The Hard Shoulder

Pádraic Fogarty, From the Irish Wildlife Trust joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the groups calls to remove deer from The Phoenix Park...

Mary, who is a mother of four, and she put up a very interesting post on social media this morning about her teenage son being left on the sidelines while playing with his local GAA club. Mary joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss the impact caffeine has on our bodies on a daily basis...

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 down under at Melbourne and Sydney…

Today, Kieran has been discussing the potential extension of free GP care across Ireland. The proposal in many ways would mirror the existing system in the UK. So what are the benefits and challenges? Kieran was joined by Dr Hussain Gandhi, a GP at Wellspring surgery in Nottingham to offer some insight into how the set-up works,

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 we nationalise the construction industry ?'...

Hotel rooms in Dublin could be facing a 1 per cent levy following a report by Dublin City Council. Kieran was joined by Séamas McGrattan, Sinn Féin Councillor for Cabra-Glasnevin and Chair of the Dublin City Council Finance committee and Michael Lennon, Director of the Skylon Hotel in Dublin...

Research published today by the Economic and Social Research Institute has found that extending free GP care to all in 2026 would cost the State between €381 million and €881 million. The ESRI report says that unlike most European countries, most people in Ireland pay out of pocket for GP care. Kieran was joined by Dr. Ilona Duffy GP in Monaghan and Professor Anthony Staines to discuss the practic...

An IRFU survey has found almost seven-in-10 people (68%) would not support a ban on alcohol during rugby matches at the Aviva Stadium. Ian O’Doherty, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sports Writer for the Irish Daily Star joined Kieran to discuss…

An Oireachtas Health Committee is set to meet tomorrow to discuss the current challenges facing public hospitals in Ireland.  Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe for Clare, sits on the committee and  joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss what he hopes will come from tomorrow's meeting...

Speaking on Good Morning America recently, actress Jane Fonda says women and men's friendships are very different. So, how do we make friends, and keep them, as we progress through life? Kieran was joined by psychotherapist Stella O’Malley, and Max Dickins, who is the author of ‘Billy No Mates: How I Realised Men Have A Friendship Problem’...

Joe O’Brien, Minister of Integration, has warned of an “unsustainable” refugee system in Ireland which has been rolled out too quickly. He joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss where we are now with the country's plan for housing refugees…

After a 30 year man-hunt Sicilian mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro has been arrested. Paddy Agnew, columnist with The Sunday Independent joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder... Image: Handout via Reuters

Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe has announced that he has recused himself from all duties relating to the Standards in Public Office Commission while a complaint against him is examined. The move is due to a revelation that Minister Donohue failed to declare services provided to him during his electoral campaign in 2016, worth over one thousand euro. The discovery was made after a...

As you may know, today is Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year. Newstalk's Henry McKean took to the streets to chat to the public and experts to find out how blue people really are...

It was on this date, January 13th back in 1968 that Johnny Cash took the stage for one of the most famous live performances in music history. That was of course in front of the inmates of Folsom Prison in California. The recording went some way to revitalising Cash’s career, and endures as one of the preeminent live albums… Pat Carty of Hot Press joined Anton Savage to discuss…

Aisling Larkin TV Chef and mindful eating coach joined Anton Savage to take a closer look at some fresh ways to introduce fruit and vegetables into your diet...

Almost two-thirds of hotels contacted about renewing contracts to host refugees have yet to sign new deals. What will happen when the deals run out? Anton Savage was joined by Liam O’Dwyer, advisor to the Irish Red Cross, it’s a bit of a bleak outlook Liam, isn’t it?

Irish rugby international Mack Hansen has cut his long locks in favour of a short back and sides. He is hoping it will inspire some good form saying "I was in a bit of a rut so I blamed it on the hair." Broadcaster Darren Kennedy and Owner of Kennedy & Co Grooming joined Anton Savage to discuss the mindset behind changing a hairstyle...

42 per cent of houses sold in in the final three months of 2022 were due to landlords making the decision to get out of the market and cease renting their properties. Maurice Deverell, Irish Property Owners Association and John O’Sullivan, Chair of the SCSI’s Practice and Policy Committee joined Anton Savage to discuss..

An article in today's Irish Times argues that  congestion charges are vital in getting  people out of cars and on to public transport. It has reignited an ongoing debate into whether a congestion charge should be introduced here in Dublin. Anton Savage was joined by Brian Caulfield, associate professor of Transport at Trinity College Dublin and Eugene Drennan, President of the Irish Road Haulage A...

The idea of taxing motorists for using roads throughout the country is being floated. It’s one of the options being looked at by Transport Infrastructure Ireland as they say they want to provide more reliable and better roads around Ireland. Is this a fair idea? A tax on you just for using roads? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by listeners to discuss…

Should wine come with a health warning? Italy’s largest farmers’ association have strongly voiced their concerns about Ireland’s plans for what they’re calling “alarmist” health warning labels on wine. Do you agree with the labelling? Would it affect your wine consumption? Andrea was joined on Lunchtime Live by Michelle Lawlor from The Nude Wine Company, Dr. Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action...

Lunchtime Live has been inundated with nurses and healthcare workers sharing their stories and experiences of workplace bullying in the HSE. Sinn Fein Health Spokesperson David Cullinane said he’s going to raise the issue in the Dail, but what are the unions doing about it? Phil Ní Sheaghdha, General Secretary with the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation joined Andrea on the show to discuss…

Proposals for a public lido located at George’s Dock in Dublin City, have been presented to Dublin City councillors. Patrick Earls, the campaign founder joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss... Image: Studio Octopi