Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

A recent survey by PrecisionBiotics found that 60% of adults interviewed said they experienced digestive issues such as bloating, constipation and cramps. With a further one in three saying their gut health affected their confidence. But what steps should you take to support it?Joining Ciara to discuss is Professor Karen Boland, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Beaumont Hospital.

Following Andy Burnham today becoming the new Prime Minister of the UK, replacing Kier Starmer, Ciara is joined by British Ambassador to Ireland, Kara Owen, to discuss…

For this week's Kids Clinic, Ciara is joined by Dr Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner to discuss how to support your child as they transition from primary to secondary school.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is urging consumers to use their air fryers properly in a new consumer information campaign launched today.A survey showed less than half (44%) of daily users clean their air fryer every day, while 7% of daily users only clean it about once a month. As little as 3% of all air fryer owners say they never clean it. Joining me now to talk us through the importance of cleaning plug in appliances is Ann Russell, Cleaning expert author and TikToker.

The more we post, the more curated our lives become, but all it takes is one bad picture for you to be tagged in and boom the illusion is shattered. You know the one: eyes closed, hair wild with your best friend looking like they stepped out of the cover of Vogue beside you.But, should you ask them to take it down, or should you just accept it is out there now for your followers and theirs to see?Joining Ciara to discuss is Saoirse Hanley, Features Writer with the Irish Independent and Ali Ryan, Founder of Goss.ie.

E-scooters will be banned for under 18s under proposals agreed by Government leaders today.New proposals, including making hi-vis jackets and helmets mandatory for all e-scooter use and extending a ban to under 18s, will be brought to Government by Ministers Darragh O'Brien and Sean Canney next week, and will come into effect from August.Joining Ciara for more on this is Sean Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport and Independent TD for Galway East, as well as Dr Mick Molloy, Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Chair of the IMO consultants Committee.

Andy Burnham is now officially Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. After his speech earlier today, he talked about his ambitions to put "the right values and the right standards at the heart of government" when it comes to cost of living, welfare and working through his 10 year plan.He began immediately by announcing an additional £340 million to tackle rough sleeping across Britain.Vincent McAvinney is a London Based Journalist, and joins Ciara to discuss.

Kevin Keegan, the former England footballer and manager, has died at the age of 75.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Off The Ball's Ben Symes.

For nearly half of Irish people, health insurance is considered indispensable, but why do we overlook pet insurance? What can start off as something small may leave you with thousands of euros in vet bills, so how do you ensure you get the best cover for your pets?Joining Ciara to discuss is Richard Ryan, Vet at Archerfield Clinic in Kilkenny City.

Social Democrats TD Eoin Hayes has urged the government to establish a compensation scheme to offset losses incurred by businesses in Dublin that are affected by the EU presidency.Joining Ciara to discuss is James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South…

This week, Ciara was joined by Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy and Broadcaster Meghann Scully to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

Unfortunately, many laws to reduce public harm gather dust after drafting, delayed for years before being finally tabled for debate by elected representatives.With only 14 bills enacted in the first year of this Government, such a low legislative output impacts on public health protection.Delays in enacting legislation have real-world consequences as a known hazard continues unchecked, damaging people's lives and consuming precious health resources, so writes Dr Suzanne Crowe, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care, in the Irish Independent.She joins Ciara to discuss.

According to a new survey, 65% of us listen to the same songs on loop. Why do we do it, and are you open to new music? Henry McKean met music lovers and experts, and sent in this report.

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

Oscar-winning Irish actor Brenda Fricker, who starred in ‘My Left Foot' and ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York', has passed away at the age of 81…Joining Ciara to look back on her life and career is John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, and later filmmaker Tadgh O'Sullivan, Director of the Dublin International Film Festival Grainne Humphries and Virginia Gilbert, Writer & Filmmaker.

Ireland's new Government Digital Wallet, set to become “mandatory but not compulsory” for national identity documents on Irish citizens' smartphones by the end of the year, is being built without extra security controls that could deter thieves and fraudsters…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Kevin Curran, Professor of Cyber Security at Ulster University.

A recent study found that almost four in ten Irish people are choosing Ireland for their main holiday this year rather than going abroad.More than 8 in 10 people planning summer holidays are concerned about flight disruptions and cancellations, the research also shows.So, should we go back to the good old days of staycations down the country?Joining me now is Esther McCarthy, Columnist with The Irish Examiner and Mia Sherwood Scully, Freelance Journalist.

Andy Burnham has become the UK's new Labour leader, and will take over from Keir Starmer as Prime Minister on Monday.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Stephen Pound, former Labour MP for Ealing North and former Northern Ireland Shadow Minister.

The 2026 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship comes to an end this weekend when Galway and Limerick meet in the decider at Croke Park.Joining Ciara to look ahead to the big game is former Limerick Hurler Ollie Moran and former Galway hurler and All Ireland winning captain in 2017 David Burke.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files podcast joined Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

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

We've all done it. You order a meal you're genuinely excited about, only to find yourself eyeing someone else's plate five minutes later.So, why does other people's food taste better?Joining Ciara to discuss is Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly.

Today marks what met Eireann is calling the peek of our summer heatwaveAnd everyone wants to spend as much time outside, sunbathing, relaxing in the shade and cooking on the car bonnets…?We dispatched Reporter Sarah madden out with a carton of eggs and a dreamShe sent us back this food safety authority unapproved report

Plug-in solar panels offer people without roof access a low-cost way of generating renewable electricity that can feed directly into their household, but how much will they cost and how much electricity do they generate?Joining Ciara to discuss this is Dr Paul Deane, Senior Lecturer in Clean Energy Futures at University College Cork.

The Government has agreed to set up a Commission of Investigation into the activities of prolific paedophile Michael Shine.Shine was a surgeon at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda for over four decades, and he also had a private practice.He was convicted in 2017 and 2019 of abuse of a number of boys. Now, more than 400 victims and survivors have been identified.Joining Ciara for more on this is Fianna Fáil Senator in Louth, Alison Comyn…

Aer Lingus has said that up 500 jobs could be cut at the airline due to a planned 6% reduction in its flight capacity.Under the cost-cutting plan, 290 roles are under threat in head office functions, along with 140 cabin roles and 70 pilot positions…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Eoghan Corry, Travel and Aviation Journalist.

Male fertility experts around the world are reporting an increase in the number of men requesting semen analysis and expressing concerns about their future fertility, leading to an industry of influencers and products emerging in response capitalising on this anxiety. Videos online are circulating with influencers saying they are using ice or red light therapy on their testicles. Why? To 'spermaxx'…Joining Ciara with the correct advice is Helena Tubridy, Fertility Coach and author of ‘Still Trying to Conceive'.

Retailers must take responsibility for how e-scooters are marketed and sold, according to Fine Gael TD for Tipperary South and Chair of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Michael Murphy.His comments come as Children's Health Ireland reports a 50% rise in children and young people admitted to hospital with traumatic brain injuries linked to e-scooter incidents…Deputy Michael Murphy joins Ciara to discuss.

We've hit peak wedding season and, if you're in your late 20s or 30s, you're probably receiving multiple invitations every summer for friends' destination weddings.But, spending your hard-earned cash attending a friend's destination wedding if you don't have a deposit for a home, or if it requires you getting into debt, smacks of financial self-sabotage, so writes Gabrielle Monaghan in today's Irish Independent.Joining Ciara to discuss this further is Money Journalist for the Irish Independent Gabrielle Monaghan, and Sara Kennedy, Wedding Expert and owner of The Aisle wedding blog.

Writing in The Irish Examiner today, writer Marc De Faoite, who is living in France, highlights the difference of Ireland's attitudes to public toilets in comparison to France. "Ireland is still making grown adults say the equivalent of an “bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithreas?”, he says, which he states comes from the lingering legacy of Catholic-era attitudes.Marc joins Ciara to discuss, as well Victoria Spillane, Interim Chief Operations Officer at Crohn's and Colitis Ireland.

An interesting piece in Yesterday's Irish Times by Breda O'Brien detailed what the Enoch Burke saga has taught us about the Irish justice system, ultimately raising the question what is the purpose of imprisonment? Is it retributive, rehabilitative, or restorative?Joining Shane to discuss this is Breda O'Brien, Contributor to The Irish Times.

Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff' - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Ciara and Shane to discuss how to properly reprimand someone!

Minister of State with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan has said that a large fire which broke out at Killarney National Park was not a “natural disaster” but had been caused by human activity. But, whether it's bringing disposable BBQs to the beach, or having fire pits in your garden this summer, what are the proper ways to be safe?Joining Ciara to discuss is Darren O'Conner, District Officer with the Dublin Fire Brigade.

New research from Aviva Insurance Ireland reveals a confidence gap following collisions, with only 1 in 4 drivers saying that they are ‘very confident' they would know the correct steps to take if involved in a collision.But, what should you do?Joining Ciara to discuss is Alan Behan, Product and Underwriting Manager at Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has claimed he is leaving Britain in a better state than when he became Prime Minister.During his final Prime Minister's Questions today, the outgoing Labour Leader said that his Government had stabilised the economy, strengthened national security and enhanced the country's global reputation.With nominations to close this evening for the leadership of the British Labour party, it looks like Andy Burnham will be the only name in contention.Political Commentator for the i Newspaper, Adam Boulton, joins Shane to discuss what's next…

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 weekend action…

For the first time, there were more than 100,000 referrals made to Tusla in 2025, their highest recorded number ever…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Stephen Moffatt, National Policy Manager at Barnardos.

Celebrities like Halle Berry have spoken about finding benefits of taking creatine to reduce menopause symptoms, such as brain fog, but does it work, and are there other benefits to taking creatine for women?Joining Shane to discuss Shelly Gray, Today FM Presenter and Registered Dietitian.

The United States has continued its strikes on Iran as the Iran Deputy Foreign Minister says the interim deal is all but “dismantled”.President Trump has threatened to target Iranian power plants and bridges if no deal is made, with US Central Command saying the strikes have all been at night and are “designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the strait of Hormuz”.The Iranian army have pledged a “decisive response”.Joining Ciara to discuss is Sean Bell, former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the ‘Red Matrix' podcast.Image: Reuters

Creches are closing early and shutting nap rooms as soaring temperatures leave many providers unable to keep rooms cool…Providers say since the start of the heatwave they cannot keep spaces within Tusla's required temperature ranges, with older buildings overheating and cooling equipment falling short.Joining Shane to discuss this is Elaine Dunne, Chairwoman of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers.

We are relaxed about alcohol provided it stays in pubs, restaurants, beer gardens, weddings, race meetings, corporate Christmas parties and the departures lounge of Dublin Airport.Take the exact same drink to a park bench, and we stop seeing an adult having a beer and start seeing tomorrow's district court list, so writes Lorraine Courtney in the Irish Independent today.Is it time we relaxed our attitudes on alcohol consumption in public places, to match our continental neighbours? Or is that a step too far?Joining Ciara to discuss is Kate Gunnell, Freelance Journalist and Brenda Power, Columnist with the Irish Daily Mail and Sunday Independent.

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 beaches in Europe!