The Hard Shoulder

Schools, especially those in the Dublin area, are struggling to fill vacant teaching positions for the coming year. This issue is set to make returning to the classroom very problematic in September. Kieran was joined by John Boyle, general secretary of the Irish National Teachers Organisation and Eoin Dolan, principal of Mother of Divine Grace primary school in Finglas...

Ahead of Irish Heritage Week, it is has been announced that Luke Kelly, Christy Moore, the GAA and a bowl of stew are considered the biggest representatives of Ireland. What do you think when you think of this beautiful country? Kieran was joined by Presenter, Activist, and Author, Emer O’Neill, Newstalk Reporter, Henry McKean and Former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Hazel Chu to discuss...

Eviction notices have increased by almost a thousand in the second quarter of 2023 while rent prices have stabilised in the capital according to the latest Daft report. Is the housing crisis worsening or taking a turn for the better? Kieran was joined by Maurice Deverell from the Irish Property Owners Association and Eoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Fein Housing Spokesperson to discuss…

Clare County Council have proposed to introduce year-round paid parking in tourist hotspots such as Kilkee, Lahinch, Doolin and Spanish Point. This will see a minimum charge of €2 applied to every car park space and residents and business applying for €50 car permits. Michael Vaughan, Owner of the Vaughan Lodge Hotel in Lahinch joined Kieran to discuss...

It's the 148th RDS Dublin Horse Show. 1,600 horses and ponies will compete in over 168 classes and competitions, over the next five days, with a total prize fund of over €1.3 million. The RDS Dublin Horse Show is worth €50 million to the Irish economy. Henry McKean went along and tried to capture the magic of summer, the sights and sounds. He sent this report...

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 take a look a some of the options for hot sauce on the shelves...

Over the last two weeks The Hard Shoulder has been speaking to parents from Families for Reform of CAMHS. Today, Kieran was joined by Hannah from Families for Reform of CAMHS and Sinn Féin Mental Health Spokesperson, Mark Ward...

Anyone running the Dublin Marathon like will have received an email today detailing how they can enter into the non-binary category of the race. This is the first time the category has been made available to participants Kieran was joined by Mark Armstrong, Chairman of the Dublin Front Runners Club

Many people are struggling to gain access to dental health care in rural Ireland. Due to these shortages, many people seeking free dental care with their medical cards are not being seen too when needed. With wait times of three months or more, patients have been left with no choice but to travel to different counties to seek the attention they need. Kieran was joinedb by President of the Irish De...

Dermot and Dave have been a duo for the past 21 years. Over the years, they have given listeners hours of entertainment. Sadly, this will come to an end this Friday as Dermot is heading off to pursue his passion for mindfulness with his holistic brand, Mind Full. Dermot Whelan joined Kieran to tell him more about his decision...

Last year the State provided over €128 million in funding to private schools, it has been found. State funding for building projects in private schools needs to end - that is the call from Aodhan Ó Ríordáin TD, Labour Party Education spokesperson who joined Kieran to discuss…

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 lovely Liverpool...

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 beautiful Normandy...

On Saturday evening in Dallas, Jake Paul, a man who until five years ago hadn’t stepped inside a boxing ring, faced up against 38-year-old Nate Diaz, a legend of combat sports and one of UFC fan’s most beloved fighters. Jake’s resulting win is just another chapter in the history of social media stars entering into prize fighting. A wave perhaps first started by Conor McGregor switching the octagon...

In the middle of a housing crisis would it be effective to write the right to housing into the Irish Constitution? Kieran was joined by Financial Analyst, Karl Deeter and Assistant Professor in Social Policy in Maynooth University and author of ‘Gaffs’, Dr. Rory Hearne to discuss...

With the cost of living becoming close to impossible for some people. It is necessary to make other alternatives. What better way to do this than to convert a van and live in it? Kieran was joined by Shane Monks O’Byrne, who has been living out of his van for the past four years and has used his alternative home as a way of exploring the world...

A new study has found that Ireland is one of the most vulnerable to energy shocks, such as shortages. Euromonitor International’s first global energy vulnerability index shows that the state is ranked 70 out of 100 overall, making it the third worst of all EU members on the index, ahead of Poland on 78 and Lithuania on 90. So what can this study tell us about Ireland’s energy future? Kieran was jo...

New statistics published by the Department of Transport today indicate that 60% of people are willing to change the way they travel to reduce carbon emissions. But would free public transport further encourage people to leave their car at home ? Kieran was joined by Brid Smith People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central and Janet Horner, Green Party Councillor for Dublin City...

People lined up to pay tribute to Sinéad O’Connor in Bray ahead of her funeral today. Sinéad’s funeral cortége passed through Bray after a private service to allow fans to say goodbye. Newstalk's Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was in Bray today...

According to Dogs Trust, the number of dogs being put to sleep has doubled in a year. Dogs Trust said the number of dogs entering pounds is also on the rise, from 4,165 in 2021 to 7,352 in 2022. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by PR & Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, Corina Fitzsimons to discuss...

With the Bank Holiday upon us many will be heading off to All Together now and Indie 2023, but what is the troublesome weather forecast going to be for the long weekend? Cathal Nolan of The Irish Weather Channel joined Kieran to discuss...

All week we have been speaking to parents who have children go through CAMHS. Kieran Cuddihy was joined by John Joe McGinley, who has a son in CAMHS and also set up Autism Dads to help other parents navigate autism and mental health services and, Grainne from Parents for Reform of CAMHS, which is a group of 200 family members looking for urgent reform of CAMHS.

The Girls in Green are back on home soil and crowds are gathering on O’Connell Street for a homecoming celebration. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie spoke to Kieran live on the Hard Shoulder to capture the atmosphere with fans and players.

Behavioural scientist, Founder and Head of ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit, Pete Lunn joined Kieran to talk about first impressions.

A research study done by Perspectus Global and commissioned by & me reveals the average Brit has been offered 8 truly terrible pieces of advice thus far in their lifetime, including “Just stop worrying”, “revenge is sweet”, and “marry for security”. This prompts us to think of advice we’ve given and received, both the good and the awful. Do we generally take advice, and what type of advice actuall...