The Hard Shoulder

Today could mark the start of a golden summer for Irish Athletics as the European Championships get underway in Rome.  Rhasidat Adeleke will spearhead Irish hopes in a pivotal championship run with the Paris Olympics just around the corner…  Sonia O’Sullivan is Olympic Silver Medalist, World Gold Medalist and 3 time European Gold Medalist, she joins Kieran to discuss.

What makes the perfect TV theme tune? One that sticks in your mind long after it airs? Well, Kieran Cuddihy spoke to the composer behind BBC News, Grand Designs and many more, David Lowe, to find out! Image: Channel 4

The RSA has said that they want to increase the price of the Driving Test and the NCT in an attempt to increase their funding. Kieran is joined by Newstalk Reporters Sheila Naughton and Emily Keegan to discuss.

Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins Kieran Cuddihy to celebrate Aldi being in business in Ireland for 25 years! They discuss the impact of the supermarket giant, as well as the weird and wonderful things you can find in the middle aisle.  Henry visited Aldi in Rathmines to talk to customers and employees alike about the business.

It is 85 years since the Day landings took place in Normandy in 1944, but what involvement did the Irish have in this historic invasion? Joining Kieran to discuss is Author, Journalist and Broadcaster, Kevin Myers.

The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family.  He joins Kieran to discuss the fallout of Trump’s trial, questions of Biden’s cognitive health and how close the election will be. Image: Jane Rosenberg

You will hear nothing about the Local, European or Limerick elections on the Hard Shoulder until everything is said and done; that is because of the broadcast moratorium. But what is a moratorium? And why do we have it? Reporter Josh Crosbie has been asking people if they know what a moratorium is and Kieran is joined by Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe to discuss.

Kieran’s guests are two lovely people who have joined forces to bring their loveliness directly into your ears via their new podcast ‘The Lovely Show”   Irish Comedians Justine Stafford and Kevin McGahern join Kieran to discuss what you can expect. Image: HeadStuff Podcasts

The number of former pupils from Spiritan schools reporting that they were abused now stands close to 300.  Joining Kieran to discuss this further is Patsy McGarry, of the Irish Times. Also calling in is William, a survivor of abuse at Blackrock College to share his story.  If you are a victim of abuse, there are resources for you - do not hesitate to reach out. National 24 hour helpline...

A male contraceptive gel shows promising results in a clinical trial, but would you trust a man to remember his contraception?   Kieran is joined by Helena Tubridy, Fertility Coach and Ali Ryan, founder of Goss.ie , to discuss.

The European Central Bank has announced an interest rate cut of 0.25%.   So, how will this affect mortgage holders?   To discuss, Kieran is joined by Chief Economist for the BPFI, Ali Ugar and Managing director of Doddl.ie , Martina Hennessy. 

Newstalk's own Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. This series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options.  This week, Simon brought a selection of cream cheeses.

Britain, France and Norway have been assisting Ireland in locating Russian subs near Irish shores, but should we be concerned that we do not have the capacity to do this ourselves? Joining Kieran to discuss is Independent Senator for Trinity and Security Analyst, Tom Clonan.

The month of June is National Fostering Month in Ireland, so we wanted to delve into the world of fostering, understand what that life of a foster carer is like and the different experiences you can have. Kieran is joined by Theresa Hughey, who was a foster carer for 30 years and on the phone by former footballer and manager, Roddy Collins, who fostered his niece.

The Road Safety Authority calls for a clamp down on drivers that are caught speeding, with a proposed plan to double the points of drivers caught using their mobile phones from three to six. The proposed move is to combat the highest number of recorded road deaths in over a decade, after 81 people lost their lives on Irish roads already since the start of 2024.   What is the solution to...

Election day is nearly upon. Some may be set on who they are going to vote for on Friday, but many will be still unsure.  WhichCandidate.ie is an online platform that helps inform voters which candidates best suit their values through a simple questionnaire.  But, can an online questionnaire really help you decide who to vote for?  Joining Kieran is co-founder of Which Candidate and...

Why? That is the most asked question from kids! That’s according to a survey carried out by Tesco. “Where’s my…?” and “Do I have to go to school?” were the next most common daily questions.  Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden was speaking to parents on the street to find out what are the most weird and wonderful questions they receive each day. Plus, Sheila O’Malley, Wellness Keynote Speaker in t...

The newly released album, “Small Town Heroes” by The 2 Johnnies is inspired by local characters and so-called legends.  It tells a familiar story that is relatable to everyone who grew up in rural Ireland, and features songs like 'St. Patrick Drive a Honda Civic' and 'I’m So Hungover I Could Die'. Kieran is joined by the 2 Johnnies (Johnny O’Brien and Johnny McMahon) to tell more.

In a battle of the Macs – Supermac's has won another major trademark court battle in their long running dispute with McDonald’s.  The Galway company has been given the green light to expand to other European countries following a landmark ruling.  It's after the European Court of Justice backed the Irish fast food chain in a trademark row with McDonald's.  Peter Leonard is a barrist...

A 23 old woman tragically lost her life in a dog attack in the Ballyneety area of Limerick county.  It is being reported the dog was an XL bully on the restrictive breed list  Joining Kieran for more information is Newstalk Reporter Jamie O’Hara. Also joining to discuss is Samantha Rawson, expert Dog Trainer and Behaviorist.

On the show the lack of garda checkpoints on our roads were discussed, and a lot of you got in touch.  Today, we wanted to speak to regular road users on what they see out there on the roads. Kieran is joined by Ger Hyland, driver and President of the IRHA Damien, a taxi driver in Dublin and Brenda Bolger from the Bolger School of Motoring.

There has been major news in the world of medicine. The world’s first vaccine for treating Melanoma, a common type of skin cancer, has shown extremely impressive results in trials.  Joining Kieran to discuss the breakthrough and the development of cancer treatment is John Crowne, Professor and Consultant Medical Oncologist, St Vincent’s Hospital Group.

Irish beaches are known to be one of nation's best assets, and many of us may have ended up at them over the bank holiday weekend  But what about those with disabilities? How can they enjoy our beaches this summer? Niamh Ní Hoireabhaird is disability activist and journalist and has been highlighting the inaccessible nature of our beaches, she joins Kieran to discuss.  

The Local and EU elections are nearly upon us, and campaigning is in full swing.  Your door may have been knocked on, or your social media page may be getting flooded with candidates promoting their policies.  But, how do you create election campaigns that cut through and resonate with voters? Kieran is joined by Derek Mooney, former Campaign Manager, to discuss.  

The UK Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston joined Kieran to put his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder bookshelf! Favourite Book: The Masters, C.P. Snow Honourable Mention: The Life and Long Shadow of Senator Joe McCarthy, Larry Tye Currently Reading: The Bee Sting, Paul Murray