The Hard Shoulder

As it is election year in the US, every Thursday here on the Hard Shoulder we are going to get the latest from the campaign trail.  Next Tuesday sees the first major step on the road to the White House as the Iowa caucuses take place.  Kieran was joined by Jeff Kuhner, Host of The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston... 

Unions representing the public servants have rejected an offer of pay increases of 8.5 per cent over 2½ years, with lower paid workers offered 12 per cent.  Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform joined Kieran to discuss...

As the war in Gaza continues, patients and medical staff suffer due to lack of workers, supplies and medication.   Nick Maynard is one of the few British doctors who has seen the issues firsthand as he travels back and forth between the UK to Gaza to help at their only functioning hospital.  Kieran was joined by Professor Nick Maynard, leading consultant Upper GI surgeon based in Ox...

Thousands of students are taking part in this year's BT Young Scientist Exhibition. 550 projects from 219 schools are being showcased in the exhibition hall at the RDS. Artificial intelligence, mental health and diversity are the common themes this year. Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent visited the exhibition today and she joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

Unions representing the public servants have rejected an offer of pay increases for of 8.5 per cent over 2½ years, with lower paid workers offered 12 per cent.  This got us thinking, what would be fair pay for the public sector given the amount of money the government has to play with  Kieran was joined by Edgar Morgenroth Professor of Economics at DCU and Mick Barry, Socialist TD for Co...

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

This is The Soapbox. Today, Brendan Ogle, social commentator, trade unionist and activist joined Kieran to look at the limits to 'balance' in public discourse in the internet age...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options this new year. This week Simon and Kieran put a variety of microwavable burgers to the test...

Christopher Nolan, director of Oppenheimer, has pleaded with people to make the return to DVDs and Blu-ray. The director has said it’s important to own the film on Blu-ray so that “no evil streaming service can come steal it from you.” Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joined KIeran to discuss...

Dublin traffic has been named as the second slowest city centre in the world.  According to a survey, last year on average a 10km journey through central Dublin took an average of 29 minutes and 30 seconds - a one minute increase from 2022’s average.   It’s clear that congestion issues can’t be solved overnight and a Minister for just Dublin isn’t feasible right now, so what can be...

Fourteen people, including two children, have been discovered in a refrigerated lorry at Rosslare Europort after a 999 call was made from inside the trailer to the UK. The discovery was made on Monday aboard a ferry from Belgium. They are all understood to be in good health and were medically assessed at the scene. Henry McKean met with truck drivers in Dublin Port who travel to Europe and The UK...

Almost 3 in 5 of us have never attended a women's sports event – that's according to a new Red C research launched today by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association in conjunction with Lidl to mark the start of the Ladies Football National League.  The survey also found that 46% of people said that men’s sport is generally better to watch.  Kieran was joined by Nora Stapleton, Women in Spo...

Dublin traffic has been named as the second slowest city centre in the world.  According to a survey, last year on average a 10km journey through central Dublin took an average of 29 minutes and 30 seconds - a one minute increase from 2022’s average.   Kieran was joined by Fianna Fail TD, John Lahart and Brian Caulfield, Professor of transportation at the School of Engineering at Tr...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Ciara Phelan, Senior Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and Michael Kelly, Journalist and Former Editor of the Irish Catholic to chat through today's top stories...

It’s Penneys, Hun! Penneys has invited the cameras in for the first time for a new six-part documentary. Inside Penneys will begin tonight on RTE 1 at 8.30pm. From just one shop in Dublin’s Mary Street, to more than 430 stores in 16 countries. Penneys has grown from humble beginnings to become an affordable trendsetter and global fashion giant.  Henry McKean got a look behind the sc...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Niall Breslin aka Bressie, singer and host of the hugely successful podcast 'Where is My Mind' joined Kieran to discuss the current state of mental health services in Ireland...

Terry Prone, author and Chairman of the Communications Clinic  joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss hospital waiting lists, CAMHS, housing for hospital staff and the future of Micheál Martin as leader of Fianna Fáil...

Operation Transformation returned last week and episode 2 airs tomorrow. This will be the 17th season of the show that aims to promote a healthier lifestyle.  Kathryn Thomas, Presenter of Operation Transformation joined Kieran on the show...

Today, legislation was brought to Cabinet to enact the Government decision taken before Christmas to reduce welfare payments for new arrivals from Ukraine.  Ukrainians arriving in Ireland in the coming weeks will receive an expense allowance of €38.80 a week, which is down from the current jobseeker's rate of €232 per week.  Kieran was joined by Tom McEnaney, Media consultant and founder...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Brianna Parkins, Columnist with The Irish Times and John Lee Executive, Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland to chat through today's top stories...

This is The Soapbox. Today, David Quinn , Columnist with the Irish independent joined Kieran to discuss public debate and how people are shutting down certain sides of the debate if it doesn’t suit a narrative...

The return to school after the Christmas holidays can result in many children catching the common cold, but what can appear to be a simple cold can become more serious.   Consultant Pediatrician, Dr. Niamh Lynch, joined Kieran to discuss what to do when a simple cold becomes more serious…  

Legendary German Footballer Franz Beckenbauer has passed away at the age of 78.   Nathan Murphy from Off the Ball joined Kieran to discuss...

There has been a record numbers of visas granted to young Irish people heading to Australia.  Along with this, we’re seeing reports today of staff at the National Maternity Hospital  commuting 2½ hours to work due to Dublin living costs  How can we address this and help people to live in our city and also encourage people to stay here in Ireland and lend their expertise and skills t...