The Hard Shoulder

The first Irish study of people who have been stalked or harassed has revealed that, in most cases, the perpetrators were known to them. Kieran was joined by Eve McDowell activist and co-founder of Stalking Ireland and Dr Ciara Staunton one of the team who undertook the study…

Some of you may still have a hoarse voice from singing over the weekend, however, today is all about reciting poetry as it’s World Poetry Day. Are you a fan of poetry and how is the next generation of poets expressing their work? Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been speaking with poets, tour guides and musicians.

A series of ‘safety net’ measures have been agreed upon to assist renters after April 1st however Sinn Féin will bring forward a motion in the Dáil this this evening in hope of extending the eviction ban until 2024. Kieran was joined by Hugh O’Connell, Deputy Political Editor of the Irish Independent to discuss...

Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Mícheál Martin has said he is not a fan of homeschooling because it leads to problems with socialising. To discuss this further, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by two home educators, Aisha Ali in Sandyford and Fiona Harford in Wexford...

Off the back of the Ireland rugby team's historic Grand Slam win in Dublin at the weekend, Henry McKean joined Kieran in studio to discuss what it was like at the game. He also met with some teachers, students and rugby players alike to get their reaction...

The world's six largest central banks have taken action to shore up the financial system amid fears over the ‘emergency rescue’ of Credit Suisse. This comes just one week after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the United States. Kieran Cuddihy was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Lorcan Allen, Business Editor with the Business Post to discuss the current global banking crisis...

Finland has maintained its position as the country with the happiest population for the sixth year in a row, according to the World Happiness Report released this morning, with Ireland coming in at 14th. Along with the Finns, Denmark and Iceland rounded up the top three happy countries. With Lebanon and Afghanistan maintaining their positions as the world’s unhappiest countries. Kieran was joined...

Government party leaders will meet later this evening to discuss how they will respond to Sinn Féin's motion to extend the eviction ban until the end of next January. Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Ivana Bacik, Labour leader and TD for Dublin Bay South, Thomas Pringle, Independent TD for Donegal and Mattie McGrath, Independent TD for Tipperary to discuss…

An IPCC report has today warned of the irreversible levels of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2018 said emissions must be halved by 2030 to keep temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Sadbh O’Neill, coordinator of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition joined Kieran to discuss the report…

Ryan Tubridy has announced today that he will step down from hosting RTÉ’s Late Late show after 14 years at the end of the current season. Who will replace him? Will it stick to the 1 on 1 interview style? And will it continue as a 3-hour show? Kieran was joined by Former Group Commercial Director of RTÉ and media consultant, Willie O’Reilly and Niamh Maher, Commercial Creative Director of the Jou...

The ECB today have gone ahead with increasing interest rates by 0.5%. The decision has gone ahead even as the tense atmosphere in the banking system continues. Yesterday Swiss banking giant Credit Suisse shares dropped 30% and subsequentially soared this morning after it announced it would be borrowing 53.7 billion from the Swizz Central bank. Kieran was joined by Economist Austin Hughes to discus...

Writer, Broadcaster and Mother, Stefanie Preissner joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss celebrating her first Mother's day and the prospect of her hosting the Late Late Show...

Ryan Tubridy is to step down as presenter of The Late Late Show. RTÉ announced the move this morning. Tubridy has been at the helm since 2009 when he took over the role from Pat Kenny. Newstalk presenter, Pat Kenny joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

People are signing off and checking out for a weekend of festivities. Communities are preparing for parades, of all shapes and sizes, in villages and towns across the country. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie went to Dublin Airport to met with tourists who have come to Ireland especially for St Patrick’s Day. Josh also met with Irish Oscar winners who have just arrived home from L.A.

Jacqueline Wilson joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss her new novel 'The Other Edie Trimmer: Two Girls, One Name, And A Twist In Time' and the future of reading for children...

Last year 72 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Saint Patrick’s Day. Thus the possibility of people Drink Driving this weekend is a great concern for all. Ireland AM Presenter and Irish Rugby Legend, Tommy Bowe has teamed up with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána to urge drivers to leave the keys at home and kick drink driving this weekend. He joined K...

It’s been 20 years since the war in Iraq began in 2003. Several days before crossing the Iraq border, Colonel Tim Collins gave a famous speech to the 1st Battallion The Royal Irish Regiment Battle Group. Colonel Tim Collins joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Sinn Féin has an ad in today’s New York Times calling for support for a referendum on Irish unity. As part of the half-page ad, it reads: “the future is in the hands of the people – it is time to agree on a date for the Unity Referendums.” Kieran was joined by Matt Carthy, who is Sinn Fein TD for Cavan-Monaghan, as well as Owen Polley, columnist with The Belfast Newsletter.

The Kremlin has said its relations with the US have reached their "lowest point" after a Russian fighter jet collided with an American surveillance drone yesterday, causing the latter to crash. Former Naval Officer and Senior Adviser at the Atlantic Council, Harlan Ullman joined Kieran to discuss…

Journalist and podcaster Dil Wickremasinghe and her partner Anne Marie Toole have decided to enter into a polyamorous relationship, with their new girlfriend. Dil Wickremasinghe joined Kieran in studio to discuss this new chapter in her life... Image: Dil Wickremasinghe - dilw.ie

With the approach of Paddy’s Day looming and with many business owners shuttering their doors for the national holiday. How does St Patrick’s Day on local business and transport. Is it adequate? Is there a degree of danger associated with the day because of anti-social behaviour and excessive drinking? Kieran was joined by Assistant General Secretary of the National Rail and Bus Union, Thomas O’Co...

Dr Tara Logan Buckley, Clinical Psychologist joined Kieran for a new segment where they will dig a little deeper into the mysteries of the mind and mental health.  The series continued by taking a look at how to spot red flags in a relationship...

Every week, Tuesday Travel on The Hard Shoulder with thanks to Emirates, will take a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations Emirates fly to around the world. This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Fionn Davenport, travel writer and broadcaster to look at the city of love, Paris...

Dick Fosbury was an American high jumper who changed the event forever in the 1960s died yesterday at the age of 76. Kieran was joined by Olympic historian David Wallechinsky to discuss...

Kieran Cuddihy was joined in studio 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 discussion around 'Should all Government Ministers be abroad for St Patrick’s Day?'