people in total… Kieran’s guest is a professional photographer who witnessed the Dublin blasts, Tom Lawlor. 

This week the Minister with responsibility for the recently introduced deposit return scheme Ossian Smyth has told the Dáil that he accepts the scheme has had “teething issues”.  Joining Kieran to talk through how it can be improved and how in general it is performing is CEO of the Deposit Return Scheme, Ciaran Foley. 

A major accident on Dublin’s M50 has led to increased traffic and travel delays. Kieran is joined by Graeme McQueen, Media relations Manager with the DAA, Harry McCann,  Media Relations Executive for Dublin Bus and Sean O'Neill, Director of Communications with Transport Infrastructure Ireland for more information.

It is just over 3 weeks until Ireland goes to the polls in the Local and European elections.  Over the next few weeks, we are going to hear from the candidates on the Euro trail ahead of polling day on Friday June 7th. The Hard Shoulder is in Cork today six candidates for the Ireland South constituency join Kieran to discuss their campaigns. They are: Cynthia Ní Mhurchú - Fianna Fáil Candidat...

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 talk Trump Vs Biden, as the Presidential debates are back on the agenda.

It’s been announced that IBM will create 800 jobs in AI across Cork, Dublin and Waterford. Cork is quickly becoming a hub for tech and AI – why is this?   Kieran is joined by a man who knows all about Tech, AI and Cork, Venture Partner at Sure Valley Ventures, DC Cahalane, to discuss.

Over 600 free beds previously used by Ukranians in Ireland have been earmarked for International Protection applicants. Would this be a good idea? Or should they be used for something else? To discuss, Kieran is joined by John Lannon, the CEO of Doras and Paul Treyvaud, TV Chef and Proprietor of Treyvaud’s Restaurant in Killarney.

Ballymaloe Festival of Food is a new three-day food festival that this year celebrates 60 years of Ballymaloe running from the 17th to the 19th of May.  Kieran is joined by Rachel Allen, Irish Chef and Columnist for the Irish independent, Fern Allen, host of the Ballymaloe History Tour and Food Coach Tracie Daly to discuss the event.

Plans for Cork’s biggest ever wind farm have been denied by An Bord Pleanála following a local campaign against it with over 10,000 signatures. Kieran is in Cork and is joined by Neil Lucey, owner and manager of the Gauganne Barra Hotel and member of the campaign to discuss.

With summer and warmer days on the way, 1 in 4 people are heavily suffering from hay fever in Ireland.  The Clinical Director of Allergy Ireland, Iseult Sheehan joins Anton to answer all of your allergy-related questions.

It’s National Bike Week, and we’ve heard different takes on cycling from The Grand Tour’s James May and Cyclist Nicholas Roache. Joining Anton to discuss the week and if bikes should have license plates is Martina Callanan from irishcyclingcampaign.ie and the Galway Cycling Campaign. 

Bike Week is a celebration and promotion of the benefits of cycling. It began on Saturday the 11th and is ongoing until Sunday the 19th of May – so you should already be pedalling! There are lots of exciting events happening throughout Ireland during the week.  To talk more, Anton is joined by professional road bicycle racer and cyclist, Nicholas Roache.

The run for the presidency of the EU Commission is getting underway soon and joining Anton to discuss everything that it entails is the Green candidate for the Presidency of the EU Commission, Bas Eickhout.

Jess Kelly, Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined guest host Anton Savage for the Tech Takeover. This week, Jess discusses the growth of social media / job platform LinkedIn. She also gives a TLDR on Google’s answer to ChatGPT, Gemini, and how we should treat our personal data when dealing with chatbots.

Parents have dropped the ball when it comes to policing their teenagers phone, a new survey reveals.  To discuss further Anton is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean.

From pictures of spuds and 9/11 to proposals and flashing, the Portal’s inclusion in our capital has been prone to some questionable moments.  But why are people losing the run of themselves and was this something that could have been expected?  Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital joins me now.

In the UK there have been calls for bikes to be regulated like cars with licence plates as well as speed limits.  Guest host Anton Savage’s guest has said this will lead to more admin and make life miserable! Anton is joined by TV presenter and Top Gear / The Grand Tour legend, James May, to discuss. Image: Paul Stuart

Street Feast brings together the community in fun events and celebrations on the 25th and 26th of May.  Several hosts schedule a neighbourhood clean-up over the weekend of Street Feast, with the Neighbourly Lunch seen as a reward for taking pride in the area and maintaining it for the benefit of everyone in the community.  With Anton is coordinator Sam Bishop and host Georgia Brophy from...