The Hard Shoulder

The Pogues frontman and songwriter Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65. His music was wide reaching and touched some many people both here in Ireland and outside.   Pat Carty, Writer for Hot Press Magazine and Broadcaster joined Kieran to discuss...

Billy Hann the CEO of Dublin Bus was before the Oireachtas Transport committee today.   One of suggestions he made is for Dublin needs to reduce it’s car congestion and go on a car diet. This will hopefully improve the ability of our public transport to perform.   Do we need a car diet in the capital?   Kieran was joined by Michael Pidgeon Green Party Councillor and Shane O’Donoghue...

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 festive season. This week Simon and Kieran put a variety of tubs of Christmas chocolate to the test...

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to end today after a six day pause in the conflict with mediators now working hard to extend it.  How does the situation look and what does a lift in the ceasefire look like in the coming days?  Patrick Bury, Senior Security Lecturer at the University of Bath, Former NATO Analyst and Army Officer joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show...

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been in front of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, saying that Garda will get stronger pepper spray, and the Public Order Unit will be provided with tasers. This is following the riots in Dublin last week.  Kieran was joined by James Lawless, Chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, and Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North and Tara McManus, who is the Deputy G...

Alcohol-free months such as Sober October, No-Drink November and Dry January make being sober seem like more of a fun challenge and allow people to see the upsides of giving up the drink for a few weeks. It also has put people onto the growing movement of ‘sober curious’ people.   Kieran was joined by Ciaran Bradley, Digital Editor of Newstalk to discuss... 

The riots in Dublin are still dominating the news. One element that has been improving since the riots is footfall in the city, there are indications that shoppers are starting to return. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, met with those who are visiting Ireland to hear their views on the violence.

Garda Commissioner appeared before the Oireachtas Justice Committee today to be questioned on the violence and chaos in Dublin city centre last week.  Barry Whyte joined Kieran on the show to discuss what he heard at today's hearing...

Sinn Féin have been having a go at the Government by using a particular photo to make their point.  Gabija Gataveckaitė, Political Reporter with Irish Independent joined Kieran to discuss...

Every week for Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give him tips for a trip to the Okanagan valley...

The Dáil has been hearing reaction today to the Dublin Riots last Thursday, and what this means for Minister Helen McEntee. Kieran was joined by Senator Lisa Chambers, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and the EU, Louise O’Reilly, TD and Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers' Rights, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Neasa Hourigan, the Green Party’s Finance & Health Spokesperson...

The annual Ireland Gateway To Europe trip to the US has announced it will return in 2024.  Now in its 12th year, it comprises of an annual mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to the US.  Kieran was joined by Adie McGennis, Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and one of the founders of Ireland Gateway to Europe  

Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. Continuing the series, ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around. The series continued with a debate on 'Are we over-reliant on technology?'...

This evening the Dáil continued to hear statements in relation to the riots and violence in Dublin City Centre on Thursday last. Kieran was joined by Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal and Labour Party Senator, Marie Sherlock...

With winter days growing shorter and nights darker, road safety should become even more important. Cyclists and e-scooterists who neglect night lights and high-visibility gear put themselves at a greater risk. Should laws be put in place to mandate reflective gear for cyclists on public roads at night?  Kieran was joined by Joe O’Shea, Columnist for the Irish Mirror and Una Morrison, Chairper...

Cuán – that is the most perfect town in the world to live in. Never heard of it? Well it is the anonymised Irish town that Daniel Miller, professor of anthropology from University College London, relocated to for 16 months.   Daniel Miller joined Kieran to discuss. We have a hunch what town ‘Cuán’ might be and have assembled a panel of Cuán-siders to tell us what they love about their town.&n...

Sinn Féin and Social Democrat representatives have both said they have no confidence in Helen McEntee, Minister of Justice.  Kieran was joined by Newstalk's Seán O’Regan and Fionnán Sheahan is the Ireland Editor for the Irish Independent to discuss...

Labelling the mob from Dublin riots last Thursday as a ‘far-right’ faction only serves to give validation”.  Those are the thoughts of Paul Williams Crime Journalist with The Irish Independent... 

Over the next few weeks, Kieran Cuddihy will be taking Irish classes as part of a 'Couch to Comhrá in 6 Weeks' challenge and each Monday he will be sharing his journey alongside some Irish speakers.   Victor Bayda, Language Planning Officer for South Kerry Gaeltacht joined Kieran to continue the challenge...

The fallout is ongoing following the riots that hit Dublin’s streets last Thursday.  We’ve had calls for the Minister of Justice to step down, we’ve had fierce criticism of the Garda Commissioner as well as threats and rumours of more riots.  But one of the common denominators in much of the commentary has been talk about a ‘far right’ element to the riots.  Joe Brolly, barrister an...

COP28 kicks off in the UAE later this week. Is COP a worthwhile exercise or a waste of time?  Environmental activist and Guardian Columnist George Monbiot joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss...

Talks on a new public sector agreement get under way this evening.  The scale of any possible deal will hopefully become a bit clearer by later this evening.  Kieran was joined by John King, SIPTU’s Deputy General Secretary with responsibility for the Public Service and Kieran Mulvey, Former Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission...

There is a GAA player’s charter from a club doing the rounds on social media the weekend with quite a strict set of rules for its players.   Some of these rules include five months of no holidays, no drinking and no trips to Australia, US or Canada. This begs the question, are clubs becoming too strict and will rules like this harm the passion of players?  David Brady Former Mayo Fo...

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 capital city is attempting to get back to normal today after the horrific stabbing of three children and one woman yesterday which were followed by hours of rioting and looting.  Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described last night’s riots as “disgraceful” and said a  'hooligan faction driven by far right ideology' contributed to the unrest. Kieran was joined in studio by Ray McAdam,...