The Hard Shoulder

Newstalk's own, Simon Tierney joined Kieran Cuddihy for the series 'The Shopping Trolley Hotline'. The series will give listeners pause when they’re filling their trolleys, to consider their options. This week Simon and Kieran put a variety of toilet cleaners to the test...

Newstalk reporter Henry McKean visited a Dublin 7 apartment block that has been infested with rats. He spoke with the residents dealing with the rodents and how they've taken over their community.

Bobby McDonagh, Former Ambassador to the UK and the EU spoke to Kieran about Sinn Fein's decision not to invite the Israeli ambassador to their Ard Fheis

An OECD Alcohol Consumption study has put Ireland in the world's top 10 binge-drinking countries. Kieran was joined by Professor Frank Murray, Chairman of Alcohol Health Action Ireland, Niamh Maher, Commercial Creative Director with Journal Media and Architect, Hugh Wallace.

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 give him tips for a trip to Bologna ...

Kieran spoke to poet John Cooper Clarke, who has been writing and performing his brand of punk poetry since the 70s. The Irish leg of his tour will include five locations in May 2024.

For this week's Common Ground, Kieran was joined by Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty and Socialist TD for Cork North Central, and member of the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade and Employment Committee, Mick Barry.  We asked: is war ever justified?

It’s the first Tuesday of November, and this time next year, on the first Tuesday of November 2024, we will see one of the most anticipated US elections in recent times.  Who are the likely frontrunners, and what are the issues dearest to US voters? Kieran spoke to Bob Mulholland, a Democratic Party Strategist based in California, and Jerry McDermott, Executive Director of the Irish Cultural...

Minister for Education Norma Foley spoke to Kieran about the government's new guidelines encouraging parents to hold off on buying smartphones for children.

There is no end in sight to the four-month Hollywood Strike, as there is still no agreement between the actors’ union and studios. Negotiators for the Screen Actors Guild say they couldn’t agree to the studios’ “last, best and final offer”.     Joining Kieran to discuss was Natalie Britton, Actress and Member of SAG AFTRA and Tim Gray, Executive Vice President of the Golden Globes.

It is one month today since the Hamas attacks that sparked the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine. Is there any prospect of peace?  Kieran spoke to John O’Brennan, Professor and Jean Monnet Chair of European Integration at Maynooth University. 

The cabinet has approved new guidelines that will encourage parents not to purchase smartphones for their children in primary school.  To discuss, Kieran was joined by Alex Cooney, CyberSafeKids CEO & Co-Founder, Brian Barron, Portlaw National School principal, and Aodhan O’Riordan, Labour Party’s Education spokesperson.

Times are changing, and the Simpsons is still on air, but classic jokes on the hit cartoon such as Homer strangling Bart haven't exactly aged well. Movie reviewer and editor of Geek Ireland Olivia Fahy spoke to Anton about the show's attempts to stay relevant.

Eight hundred teaching posts in primary schools here are unfilled as of this moment.  Principal of Rathcoole Educate Together Gemma Maher joined Anton to speak about difficulties the education sector faces due to this shortage.

The government's approach to Ukraine, Sinn Féin's new housing plan, and an Irish Covid inquiry in the works. Brian Mahon, Political Correspondent for the Irish Daily Mail, joined Anton to discuss the coming week in politics.

800 teaching posts in primary schools here are unfilled as of this moment.  This is because of a shortage of school teachers, as set out by a survey carried out by primary teacher union the INTO.  General Secretary of the INTO joined Anton to discuss.

Motions are being put forward through the council to fly the Palestinian Flag over City Hall in an act of solidarity with people in Gaza.   Should public buildings be used as way to show solidarity with the suffering of Palestinians or it necessary to remain neutral? Cllr Noeleen Reilly and Cllr David McManus joined Anton to discuss.

Dublin Marathon could be forced to get a new route further outside the city.  Reports in the Sunday Independent said Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority were unhappy about the “disproportionate adverse impact” the race has on public transport services.  Anton spoke to Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne about the future of the Marathon.

An architectural firm in the UK has mocked up plans to build hundreds of homes at a north London golf club. The proposals are for 650 homes to be built on Enfield Golf Club's 18-hole course.  Here in Ireland, should we be looking to rezone some golf courses for the purpose of housing?  To discuss, Anton was joined by Feljin Jose, chairperson of the Dublin Commuter Coalition, and Off The...

This week for the latest edition of Winners and Sinners Kieran was joined by Comedian, Jim Elliott and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

Its National Sandwich Day! Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran today to chat us through the magic of the lunchbox staple.

What gets on your nerves when you got out for a meal? Maybe it’s a complex Menu, where you spend 10 minutes of your meal googling what your dinner actually is? Well, Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie took the time to chat with restaurateurs, chefs and menu makers on why nenus are sometimes complicated. He also took to the streets to hear what the public had to say on menu illiteracy.

People Before Profit have called for the nationalisation of childcare free for whoever wants to use the service. The proposed System would see childcares become public servants and would be funded via the budget surplus. The proposal comes as the Childcare system in the state has been facing a multitude of problems, often leaving parents with no access to essential childcare. Joining Kieran to dis...

The conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate day by day despite calls for a humanitarian pause from major world leaders. With no end to hostilities in sight, Kieran was joined again by Ibrahim Alagha an Irish Citizen on the ground in Gaza to give us an update on the situation.  He was also by joined Prof. Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish. A Palestinian Canadian physician, bo...

This week on the Thursday interview Kieran was joined by James O'Brien, LBC Radio Presenter to talk about his new book, "How They Broke Britain" As well as delving into his 20-year-plus career as one of the UK's top broadcasters and journalists.