The Hard Shoulder

The State’s psychology service for schools has been accused of being on the verge of “collapse”.  According to one principal, the National Educational Psychology Services (NEPS) is completely under resourced, leaving many teachers to make exceedingly tough decisions regarding the needs of individual students.   Kieran was joined by Principal of Educate Together School in Carlow, Sim...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Paul Hosford, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and Gina London, Leadership Communications expert and Sunday Independent Columnist...

This is The Soapbox. Today, David Quinn , Columnist with the Irish independent joined Kieran to discuss why he is voting no in both upcoming referendums...

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has been urged to apologise for calling a BBC journalist "good girl" during a post-match interview.  In response to a question by sports reporter Jane Lewis, Brendan Rodgers refused to answer and dismissed her saying "good girl." This is being called out as casual sexism. Are we not passed this in 2024 or is it alive and well? Kieran was joined by Hannah Quinn Mull...

Green Party City Councillor and Former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

Denis Villeneuve, the director of the Dune 2 movies says young people want longer films     Speaking in The Times UK Villeneuve said "There is a trend. The youth love to watch long movies because if they pay, they want to see something substantial. They are craving meaningful content."  Kieran was joined by John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime to discuss...

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD today welcomed the publication of the School Transport Scheme 2030 report.  It is the largest review of the School Transport Scheme since it was established in 1967.    There are a number of changes with this but the main concern for parents is getting a place on the bus. The change won't happen for the year 24/25 but it will eventually see the...

The Government are looking to introduce more plain language editors across their departments.     These editors will be tasked in removing dense jargon from texts and making texts more comprehensible for 'Joe Soaps.'   Barry McLoughlin, Senior trainer and Head of Client Engagement with The Communications Clinic to discuss...

The deposit return scheme has been up and running now for four weeks, but how is the scheme fairing? Many people have been airing their frustrations on social media and small businesses have expressed their concerns about the costs being place on them to put the logo on their products. Kieran was joined by Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association and Sinead...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Meghann Scully, Broadcaster and David Hall, CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Services...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran was joined by Rory Hearne, Associate Professor in Social Policy in the Department of Applied Social Studies in Maynooth University, Author of ‘Gaffs'...

Dr Suzanne Crowe, consultant in paediatric intensive care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital joined Kieran to talk about pain relief for children...

Farmers gathered outside Cork Airport earlier today to protest against the airports call to expand passenger numbers when they are being asked to reduce agricultural emissions.  Pat OToole, political correspondent for the Irish Farmers Journal and IFA National Environmental Chair, John Murphy to discuss...

There are renewed calls for sunbeds to be banned. It comes as health experts are warning that rates of melanoma cancer have doubled in the past decade. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into the tanning craze and has been speaking with clinicians about the health ramifications.

From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to Trump threatening to pull the US from NATO, is there an increased military threat in Europe?  Is it time for an EU Army to be established? Kieran was joined by John O’Brennan, Professor in the Department of Sociology at Maynooth University and Director of the Maynooth Centre for European and Eurasian Studies, Mark Price, Co-Chair of the Irish Anti War Move...

Have our cities gotten too grey and do we need to plant more greenery? Cities in Ontario and Belgium have done great work to depave and re-green their cities and Green Party Councillor, Dan Boyle has been calling to do the same in Cork. Kieran was joined by Cllr Dan Boyle and Katherine Rose, Communications & Engagement Coordinator for Depave in Portland, Oregon...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Sinead Ryan, Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer with The Irish Daily Star to discuss...

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists..

The crisis at RTÉ show no sign of abating following the resignation of the station’s chair Siún Ní Raghallaigh overnight.  Ms Ní Raghallaigh quit following criticism from the Media Minister Catherine Martin on Prime Time last night over the disclosing of exit packages.  The remaining board members are holding an emergency board meeting this evening.  Kieran was joined by Willie O’Re...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat about seeds...

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...

The much anticipated Ireland versus Wales 6 Nations match will be take place tomorrow. Kieran was joined by Former Rugby Union referee, Nigel Owens and Welsh singer, actor and former rugby player Ryland Teifi...

2 years ago today, Russia and Ukraine were on the brink of war. With Russia launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the early hours of February 24th, 2022  With western support dwindling, Ukraine facing manpower strain, and a second term for Donald trump on the cards. What will the future of the conflict look like and what has its impact been?   Kieran was joined by Kira Rudyk...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut and Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist. Kieran was also joined by Marie Sherlock, Labour Senator to discuss Labour Party's calls on Minister Catherine Martin to resign...

In this cost-of-living crisis, many of us are trying to save money anyway we can.  What if your gym membership could qualify as a health expense when claiming tax back?  Kieran was joined by Cllr Albert Dolan, Fianna Fáil Councillor Galway and Simon Murphy  from Westside Gym to discuss...