The Hard Shoulder

Beach Boys co-founder and frontman Brian Wilson has passed away at the age of 82... Joining Kieran to reflect on his legacy is Arts Journalist Pat Carty.

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 how to get down on one knee and propose!

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD as it is commonly known, is a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes the weakening of muscles over time. It affects almost exclusively boys, with symptoms typically appearing between the ages of one and three. In Ireland today, around 110 people are known to be living with DMD. Most of them are under the age of 18. Fianna Fáil Senator Teresa Costello has...

Newstalk’s Henry McKean’s reporting today looked into devices that can transform the screen of a car to allow the use of video streaming services, even while driving. So, what should be done about these devices, and how can we combat this epidemic of distracted driving? Shane O’Donoghue, Editor of completecar.ie , joins Kieran to discuss.

Can the National Development Plan deliver on all its projects? With a €165 billion investment in transport, housing and infrastructure - will everything be met by 2040? Joining Kieran to discuss is Brian Caulfield, Professor in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

Macra, an organisation that represents young people in rural Ireland, have said that young farmers are almost an “endangered species”, but are they really in decline, and what is it that is driving them out? Joining Kieran to discuss is Josephine O’Neill, National President of Macra and Limerick Dairy Farmer, Louise Crowley.

In recent weeks we have seen a rise in TVs in cars. Touch screens converted to TVs or TVs added to the dashboard playing videos. Driving around and watching TV. But is it allowed and is it safe? Henry McKean has been finding out for us.

What are your least favourite DIY jobs? And, what is your limit when it comes to being handy? Joining Kieran to discuss is Building Expert and TV personality Pete the Builder and DIY Educator and Content Creator Suzanne Armstrong.

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 Cuddihy to give his travel tips for the Isle of Man!

The Government today officially announced plans to implement a new national rent control system. The new rental regulations will mean that the current system, which caps yearly rent increases at 2%, or in line with inflation, will be retained for existing tenancies. Landlords will also be allowed to hike rents in instances where tenants leave homes voluntarily. To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dani...

Former People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith joins Kieran to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Martin Scorsese has said that people talking, snacking and using their phones during a film has put him off going to the cinema, and a survey found that over 50% of Irish people agree with him. The debate over declining cinema etiquette has been in the spotlight recently, including when a viral TikTok trend saw teenagers erupting into chaos during a scene in the new Minecraft film. Joining Kieran...

Everyday, communities are encouraged to be more and more autism friendly. The latest Autism Friendly Towns Initiative sees autism charity AsIAm join forces with PTSB to promote accessibility and inclusivity for autistic individuals. Adam Harris is AsIAm Founder and CEO, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Protests have been taking place in Los Angeles over the past few days. It’s after it emerged Immigration Customs Enforcement Officers were carrying out raids in areas of the city with prominent Latino populations. More protests are expected today, as US President Donald Trump deploys 700 marines into the area. Joining Kieran to discuss is Peter Bowes, Reporter with BBC North America and David Cruz...

As Dublin City Council gives the green light for the development of a food hall in the vacant St Andrew's Church on Suffolk Street, what will this add to the city, and is it a pipe dream? Joining Kieran to discuss is Frank McDonald, Author and former Environmental Editor of The Irish Times, Hazel Chu, Green Party Green Party Councillor and Presenter of Lunchtime Live on Newstalk, Andrea Gilligan.

Last week, a High Court Judge ordered that a County Wexford wind farm must fully shut down three of its six turbines and pay a total €360,000 damages, including €60,000 aggravated damages, to a couple over its adverse impact on them. Mr Justice Quinn said the plaintiffs’ expert evidence was that the nuisance was “one of the worst cases of wind farm noise impact”. This begs the question, are update...

Tourists could be fined thousands of euro for rowdy/drunken behaviour in Albufeira this summer. New rules are set to come into effect in a bid to clean up the streets from drunken holidaymakers. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie has been looking into this to see what tourists can expect.

With all the conflicting research on coffee, is it good for anti-aging, or will it kill you? Are three cups okay, or is it two cups too many? For all the facts, and to put the minds of coffee lovers listening at ease, Kieran is joined by Today FM Presenter and Registered Dietitian, Shelly Gray and Dr Robert Kelly, Consultant Cardiologist and Lifestyle Medicine Physician.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Enda Murphy, Clinical Psychotherapist and Director of SeeMee.ie , to discuss how you can navigate sleep routines with your kids, especially when it comes to children sleeping in their own beds!

Drinking in Ireland is changing, and fast. New figures show alcohol consumption is down over 4% in the last year, and it’s dropped by more than a third since 2001- which means for the first time, Ireland is in line with the European average. Has our relationship with drink changed over the years, and are young people leading that charge? Sean O Maoilchiaran, Journalist and Broadcaster joins Kieran...

The Madleen has been seized. The vessel, which includes activist Greta Thunberg among its crew of 12, was aiming to deliver aid to Gaza, and raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis there. According to officials, it was boarded during the night by Israeli authorities, and is now heading to a port in Israel. So, what next? Francesca Albanese is UN Special Rapporteur to the Occupied...

Cadaver dogs – do we need one owned by the state? The question is being raised after Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said it would be preferable for the police to have a cadaver dog – it's as he raised concerns over the length of time it took to uncover Tina Satchwell’s body, who was murdered by her husband Richard. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that the gardaí will consider it. So, sho...

The Government is planning big changes to Rent Pressure Zones. Under the new proposals, the 2% cap on rent increases will stay in place for existing tenants, but landlords will now be allowed to hike rents between tenancies and charge more for newly built homes. Critics are warning that it may open the door to runaway rents and put renters at greater risk. Joining Kieran to discuss further is Paul...

Donegal County Council is asking the Government to create a new Bank Holiday in honour of St Colmcille. Joining Kieran to discuss the history of the Saint and why this is being asked for is Jimmy Kavanagh, Donegal County Councillor and DR Elva Johnston, Associate Professor in the school of History UCD. Image: Pope History

Tánaiste Simon Harris has confirmed that Robert Pether who has been held in jail in Iraq for over four years has been released on bail.  The Australian national - who had been living in Elphin in Co Roscommon - was arrested in April 2021 and later jailed on fraud charges.  His wife Desree joined Kieran to discuss her husbands release.