The Hard Shoulder

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Ciara is joined by Psychotherapist and author Iseult White to discuss the topic of honesty with your children, and if them lying is actually an early sign of intelligence…

US President Donald Trump has announced he is sending his Border Czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis as anger continues to swell in the Minnesota city following the second fatal shooting by immigration officers this month. It’s as the area is still reeling from the death of Alex Pretti. Joining Ciara to discuss the latest is Ted Smyth, former Irish diplomat active in Irish-American organisations and res...

An Post has recently apologised to customers over the late arrival of some Christmas Cards, with some people receiving them in January. So, does this damage the magic of those handwritten cards, or do they still retain their purpose after the holiday? To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Irish Independent Journalist, Kirsty Blake Knox.

While the topic of incontinence may feel taboo, new research has found it is a widespread women’s health issue in Ireland, with 64% of Irish women having experienced incontinence at some point in their lives. So, why do so few seek help? Joining Ciara to discuss this is Dr. Breffini Anglim O’Regan, Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Urogynecology Subspecialist at The Coombe Hospital, and Pr...

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed she “shouts at the bushes” to manage her anxiety, but are things like rage rooms or the classic screaming into a pillow an effective method of dealing with your mental health? Joining Ciara to discuss is Psychologist in The Matter Hospital and UCD, Patricia Casey.

Following the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch yesterday in Finglas after being struck by a scrambler is it time to finally look a greater restrictions around scramblers and e scooters? Joining Ciara to discuss is Keith Connolly, Fianna Fáil Cllr for Ballymun Finglas.

This week, Ciara Doherty was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

US President Donald Trump withdrew his invitation for Canada to join his newly constituted Board of Peace. Some 60 nations have been invited to join the board - at a cost of a billion dollars each if they want to be permanent members. It’s as the US, Ukraine and Russia are set to hold talks in Abu Dhabi. What is the stage of the global order right now? Anthony Gardner is former US Ambassador to th...

It’s time to talk Traitors, so beware of spoilers! Tonight is the highly anticipated final and we were left on a cliffhanger last night. Can the Traitors do it? Can they unite and work together to get to the end, or will one be knocked out, being a victim to chance? Joining Ciara to discuss is Darren Stanton, former police officer, behaviour and body language expert and also known as TV’s Human Li...

According to the latest IFAC Farm Report, 2 in 5 farmers do not have a formal successor, which is fuelling fears of a succession crisis. To discuss this issue, Ciara is joined by Limerick Dairy Farmer, Louise Crowley, and News Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal, Amy Forde.

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

A pilot programme began a month ago, which armed Gardaí with tasers, and they haven’t yet fired them. The programme was fast tracked because of fears over increased attacks on Gardaí and antisocial behaviour, and the pilot started with a view to a full roll out. Jim Ryan is a retired Garda in Cork and Cathal Malone is Head of Research at Thomas Coughlan & Co Solicitors. They join Ciara to disc...

Church authorities in Poland have banned the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran from being performed at wedding ceremonies, saying that it is not in keeping with the sanctity of the liturgy. So, should pop songs be banned from Irish churches? Joining Ciara to discuss is Father Joe McGrath, Mullahoran Parish Priest, Co Cavan.

A Carlow mother has issued a stark warning to airline passengers that eating nuts during a flight could cost someone their life following her daughter suffering a life‑threatening anaphylaxis mid‑air. Lisa Nolan, and her daughter Hallie join me now.

Ireland’s first shopping centre, Stillorgan Village, has introduced parking charges of €1.20 an hour. A modest amount for many, but it has had a knock on effect on footfall, with many shoppers staying away and some retailers withholding rent. Henry McKean was sent to investigate, and joins Ciara to discuss.

The illegal dumping of toxic waste containers at a scenic location in Tipperary has once again raised questions over how to tackle the recurring issue in Irish society. To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Independent Cllr Pamela Quirke O’Meara of Tipperary County Council and Ian Davis, Manager of Environmental Project PURE.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O’Callaghan from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

The heads of all 27 European Union member states are in Brussels for what the body is calling an "extraordinary" summit regarding the recent crisis in transatlantic relations prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland. It’s as Zelenskyy tells Davos that Europe ‘looks lost’, and is in the middle of Groundhog Day. Joining Ciara to discuss is Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau...

Former Irish footballer Damien Delaney joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

The Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons starring film ‘Bugonia’ has been nominated for four Academy awards today. It was produced by Element Pictures, bringing the total number of Oscar nominations for the Dublin based production company to 30. Their co-CEO Ed Guiney joins Ciara to discuss! 

Contactless ticketing for public transport will come into effect in 2028 with infrastructure for the new system due to begin appearing next year. The National Transport Authority (NTA) says the new technology will begin in the Greater Dublin Area. This follows a previous pilot scheme in Tipperary, but what is the likelihood there will be further delays to its roll out? Joining Ciara to discuss is...

‘Sorry seems to be the hardest word - unless you’re Irish’, so says Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly, writing in The Irish Times on why we as a nation tend to have a habit of over apologizing. Is it simply politeness, or can it become passive aggressive? To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Niamh O’Reilly, as well as Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin.

A system to disregard the criminal convictions for pre-decriminalisation same-sex activity in Ireland is expected to be legislated in March. Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan is tabling an amendment today to the Civil Law, which will set out the process for disregarding convictions for same-sex activity. Kieran Rose is a member of the Department of Justice Working Group on Disregard  and m...

Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has recently stated in the Dáil that the conditions of the roads in his locality are as bad as they have been during his time in politics. So, are potholes becoming a bigger issue right across the country, and how much damage are they doing to our vehicles? To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy, as well as Joey Donnelly of Crofton Motors.

A recent report in the medical journal Open Heart done by The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging at Trinity College Dublin, showed that the majority of over-50s with high blood pressure in Ireland are not having their condition adequately managed. To discuss the importance of this, Ciara is joined by Assistant Adjuvant Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin and Kildar...