The Hard Shoulder

For many people, the hot weather will mean a sleepless night of tossing and turning. We have some useful tips to keep yourself cool at night! Mary Ryan, Endocrinologist and Senior Professor at Bons Secours Limerick joins Kieran to discuss.

A Nigerian-Irish woman “broke down in tears” after an alleged racist incident while using Bus Éireann. 20-year-old Sarah Lennon claims that she was trying to transfer her bus ticket when the bus driver became “unnecessarily hostile” and “aggressive.” Bus Éireann is investigating the incident, which occurred in the midlands in May. Sarah joins Kieran to discuss.

As kids settle into their long lazy summer days, parents may be starting to feel the pressure to keep them entertained. Well, we will have a guide for keeping kids entertained and advice for how to get them learning new skills over the coming weeks! Today, Kieran is joined by TV Chef and Broadcaster, Edward Hayden, to discuss how to get kids cooking…

There have been calls for Gazan children to be brought here to Ireland for treatment. A number of Irish doctors have been concerned at the delays – it's after the evacuation of up to 18 children has been stalled due to issues with family visas. Reports suggest that pediatric patients may only get here in late September. One of the doctors making the call is Thomas Donnelly, Orthopedic Consultant i...

Amy Poehler recently revealed that she is a fan of a particular Irish brand of tea – no other than Barry’s Tea! Barry’s is a particular fan-favourite, and for good reason. James Kavanagh from the Simpler Life Podcast joins Kieran to explain how you can make the perfect cup!

The UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women calls on Ireland to hold another referendum on women in the home and care. The committee reports disappointment with the failed referendum, recommending an independent evaluation of the vote and to run it again with alternative wording. So, why did the referendum fail, and what should be done to get it over the line the second t...

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 Kieran to discuss (since Trump thinks he can get one so easily) how you can win a Nobel Peace Prize!

A Russian vessel has been docked in Killiney Bay, and is now making its way up the Irish coast towards Scotland. The ship’s name is The Shtandart, and the captain is Vladimir Martus. He joins Kieran to discuss why he’s here, and the reactions he has received.

A quarter of the cases of child sex-abuse material last year was self-generated, according to  an annual report carried out by the Irish Internet Hotline. There was a 116% increase in intimate photographs, videos and pictures being taken and shared by children online. How can we protect them? Joining Kieran to discuss is Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Fingl...

Amazon Prime Day (which is actually four days) runs this week. While many people are seeking out deals, are they still using Amazon UK or did they make the swap to the new Irish site? Almost four months on from the introduction of Amazon.ie , has it lived up to people's expectations? Joining Kieran to discuss is Catriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with The Examiner and Stefanie Preissner, Screenw...

A model of a migrant boat with more than a dozen life-size mannequins has been placed on top of a loyalist bonfire in Co. Tyrone. All of the mannequins are dark-skinned and wearing life jackets. Below the boats, placards read: “Stop the boats. Veterans before refugees.” Matthew O’Toole is the Member of the Legislative Assembly for South Belfast and the Social Democratic and Labour Party’s Leader o...

Chair of the Road Safety Authority, Anne Graham, is coming up to 6 months in the role – and it has been yet another year where the issue of road safety has been an issue that has repeatedly hit the headlines. What’s changing under her leadership, and how can this growing issue be tackled? Anne joins Kieran to discuss. Image: RSA

A topic of debate for many years now – should Ireland be more dog friendly? From pubs to shops to offices – should public spaces be more inclusive for our furry friends? Emily Brew, Radio Presenter at Radio Nova, and Andrea Smith, Freelance Journalist join Kieran to discuss.

If you have ever sat in a virtual queue only to be met by a dead end and an automated voice, you know how frustrating it can be. Is it time to do away with them? Joining Kieran to discuss this is Shelagh Fogarty, Journalist and Consumer Journalist, Siobhain Maguire.

When it comes to the price of groceries, can there be more transparency when it comes to the price hikes that are being experienced in retail chains across the country? Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrat TD for Wicklow, has brought a motion to the Dáil, and joins Kieran, along with Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, to discuss.

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 Kieran to give his travel tips for a hidden gem in Turkey: Kalkan!

Earlier in the show, Kieran spoke with John Verling and Mia Scully about epilepsy, and the different ways in which they have suffered from it over the years. Joining Kieran to discuss what we do and don’t understand about epilepsy is Dr Colin Doherty, Consultant Neurologist and Director of the Epilepsy Services at St James's Hospital.

Green Party MEP for Dublin Ciarán Cuffe joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Research shows that Gen Z are four times more likely than previous generations to skip queues. So, why do people behave this way, and what has caused the increase in impatience with queues? Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, joins Kieran to discuss.

Over 45,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological conditions. Yet, for the multiple types of epilepsy and multiple ways in which they present, it is often misunderstood. John Verling, father of Freddie Verling, who has Dravet Syndrome, and Mia Sherwood Scully who has temporal lobe epilepsy join Kieran to discuss their experiences.

Are Irish towns and cities lacking late night sober spaces to socialize?   A new initiative has been launched across nine Irish towns and cities to promote late night café culture. Joining Kieran to discuss this is Anna Peters from Athena Cafe and KK Lewis from the sober social group Sunflower Sessions.

Students and opposition parties will protest outside Leinster House this evening over Government plans to reinstate the €3,000 college contribution fee. Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless caused this controversy when he said fees would return to €3,000, as a cost of living package may not be available in this year’s budget. This reduction of fee has been in place since 2022, when...

St. Peter’s Church in Lurgan, Co. Armagh has announced the end of its parish’s tradition to walk from the church to St Colman’s Graveyard after a funeral. The walks were impacting priests’ schedules. Parish Priest Father Colum Murphy said that changes were necessary, given the increasing workload and pressure that the priests are under. Joining Kieran to discuss this is Dave McGowan, CEO of McGowa...

There are calls for more enforcement around the use of illegally modified e-scooters. Fine Gael’s Barry Ward told Newstalk that there have been no prosecutions since laws came into effect last year. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been meeting with scooter users and those who have seen what can happen when things go wrong.

Six months on from the opening of Ireland's first medically supervised injection centre, Eddie Mullins, CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland joins Kieran to discuss the importance of it and other services provided by Merchants Quay. Image: Merchants Quay Ireland