The Hard Shoulder

The hous­ing crisis has caused the mar­riage rate to fall to its low­est recor­ded level out­side the pan­demic years… Kildare and Leighlin diocese Bishop Denis Nulty has warned that the decline in mar­riages is a con­cern not only for the Church, but for the wider soci­ety. He said the cost of hous­ing is now the “biggest obstacle” facing young couples preparing for mar­riage in Ire­land. The Bis...

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by Mick Clifford, Investigative Reporter with the Irish Examiner and author and Broadcaster Meghan Scully to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Today was the third day of the trial of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, of no fixed address, at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Bouchaker appeared before the Central Criminal Court charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, and assault causing serious harm to a care worker, at Parnell Square East in Dublin City on November 23rd, 2023. He has pleaded not guilty to 8 charges in to...

We all know that having caffeinated drinks before you go to sleep is bad for your sleep cycle, but how bad is it exactly? And how much caffeine should you have in a day to sleep well? Joining Shane and Ciara to answer this and more is Sleep Practitioner, Researcher, and author Lucy Wolfe.

A recent Times of London article found that younger generations are more likely to employ someone to keep their home tidy and scrub the oven, due to ‘cleanfluencers’ raising the standards people have for the perfect home… Joining Shane and Ciara to discuss this trend is cleaning expert and TikToker, Ann Russell.

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

The Football Association of Ireland have just announced today that the upcoming football match between Ireland and Israel will be played outside of Ireland in a neutral venue, and that fans would not be allowed to attend. This comes as the ‘Stop the Game’ campaign called for the game to be boycotted. Joining Shane to discuss this further is Patrick O’Donovan, the Minister of Culture, Communication...

How would you feel if your romantic dinner was interrupted by screaming children? If you're a parent, you're used to it, but it raises the question: where is it appropriate to bring your young children in public? Joining Ciara to discuss is Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Journalist and Parenting Columnist for The Journal and Saoirse Hanley, Features Writer at the Independent...

The EU Migration Pact comes into force today, two years after it was adopted by member states and the European Parliament. The pact has received much criticism from refugee organisations, who said its legal safeguards for those seeking protection are not sufficient. Joining Shane to discuss this is Nick Henderson, CEO of The Irish Refugee Council.

As America gears up for its 250th birthday, Donald Trump has ensured that the celebration will be very memorable. That’s because he has allowed a huge UFC-style fighting cage, nicknamed ‘The Claw’,  to be built on the lawn of the White House, with a fight happening this Sunday to celebrate his 80th birthday. Joining Ciara to tell more is Terry Sheridan, the Senior Director of News at WSHU Pub...

The public consultation on the preferred Cork Luas route from Ballincollig to Mahon Point closes at 5pm today, and with this, Bishopstown GAA Club says it's not prepared to allow the Luas to cut through its grounds… Joining Shane to discuss this is Labour Councillor for Cork-City South West, Ciara O’Connor.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Chris Wasser, Arts Journalist and Sunday Independent Film Critic joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

It's great that you can drive anywhere with the help of Google Maps and SAT-NAVs, but how much should you trust them? Road safety charities have been warning drivers to be cautious of SAT-NAV reroutes that take drivers on rural roads… Joining Ciara to discuss is Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent.

Fórsa, the country's largest public sector trade union, will present research on the benefits of remote working to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). Reduced commuting time, greater productivity and lower work-related expenses were among the main benefits. But, are people really more productive working remotely? Joining Shane to discuss is Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Futurew...

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…

Tonight will mark the start of the 2026 World Cup, as Mexico takes on South Africa in Mexico City. But what precautions are the authorities taking to ensure it goes off without a hitch? Joining Shane from Mexico to give the lay of the land is Security Analyst Stephen Woodman.

The United ‌States will hit Iran “very hard tonight” and will soon take control of the Middle Eastern country’s oil ⁠and gas infrastructure and ‌markets, US ‌president Donald Trump said today on Truth Social… Joining Ciara to discuss this further is Adam Parsons, Sky News Middle East Correspondent.

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 and Shane to discuss how to properly eat pizza!

We all know how important a balanced diet is for your health, but do we all really need three square meals a day? Sarah Keogh is a Registered Dietician, and joins Shane to discuss.

Grow it Yourself Ireland is calling on the Government to implement a national rollout on food education for children in schools, citing ultra-processed foods and declining food literacy. Joining Shane to discuss this is Mick Kelly, Founder of GIY Ireland.

The trial of 52-year-old Riad Bouchaker, of no fixed address, opened before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin today, following an attack that occurred in Parnell Square in November of 2023. Joining Ciara to give the latest updates is Newstalk Courts Correspondent and host of the ‘All Rise’ podcast, Frank Greaney.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara to discuss the new update for the HSE health app, and what it means for you.

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, or Ifac, have criticised current Government spending, and have warned that we will need to borrow money if we are to invest in wealth funds. Joining Ciara to discuss is Ifac’s Chairperson and Lecturer of Economics in UCC, Seamus Coffey.

Houses were stormed and set alight, buses were hijacked and burned in a night of protests in Belfast after a knife attack in the city on Monday, which saw the victim lose one eye. Joining Shane to discuss these protests is Paul Givan, DUP MLA and Northern Ireland's Education Minister and Claire Hanna, Leader of the SDLP and MP for Belfast South and Mid-Down, to discuss.