The Hard Shoulder

This morning, climate activists glued themselves to the main entrance of the offices of the world’s largest investment management firm, BlackRock, in Ballsbridge. It comes as Extinction Rebellion Ireland are beginning a campaign of civil non obedience. They are targeting companies and corporations that are actively investing in fossil fuels. Kieran was joined by Sinead Whelan, an Extinction Rebell...

The British Prime Minister has announced the 'Windsor Framework' - a replacement deal for the Northern Ireland Protocol. The agreement between UK and EU will see changes to the way goods travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. Ben Lowry, Editor of the Belfast Newsletter and Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment joined Kieran to discuss…

Penney’s are now offering free sewing classes so shoppers can learn to repair their own clothes. Customers can sign up online and bring their own clothes for mending! Customers will learn skills such as hemming and fixing zippers. Kieran was joined by Irish designer and owner of Rashiiid, Rachel Maguire.

Irish sky watchers were last night treated to a surprise northern lights vista across the country. But what is the aurora borealis, and why did it make an impromptu visit to our skyline? Dr. Colman Gallagher, Planetary geomorphologist at the UCD School of Geography and the UCD Earth Institute to explain the science behind the northern lights

Having just marked one year since the start of the war, Ukraine remains in a state of emergency, while Russia shows no sign of backing down. How does this affect us and our neutrality moving forward? Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that members of the Defence Forces will be sent to Ukraine. John O’Brennan, Jean Monnet Professor of European Integration at NUI Maynooth and Richard Boyd Barrett is P...

The UK and EU have reached a deal on Northern Ireland's post-Brexit trade rules. Newstalk’s political correspondent Sean Defoe joined Kieran Cuddihy to explain the new ‘Windsor Framework’...

Today marks one year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians have fled to Ireland and are now attending school, working and integrating into Irish society. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie met with some Ukrainian nationals who are calling Ireland home for now.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to discuss the most important meal of the day, breakfast.

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... Image: Roscommon GAA

Acting Minister for Justice and Equality, Simon Harris joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the appointment of 24 additional judges this year as a result of recommendations from a top level report, eviction bans, and one year on since the Russian invasion of Ukraine...

On Wednesday, People Before Profit tabled a bill in the Dáil urging the Government to extend the ban. The Government intended to oppose the legislation but after the Minister failed to inform the Dáil, the bill progressed to detailed scrutiny stage. John Mark McCafferty, Chief Executive of Threshold joined Kieran to discuss the possibility of an extension to the eviction ban...

As part of a series of reports done by Sean Moncrieff while he was in Ukraine last week to mark a year of the war, Sean got into discussions about whether Vladimir Putin could be tried for war crimes. He met with Roman Koval, who is head of communications and field researcher in Truth Hounds. They are private war crime investigators who’ve been gathering evidence since the invasion of Crimea in 20...

The CSO have today revealed Jack is once again Ireland’s most popular boys’ name, holding onto the  top spot for the sixth consecutive year, while Emily became the most popular girls’ name for the first time since 2019. The Irish name Fiadh fell two places, from first to third - which got us thinking about Irish names and the challenges that can arise when trying to pronounce them.  Niamh Maher Cr...

'As I Remember It: Bertie Ahern & the Good Friday Agreement' is a new podcast that tells the story of the Good Friday Agreement as told by those who negotiated it and marks the first time all those involved have reunited to reflect on the negotiations in 25 years. Head to newstalk.com/goodfridayagreement.

On the 24th of February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, making tomorrow the 1-year anniversary of the war. The often to-ing and fro-ing battles have gone one way then another, with a myriad of atrocities committed. Ukrainian Historian, Nadia Dobrianska who had to relocate to Ireland due to the conflict, joined Kieran from Newstalk’s Cork Studio to discuss…

Micheál Martin, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the shooting in Omagh of DCI John Caldwell, the ongoing discussions around the Northern Ireland Protocol and the return of Bertie Ahern to Fianna Fáil...

Legendary commentator, John Motson sadly has passed away today at the age of 77. He leaves behind a résumé which spanned 10 World Cups, 10 European Championships & 29 FA Cup finals Broadcaster and commentator, George Hamilton joined Kieran to remember the man himself…

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s new podcast ‘As I Remember It’ was launched last night. A Newstalk Original podcast, it tells the story of the Good Friday Agreement through the eyes of those who negotiated it – marking the first time they have come together to reflect on the agreement and the 25 years that followed. Liz O’Donnell, Former Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs from...

Well a new survey this week ranking European cities has shown eating out in Dublin is more expensive than London, Paris or Rome.  CEO of Fáilte Ireland Paul Kelly told  Breakfast Business with Joe Lynam yesterday that pricing was related to Dublin being a good quality destination. Kieran was joined by Martin Hart, CEO of the Temple Bar Company and Ciara Treacy, Newstalk's Digital and Social Media...

Three men have been arrested in relation to the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell in Omagh. Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte joined Kieran with the latest...

Conor Moore of 'Conor Sketches’ fame is winning huge acclaim with his current stage show. Conor Sketches Live returns to the 3Olympia Theatre next week and he joined Kieran in studio to discuss...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran again 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 took a look a the different options of instant coffee on the shelves...

The co-leaders of the Social Democrats have announced they are stepping down. Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall confirmed they are resigning with immediate effect, and a leadership contest will take place soon. Kieran was joined by Fergus Finlay, Columnist with the Irish Examiner and Hugh O’Connell, Deputy Political Editor with the Irish Independent to discuss...

Friday marks the one year anniversary since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. From the day the war began, to Ukrainians making their way here to Ireland, to audiences in the Dáil with President Zelensky, it’s been quite a year. Kieran welcomed Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland Larysa Gerasko to the programme today…

It took over four hours for an ambulance to arrive at a life-threatening emergency call 94 times last year. According to Freedom of Information figures, released to Newstalk, 21 of these were over five hours. The HSE aims to respond to life-threatening heart and respiratory calls within 18 minutes and 59 seconds in 80% of cases. Kieran was joined by Eamon in Cork and David Hall, CEO of Lifeline Am...