The Hard Shoulder

Finance Minister Michael McGrath has today asked all state owned bodies to continue to accept cash payments. It came following criticism of the NCT service for attempting to move to a cashless system.  One such body which has moved cashless in recent times is the GAA, a move which has garnered much criticism.  Two former Presidents of the GAA, Sean Kelly and Liam O’Neill joined Kieran on...

Tens of thousands attended the second day of the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois, for what was a mostly dry day. There may be vintage tractors and brand new machinery on display, but one growing trend among young farmers is online content creation. Social media apps are now full of cows being milked, tractors baling silage and sheep being sold. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, is a...

From Vibrant pink shirts in the Dáil to Dublin football kits in Seanad – there has been a fair share of fashion faux pas in the government buildings.  But should there be a dress code? That’s not the thinking in the US, where Senators are now allowed to wear whatever they want to when debating or voting on bills.   Michael Healy Rae Independent TD for County Kerry and Gino Kelly, Pe...

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 oldest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura...

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 young people today better off than their parents?'

There has been a story that has dominated the headlines over the last couple of days, and that is Russell Brand.   The comedian faces allegations of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.   Kieran was joined by Meirion Jones, former Editor of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism in the UK –...

The Central Bank has signalled caution ahead of Budget 2024, lowering its forecasts for growth in the economy, while also saying that the Government's spending plans for the upcoming Budget risk adding to inflation.  Kieran was joined by Michael McMahon, who is the acting chair of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and Michelle Murphy Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice&n...

The Clockwork Door Time House in Temple Bar has decided to not partake in this year’s Culture Night as a result of anti-social behavior in the capital city.  The venue took part in Culture Night last year and while trying to celebrate, their equiipment was sadly robbed.   Kieran was joined by owner of The Clock Work Door Time House, Ciaran Hogan to discuss... Image: Instagram via Th...

Gardai in Cavan and Monaghan are have launched a probe in to comments made by Sean Quinn. The complaint has been made by Mannok directors Liam McCaffrey and John McCartan following comments made on The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk. Kieran was joined by crime journalist with The Irish Independent, Paul Williams for more on this...

An Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action was held today on the importance of biodiversity loss across Ireland. Praising farmers for the work they have done to maintain a healthy environment were one of the topics mentioned by Dr Aoibhinn Ni Shúilleabháin.   Yet many changes still need to be made to maintain Ireland’s biodiversity and reduce the risk of extinction. Kieran...

Comedian Reginald D. Hunter joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his upcoming irish tour and allegations against Russell Brand...

Kieran was joined by former Irish rugby international and Chairman of The One Small Step Campaign, Trevor Ringland, to discuss the Irish sporting anthem 'Ireland's Call' why it was ever needed in the first place and why we might need to hold on to it...

On 29th of September the Irish Cancer Society is holding their Relay for Life event. One of the society's ambassadors and manager of Shamrock Rovers Stephan Bradley joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

The HSE's commissioned an external review into aspects of orthopaedic surgery at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street.  It follows a number of serious spinal surgical incidents there.  Roisin Shortall, Social Democrats TD and Health Spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss...

Are you aware that the majority of your bins can be traced to your weekly shop in the supermarkets?   That’s according to a new survey by Voice Ireland who found 66% of waste items in Irish recycling bins can be traced back to supermarkets and that 59% of these supermarket waste items were made from plastic.   This begs the question should we cut down on packaging and in particular our p...

The HSE's commissioned an external review into aspects of orthopaedic surgery at Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street.  It follows a number of serious spinal surgical incidents there.  Priscilla Lynch Clinical Editor with the Medical Independent joined Kieran to discuss...

Every year when rugby matches take over our screens again, and particularly around World Cup season this time around, there’s an age old debate of should we sing Ireland’s Call? Or should we just sing Amhrán na bhFiann. Or should we get a new national anthem altogether? Kieran was joined by Damien Tiernan, WLR FM Presenter, and John McGahon, Fine Gael Senator...

A hole on Portmarnock beach this week excited one local astronomy enthusiast, as it looked like it may have been a meteor strike. However, it soon became clear that the hole had actually been dug by two local lads. Charlie Wallace, Portmarnock beach hole digger joined Kieran to discuss...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to talk all things buffets

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...

An Bord Pleanála has today rejected the application from U.S Corporation New Fortress Energy to build a LNG terminal on the Shannon Estuary.  Kieran was joined by Don Moore , Chair of the Energy and Climate Action Committee at the Irish Academy of Engineering  and William Hederman, Member of Slí Eile organisers of climate camp ...

Ireland’s world cup campaign shot off last week with a demolition of Romania in Bordeaux. Ireland are now off to Nantes where they will face off against Tonga in match game two in Pool B.    Kieran was joined by Former Ireland and Munster player and Newstalk’s Own Alan Quinlan to get all the latest on the boys in green...

Around the country the Government parties have been assembling across the country for their think-Ins ahead of the start of the next Dáil term.     Kieran was joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent who was at the Fine Gael Think in in Limerick and Hugh O’Connell, Deputy Political Editor, Irish Independent who was at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin for Sinn Fein’s event...

A new era for the Late Late Show begins tonight, as Patrick Kielty officially takes the reins.    Is the show still the force it once was?  Kieran was joined by Terry Prone, chairman of the Communications Clinic and Deirdre Molumby, pop culture and entertainment expert... Image: Andres Poveda

Tonight is the night the Late Late Show returns to your screens, with the debut of host Patrick Kielty. There has been plenty of chat about to expect. Our reporter Henry McKean has been asking people whether they will watch the show and even met the man in charge, Patrick Kielty...