The Hard Shoulder

Figures released from the CSO have shown the consumer price index remains higher than this time last year, with the main drivers of higher living costs in the year leading up to January being housing, energy and food. Anton Savage was joined by Louise Bayliss, co-founder and spokesperson for S.P.A.R.K to discuss the challenges facing single parents amidst the cost of living crisis…

The video game Hogwarts Legacy is the newest potential franchise to emerge from the wider wizarding world of Harry Potter. But 26 years on from the first book in the series, why has Harry Potter held such staying power for adolescents and adults alike? Cameron Hill of Off The Ball joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

According to a new study, Dublin is third worst for congestion in the world and the average driver in Dublin spent over 277 hours commuting in the last year. There have been many calls in recent years to reduce the number of cars in Irish cities like Dublin and Cork. Dan Boyle Green Party Councillor in Cork and Keith Gavin, Chair of The Irish Parking Association joined Anton Savage on The Hard Sho...

The day has come when the price of a pint is almost €10. Many didn’t expect it to come this soon but in February 2023 a pint of beer is €9:95 in a pub in Temple Bar. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been out on the town meeting with publicans, customers and tourists.

Sarina Bellissimo, host of The Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to take a look at some of the best TV spin-offs out there...

In this new podcast, Life and Leadership, Bobby Kerr explores the lives of some of the most successful Irish business leaders and entrepreneurs of our time, including beauty guru Aimee Connolly and GAA star Bernard Brogan. Listen and follow the podcast now wherever you get your podcasts.

King Charles is set to be coronated at the start of May. But is the coronation something we should be looking forward to?  Or does people’s interest in it say something about the impact of imperial England? Blindboy Boatclub joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder 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 mayonnaise on the shelves...

Amy Dutil Wall lost her three-year-old girl, Estlin in a car crash in 2017. The truck driver whose careless driving caused Estiln's death has had his driver's license restored by a judge. Amy joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Simon Coveney, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss job cuts in the tech industry, VAT rates for the hospitality industry and the resignation of Scottish First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon...

The Dillon Quirke Foundation fundraising clash between Tipperary and Kilkenny is taking place this weekend.  Derek Lyng and Liam Cahill’s sides will be Semple Stadium Semple Stadium on Sunday for a game where all proceeds will go towards the foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), in honour of Dillon Quirke, who died last year. Dillon’s father, Dan Quirke, jo...

Nicola Sturgeon earlier today announced that she is to resign as the First Minister of Scotland. Not sudden, but a decision she has come to after much thought. LBC presenter Shelagh Fogarty and Scottish National Party MP and Shadow Culture Secretary, John Nicolson joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss…

Research out from UCD shows private schools don’t add value when it comes to leaving cert grades – but it begs the question, should the state still be funding them? Kieran was joined by Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD and the party’s education spokesperson and Arthur Godsil, former headmaster of St Andrew's College and co-director of Godsil Education to discuss…

More and more men are wearing shorts all year round. The fashion trend has been influenced by celebrities but also by men wanting to just embrace a comfortable/casual look. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been speaking with those who are fans of strutting their bare legs in the cold.

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.  For those periods of life when you might need a little bit more support many might consider getting some kind of therapy. They kicked off the series by taking a look at what kinds of therapies are out there and how to find a style that...

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 was joined by Fionn Davenport, travel writer and broadcaster to look at Orlando, Florida...

Catering services will be returning on a phased basis to Irish Rail from the end of March. Ollie Crowe is Fianna Fáil Senator in Galway East, and also Seanad Spokesperson for Enterprise, Employment and Trade, and he joined Kieran on the show to discuss...

The parents of a baby, who died after her heart was accidentally pierced during a procedure at The Coombe Hospital, has settled a High Court action over her death. The Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin admitted liability in the case. Baby Laoise Kavanagh Ni Scolai, a twin was only 42 hours and 27 minutes old when she died in 2015. Her father Cóilín Ó Scolaí joined Kieran on The...

Kieran 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 smoking be banned?'

As today marks Valentine's Day, Today FM presenter Louise Cantillon joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of the most famous loved up couples in the spotlight...

With 75,000 Ukrainian refugees in Ireland, and warnings that 17,000 Ukrainians may be left with nowhere to go by the end of March, the Government seems to be under increasing pressure to accommodate more refugees. Joe O’Brien, Minister of State for Community Development, Integration & Charities, and Green Party TD for Dublin Fingal joined Kieran in studio to discuss...

The Bank of Mum and Dad hands over a whopping 13.9 billion pounds a year to grown-up children in the UK every year. This begs the question here in Ireland. What is the general consensus? As parents do we think passing on wealth is the way to go or is it 18 and you’re out on your own? Kieran was joined by CEO of OnlineApplication.com, Karl Deeter and Barry McDonald, Estate Agent and Spokesperson fo...

Leinster House is now at the center of a growing concern over privacy, as the Dáil’s use of Hikvision security cameras has caused concern amongst TDs. The cameras, which are manufactured in China, have already been linked to security risks in Britain and the U.S, with Australia banning the technology from its government buildings. Kieran was joined by Green Party spokesperson for Justice, TD Patri...

Ireland Gateway to Europe will be heading to the States at the End of March – but what is the initiative and what role does it play in Ireland’s economy? Kieran was joined byRobert Mac Giolla Phadraig, from Ireland Gateway to Europe and Jason Sherlock, Director of Development of the DCU Educational Trust to discuss...

Social Justice Ireland says that additional cost-of-living support must include an €8 per week increase in core social welfare benefits, rather than another universal energy credit. Kieran was joined by Michelle Murphy, who is Research and Policy analyst with Social Justice Ireland and Fine Gael Senator, Barry Ward to discuss…