The Hard Shoulder Highlights

Ireland: Gateway to Europe, in its 13th year, comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America – this year, the group made their first visit to Toronto, Canada, as well as in Boston.To wrap up the Hard Shoulder’s broadcast stateside, Kieran is joined by two founders of the group: Adie McGennis, Executive Chairman of Sigmar Recruitment and Matt Mohan Group Executive Chairman at The FKM Group to discuss how this year’s event has gone.

Ireland is to get its first winter sports arena in Dublin, and joining Kieran to discuss how he’s going to get this project over the line is Tom Kennedy, Chairman of Prime Arena Holdings.

In a quiet revolution reshaping Irish sport, Leader Kicking is emerging as an unexpected launchpad for Irish GAA and rugby players chasing dreams in American football.Two of the brains behind the operation join Kieran to speak about the business and why so many Irish people are trying to break onto the gridiron.Owen Cahil, Director of US Operations and Business Developments at Leader Kicking and Darragh Leader, Head of Football Operations in Ireland at Leader Kicking join to discuss.Image: Leader Kicking

Kieran has escaped the makeshift studio to check out one of Boston’s neighbourhoods with a strong Irish connection: Dorchester.Ed Forry, Dorchester Reporter, joins to tell more.

Joining Kieran in Boston to discuss the business landscape in Ireland, ever changing with the proposed tariffs, is Entrepreneur Sean Gallagher!

A social media ban in Ireland for under 16s is under "serious consideration", with similar efforts being made in Australia already.Should it happen?Joining Kieran to discuss is Aisling O Connor, Psychologist from Connections Child Psychology and Jess Kelly, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.

Kieran has popped out of the makeshift studio in Boston to visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.Library Director Alan Price joins to give a sense of this historic building and its contents!

From world champion in the ring to championing Irish culture, high performance, and youth sport, Kieran’s guest is in Boston with thanks to Ireland Gateway to Europe and has popped in for a chat at the Hard Shoulder makeshift studio in the Seaport Hotel.Former WBA Super Bantamweight World Champion and pundit Bernard Dunne joins to discuss.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from The Seaport Hotel in Boston this week with thanks to Gateway to Europe.Joining Kieran to look at local stories for both the United States and at home (including incredible reactions stateside over the first American Pope) is Adrian Walker, Associate Editor and Columnist with the Boston Globe and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent.Image: Britannica

White smoke! Robert Prevost has been voted to be the next Pope following the two-day conclave. It’s a historical moment, as he is the first Pope to be from the United States. He will be Pope Leo XIV.To discuss and give updates as it happens live, Kieran is joined by Fr Iggy O’Donovan, Augustinian Priest who studied with the new Pope in Rome, Gina Menzies, Theologian and Lecturer in Medical Ethics, Henry McKean Newstalk Reporter in attendance in Rome and Eileen Dunne, Journalist and former RTÉ News Anchor.