The Hard Shoulder

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…

We've all done it. You order a meal you're genuinely excited about, only to find yourself eyeing someone else's plate five minutes later. So, why does other people's food taste better? Joining Ciara to discuss is Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly.

Today marks what met Eireann is calling the peek of our summer heatwave And everyone wants to spend as much time outside, sunbathing, relaxing in the shade and cooking on the car bonnets…? We dispatched Reporter Sarah madden out with a carton of eggs and a dream She sent us back this food safety authority unapproved report

Plug-in solar panels offer people without roof access a low-cost way of generating renewable electricity that can feed directly into their household, but how much will they cost and how much electricity do they generate? Joining Ciara to discuss this is Dr Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at University College Cork.

The Government has agreed to set up a Commission of Investigation into the activities of prolific paedophile Michael Shine. Shine was a surgeon at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for over four decades, and he also had a private practice. He was convicted in 2017 and 2019 of abuse of a number of boys. Now, more than 400 victims and survivors have been identified. Joining Ciara for more on...

Aer Lingus has said that up 500 jobs could be cut at the airline due to a planned 6% reduction in its flight capacity. Under the cost-cutting plan, 290 roles are under threat in head office functions, along with 140 cabin roles and 70 pilot positions… Joining Ciara to discuss this is Eoghan Corry, Travel and Aviation Journalist.

Male fertility experts around the world are reporting an increase in the number of men requesting semen analysis and expressing concerns about their future fertility, leading to an industry of influencers and products emerging in response capitalising on this anxiety. Videos online are circulating with influencers saying they are using ice or red light therapy on their testicles. Why? To 'spermaxx...

Retailers must take responsibility for how e-scooters are marketed and sold, according to Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South and Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Michael Murphy. His comments come as Children’s Health Ireland reports a 50% rise in children and young people admitted to hospital with traumatic brain injuries linked to e-scooter incidents… Deputy Michael Murphy joins Ciara t...

We’ve hit peak wedding season and, if you’re in your late 20s or 30s, you’re probably receiving multiple invitations every summer for friends’ destination weddings. But, spending your hard-earned cash attending a friend’s destination wedding if you don’t have a deposit for a home, or if it requires you getting into debt, smacks of financial self-sabotage, so writes Gabrielle Monaghan in today's Ir...

Writing in The Irish Examiner today, writer Marc De Faoite, who is living in France, highlights the difference of Ireland's attitudes to public toilets in comparison to France. "Ireland is still making grown adults say the equivalent of an “bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithreas?”, he says, which he states comes from the lingering legacy of Catholic-era attitudes. Marc joins Ciara to discuss, as...

An interesting piece in Yesterday’s Irish Times by Breda O’Brien detailed what the Enoch Burke saga has taught us about the Irish justice system, ultimately raising the question what is the purpose of imprisonment? Is it retributive, rehabilitative, or restorative? Joining Shane to discuss this is Breda O’Brien, Contributor to The Irish Times.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about. This week, Simon joins Ciara and Shane to discuss how to properly reprimand someone!

Minister of State with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan has said that a large fire which broke out at Killarney National Park was not a “natural disaster” but had been caused by human activity. But, whether it’s bringing disposable BBQs to the beach, or having fire pits in your garden this summer, what are the proper ways to be safe? Joining Ciar...

New research from Aviva Insurance Ireland reveals a confidence gap following collisions, with only 1 in 4 drivers saying that they are ‘very confident’ they would know the correct steps to take if involved in a collision. But, what should you do? Joining Ciara to discuss is Alan Behan, Product and Underwriting Manager at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC.