The Hard Shoulder

Many people are struggling to gain access to dental health care in rural Ireland. Due to these shortages, many people seeking free dental care with their medical cards are not being seen too when needed. With wait times of three months or more, patients have been left with no choice but to travel to different counties to seek the attention they need. Kieran was joinedb by President of the Irish De...

Dermot and Dave have been a duo for the past 21 years. Over the years, they have given listeners hours of entertainment. Sadly, this will come to an end this Friday as Dermot is heading off to pursue his passion for mindfulness with his holistic brand, Mind Full. Dermot Whelan joined Kieran to tell him more about his decision...

Last year the State provided over €128 million in funding to private schools, it has been found. State funding for building projects in private schools needs to end - that is the call from Aodhan Ó Ríordáin TD, Labour Party Education spokesperson who 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 lovely Liverpool...

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 beautiful Normandy...

On Saturday evening in Dallas, Jake Paul, a man who until five years ago hadn’t stepped inside a boxing ring, faced up against 38-year-old Nate Diaz, a legend of combat sports and one of UFC fan’s most beloved fighters. Jake’s resulting win is just another chapter in the history of social media stars entering into prize fighting. A wave perhaps first started by Conor McGregor switching the octagon...

In the middle of a housing crisis would it be effective to write the right to housing into the Irish Constitution? Kieran was joined by Financial Analyst, Karl Deeter and Assistant Professor in Social Policy in Maynooth University and author of ‘Gaffs’, Dr. Rory Hearne to discuss...

With the cost of living becoming close to impossible for some people. It is necessary to make other alternatives. What better way to do this than to convert a van and live in it? Kieran was joined by Shane Monks O’Byrne, who has been living out of his van for the past four years and has used his alternative home as a way of exploring the world...

A new study has found that Ireland is one of the most vulnerable to energy shocks, such as shortages. Euromonitor International’s first global energy vulnerability index shows that the state is ranked 70 out of 100 overall, making it the third worst of all EU members on the index, ahead of Poland on 78 and Lithuania on 90. So what can this study tell us about Ireland’s energy future? Kieran was jo...

New statistics published by the Department of Transport today indicate that 60% of people are willing to change the way they travel to reduce carbon emissions. But would free public transport further encourage people to leave their car at home ? Kieran was joined by Brid Smith People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central and Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for Dublin City...

People lined up to pay tribute to Sinéad O’Connor in Bray ahead of her funeral today. Sinéad’s funeral cortége passed through Bray after a private service to allow fans to say goodbye. Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was in Bray today...

According to Dogs Trust, the number of dogs being put to sleep has doubled in a year. Dogs Trust said the number of dogs entering pounds is also on the rise, from 4,165 in 2021 to 7,352 in 2022. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by PR & Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, Corina Fitzsimons to discuss...

With the Bank Holiday upon us many will be heading off to All Together now and Indie 2023, but what is the troublesome weather forecast going to be for the long weekend? Cathal Nolan of The Irish Weather Channel joined Kieran to discuss...

All week we have been speaking to parents who have children go through CAMHS. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by John Joe McGinley, who has a son in CAMHS and also set up Autism Dads to help other parents navigate autism and mental health services and, Grainne from Parents for Reform of CAMHS, which is a group of 200 family members looking for urgent reform of CAMHS.

The Girls in Green are back on home soil and crowds are gathering on O’Connell Street for a homecoming celebration. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie spoke to Kieran live on the Hard Shoulder to capture the atmosphere with fans and players.

Behavioural scientist, Founder and Head of ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit, Pete Lunn joined Kieran to talk about first impressions.

A research study done by Perspectus Global and commissioned by & me reveals the average Brit has been offered 8 truly terrible pieces of advice thus far in their lifetime, including “Just stop worrying”, “revenge is sweet”, and “marry for security”. This prompts us to think of advice we’ve given and received, both the good and the awful. Do we generally take advice, and what type of advice actuall...

The legislation to Extend hours for Nightclubs has been further pushed back until well into late 2024. But will it do much to save Ireland’s declining nightlife scene and should we be encouraging it in the first place Kieran was joined on the show by Sunil Sharpe, Spokesperson from the Give Us The Night campaign and Dr. Sheila Gilheaney. CEO of Alcohol Action to discuss.

The Irish people spend €108 per month on streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Paramount+. With these services due to rise in cost, how will this impact on next years figures? We want to know, do people use all these services that they have in their home, or should people stick to watching regular TV channels that doesn’t cost them anything? Dr. Roddy Flynn, Associate Professor at the Sc...

Mel Evans, Head of climate with Greenpeace UK joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show to discuss the Greenpeace protest that took place at Rishi Sunak's Yorkshire home while he was away on holidays in California.

After a damming report into CAMHS last week, we have been talking to parents all week about what they have been through. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show by two parents from 'Families for Reform of CAMHS' which is a group of 200 family members looking for urgent reform of CAMHS.

In an interview with US late-night talk show host Bill Maher for his Club Random podcast, television personality Sharon Osbourne stressed the importance of moving on from the “despicable” treatment of the Irish by the British, saying, “At some point, you have got to let it go. You have to.” This leads us to consider our relationship to Irish history and ask: should we obsess over historical wrongs...

It’s time once again for the shopping trolley hotline where we review the same product from various stores and as ever Kieran Cuddihy was joined by expert shopper Simon Tierney...

American Singer and Rapper Lizzo have been accused of sexually harassing and weight shaming, according to her former backup dancers. Deidre Molumby, Pop culture & entertainment expert joined Kieran to discuss.

Kieran Cuddihy was in Bewley’s on Grafton Street supporting Bewley’s Big Coffee Morning Social for Hospice. Star of stage and screen, and a supporter of the Hospice, Dohmnall Gleeson sat down with Kieran Cuddihy...