The Hard Shoulder

The economy is still expected to grow, despite the cost of living crisis, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation has predicted. CEO of Ibec, Danny McCoy joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss their latest quarterly economic outlook...

The Bounty chocolate bar is to be removed from Celebrations boxes in the UK this festive season. However, it's not the first time it has hit the headlines. 35 years ago the chocolate treat was at the centre of a bizarre court case when a man deliberately poisoned his wife's Bounty. Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran on the show to delve further in the story behind this bizarre case...

According to a new Bord Bia report,  the number of people dining out has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, with lunch and early bird dinners replacing late night eating. Gina Murphy Owner of Hugo's restaurant Dublin joined Kieran to discuss the shift in dining habits…

Irish Rail are to lodge an application to An Bord Pleanála for a major upgrade of the Cork rail network. An application will be made for the construction of a second rail track along the 10km section of railway line between Glounthaune and Midleton in Cork. Barry Kenny, Irish Rail’s Corporate Communications Manager and Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Damien Boylan joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to d...

Threshold has helped an average of 472 renters facing eviction each month – or one person every 20 minutes – in the first nine months of this year. The charity has published its latest quarterly report today, which found that evictions continue to be the primary issue that faces renters. Kieran was joined by Ann Marie O’Reilly, National Advocacy Manager with Threshold and Pat Davitt, CEO of the In...

Some TV shows hook us in from the very beginning, others take a while to warm too.  Sarina Bellissimo, presenter of The Bellissimo Files Podcast, Anton Savage to chat through some TV slow burners…

Frank Brady, who serves as Ulster & North Leinster Regional Chairman for the IFA and Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss the 'red alert' warning for avian flu...

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran for the new 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 Anton Savage delved into the different options of deodorant...

Barbara Windsor's widower Scott Mitchell felt judged over their 26 year age gap, but here in Ireland have relationship age gaps become acceptable in society? Henry McKean visited the age gap capital of Ireland, Malahide, meeting experts and age gap couples...

At a mass in Listowel on Sunday Fr Séan Sheehy said gay couples were sinful, and criticised free contraception being provided by the HSE as it was “promoting promiscuity”. Father Seán Sheehy joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss his sermon...

Darren Kennedy, Broadcaster and owner of Kennedy & Co Grooming, joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to chat through some advice on how to keep your moustache looking fresh this Movember...

Concerns around the number of gardaí leaving the force and entering Templemore Garda college have been raised by representative bodies. Policing may be compromised if there is a significant fall in the number of recruits. Garda Representative Association President, Brendan O’Connor and Niall O’Connor is a Former Guard and Reporter with TheJournal.ie joined Anton Savage on the show to discuss...

New research from the US suggests vaping can be just as bad for your heart as smoking cigarettes. While similarities between the health implications of the two habits are emerging, their regulations remain different. Should vapers be asked to join their fellow nicotine users in the smoking area in every setting? Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee and Tom Gle...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Clare McKenna, presenter of Alive and Kicking on Newstalk, to discuss why the modern world is bad for us...

Nine in ten nursing home residents have had positive experiences there. That's according to a new survey conducted under the National Care Experience Programme. Anton Savage was joined by Tracy Carroll, Head of the National Care Experience Programme with HIQA and Valerie Cox, Independent advocate for older people...

Anton Savage was joined in studio by Fine Gael Senator, Regina Doherty, and Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry. For the next few weeks, in a brand new series called ‘Common Ground’, they will debate some of the biggest, most divisive topics around. The new series continued with a discussion around climate change protestors being allowed to block roads...

An article written in the Guardian by Jonathan Liew suggests that 'commentators have taken over but it’s time to let game do the talking.' Anton Savage was joined by legendary commentator, George Hamilton to discuss the role of the commentator in sport going forward...

Taoiseach Michéal Martin has said the country is to be hit by a “frightening” wave of delayed cancer diagnoses next year, as the knock-on impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic rumble on. Sharon Greaves is one of those whose chance of a prompt cancer diagnosis may have slipped through the cracks during the pandemic. Sharon and Rachel Morrogh, Director of Advocacy, Irish Cancer Society joined Anton Savag...

Former Irish international and Unicef ambassador Donncha O’Callaghan joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder after arriving home from Somalia. He says he was 'shaken to the core' by scenes he saw there caused by drought...

The ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ Line up has been revealed, as a brand new cast of celebrities get ready to battle it out in the Australian jungle on our screens from the 6th November.  Jennie Bond, Former Contestant and Royal Correspondent joined Anton Savage with her take on this year’s contestants, including Mike Tindall and Matt Hancock…

The Bishop of Kerry has apologised for comments made by a priest concerning same sex relationships, contraception and transgender rights. Bishop Ray Browne issued the apology following comments made by Fr Seán Sheehy at Mass in Listowel over the weekend. Del O’Sullivan, who was at the mass on Sunday and Cathal Foley, Sinn Fein Councillor in Kerry joined Anton Savage on The Hard Shoulder to discuss...

The day has arrived that some have been fearing but others have been advocating for. New regulations, which came into effect at midnight, ban the sale of turf, smoky coal, and wet wood in shops and online. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie has been getting some reaction on this today.

Ireland becoming a Republic has been chosen as Ireland’s Greatest Moment. To mark the centenary of the Free State Newstalk has been asking its listeners to choose the most significant event in the past one hundred years. The moment was revealed in Newstalk’s Bank Holiday Special, Ireland’s Greatest Moment hosted by Simon Tierney. Ireland becoming a Republic in 1949 was followed by the signing of T...

Kieran visited Saplings Special School in Goresbridge, Co Kilkenny, where Sigmar Recruitment are helping renovate some outdoor facilities for the children attending the school. Kieran spoke to some of those involved. Kieran was also joined by Adie McGuinness, CEO of Sigmar Recruitment to give a live update on the project's progress...

Kieran is getting ready to run the Dublin Marathon on Sunday. He was joined by Chris Connelly, CCFitness to give me some last minute tips ahead of the weekend…