The Hard Shoulder

Every week for Tuesday Travel 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 look at a trip to Venice...

We’ve teamed up with Laya Healthcare to explore wellbeing in the workplace. Today, Kieran was joined by Dr. Brian Pennie, Neuroscientist and Resilience Specialist. Brian has had a tough journey to the position he is in today, having struggled with heroin addiction.  The Laya Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Index, available at Layahealthcare.ie/wellbeingindex . Keep your finger on the pulse.’ I...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Nicola Tallant, Investigations editor with the Sunday World to discuss cocaine usage in Ireland and its impact on the industry worldwide...

40 Years ago today, January 24, 1984, the Apple Macintosh was introduced to the world. Four decades later, it continues to maintain a dedicated community of enthusiasts and users. Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joined Kieran to discuss...

According to a new survey, a quarter of Teenagers from 14-16 in North Dublin drank alcohol last year.   The study by the North Dublin Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force, also claims that attitudes to drink have changed with more young girls engaging with drinking than boys.  Newstalk's Henry McKean met with people in Dublin and asked them about their drinking habits growing up. Ki...

There have been mixed reactions about the Oscar nominations. Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig missed out on major nominations, while Ryan Gosling earned a nod for his supporting role as Ken.   Kieran was joined by Alexandra Ryan, Founder and CEO of Goss.ie and Chris Wasser, Arts journalist and Sunday independent film critic to discuss...

 Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that Libmeldy – the world’s most expensive drug has been approved for use in Ireland.  The drug is used to treat Metachromatic leukodystrophy - or MLD, a rare and life-threatening disease that affects the metabolic system in children.  Les Martin’s eldest son, Cathal, died from the MLD three years ago at the age of six, his younger...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Laura Donnelly, News Editor and Anchor with Bauer Media Group and David Hall, CEO of iCare Housing and CEO of Lifeline Serivces... Image: RTÉ

This is The Soapbox. Today, Dr. Jennifer Cassidy, Lecturer in Diplomatic Studies at Oxford University joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the role of social media during conflicts...

Caroline Morahan, Irish actress and presenter joined Kieran on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

New measures are being introduced to ensure that cash payments are accepted at supermarkets and pharmacies.  This comes with the Access to Cash laws which will aim to keep physical money in the economy as well as availability of ATMs in Irish communities.  Kieran was joined by Seamus Boland CEO of Rural Link and Paul Dolan, who runs The Barn gastropub in Glanmire, Cork and Sinead Ry...

Despite a nurse and garda with combined salaries of €89,000, new research by the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland. Has found they are still €60k short to be able to buy a three-bed semi detached home in the Greater Dublin Area  Karl Deeter is CEO of OnlineApplication.ie and Financial Analyst and Susanne Rogers, Research And Policy Analyst Social Justice Ireland joined Kieran to dis...

Writing on X, Content Creator Holly Carpenter says: 'I will never understand why so many lads go around Dublin just casually spitting everywhere? In broad daylight without an ounce of shame. Are you alright It makes me feel ill & I literally never see women doing this' Is spitting in public places becoming more common? And although it's not a crime should it be treated the same way dropping li...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Ellen Butler, Newstalk Reporter and Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner to discuss...

Today in the Irish Times and on Moncrieff Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth has called for the traditional Irish Pub to get Unesco recognition, to help them survive.  Henry McKean went on a pub crawl and visited a traditional Irish pub which is over 400 years old. 2000 Irish pubs have closed since 1995...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Orla O’Connor , Director of the National Women’s Council of Ireland joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the upcoming referendums on both woman's place in the home and the definition of the family...

As toddlers and young children get more curious about their surroundings, this often leads them to putting various items, ranging from sweets and toys to even more hazardous objects like coins or batteries, into their mouths.   Kieran was joined by Dr Suzanne Crowe, consultant in paediatric intensive care at Crumlin Children’s Hospital...

If you have tuned into the news since the turn of the year one issue has dominated the airwaves and that is immigration.  One common trend amongst these stories are the same narratives such as Ireland is full and single unvetted men coming into our country. We want to dedicate some time to challenging these talking points and dispel some myths around them.   Ciaran O’Connor, misinformati...

Government needs to take action on the spiralling cost of doing business in Ireland.  That’s the call from Ibec in a letter to government who have asked government to suspend further increases to the minimum wage and other government scheme while the issue is addressed.  Kieran was joined by Danny McCoy, CEO of Ibec and Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Un...

The news broke yesterday that murder suspect Ian Bailey has died. Bailey was a suspect in the 1996 murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier and maintained his innocence in that case until he died. He passed away in his home town of Bantry yesterday after suffering a heart attack.   An Irish cold case investigation has been underway recently into the 1996 West Cork murder and a French court fo...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Michael Kelly, Journalist and Former Editor of the Irish Catholic and Kieran Cunningham, Chief Sportswriter with the Irish Daily Star...  

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists..

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat all things Protein and Plant Based Protein for a Flexitarian Lifestyle...

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action...

A poll released today by the Irish Times suggested that Republic of Ireland voters would be against the idea of joining the commonwealth in hopes of creating a united Ireland.  But is this something worth considering? - is it a small price to pay for Irish unity.  Kieran was joined by Gerard Craughwell, Independent Senator and Ronan McGreevy Irish Times journalist and historian to discus...