The Hard Shoulder

On Sunday, businessman Gareth Sheridan surprised many by announcing he’s seeking to run for the Áras, but who is he? Joining Kieran to shed some light is Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent.

A GAA club in Donegal is so fed up with finding dog poo on their pitches that they have gone as far as installing CCTV cameras to catch the perpetrators... and their owners. A club in Kilkenny has also flagged this issue on their pitches, so is this a wider community issue? Kieran is joined by Seán Ó hArgáin, Kilkenny Counselor to discuss this.

Since e-scooters were legalised for public roads last year there have been growing concerns about their dangers. With injuries involving drugs and alcohol having doubled and helmet use decreasing is it time to increase regulations on the scooters? Joining Kieran to discuss is Fine Gael TD Barry Ward and owner of the Bolger School of Motoring, Brenda Bolger.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Writer with the Irish Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

A new survey has shown that adults have on average 8 things that they refuse to eat, with 5 of them being things they haven't even tried? Why are there things we just refuse to eat? Newstalk's Josh Crosbie reports!

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss peas - and how you should eat them!

Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.

This week we learned that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is planning to fully occupy the Gaza strip. With thousands of Palestinians killed over the last 22 months, Kieran is joined by Ria Czerniak Lebov, granddaughter of a Holocaust escapee and Lecturer in NCAD, who has been speaking out against Zionism and the Israeli Government.

This Sunday is the All-Ireland Camogie Championship Final in Croke Park, where Cork and Galway will battle it out for the title. For a preview of this weekend’s final, Kieran is joined by two former GAA players from both counties, Valerie Mulcahy from Cork and Susan Earner from Galway.

Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy has paid back the €150,000 he received from a RTÉ barter account for two events that did not take place. Joining Kieran to give the latest is Muiris O’Cearbhaill, Journalist with The Journal.

A discussion throughout the show this week is of the quality of television these days. Whether that be you’re not getting a good laugh out of it, or it just isn't as interesting anymore, something seems to be off… Like, is television as funny as it used to be? To discuss this more, Kieran is joined by a panel of experts, including Comedian Steve Cummins, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Ke...

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast, Dee Reddy, Entertainment Journalist and Podcaster and David O’Callaghan, from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

As party campaigns kick off, The Hard Shoulder’s series learning more about the history of the presidential office continues. Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute, and Presenter of Talking History joins Kieran to look back on some of the biggest controversies and crises in Irish presidential history.

A former Dentist has been found guilty of murdering his wife by poisoning her morning protein shakes. This case comes from the state of Colorado, where a Denver resident, named James Craig, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife, Angela Craig, two years after her mysterious death. But, not only was Craig convicted of murder, but also of several other counts, including solicitat...

Paul Johnston is nearing the end of his tenure in his role as British Ambassador to Ireland, but has been making his feelings clear on many important issues. He joins Kieran to discuss topics, including Israel and Palestine. Image: Reuters

When someone you love has dementia, the diagnosis can feel all-consuming. But, Kieran’s guest has a new book that serves as an emotional and practical guide to those caring for someone they love with dementia. Dr. Sabina Brennan is a Neuroscientist and author of ‘Still Me: A neuroscientist's guide to caring for someone with dementia’. She joins to discuss.

New CCTV cameras have been installed in the Mountjoy area of Dublin to crack down on illegal dumping. Why is this something that is needed? Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) have found no evidence of supermarkets price gouging. So, are we supposed to accept current food prices? Joining Kieran to discuss is Ged Nash, Labour TD for Louth and Spokesperson on Finance, Public Expenditure & Reform.

It has emerged that schools availing of the Hot School Meals scheme for the first time this year will see a delay in its rollout… This is apparently due to a change in the procurement process. Joining Kieran to explain more is Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson, Darren O’Rourke.

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. Are you sick of seagulls snatching your food when you’re out and about? Simon joins Kieran to discuss how to keep these seabirds away from your picnics!

Businessman Dermot Desmond has said that he believes AI cars, or robotaxis, will completely replace private and public transport in the next 15 to 20 years. Is that realistic? Joining Kieran to discuss this is Emmet Ryan, Technology Journalist and Alan Smeaton, Emeritus Professor of Computing at Dublin City University.

In the current cost of living situation, food inflation is a struggle for many families. Well, Caz Mooney, Irish Budgeting Influencer has cracked the code, and joins Kieran with some of her tips and tricks for spending less in the supermarket, and how she can feed her family of five on €125 a week!

Long gone are the days of Nigerian Princes looking to give you a chunk of their vast wealth: online and text-based scams have gotten a lot more sophisticated, and trickier to spot. For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran to discuss this, and give her top tips to avoid getting tricked!

A report by the Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Task force has revealed that students in primary schools are reportedly taking and dealing drugs. The average age of the drug dealers and “runners” was found to be as young as 12 years old. Kieran is joined by Janet Robinson Research and Training Officer for Blanchardstown Local Drug and Alcohol Taskforce, Dr Bobby Smyth, Consultant Child and A...

Trump has yet again thrown the cat amongst the pigeon with talk of 150% or 250% tariffs on pharma, but he has yet to dot I’s and cross T’s on many of the trade deals he has made with various countries. Will we ever see them come to pass with midterms not very far away? And Trump’s tenure will eventually end, will it all amount to nothing? Larry Donnelly is Law Lecturer at University of Galway and...