The Hard Shoulder

Can placing a copper coin really keep your tulips standing upright? Does dividing supermarket basil help it survive? Should you follow the advice popularised by German psychologist Gustav Fechner, of talking to your plants to help them thrive? Gardener Marie Staunton joins Ciara to give her top tips!

“I’m no Peter O’Mahony, but I’ll be damned if any clipboard-bearing official is going to stop me watering my hydrangeas... I’ve put blood, sweat and tears into my very modest patch, so watering is a must. And, while I get on well with my neighbours, if one of them rats me out, well, that’s the end of chit-chats over the fence.” So says Sinead Ryan, Irish Independent Columnist and Presenter of The...

An increase in divorce cases since 2019 has led to a rise in the number of binding court orders to split and share pensions between the divorcing couple and their children. Many financial experts say that for many, their pension can be worth more than their property. Michelle Browne is Legal mediator and author of “Scars of Divorce" and joins me now…

According to figures released by the CSO today, one in four people living in rural areas without access to a car had to travel 8km or more to access a GP… Dr Máire Finn, GP with Centric Health, joins Ciara to discuss.

Following Andy Burnham today becoming the new Prime Minister of the UK, replacing Kier Starmer, Ciara is joined by British Ambassador to Ireland, Kara Owen, to discuss…

A recent survey by PrecisionBiotics found that 60% of adults interviewed said they experienced digestive issues such as bloating, constipation and cramps. With a further one in three saying their gut health affected their confidence. But what steps should you take to support it? Joining Ciara to discuss is Professor Karen Boland, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Beaumont Hospital.

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara is joined by Dr Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner to discuss how to support your child as they transition from primary to secondary school.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is urging consumers to use their air fryers properly in a new consumer information campaign launched today. A survey showed less than half (44%) of daily users clean their air fryer every day, while 7% of daily users only clean it about once a month. As little as 3% of all air fryer owners say they never clean it.  Joining me now to talk us t...

E-scooters will be banned for under 18s under proposals agreed by Government leaders today. New proposals, including making hi-vis jackets and helmets mandatory for all e-scooter use and extending a ban to under 18s, will be brought to Government by Ministers Darragh O’Brien and Sean Canney next week, and will come into effect from August. Joining Ciara for more on this is Sean Canney, Minister of...

The more we post, the more curated our lives become, but all it takes is one bad picture for you to be tagged in and boom the illusion is shattered. You know the one: eyes closed, hair wild with your best friend looking like they stepped out of the cover of Vogue beside you. But, should you ask them to take it down, or should you just accept it is out there now for your followers and theirs to see...

Andy Burnham is now officially Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. After his speech earlier today, he talked about his ambitions to put "the right values and the right standards at the heart of government" when it comes to cost of living, welfare and working through his 10 year plan. He began immediately by announcing an additional £340 million to tackle rough sleeping across Britain. Vincent Mc...

Kevin Keegan, the former England footballer and manager, has died at the age of 75. For more on this, Ciara is joined by Off The Ball's Ben Symes.

For nearly half of Irish people, health insurance is considered indispensable, but why do we overlook pet insurance? What can start off as something small may leave you with thousands of euros in vet bills, so how do you ensure you get the best cover for your pets? Joining Ciara to discuss is Richard Ryan, Vet at Archerfield Clinic in Kilkenny City.

Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes has urged the government to establish a compensation scheme to offset losses incurred by businesses in Dublin that are affected by the EU presidency. Joining Ciara to discuss is James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South…

This week, Ciara was joined by Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy and Broadcaster Meghann Scully to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

Unfortunately, many laws to reduce public harm gather dust after drafting, delayed for years before being finally tabled for debate by elected representatives. With only 14 bills enacted in the first year of this Government, such a low legislative output impacts on public health protection. Delays in enacting legislation have real-world consequences as a known hazard continues unchecked, damaging...

According to a new survey, 65% of us listen to the same songs on loop. Why do we do it, and are you open to new music? Henry McKean met music lovers and experts, and sent in this report.

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Oscar-winning Irish actor Brenda Fricker, who starred in ‘My Left Foot’ and ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’, has passed away at the age of 81… Joining Ciara to look back on her life and career is John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, and later filmmaker Tadgh O’Sullivan, Director of the Dublin International Film Festival Grainne Humphries and Virginia Gilbert, Writer & Filmmaker.

Ireland’s new Government Digital Wallet, set to become “mandatory but not compulsory” for national identity documents on Irish citizens’ smartphones by the end of the year, is being built without extra security controls that could deter thieves and fraudsters… Joining Ciara to discuss this is Kevin Curran, Professor of Cyber Security at Ulster University.

A recent study found that almost four in ten Irish people are choosing Ireland for their main holiday this year rather than going abroad. More than 8 in 10 people planning summer holidays are concerned about flight disruptions and cancellations, the research also shows. So, should we go back to the good old days of staycations down the country? Joining me now is Esther McCarthy, Columnist with The...

Andy Burnham has become the UK’s new Labour leader, and will take over from Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday. For more on this, Ciara is joined by Stephen Pound, former Labour MP for Ealing North and former Northern Ireland Shadow Minister.

The 2026 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship comes to an end this weekend when Galway and Limerick meet in the decider at Croke Park. Joining Ciara to look ahead to the big game is former Limerick Hurler Ollie Moran and former Galway hurler and All Ireland winning captain in 2017 David Burke.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files podcast joined Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…