The Hard Shoulder

NASA is aiming to build the first nuclear reactor on the Moon. This comes as the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, ordered the space agency to get a lunar power plant up and running by 2030 to power long-term human missions. Duffy, who is the acting administrator of NASA, made it clear to its competitors that whichever country arrives first could establish a “keep-out zone”. To make se...

A group of residents in the Dublin 15 area have come together to highlight concerns around the impact of fast-food drone delivery services flying overhead. The newly established Drone Action D15 group says that while drone technology can have a positive effect for society, no consent has been sought from the community for this type of delivery service… Michael Dooley is a Blanchardstown resident a...

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 guest host Mandy Johnston to give his travel tips for the Scottish island famous for its whisky - Islay!

Terry Prone, Chairperson of the Communication Clinic has just donated a treasure trove of personal papers, and documents to the National Library of Ireland. She joins Kieran to discuss why she did this, and what impact it may have on future generations.

Chiropractor and Clinical Director at Chiropractix, Dr. Paul Bradley, joins Kieran to share his tips on how to avoid a bad back!

US President Donald Trump has said that upcoming tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals could reach 250%, after starting at a lower level, while adding he plans to also unveil fresh duties on foreign semiconductors. To discuss, Kieran is joined by Economist and Co-Host of 'The Other Hand' podcast, Jim Power.

Pete Wedderburn AKA Pete the Vet joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

New figures revealed that a total of 380 out of the 722 post primary schools have applied for funding under the government's phone pouch scheme. The initiative sparked criticism at the time and Opposition parties labelled it “wasteful” and “unnecessary”. To discuss this, Kieran is joined by Conor Murphy, English Teacher in Skibbereen, Paul Crone, Director of The National Association of Principals...

Reports today suggest that the Israeli Government may decide to fully occupy Gaza. This would put an end to the 2005 decision to remove any Israeli troops from the area. Joining Kieran to discuss this is Bel Trew, the Chief International Correspondent at The Independent and Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid. Image: Reuters

At any age you can start saving for your future, but what is the best way to save when you are still in college, or your first full time job? Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist with Irish Independent and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk joins Kieran to give her top tips!

Starting in November, Ryanair passengers will no longer be allowed to use printed boarding passes. Instead, they will need to present a digital boarding pass in their mobile app. The airline claims that this move will improve customer experience by getting rid of airport check-in fees, and that it will help the environment by reducing paper waste. But, how will this impact those who might now own...

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Comedian Jim Elliott to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

The Men’s GAA Finals are all settled, and now this weekend, we can look forward to the Ladies Football Final! Dublin and Meath will meet in Croke Park on Sunday in a bid to lift the Brendan Martin Cup. Josh Crosbie has been visiting both counties today to soak up some of the atmosphere, and sends in this report.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss strawberries - and how they can be used in multiple delicious recipes!

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

Tánaiste Simon Harris insists that Ireland avoided a “moment of catastrophe” thanks to the EU-US tariff deal. It’s as tariffs of 15% on EU goods entering the US are now due to take effect from next week. So, are Irish businesses being let down? Eoin O’Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association and Ciaran Mullooly, Independent MEP for Midlands North West, join Kieran to discuss.

Earlier this week, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed that dedicated transport police will be rolled out across all public transport. Most notably, Officers will have powers of arrest and detention. Dublin Bus have been calling for collaborative security measures to be put in place for some time now… Their Head of Strategic Communications and Engagement, Cliodhna Ni Fhatharta, joins...

Ahead of his show this Bank Holiday Monday looking back on the year, Henry McKean joins Kieran to rewind the clock to 1985!

According to its CEO, gaming platform Roblox is proposing adding online dating to its platform. Should it exist on a platform whose user base consists mainly of kids and teenagers? Dr Nicola Fox Hamilton, Cyberpsychology Lecturer at IADT, joins Kieran to discuss.

In recent times, the RSA has come under increased scrutiny for their handling of the Irish driving test. At the start of the year, waiting times had reached an all-time high, leaving learner drivers across the country in outrage over the back log in the system. Since then, waiting times have fallen, allowing many prospective drivers to sit their test, and hopefully swap their L plates for N’s. But...

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Dee Reddy, Entertainment Journalist and Podcaster 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 discuss the creation and evolution of the role of President in this country.

Former Minister and Columnist with the Irish Independent, Shane Ross, joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!

Childcare providers say that they are being forced to pull out of a Government funding scheme... The Core Funding Grant was set up back in 2022 to help childcare providers with operating costs. However, to avail of this, providers had to commit to a fee freeze… Owners say that given soaring costs over the last number of years, along with wider challenges, they are now being forced to up their fees...

Last week, the show covered a silent vigil that took place over an unprovoked and racially-motivated attack on an Indian man. Unfortunately, it seems that more attacks on the Indian community are taking place… Barry Whyte, Newstalk’s Chief Reporter, has been investigating and joins Kieran to discuss.