The Hard Shoulder

 As the birthrates across the world continue to fall, how can we tackle the issue. Is the solution economic incentives or do we need a cultural shift in attitudes?    Broadcaster Wendy Grace and Irish Examiner columnist Jane Cowen explore why many young people are rethinking whether to have children. Listen here.

NewsTalk Courts Correspondent, Frank Greaney, gives the latest update on the Conor McGregor appeal. McGregor at the last minute withdrew ‘fresh evidence’ from Nikita Hand’s neighbours over alleged row with her ex-partner Listen here.

Paul Gallagher, owner of the Asics store on O’Connell Street, joins Anton Savage to talk about crime in Dublin city centre. Paul's store was broken into on Monday night, adding another blow to the city centre street. Josh Crosbie also reports with vox-pops from shoppers on if they feel safe in Dublin. Listen here.

Colin Baker ('The Gadget Guy') and cyclist Imogen Ní Choitir join The Hard Shoulder to discuss road safety for vulnerable users and whether changes in infrastructure could prevent further fatalities. Especially with new vehicles entering the road, pedestrians and cyclist continue the calls for better cycling infrastructure. Listen here.

Tom Dunne, Newstalk presenter and frontman of Something Happens, joins The Hard Shoulder to tell the story of Thin Lizzy. From their origins to their legacy in music, and why Phil Lynott’s voice still echoes across generations. Listen here

James Fernandez McCabe, of Irish descent, is due to play Wimbledon tomorrow.   His father, Patrick McCabe emigrated from Walkinstown to Sydney in the 1980s.   There, he taught his son to play tennis through youtube videos, launching his career which has now brought them to the prestigious tournament.    Patrick and James join The Hard Shoulder now to share their...

Eamon Ryan, former Green Party leader, joins Jonathan Healy to discuss Ireland’s missed climate goals, accountability in government, and what he believes needs to happen next to start hitting those climate goals. Listen here.

Amanullah de Sondy, former umpire and UCC academic, joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the life and times of a tennis umpire, Listen here to hear about the abolishment of line judges, the prospects for this year and the changes in refereeing the game.

Parenting coach Aoife Lee from ParentSupport.ie joins Jonathan for this week's Kids Clnic. This week, it's sharing tips on maintaining structure for children over the school holidays — and how to avoid chaos without killing the fun. Listen here

Joe Lynam, Newstalk Business Editor, and reporter Jess Woodlock join The Hard Shoulder to explain why nearly 200 staff are facing compulsory redundancies at Intel Ireland. Although a huge hit for the Irish economy, it may describe more accurately the state of affairs within Intel and an apparent failure to adapt to newer technologies. Listen here

Peter Cardwell, TalkTV presenter, and human rights campaigner Colm O’Gorman join The Hard Shoulder to react to the BBC’s decision not to cut away from Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, which contained comments the broadcaster later called “utterly unacceptable.” Vylan is now being investigated by UK Police. But Jonathan asks the question; has this distracted us from what's really happening in G...

Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications for Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort, and Eoghan Corry, travel journalist and editor of TravelExtra, join Jonathan Healy to discuss the rather suprising news of Stenaline withdrawing its Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry service from the end of September this year. Listen here for all the latest.

Colm Burke, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, joins The Hard Shoulder after being appointed as the first-ever official spokesperson for Cork. He explains the purpose of the new role and how he aims to address some of Cork's biggest concerns in city and county. Listen here.

Ana Rosa Butler, Spain-based writer, and Paola Arriaza Flynn, Vatican correspondent for EWTN Media, join Jonathan to describe life in parts of Europe experiencing extreme temperatures and how different regions are adapting to the latest brutal heatwave. Temperatures in Spain have even reached as high as 46 degrees celsius. Listen here.

NewsTalk's own Josh Crosbie brings reactions from drivers in Cork, while Meghan Scully, freelance journalist and broadcaster, and Shane O’Donoghue, editor of CompleteCar.ie , join The Hard Shoulder to discuss why seatbelt compliance is still an issue, how it seems to have risen again and why it varies by county. Listen here

Alison Curtis, presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, and Ger Gilroy from Off The Ball join Anton for the weekly Winners and Sinners. From How to Train your Dragon to all the concerts taking over Dublin parks. Listen here for all the Winners and Sinners action.

Adam Long, board director of the National LGBT Federation, joins The Hard Shoulder to reflect on Pride Week in Ireland, its relevance in 2025, and the dangers of Pride becoming tokenistic as commercial involvement grows. Listen here

Luca De Marzio, owner of Rosa Madre Italian restaurant in Dublin, joins The Hard Shoulder with his essential tips on what tools home cooks actually need — and which kitchen gadgets are more hype than help. Listen here.

Most primary schools break up today and summer is finally here. Henry McKean visited the boys from O’Connell Primary School in Dublin 1 and sent us this Summer Kidstalk.  Get all the sounds of the last day of school, here.

Clare Daly, former MEP, joins The Hard Shoulder to share her strong opposition to Ireland’s involvement in the EU’s new €150 billion defence initiative. The bill looks to be a step in the direction away from Irish neutrality and something sure to come under much criticism in the Dáil. Listen here

To celebrate Lidl’s 25 years in Ireland, The Hard Shoulder hears from Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden, who asked shoppers about their weirdest and most wonderful middle aisle purchases. Conor Pope, consumer affairs correspondent with The Irish Times, and Hazel Chu, Green Party councillor, join to talk about how discount stores have changed the Irish retail landscape. Listen here

Maria Walsh, Fine Gael MEP for Midlands North West, joins The Hard Shoulder from Hungary to explain why she’s travelling to attend Budapest’s now-banned Pride parade and what the law says about public LGBTQ+ expression in Viktor Orbán’s Hungary. Listen here

Mary McCarthy, columnist with the Irish Independent, joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the rising trend of nicotine pouch use among young people. As these puches have seen such an explosion in popularity in the past few years, Mary is here to discuss why the rise in use by young people is quite disturbing. Listen here

Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal West, Sinead Ryan, consumer journalist and presenter of The Home Show, and Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager with the DAA, join Anton Savage for Kieran to explore why Ireland is lagging behind on contactless payments across buses, trains and the Luas — and what’s being done to change it. Listen here

Pharmacist Sheena Mitchell joins The Hard Shoulder with advice for allergy sufferers on how to manage hay fever and pollen season symptoms, especially as temperatures rise. Listen here to put your pollen woes to rest.