The Hard Shoulder

Some people feel that young children and their parents are a distraction and simply annoying when out and about in bars and restaurants. So much so that many pubs and restaurants are bringing in age restrictions to make the experience better for other guests.   Freelance journalist Andrea Smith joined Kieran on the show to discuss.

It was announced that the Government is making €10m available for additional policing in Dublin to increase safety in the city. Is increased policing enough or should this money be used elsewhere? Community Worker, James O’Toole who grew up in the Fatima Flats joined Kieran Cuddihy to discuss...

The operator of Dublin Airport has been ordered to reduce the number of night-time flights from its new north runway after Fingal County Council ruled it had breached the conditions of its planning permission. Padraig Ó Céidigh, Former Senator and Founder of Aer Lingus Regional and Alan Farrell, Fine Gael TD for Fingal both joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

With legislation being brought in to place warning labels on alcoholic products. Is it time we did the same with Junk Food? Kieran Cuddihy was joined on the show by Orla Walsh, Registered Dietitian, and Nutritionist Gaye Godkin.

Have you ever been influenced by an influencer to buy something online? Well, if you’re under 35 then there’s a high chance the answer is yes. According to the latest An Post Ecommerce Index , two thirds of 16 – 24 year olds and over 40% of 25-34 year olds have made influencer prompted purchases. Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports...

A man in Cork is using Goats as a natural overgrowth solution to reduce chemicals and machinery in our rural areas. William Walsh, Owner of Billy’s Rent a Goat joined Kieran on the show.

New legislation is being commenced that aims to reduce the prevalence of non-negligence personal injury campaigns. The legislation is hoped to bring an end to unjustifiable personal injury claims. Pat McDonagh the CEO of Supermacs joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Kieran was joined on the show by Aimee Connolly, Founder of Sculpted by Aimee, who was diagnosed with scoliosis at 13 and was told it was just something to monitor. After a major turn when she turned 16, she was put on the emergency list for an operation.

Last week an Independent Review into Child and Adolescent mental Health services found that the State can't provide assurances that all children have access to safe mental health services. On this show this week we have been hearing from parents who are at a loss with the services and level of care provided by CAMHS. But what about the professional side and the difficulties they come up against? D...

Talks of the Government banning disposable vapes have sparked an outcry from retailers against a total ban. Although retailers have acknowledged the environmental concerns surrounding single-use vaping products need to be addressed, they believe a total ban would prove detrimental to their businesses. On the other hand, health experts warn of both the health costs and environmental threats single-...

In advance of Budget 2024, there have been calls for the government to offer young people a voucher for €200 that they could use to attend concerts, plays, and museums. This is now what happens in Germany under its Kulturpass scheme, should it be introduced here? Kieran was joined by Artistic Director of the Dublin Theatre Festival, Willie White.

Following the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) report released at the end of last week, we are hearing more stories of how parents and children across the country have not been receiving adequate help and support. The lack of staffing is leading to parents wondering aimlessly about how they can help their children through a difficult time in their lives. Here to give us the lates...

As the race for student accommodation begins, homeowners are being urged to open up their homes to house students. The Higher Education Minister says families living in social housing and social welfare recipients can also benefit from the rent-a-room scheme. That allows homeowners to earn up to 14 thousand euro a year tax-free. To discuss this further Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Aoibhe O’Brien,...

Ireland ended their World Cup campaign with a nil-nil draw against Nigeria. The girls in green are on their way home, already illuminated but playing for pride. Henry McKean went along to a busy noisy watch party at Dalymount Park, the home of Bohs in Phibsborough, Dublin. Henry sent this report...

Yesterday on BBC 2 the All-Ireland Football Final was broadcast across the entire United Kingdom for the first time. Catching the attention of many. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Reverand Richard Coles who gave us his UK Perspective of the All-Ireland Football Final.

In The Examiner today a report by Liz Dunphy says that a boy in CAMHS in Kerry is doing Zoom calls with a psychiatrist based in Dubai due to staffing shortages. The father of this boy, Maurice O’Connell joined Kieran Cuddihy on the show.

Another drama-filled season of Love Island concludes tonight on the season 10 finale. But despite an exciting season of new twists and cliffhangers, the show’s ratings have significantly declined by more than a million viewers. This begs us to ask: Is Love Island losing its luster? Podcaster for My Pod on Paper Orlaith Condon joined Kieran to discuss why viewership has declined and what the future...

Alcohol, fuel, transport, and streaming services are just a few things due to increase later in the year. Despite being told that inflation would ease, the cost of these products and services beg to differ. How can we deal with this constant rise in costs? Darragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie joined Kieran on the show.

A new survey by the CSO on sexual violence has found that over a third of women (36%) who did not disclose any experience of sexual violence as an adult did so because they felt ashamed or embarrassed, more than twice the rate for men (15%). Sarah Benson CEO of Women’s Aid joined Kieran to discuss the CSO survey on sexual violence... If you have been affected by anything in this podcast you can co...

As July has been the worst month for rainfall this year, weather predictions for August show, unfortunately not much will change. Sunshine and showers are expected for the first week with a possible storm for the bank holiday weekend. Kieran was joined by Alan O’Reilly from Carlow weather with the latest...

Ireland’s historic first-ever World Cup campaign came to an end today as the Girls in Green were held to a goalless draw with Nigeria in Brisbane. Kathleen McNamee from Off The Ball and Host of the COYGIG Podcast joined Kieran on the show.

Tributes have continued to pour in for singer Sinéad O’Connor whose death was announced on Wednesday evening. Kieran was joined by Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Founder & Chair of the Irish Muslim Council and Victoria Mary Clarke, Wife of Shane McGowan... Image: Twitter via Victoria Mary Clarke @Victoriamary

The All Ireland Football Final build up is reaching fever pitch. Henry McKean travelled to Kerry and Dublin to soak up the atmosphere and sent us this report...

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat all things BBQ...

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...