Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

Following her cancer diagnosis earlier in the summer, Hazel Chu, Green Party Councillor, joins Kieran to discuss why it is important for women to advocate for themselves, especially if they feel something is not quite right…

Labour Party Leader Ivana Bacik joins Kieran to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Nicola Sturgeon has been one of the most recognisable names in British politics in the past decade. Holding Scottish politics' highest seat through Brexit, a historic first Scottish independence vote and a global pandemic.Nicola Sturgeon, with her new memoir ‘Frankly', joins Kieran in the studio to discuss!

Almost two decades on from the first movie, a release date of July 3rd 2027 has been set for the second Simpsons movie...This comes after Season 37 just ended, with the show renewed through season 40.So, what is it that makes the show endure so long?Olivia Fahy is the Editor of Geek Ireland, and joins Kieran to discuss.Image: 20th Century Studios

HIQA has published its latest report into University Hospital Limerick, where it has issued advice to the Government surrounding improved healthcare facilities for the region.To discuss this, Kieran is joined by one of the Spokespersons for the MidWest Hospital Campaign, Conor Reidy, and Mayor of Limerick, John Moran.

Ahead of the Presidential election, there have been calls in some areas for people to spoil their votes in protest…Is this action democratic or undemocratic?To explain and discuss this more, Kieran is joined by Businessman and Entrepreneur, Declan Ganley, and Independent Senator, Gerard Craughwell.

‘Towards a National Action Plan for HIV in Ireland' is a conference that is taking place today and tomorrow in Dublin.So, how is HIV handled in Ireland currently? And what can we maybe learn from other countries?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Rebecca Tallon de Havilland, who is a trans woman and HIV-positive advocate, Professor Jane Anderson, who is an AIDS Specialist and Consultant Physician at Homerton Hospital in Hackney and Stephen O'Hare, Executive Director of HIV Ireland.

The political landscape appears to be shifting in the UK, as conservative support falls, Reform UK soars, and reports of Labour infighting.All of this as Labour host their annual conference in Liverpool.To chat through all this, guest host Ciara Doherty is joined by Journalist and Broadcaster, Adam Boulton.

For this week's Kids Health Check, guest host Ciara Doherty is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie, to discuss how you can deal with a sibling rivalry in your household!

There are 147 patients without a bed at University Hospital Limerick today, which is just short of the record high of 150 from February of last year. This is according to the INMO report today.The latest HIQA inspection report from May 2024 found that University hospital Limerick had high patient numbers and overcrowding and warned: “The processes in place may not be fully sufficient to protect people who use the service from the risk of harm.”What needs to be done?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Conor Sheehan, Labour TD for Limerick City…

The three presidential candidates will all meet for their first debate tonight, but how crucial is this debate to their hopes on election day?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Acting Political Editor with The Irish Examiner, Paul Hosford, and Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, Eoin O'Malley.

If you were out over the weekend, you may have suffered from the dreaded ‘fear' along with other hangover symptoms the next day. But, what causes it, and why does it only affect some of us?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Dr Anne Keogh, Clinical Psychologist.

Shane Lowry secured the Ryder Cup for team Europe yesterday, and it's safe to say that many celebrations have happened, with more to come.Newstalk's Henry McKean has made the trip to Lowry's home golf club in Offaly to get reactions from the locals, including Shane Lowry's own granny! He joins guest host Ciara Doherty to share what he's heard.

Gardaí have arrested a man in his 30s in connection with an incident in a rural area of County Louth in which three people were killed. Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock is at the scene, and joins guest host Ciara Doherty to give the latest updates…

There was yet another instance of anti-social behaviour in the city center over the weekend, with a Pittsburgh Steelers player allegedly assaulted and robbed in the early hours of Saturday morning…It is one of a spate of similar instances in recent weeks. What impact is it having on how Dublin is perceived globally, and is that having an effect on business in the capital?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Luca de Marzio, owner of Rosa Madre in Temple Bar and Trina O'Connor, Criminologist and Lecturer in Psychology in TU Dublin.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Off the Ball's Ger Gilroy and Saoirse Hanley, Feature Writer with the Irish Independent, to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

The big day is almost here. This Sunday, after a long time planning, Dublin plays host to its first ever official NFL regular season game, where the Pittsburgh Steelers go up against the Minnesota Vikings. Who will come out on top?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Steelers Beat Reporter with PennLive & Host of Steelers Breakdown, Nick Farabough.

Winner winner! Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss the different kinds of chicken dinners you can make.

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…

Despite the school year being underway, there are a number of kids still without a school place, and are now being left behind by their peers…Kieran is joined by the parents of two of those kids, Mairead Carty and Sinead O'Reilly, to discuss.

Henry and Heather de Bromhead and their daughters Mia and Georgia, opened The Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre located on the campus of ChildVision in Drumcondra.The new indoor equine therapeutic centre, is named after 13 year old Jack who died at a race meeting in 2022.Henry McKean visited the new equine centre to see how Jack de Bromhead's legacy will help children for generations to come…

Health insurance continues to be an issue for many people, but what are the latest increases set to look like, and what can you do to keep costs down?Kieran is joined by Health Insurance Expert with Health Insurance.ie, Dermot Goode, and Health Economist at UCC, Brian Turner, to discuss.

If you're one of the three Irish Presidential candidates, what is the best way to make an impact? How do you get the public excited to vote for you?Paul Allen, a PR professional, who has worked on four Presidential campaigns, joins Kieran to discuss.

There's been a lot of discussion over how accurate the new Netflix show ‘The House of Guinness' is, or rather how inaccurate it is. So, we're going to look into how close it is to real history, and whether or not that matters…Joining Kieran to discuss is Historian, Dr Kevin Egan and Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk, John Fardy.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O'Callaghan from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Has our reliance on technology and AI meant we have lost our literacy skills? Is this problem getting worse?Joining Kieran to discuss is Aidan Regan, Professor in the School of Politics and International Relations in UCD and Thomas Kenny, of Kennys Bookstore in Galway, and later Terry Prone, Chairman of the Communications Clinic.

We're edging closer to budget 2026 but if you're hoping for a bit of relief in terms of taxes, you should probably lower expectations….it is the first budget of the new Government term after all!Joining Kieran to look into the crystal ball of what we can expect is Dr Tom McDonnell, of the Neven Economic Research Institute and Susanne Rogers, Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland.

There's huge excitement in Dublin as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings face each other this Sunday in Croke Park. It's the first regular season NFL game to take place in this country.Newstalk Reporter David O'Connor has been looking at all aspects of the sport, including merchandising and safety, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Former Rehab CEO Angela Kerins has submitted €2.1 million euro in legal costs as a result of the court action she took against the Houses of the Oireachtas...It's a saga that, in total, has lasted for more than a decade now.For more on this, Kieran is joined by Martin Wall, Public Policy Correspondent for the Irish Times.

Chris Andrews, Sinn Féin Senator, is on board the Spectre boat in the flotilla that is destined for Gaza when it was attacked by Israeli drones and struck four times on Tuesday night…Chris joins Kieran from the boat to discuss and give the latest updates. Also joining to discuss is Dr Muhamed Shaallan, a Surgeon who was in Gaza…

It's definitely early to think about it, but as we enter the last quarter of the year, you may already be imagining the budget for Christmas... What are the spending tips to follow now, so you don't end up feeling the effects in January?Joining Kieran with her top tips is Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk.

Former US President Barack Obama will be awarded the Freedom of Dublin today, with some Independent Dublin Councillors calling for a boycott.Dublin City Council voted in 2017 to grant him the honour, and he has decided to accept it in a ceremony in Dublin with Lord Mayor Ray McAdam and a number of councillors in attendance.Do you think it's good that this is happening?Joining Kieran to discuss is Independent Dublin City Councillor Cieran Perry, as well as Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, James Geoghegan.

Ahead of the upcoming presidential election on October 24th, posters are popping up across the country, which raises the question: are they still necessary?Joining Kieran to discuss is Shelly Heterich Quinn, former County Councilor and Ger Deere, Mayo County Councilor.

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 Kieran to discuss how you can (in the best way possible) break up with someone…

“Thats one small step for Man one giant leap for Mankind”...We may hear those words again in the coming years as yesterday Nasa announced its first crewed mission to the moon in 50 years is to take place next February, as they prepare for another lunar landing as early as 2027.Joining Kieran to discuss is Leo Enright, Space Commentator and former Chairman of the Irish Government's Science Awareness Program.

Budget day is almost upon us, and it's once again in the shadow of the high cost-of-living...A big part of that is energy prices, and many providers have announced hikes, which for many will kick in next week. Is there any hope for a reduction in costs?Joining Kieran to discuss this more is Darragh Cassidy, Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie.

Former US President Barack Obama is to be awarded the Freedom of Dublin tomorrow. What does this mean, and should there be a new award?Joining Kieran to discuss is Irish Times journalist and Historian, Ronan McGreevy.

For this week's Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent joins Kieran ahead of the big Dublin NFL game to talk about some of the unique technology used in the sporting organisation.Image: NFL Football Operations

Europe and the US will face off against each other in just two days as the Ryder Cup returns.The Americans will be keen to reclaim the cup after the Europeans won out last time…Joining Kieran to look ahead to it all is Irish golfing legend and member of 6 Ryder cup teams, Pádraig Harrington.

Traitors Ireland is the most successful RTÉ programme since Love/Hate getting Late Late Toy Show ratings. Henry McKean met Traitors and Faithfuls at The Traitors Finale Watch Party, and sends in this report!

Maria Steen has failed in her attempt to be a presidential candidate in the coming election…Receiving 18 votes of support from Oireachtas members out of 20 ,she narrowly missed the mark.Joining Kieran with the latest and to discuss is Pat Leahy, Political Editor with the Irish Times and Peadar Tóbín, TD for Meath West and Aontú Leader.

Legislation is being discussed in the Dáil on the restriction of vape products.To talk more about this issue and the impact it's having on young people, Kieran is joined by Consultant in Paediatric Respiratory Medicine at CHI Crumlin & member of the Irish Thoracic Society Council, Professor Des Cox.