The Hard Shoulder

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has said that the United States is not looking to reignite the conflict with Iran as ‘Project Freedom’ begins. In a press conference today, Hegseth said Tehran was the “clear aggressor” after both sides traded attacks in the key waterway on Monday as the US began evacuating ships from the Strait. Former fighter pilot and Military analyst Sean Bell joins Ciara t...

This weekend Ireland's largest wellness festival, WellFest, is back for a 10th year. The festival has significantly grown in popularity over the past decade with about 12,000 people expected to attend. Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss is Anthony Kelly, one of the Founders of WellFest and Enda McNulty, High Performance Coach and Festival Area WellMan at WellFest.

Last week around 1,500 complimentary day tickets to the Ryder Cup were posted to locals in Adare, which will play host to the golfing spectacle in September of next year, but it seemingly hasn’t all gone to plan… Tidy Towns representatives have called upon the Government to step in and rectify what started as a gesture for locals. Joining Shane to discuss is Niall Collins, Limerick TD and Minister...

The World Health Organization says it believes there may have been human-to-human transmission of hantavirus on the Dutch cruise ship where three passengers have died… Joining Ciara to discuss this is Dr Eoghan De Barra, Senior Lecturer at the Royal College of Surgeons and Infectious Disease & Tropical Medical Consultant at Beaumont Hospital. Image: Oceanwide Expeditions

Philadelphia has been a home for Irish immigrants for generations. Today, approximately 10% of the city has Irish roots. One of them is Edel Howlin, Communications Consultant and former Journalist at Newstalk. She joins Ciara and Shane to discuss.

Ireland: Gateway to Europe comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, The Hard Shoulder will be following the group to Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. Joining Shane to discuss the end of this trip, and what they achieved is Adie McGennis, Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and Dr Deirdre Giblin, Director of Devel...

Former World Health Organisation Executive Director Dr Mike Ryan says the Irish flag has been “hijacked” by what he describes as a very toxic form of nationalism… For more on this, Ciara is joined by David Gilbert, Reporter at WIRED who covers disinformation and online extremism.

Birdwatch Ireland have urged people not to feed garden birds during the summer months due to the threat of trichomoniasis, a disease which spreads through garden bird feeders, and has already had a serious impact on Ireland's finch family… Joining Shane and Ciara to discuss is Collie Ennis, Biodiversity Officer at Trinity College Dublin.

For ten days last month, we followed the progress of the four Artemis II astronauts in their historic trip around the Moon. Joining Ciara today is Associate Administrator for the Mission Support Directorate at NASA, Bob Gibbs, to discuss his work at the agency and the importance of the Artemis programme…

Today marks the sixtieth day since US President Donald Trump formally notified Congress of his strikes in Iran. That sixty day mark is significant, because it marks the point at which the administration needs congressional approval to continue the war, but the administration is arguing that the ceasefire means they do not need to go before congress. Borzou Daragahi is a Middle East Journalist and...

Mortgage changes have been announced this morning which will allow first time buyers the ability to borrow five times their income, for the first time since the Celtic Tiger era. The initiative, which was set up by mortgage lender Núa Money, claims the move is, however, not a return to Celtic Tiger era standards. Joining Shane to discuss this is Karl Deeter, Financial Analyst.

Tonight marks the last night of the current season of the Late Late Show, but where it goes next remains uncertain, as it appears that host Patrick Kielty has signed no new contract to continue as host… Joining Ciara to discuss is Dee Reddy, Podcaster and Cultural Commentator.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from the heart of Philadelphia today, and sadly, there is a massive problem with opioid use in the city… For more on this and the wider drug conversation, Shane is joined by Ed Mahon, Investigative Reporter at Spotlight, PA.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Ciara and Shane to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Two Jewish men were attacked in Golders Green in London yesterday in what police are treating as a terrorist incident. Both men were taken to hospital following the attack, with one telling the BBC that “a very big miracle happened to” him while still being alive. So, is the U.K. grappling with a serious problem of rising anti semitism? Suzanne Moore is a columnist with The Telegraph, and joins Ci...

More parts of Dublin city will fall under a ban on plastic bin bags being left out for collection. The bags, which are used by many inner city households who lack the space for a conventional wheelie bin, are often ripped apart by birds, exacerbating Dublin’s litter problem. Joining Shane to discuss is Janet Horner, Green Party Councilor for Dublin's North inner city and Richard Guiney, CEO of Dub...

The 250th anniversary of America's signing of the Declaration of Independence is approaching, and it was signed in Philadelphia! Joining Shane and Ciara to discuss the history of this great city is Jim Murphy, from Real Philly History and author ‘Real Philly History, Real Fast’. Image: Britannica

“The imminent passing of the Mental Health Bill into law signals a positive moment for health care — and puts behind us the scandals of the recent past”. So wrote Richard Hogan, Family Therapist & Author. He joins Ciara to discuss…

With American midterms elections approaching fast, we are asking today how the Republican Party is managing its messaging and holding their coalition together. Joining Ciara to discuss is Greg Swenson, Chair of Republicans Overseas UK. Image: Reuters

New home completions are up almost 33% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to last year’s figures. Is this a sign that things are starting to turn around with the housing crisis? Joining Shane to discuss this and more is Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins.

The Hard Shoulder is today broadcasting from the City of Brotherly Love with thanks to Ireland Gateway to Europe: Philadelphia! They take in the sights and speak to locals to get a sense of the city.

President Trump’s Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is expected to give birth to her second child next week, according to a White House official. The Press Secretary previously said that Friday was her last time briefing reporters for a while, however, she postponed her maternity leave following the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner over the weekend, hosting a...

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about. This week, Simon joins Shane and Ciara to discuss how to speak American!

Shane is joined by Congressman Joe Kennedy, who many listeners will remember as the Special Envoy to Northern Ireland under The Biden Administration. They discuss his time in that role, and its importance to him given his family ties to Ireland…

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Shane and Ciara in Washington D.C. to discuss why Elon Musk is suing OpenAI…