The Hard Shoulder

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…

'Scanxiety' or scan anxiety is something many cancer survivors will understand, but how do you deal with the worry in the days leading up to a scan? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Professor Seamus O’Reilly, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Cork University Hospital and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.

Artist Paul Hughes joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Taoiseach Micheál Martin today begins a two-day official visit to Belém, Brazil to attend the COP30 Leader’s Summit. Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock is there, and joins Ciara Doherty to give the latest updates.

Almost a quarter of Uisce Éireann staff earned a salary over one hundred thousand euro last year. Officials from Uisce Eireann appeared before the Public Accounts Committee earlier today outlining how over four hundred staff earned one hundred thousand euro or more last year… Uisce Eireann also outlined that it will be beyond 2030 before the Greater Dublin Drainage Project will be up and running,...

The US Government shutdown has entered its 37th day - it is the longest period of time the American government has been closed… It all started on October 1st, because of the inability of Congress to agree to a new funding deal for Government workers and essential services. Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Anthony Zurcher, North American Correspondent with BBC News.

There are renewed calls for a dedicated transport police to be set up. Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie spent an evening out with Dublin Bus - one year since they have established the Safer Journeys team, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

“Every diocese in Ireland would collapse if priests retired at 75”. That’s according to Father Roy Donovan, Spokesperson for the Association of Catholic Priests, but is Catholicism purely functional now? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Portlaoise Parish Priest, Fr David Vard.

A new policy and a plan to strengthen the teaching, learning and use of Irish language in schools is due to be launched today by Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee, but what exactly should be done to encourage young people to love the Irish language and keep it alive? Joining me now is Irish Independent Columnist, Mary McCarty and Seán Ó Mhaoilchiaráin, Cuala Ceathair Presenter.

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 to discuss how you can break bad news.

There is ongoing outrage in Paris, as online retailer Shein has opened its first ever permanent store today, with protests taking place in the city against it. To explain all of this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Sustainability Advocate, Pat Kane. Image: Reuters

There’s lots of discussion around left-wing and right-wing politics, but what about those voters in the middle, who don’t identify with either view? To chat about the growing popularity of left and right discourse in Irish society, Ciara Doherty is joined by Kevin Cunningham, Lecturer in Politics at TU Dublin, and Dr Graham Finlay, Assistant Professor in the School of Politics and International Re...

The Irish brand  SOSU Cosmetics has withdrawn one of its products from sale as a precautionary measure after it was found to contain elevated levels of arsenic. Do influencers truly know what ingredients are in their products and how should we educate ourselves as consumers when buying skincare or makeup products? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss  is Dr. Isabel Haugh, Consultant Dermatol...

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss why the Chinese government wants influencers in their country to hold degrees in the topics they are talking about, like health or finance.

The Department of Agriculture has announced a compulsory housing order from next Monday for poultry and captive birds, following recent bird flu outbreaks. How will this affect things like the Christmas turkey? News Editor of The Irish Farmers Journal, Amy Forde, joins Ciara Doherty.

Today, People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett was welcomed back into the Dáil after recovering from throat cancer. He took the opportunity to call for cancer services to be properly resourced and supported in his first speech back. Richard joins Ciara Doherty in the studio to discuss.

Broadcaster and Author, Iain Dale, joins Ciara Doherty to discuss the latest book he’s edited: ‘The Taoiseach: A Century of Political Leadership’.

Preparations for COP30 are underway, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin being one of the world leaders who will be attending. Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock is over there, and joins Ciara to discuss what we can expect. Also joining to discuss is John Sweeney, Emeritus Professor in the Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units at the Department of Geography at Maynooth University. Image: COP30

Learner drivers who have had a car permit for four years will have to take a driving test before renewing their permit, closing an 11-year loophole. Geraldine Herbert is Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Sunday Independent. She joins Ciara Doherty to explain more.

The Government is aiming to introduce a digital wallet that would hold people’s life milestones for easy access. This could include documents such as a birth certificate or deeds to your home. Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public for their thoughts… To chat a bit more about this plan, Ciara Doherty is joined by Eoin Keary, Founder of Edgescan, and Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty.

A problem that many people face: how do you pick the right shoes for you? And what are the risks if you get the wrong pair? To discuss, Seán Defoe is joined by Footwear Expert, Liam Hughes.

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 Seán Defoe to discuss a newly-released list on the best 50 hotels in the world.

Joining Seán Defoe is Psychotherapist, author, former professional footballer, pundit, and Movember ambassador Richie Sadlier to discuss the importance of creating the space for men to discuss their mental health…

Ten people were wounded in the mass stabbing on board a train between Doncaster and London's King's Cross Station on Saturday night. Seán Defoe is joined by Stephen Crean, an Irish citizen who was on board the train and interjected, blocking the attacker from injuring other passengers.

Independent Senator Tom Clonan joins Seán Defoe to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!