The Hard Shoulder

When we think of Irish cuisine, we really are one of the best in terms of quality produce, seafood and incredibly talented chefs. Joining Ciara and Shane in Malahide to discuss award-winning Chef and owner of Osteria Nove, Oliver Dunne.

Katy Perry is playing in Malahide Castle tonight. To offset her concert and her recent Blue Origin spaceflight, Henry McKean was sent on an eco staycation! He spent these hazy summer days in an EV, with thanks to ESB, Ireland’s largest EV charging network. He joins Ciara and Shane to discuss how he got on!

Sports Journalist Daniel Hussey joins Ciara and Shane in Malahide to talk all things sport, including this upcoming quarter final weekend.

Malahide Woman joins Ciara and Shane in the Grand Hotel to discuss Dublin Pride Week, and growing up in Malahide! Also joining to talk about Dublin’s comedy scene and the best venues around the city is Australian Comedian in Ireland, Damien Clark.

There really is no better way to spend a sunny day than at the beach, but if you thought you’d have to travel to the west coast of Ireland for the perfect day at the beach, then think again, because Dublin has a lot to offer! Joining Ciara and Shane with her Dublin beach recommendations is Éadaoin Fitzmmaurice, travel influencer and host of the ‘Going Viral’ podcast.

From the Aviva Stadium to Marley Park and back to Malahide Castle, there is no shortage of concert venues across Dublin, but what makes a concert venue great? Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss is Pat Carty, Arts Journalist and Broadcaster.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from Malahide for Newstalk's Summer Tour in partnership with ESB, showcasing all the best Dublin has to offer. Joining Ciara and Shane in The Grand Hotel to talk all things Malahide is Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Journalist with the Irish Independent, Comedian Steve Cummins and Louise O’Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal West.

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world. This week, Fionn joined Ciara and Shane to give the ultimate guide to the Rugby World Cup in Australia!

As temperatures across Europe continue to soar, what should you know if you are travelling with your children in the coming weeks? Joining Ciara to discuss is GP, Brendan O’Shea.

A ransom note related to the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of ‘Today Show’ host Savannah Guthrie, said the 84-year-old had died, it has been reported. Some media outlets had previously reported receiving ransom notes tied to the case in the days after Guthrie’s disappearance in early February from her home in the foothills just outside Tucson, Arizona. Joining Shane with the latest up...

Patrick Freyne, Features Writer with The Irish Times and author joins Ciara and Shane to place his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

On the tenth anniversary of Brexit, a poll conducted by the Guardian has revealed that 60% of 18 to 28-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU if given the opportunity. So, should the UK re-enter the EU? Joining Shane to discuss is Gavin Esler, author, former Chancellor of Kent University and former BBC Journalist.

Earlier today, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers updated Cabinet with details on the redevelopment of Dublin's historic General Post Office (GPO) complex. A large-scale public consultation process will begin in the coming months, inviting citizens and stakeholders to contribute ideas on the future use of the GPO with an estimated cost of up to €500 million being reported. Jack Chambers...

Perfume sales are up by almost a fifth, making it one of the strongest performing areas of the beauty industry. But are the sales of perfumes driven by ‘PerfumeTok’? And are women shelving the previous idea of the ‘signature scent’ in favour of layer perfumes to create something unique? Joining Shane to discuss is Tasha Marks, Scent Designer and Historian...

Yesterday, Belgium and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku arrived back in London for the birth of his first child after catching an emergency flight from Belgium’s World Cup camp. There was controversy surrounding this as L’Equipe’s France Pierron caused international outrage with her response to this news, saying “You can’t miss a World Cup… You have the chance to participate in a World Cup, and...

In the UK, drivers may be unaware that checking a smartwatch could leave them facing the same penalties as mobile phone users. Should this be introduced here? Joining Shane to discuss is Ger Herbert, Motoring Expert with the Irish Independent.

Labour workers’ rights spokesperson Senator Nessa Cosgrove has called on the Government to urgently introduce legally defined maximum temperature limits for workplaces, as Ireland prepares for a heatwave. The Senator joins Ciara to discuss…

Last week a document leaked showed that Palantir and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel is set to hold a secret conference for an elite network of over 220 tech, financial and political figures in Wexford in August. Since the leak, there have been numerous calls for the secret retreat to be cancelled over Thiel’s links to Donald Trump and Palantir’s previous work with ICE in the US, the American milita...

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan attended the launch of Rape Crisis Ireland’s 2025 report today, highlighting the barriers experienced by survivors with characteristics associated with greater vulnerability. Joining Ciara to discuss the findings is Dr Clíona Saidléar, Executive Director at Rape Crisis Ireland.

According to census data, as many as one in four Irish adults live in a single-person household. Many of them are forced to pay through the nose for their situations, and there is little talk from any quarter of offering them support. But, what is the cost of being single in Ireland right now? Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times was writing about this over the weekend, a...

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara and Shane are joined by Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author, to discuss the ups and downs of having a family pet.

Prospective home buyers are dodging second-hand homes for ready to go properties due to the high renovation costs and lack of availability of tradespeople. Claire McManus, Director of JFOC Architects and Housing Spokesperson for the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland joins Shane to discuss.

As the end of the school year rolls into town for most primary school children this week, the age-old dilemma of what to give your child’s teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) rumbles on. Do you give gifts, or do you not? What do you get if you do, and how much should you spend? Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly wrote a piece in The Journal today commenting on this modern dilemma, and jo...

After months and months of pressure and a key by-election win for Andy Burnham, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned. Burnham is set for a coronation as the next Labour leader, but questions still remain over what his potential future cabinet might look like, and if this fresh leadership will help the party challenge Nigel Farage's Reform. Joining Shane to discuss is Philip Webster, fo...

Unused parts of the GPO complex will be given over for use as community-event spaces on an interim basis while a master plan to redevelop the site is being worked on, Cabinet will be told this week. Some of the suggestions that have been made are to use the GPO as a music venue, or to host retail and food markets. Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss this is Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnis...