The Hard Shoulder

Dublin traffic has been named as the second slowest city centre in the world.  According to a survey, last year on average a 10km journey through central Dublin took an average of 29 minutes and 30 seconds - a one minute increase from 2022’s average.   Kieran was joined by Fianna Fail TD, John Lahart and Brian Caulfield, Professor of transportation at the School of Engineering at Tr...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Ciara Phelan, Senior Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and Michael Kelly, Journalist and Former Editor of the Irish Catholic to chat through today's top stories...

It’s Penneys, Hun! Penneys has invited the cameras in for the first time for a new six-part documentary. Inside Penneys will begin tonight on RTE 1 at 8.30pm. From just one shop in Dublin’s Mary Street, to more than 430 stores in 16 countries. Penneys has grown from humble beginnings to become an affordable trendsetter and global fashion giant.  Henry McKean got a look behind the sc...

This is The Soapbox. Today, Niall Breslin aka Bressie, singer and host of the hugely successful podcast 'Where is My Mind' joined Kieran to discuss the current state of mental health services in Ireland...

Terry Prone, author and Chairman of the Communications Clinic  joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss some of her favourite books...

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to discuss hospital waiting lists, CAMHS, housing for hospital staff and the future of Micheál Martin as leader of Fianna Fáil...

Operation Transformation returned last week and episode 2 airs tomorrow. This will be the 17th season of the show that aims to promote a healthier lifestyle.  Kathryn Thomas, Presenter of Operation Transformation joined Kieran on the show...

Today, legislation was brought to Cabinet to enact the Government decision taken before Christmas to reduce welfare payments for new arrivals from Ukraine.  Ukrainians arriving in Ireland in the coming weeks will receive an expense allowance of €38.80 a week, which is down from the current jobseeker's rate of €232 per week.  Kieran was joined by Tom McEnaney, Media consultant and founder...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Brianna Parkins, Columnist with The Irish Times and John Lee Executive, Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland to chat through today's top stories...

This is The Soapbox. Today, David Quinn , Columnist with the Irish independent joined Kieran to discuss public debate and how people are shutting down certain sides of the debate if it doesn’t suit a narrative...

The return to school after the Christmas holidays can result in many children catching the common cold, but what can appear to be a simple cold can become more serious.   Consultant Pediatrician, Dr. Niamh Lynch, joined Kieran to discuss what to do when a simple cold becomes more serious…  

Legendary German Footballer Franz Beckenbauer has passed away at the age of 78.   Nathan Murphy from Off the Ball joined Kieran to discuss...

There has been a record numbers of visas granted to young Irish people heading to Australia.  Along with this, we’re seeing reports today of staff at the National Maternity Hospital  commuting 2½ hours to work due to Dublin living costs  How can we address this and help people to live in our city and also encourage people to stay here in Ireland and lend their expertise and skills t...

Ireland is in the midst of a cold snap at the moment with temperatures expected to drop as low as minus 5 degrees in some areas tonight.  Met Éireann has issued a Status Yellow low temperature and ice warning for the entire country which will be in place from 9pm tonight until 10am tomorrow morning.  Kieran was joined by Joanna Donnelly from Met Eireann and Shane O’Donoghue, Editor for C...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis and Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut to chat through today's top stories...

Whether it’s down to financial needs, the thrill of adventure, or just seeking a better way of life, the Irish have been flocking abroad for generations. Record numbers of visas have been granted for young Irish people heading to Australia. Newstalk reporter, Josh Crosbie was there himself and he’s been looking into this for us.

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and Saoirse Hanley , Features writer with Sunday Independent and Sunday World 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 through some of her top tips for Christmas dinner...

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

The young are caught in a grotesquely unfair trap, those are the words from Gerard Howlin in the Irish Times today.  According to his piece, more needs to be asked of the older generation as with declining birthrates and an increasingly ageing population, there is a going to be a massive financial burden place on younger generations.  Gerard Howlin, Public Affairs consultant and Irish Ti...

Room to Improve is back for another season this Sunday on RTÉ One. Kieran was joined in studio by Dermot Bannon and Claire Irwin to chat about what to expect from the new season... Image: RTÉ

The Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue speaking to the Irish Examiner has said restaurants and food outlets need to cut down on the amount of food they put on customers plates to reduce waste. He also wants to ban the doggy bag.  Newstalk's Henry McKean joined Kieran with this report...

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s daily catch up on the day's news.  Today, Kieran was joined by Niamh Maher, Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media and Laura Donnelly, News Editor and Anchor with Baure Media Group... 

Details are continuing to emerge on what the upcoming review in to Ireland’s handling of the Covid pandemic might look like.  The Irish Times today reporting that the inquiry is likely to hear from frontline health workers and families who lost loved ones.  It also says the inquiry is expected to last around 18 months. Kieran was joined by Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immuno...

Kieran was joined on The Hard Shoulder by Dr. Harriet Treacy, founder of Beyond BMI, who believes that obesity management has been hijacked by the beach body industry rather than having a medical approach to the disease