Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

This week, Ciara and Seán were joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Columnist with the Irish Independent, to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

It's Wish Week here on Newstalk! Because listeners have been so incredible and generous with their donations, Ciara Kelly has a forfeit to do: she needs to sing on Grafton Street!She braves the public and sings Madonna's ‘Like a Prayer' with singer Bríd McLoughlin!Also, Seán Defoe is joined in the studio by Susan McQuaid O'Dwyer, CEO of Make-A-Wish to chat about the forfeit, the donation efforts, and the impact the charity has on families…Let's make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

The National Archives of Ireland (NAI) is expecting huge interest when the 1926 census records are released tomorrow, but what information will be available and how should you search?Joining Seán to discuss is Orla Mc Bride from the National Archive.

Daniel Kinahan has been arrested in Dubai. The Dubliner was arrested on foot of an Irish warrant, Gardaí and police in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) confirmed today.Joining Seán to discuss the latest updates is Paul Williams, Crime Journalist and author.

Can Seán Defoe, filling in for Shane today, guess which crying baby is his out of the four clips played?Let's make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

Off The Ball's John Duggan joined Ciara and Seán on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week's action…

It's Wish Week here on Newstalk, and we are highlighting the incredible work Make-A-Wish does in helping create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses…Ciara and Seán are joined by Geradline Gavin and her son Michael Gavin, who had his wish granted by Make-A-Wish…Let's make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he is “absolutely furious” he was not told that Lord Mandelson failed security vetting, as he now faces calls for resignation.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Adam Boulton, Political Commentator and Columnist for the i Newspaper.

The first images of late film star Val Kilmer returning to the big screen through the use of AI were unveiled in Las Vegas this week. Kilmer appears as a priest in the trailer for ‘As Deep as the Grave', while we may have the technology to bring back actors you have passed to the big screen, should we?Joining Seán Defoe to discuss this is Brian Lloyd, Film Critic and host of the podcast Screenland.Image: First Line Films

The new Cork Luas route was unveiled today with 27 stops, with the proposed route running from Ballincollig to Mahon Point. The publication of the 20km light rail route marks the start of a new round of non-statutory public consultation, which will continue until Friday, June 12.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Brian Caulfield, Professor of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin and Peter Horgan, Labour Councillor for Cork City.Image: National Transport Authority

Irish Rail has been increasing security to tackle antisocial behaviour on their services. What are these issues with antisocial behaviour, and how necessary is a greater amount of security?Newstalk's Josh Crosbie has been looking into these concerns with locals in Limerick, and joins Seán Defoe to discuss.

The US saw more people leave than arrive last year, according to a report from US think tank the Brookings Institution.This was the first time that this had been the case "in at least half a century".So, what is life like at the moment in the US for immigrants?Joining Ciara to discuss is John Foley, Boston immigration lawyer from Foley Law Offices, specialising in US Immigration.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Ciara and Seán to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Managing Director of the Asia Market and TV Chef Eva Pau joins Ciara and Seán for this week's Thursday Interview!Image: Asia Market

Off The Ball's John Duggan joined Ciara and Seán on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week's action…

A medical card scheme for dental services in Ireland is “haemorrhaging dentists”, and too many children are leaving primary school without having ever had a dental screening, an Oireachtas committee has warned. The report has made 19 recommendations it said must be implemented as a priority to improve dental services in Ireland.Joining Seán Defoe to discuss this is Dr Bridget Harrington Barry, incoming President of The Irish Dental Association.

How much pressure is being put on Taoiseach Micheál Martin by his party Fianna Fáil?Joining Seán Defoe to discuss is Cynthia Ní Mhurchú Fianna Fáil MEP for Ireland South. And later joining Ciara to discuss is Naoise Ó Cearúil Fianna Fáil TD for Kildare North.

Ireland is the largest buyer of both moving boxes and red wine glasses in the world when it comes to IKEA stores, the retailer has announced today. But, just what is it about the Swedish retailer that makes it so popular, and makes us want to pass our time building flat pack furniture? Eddie Shanahan is a Retail Consultant, and joins Seán Defoe to discuss the popularity of the store here.

US President Donald Trump has posted that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a ten day ceasefire, to commence at 10pm Irish time this evening. Raya Jalabi is the Middle East Correspondent for the Financial Times, and joins Ciara to discuss.Image: Reuters

Today, a group of European leaders, including An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, held a remote conference on the potential of EU-wide action to implement a ban on social media for under sixteens. Australia became the first country to implement such a ban last December, but when it comes to regulating social media for young people - are bans truly the best way to go?Dr Sinan Aşçı is a Post Doctoral Researcher at the Anti-Bullying Centre in DCU, and joins Seán Defoe to discuss.

Figures obtained by Irish Country Living show more than €4 million of taxpayer money was spent on cleaning up rural areas in 2025…For more on this, Ciara is joined by John Fleming, Fianna Fáil Councillor for Wexford and Hannah Quinn Mulligan, Journalist & Farmer.

We all know that our computers and phones are vulnerable to hacking, but as they have got increasingly advanced, it is now quite common for our cars to be subject to cyber attacks…Joining Shane to explain how we can protect ourselves and why criminals may want to hack our vehicles is Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Sunday Independent.

A very rare shark that washed up on a beach in Co Sligo has been recovered by the National Museum of Ireland. The species has a lifespan which can stretch over 500 years, the longest of any known vertebrate, was discovered on the shores of Finisklin.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Dr. Kevin Flannery, from Oceanworld in Dingle.

The ESRI have published a report saying that Ireland officially has the highest energy prices in the European Union. They found that energy prices could rise by €106 per year for the next four years. Meanwhile, figures from Wind Energy Ireland show that 41% of our energy in March came from wind. What should we be looking at to help alleviate pressures on our energy supply?To discuss, Shane is joined by Fianna Fail Councillor in Meath Stephen McKee and Green Party Councillor in Dublin City Council, Janet Horner.

It's Wish Week here on Newstalk, and we are highlighting the incredible work Make-A-Wish does in helping create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses…Ciara and Shane are joined by Ellen Kavanagh of Waxperts to wax Shane's legs for a good cause!Let's make 2026 the biggest Wish Week yet. Every cent matters. Donate online at makeawish.ie/donate.

Off The Ball's John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week's action…

For this week's Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joins Ciara and Shane to discuss an update on the EU's age verification app.

As the 10 cent excise cuts take effect from today, forecourt operators are warning motorists that price drops will not be seen immediately. This comes after the International Monetary Fund warned there will be an international oil shortfall this year, with fears the Iran war could tip the world into recession…Joining Shane to discuss this is Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels Ireland and Emma Howard, Economist at TU Dublin.

Coachella heads into its second weekend this Friday with stars like Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber set to perform again. Fans of Madonna may have noticed over the weekend that she has completely wiped her social media feeds, fuelling speculation that she could be set for a surprise appearance at the festival and that new music is on the way…Joining Ciara to discuss all things Coachella is Founder of Goss.ie, Ali Ryan.

A group of three Fianna Fáil backbenchers released a statement expressing their concern in the party after the national fuel protests last week.What can be gleaned from this statement, and what other potential fallout could come from this no confidence motion?Joining Shane to discuss is Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner and Barry Heneghan, Independent TD.

It turns out we shouldn't be like the French and introduce alcohol to our kids over dinner when they are 12 to drink. A 1997 US based study showed if teens start drinking before 15, they have a 40% chance of alcohol dependence later in life.The advice? Wait as long as possible. Henry McKean has been out chatting to people of all ages about this and joins Ciara to discuss.

This morning on Newstalk, we heard from Siobhán Gifford Lynch, the mother of Grace Lynch who died earlier this year at the age of 16 after she was hit by a scrambler, on the online abuse she has faced…Joining Shane to discuss this is Broadcaster Meghann Scully.

Every week for The Ultimate Guide 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 Ciara and Shane to give the ultimate guide to Barbados!

Last month, American medical technology company Stryker, which has a headquarters in Cork, was crippled by a cyber-attack from an Iranian-backed group. While the company now says its global manufacturing network is fully operational, it had to deal with disruption for almost a month. So, just how vulnerable are we here to further attacks if the war continues?Richard Browne is the Director of the National Cyber Security Centre and joins Shane to discuss.

While the Government has lost the favour of the Healy-Rae's, it has passed the motion of no confidence originally tabled by Sinn Féin.Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss are Naoise Ó Muirí Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay North and David Cullinane, Sinn Féin's Spokesperson on Health and Waterford TD.

It has been just over twenty four hours since the United States blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, but it is still largely unclear how the US is going about fully enforcing the blockade. Ship tracking data over the past day has shown some ships managing to pass through the Strait. It comes as some proposals continue to be traded between the United States and Iran, but both appear far apart on agreement when it comes to Iran's nuclear capabilities.Joining Ciara to look at all this is Sean Bell, former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.Image: Reuters

Architect Róisín Murphy joins Ciara and Shane to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder's bookshelf!

Moya Brennan, best known as the lead singer of the Grammy and BAFTA-winning group Clannad, has passed away at the age of 73.Ciara and Shane are joined by singer Mary Coughlan and Fiachna Ó Braonáin, Broadcaster and Hothouse Flowers musician to look back on the legacy she leaves behind.

Today, Brianna Parkins writing in the Irish Independent says, “Men do see dirt, they are just unbothered because women are shamed into cleaning it”.Henry McKean has been asking the public about this, and joins Ciara and Shane to discuss.

After the death of cyclist Johnny Santos on Dublin's Abbey Street, Dublin City Council has backed an emergency motion to impose better safety standards on Heavy Goods Vehicles or HGVs.This motion would require all vehicles to adhere to a scoring system for safety. Joining Shane to discuss is the proposer of the emergency motion, Green Party Councillor Ray Cunningham.

This afternoon the Dáil is debating a motion of no confidence, with a voting scheduled to take place. This is in the wake of last week's nationwide fuel protests. In what could be considered shocking news, Michael Healy-Rae has announced that he will be voting against the current government, and will be resigning as a Junior Minister.Ciara and Shane are joined by Newstalk's Political Correspondent Seán Defoe and Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock for the latest updates.

Are we witnessing the death of the hardback book? A study in the UK reveals that most people favour a paperback, with almost half the respondents saying they have never bought a hardback book…Joining Seán to discuss is Mia Sherwood Scully, Freelance Journalist and formerly of Dubray Books.