The Hard Shoulder

The streaming giant Netflix is set to team up with Microsoft to offer a cheaper streaming service with adverts for cash-strapped consumers. Andy O’Donoghue technology writer and tech expert joined Kieran to discuss if this would be a way of clawing back subscribers.

The annual rate of inflation rose to 9.1% in June, its fastest rate in 38 years. Over two thirds of that increase is made up of higher transport and housing costs, which include gas and electricity. Economist Jim Power joined Kieran to discuss what this means for us and what lessons have we learnt from when this happened in the 80s.

Love Island is the reality TV show that sweeps the nation every summer. Cathy Press, psychotherapist and clinical supervisor, specialising in domestic and sexual violence and abuse related issues with children and young people, joined Kieran to discuss if the show is suitable for teenager's.

Barbara Iweins, decided while she was in the process of moving house, that it might be a good opportunity to catalogue her possessions. This thought eventually became a massive 5 year project to photograph every single thing she owns,all 12,795 individual objects, from a comb to a Lego brick. She joined Sean to discuss how this project is now the subject of her new book, entitled Katalog.

A new public lido could replace the plans for Dublin’s white-water rafting project. It would include a 50-metre, a sauna and changing areas. Mark Dempsey, Ice Sea Swimmer and Campaigner for Corbally Baths, joined Kieran to discuss if there should be more public pool's around Ireland.

The one and only Harrison Ford turns 80 today. Best known for his roles as the smuggler Han Solo in the Star Wars movies and archaeologist extraordinaire Indiana Jones, Rory Cashin Entertainment Editor at Joe.ie, joined Kieran to look back at his iconic career.

This interview contains language and descriptions some listeners may find disturbing. The scenes in parts of Northern Ireland during so-called celebrations for July 12th are akin to the Ku Klux Klan. That's according to commentator Joe Brolly, who was speaking on The Hard Shoulder after an effigy of the region's First Minister-designate Michelle O'Neill was placed on a bonfire. The PSNI say they a...

A new public lido could replace the plans for Dublin’s white-water rafting project. It would include a 50-metre, a sauna and changing areas. Derek Kelly, Manager of the Council’s Dockland’s Office joined Kieran and Kieran O’Donnell, Limerick Fine Gael TD who has been involved in the campaign to reopen the Corbally Baths, to discuss the project.

Geoffrey Roberts, Emeritus professor of history at UCC, a member of the Royal Irish Academy and a specialist on Russian and Soviet foreign and military policy, joined Kieran to discuss his thoughts on the war in Ukraine. He told Kieran it could be time for western nations to use their morals and secure the best possible deal for Ukraine as the war is unwinnable.

The Government has won a motion of confidence in a Dáil vote. Tánaiste Leo Varadkar joined Kieran with his reaction to the vote and to look forward at what the priorities will be for the government when they return from summer recess.

Today and tomorrow is Amazon Prime Day where customers are able to benefit from a wide range of discounts. With Amazon's presence growing in Ireland, Kieran was joined by Ruth Roberts Co-owner of Cogs the Brain shop, Niall Bodkin Founder of the E-Commerce Association of Ireland and Jenny Darmody, Deputy Editor of Silicon Republic, to discuss what it means for the smaller independent retailers and...

From Billy Ray to Bowie there have been plenty of iconic mullets down through the years, and now it seems the mullet is back in fashion. Irish rugby international Shane Byrne joined Kieran and barber Aidan Coogan, owner of Neighbour Threat, on Fade Street, to discuss what is so magical about the mullet.

The Government is to maintain the current TV licence but has says it will overhaul the system to ensure it is more equitable, relevant and sustainable. Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, joined Kieran to discuss the publication of the report of the Future of Media Commission, which was tasked with examining funding models and challenges for the media sector.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney has got cabinet’s approva that will see military spending in Ireland increase to €1.5 billion a year by 2028.This is the biggest military investment in the history of the state, and Kirean was joined by Independent Senator, Gerard Craughwell and Joe Murray, Co-Ordinator at Afri, Action for Ireland, to discuss if it is necessary.

The new Love Island season is on and with so many of us tuning into the new season, Kieran was joined by Hughie Maughan former contestant at Big Brother UK and Dancing with the Stars at RTE, Ray Shah former The Big Brother contestant and Shannen Reily McGrath former Love Island Season 3 contestant, to discuss what life is life for those who take part in reality TV shows.

The issues at airports here at home and lost baggage continues, musician Andy Irvine and Peter Le Bas, CEO of Le Bas International, joined Kieran to discuss their experiences of using the airport.

Irish products like Clonakilty sausages and Sudocrem are cheaper in British supermarkets than in Irish ones, despite being made here. Damian O’Reilly, Lecturer in Retail Management at Technological University Dublin, joined Kieran and Cormac Lucey, Economics Commentator with the Sunday Times Ireland, to discuss why Irish consumers are paying more.

Conspiracy, is a new book written by Tom Phillips and John Elledge which explores the greatest conspiracy theories ever, new and old. Kieran was joined by Tom to discuss how the book also teaches us how not to fall for conspiracy theories and how we can start trusting the hard evidence.

The Dail is heading for recess this week, TD’s wont be back sitting in the chamber until the 14th of September. Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD, joined Kieran and Regina Doherty, Fine Gael Senator, to discuss if the break is to long.

Turfcutting has long been a part of rural Ireland and people have used it to heat their homes for centuries. However, next week Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan will publish draft proposals banning the commercial sale of turf, meaning you won’t be able to buy it online or in a retail setting. Jackie Flannery, from the Irish Rural Association joined us on The Hard Shoulder.

If the weather forecast is anything to go by, the sun will be shining down on us this weekend and no sunny outdoor excursion is complete without an ice cream cone to cool us down while also satisfying our sweet tooth. TV Chef and Mindful eating coach Aisling Larkin is back and this week we’re looking at what makes the 99 so irresistible to us here in Ireland.

Gardai in County Wexford are investigating a possible sex-tortion case involving approximately 200 women. They've found themselves on a 'list' by a faceless Snapchat account, which claims to hold their explicit or personal images. Sinn Fein Councillor for Wexford, Tom Forde was contacted about these images a number weeks ago by some of the women involved and joined us on the show.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris – who is today announcing the roll-out of €17.2 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships joined Emmet Oliver on the show.

What a weekend of sport we have in store. Wimbledon is set to come to a close over the weekend, Dublin versus Kerry is part of the All Ireland semi-final weekend and in rugby, Ireland takes on New Zealand in Dunedin in the much anticipated Second Test. Nathan Murphy from Off The Ball previewed the weekend in sporting action.

Deputy cabinet secretary in the PM's office, Koichiro Matsumoto spoke of the anguish felt by the Prime Minister in the aftermath of Shinzo Abe's Death. Brian Gaynor, Irish journalist based in Japan joined Emmet Oliver on the show.