The Hard Shoulder

The Hard Shoulder was LIVE from the Dunbrody Visitor Centre in New Ross for the Kennedy Summer School.   Kieran was joined by Eileen Dunne, former broadcaster at RTÉ and Larry Donnelly, long time commentator on US politics on our airwaves and a Law Lecturer at the University of Galway. Both are directors of the Kennedy Summer School...

Ricky ‘The Hitman’ Hatton was an indestructible fighter. Over the first 43 fights of his professional career, he was unbeaten.    Thousands of fans travelled wherever he fought from London to Las Vegas, and he quickly became boxing’s man of the people.     A new Sky Documentary film ‘Hatton’ which will air at 9pm on Sky Documentaries and NOW on Thursday 31st August and exp...

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 week Simon and Kieran take a look a some of the options for olives on the shelves...

Kieran was joined by Darragh O’Brien, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to discuss today's constituency review from the Electoral Commission and more issues relating to housing and Airbnb...

It’s a nervous day for families across the country as students receive their CAO offers – 6 in 10 have received their first preference.    There has been criticism this year for the continued use of grade inflation in the Leaving Cert with has kept points for many courses high.  Kieran was joined Pól Ó Dochartaigh Deputy President and Registrar of the University of Galway who w...

The Electoral Commission has published its constituency review, recommending an increase of 14 TDs to 174 deputies in the next Dáil    In this scenario, the number of constituencies would increase by four from 39 to 43.   So what impact does this have around the country?    Kieran was joined by Shane Coleman from Newstalk Breakfast, Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Co...

School season is back into full swing, and the dreaded conversation of homework is back in households once again. In a recent exclusive Newstalk poll, carried out by Amárach, we asked our listeners if it’s time to ban homework from schools once and for all. 35 per cent of those who responded said it was a thing of the past for primary levels and it’s time to get rid, while 18 per cent think it sho...

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 Vancouver...

Should wolves be reintroduced to Irish wildlife? Kieran was joined by Killian McLaughlin, founder of the Wild Ireland Wildlife Park and John Joe Fitzgerald, vice president of Irish Natura and Hill Farmer’s Association to debate this...

There is great concern that Irish Horseracing could be under threat due to the proposed Gambling Regulation Bill which would ban ads between 5:30am and 9pm.    Paul Hensey, chief executive of the Association of Irish Racecourses and Aodhan O’Riordain is Labour TD for Dublin Bay North, as well as their Education and Justice spokesperson joined Kieran to discuss...

There are only days to go before 70,000 people will take to the fields around Stradbally for Electric Picnic. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie got a sneak peek of the festival and spoke with Kieran about what people can expect.

Green Party Leader Eamonn Ryan previously called for wolves to be reintroduced in to the wild in Ireland.    What exactly would happen if this did happen?    Kieran was joined by Kilian Murphy Quantitative ecologist with UCD who has been crunching the numbers... 

Yesterday, Enoch Burke returned to Wilson's Hospital School, where he formally worked and believes he has a right to be there. He says he is standing up for what he believes in.    Diarmuid Lyng, Owner of Wild Irish Retreat and former Wexford Hurler joined Kieran to discuss...

There have been calls on the Government to scrap plans to increase excise on fuel next week.    From this Friday, September 1st, excise duty rates will increase by 7 cent for petrol and 5 cent for diesel.    Peadar Toibin, TD and the leader of Aontú and Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward joined Kieran to discuss...

Michelle Obama has been voted the most inspirational woman of all time. A new poll of parents of girls aged between 6 and 10 put the former first lady at the top, with Harry Potter actor Emma Watson second, while Nobel-winning scientist Marie Curie third.     To drill down into the list and see who made the cut, I’m joined by Barbara Scully, author and broadcaster, Saoirse Hanley, F...

Spain prosecutors have opened a preliminary sex abuse investigation into Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales.  Rubiales has refused to step down from his role despite criticism of his kiss with Spain forward Jenni Hermoso following the country’s World Cup final win last Sunday.    Miguel Delaney Chief Football Writer at The UK Independent joined Kieran Cuddihy on the...

Enoch Burke returned to Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath today as the new school year got underway. It is understood Mr Burke entered the school building and set up in a corridor. He is is locked in ongoing legal proceedings against the school after he was dismissed following alleged gross misconduct.    To give us an update Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Shane Phelan, Le...

Change is on the way to Ireland’s electoral system is due to be revealed this Wednesday which could be set to be one of the most radical overhauls of the system in generations.    Our political correspondent Sean Defoe has the details... 

Eoghan Corry, Travel and Aviation journalist and Editor of Air and Travel Magazine joined Kieran to discuss the cancellation of flights from Irish airports following problems with Air Traffic Control in Britain.

David Quinn, in his article in the Sunday Independent yesterday, questioned if Down Syndrome was disappearing from the world.    David details that because of ever more sophisticated screening tests, conditions such as Down syndrome can be detected in the womb at ever earlier stages of pregnancy. David stated that in almost every case where the condition is detected, the baby is aborted....

Fine Gael TD Colm Burke has been calling for the age limit to buy tobacco to be raised to 21 years of age. He wants the change in order to help Ireland meet its public health target of a less-than-5 percent smoking rate by 2025.  John Mallon, spokesperson for Forest Ireland and Professor Des Cox is chair of the Policy Group on Tobacco at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and Consulta...

“I feel like Chicken tonight! Chicken tonight!” What autumn dinners did your hard-working parents serve up night after night growing up? And what did they make for your packed lunch? Newstalk reporter Henry McKean joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to back to school lunches...

More than 40,000 international visitors have descended on Dublin for an American football game on Saturday. Notre Dame will take on Navy at the Aviva Stadium in an event that is thought to be worth more than 140 million euro to the Irish economy. Tours and accommodation are booked out with US tourists enjoying what’s on offer. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been meeting with them to see what...

Access to the HPV vaccine is being expanded to include young men aged 21 and under.  That vaccine is named after Laura Brennan, who campaigned for higher uptake of the vaccine, and her father Larry joined Kieran to discuss...