The Hard Shoulder
Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder with Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk. Join Kieran every weekday afternoon from 4-7pm for a round-up of the day’s events, interviews with the people at the centre of the stories – and a bit of craic along the way. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 29, 2025 • 24min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Ruth Scott, Broadcaster and Humanist Celebrant to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…
Aug 29, 2025 • 15min
Remembering Hurricane Katrina 20 years on
Twenty years ago today, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. To remember the day, Kieran is joined by Jean Whitfield and Michael Leyden, who were in the city at the time on their honeymoon.
Aug 29, 2025 • 15min
You Are What You Eat: Butter Beans
Beans beans, good for your heart, beans beans… you know the rest!Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss butter beans!
Aug 29, 2025 • 7min
Sport with Cameron Hill
Off The Ball's Cameron Hill joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.
Aug 29, 2025 • 14min
What does the future look like for Slane Castle?
With the Irish version of the TV series ‘The Traitors’ revealed to be filming in Slane Castle in County Meath, what more can we expect in the future from the venue?Joining Kieran to discuss all is son of the late Lord Henry Mount Charles, and Custodian of Slane Castle, Alex Coyningham.
Aug 29, 2025 • 8min
Ireland face Spain in rugby - who will win?
Ireland will be looking to continue their winning ways against Spain on Sunday in the Women's Rugby World Cup, following a comprehensive win against Japan last weekend.Joining Kieran to look ahead to the fixture is Fiona Hayes, former Ireland international and two-time 6 nations winner, as well Aoife McDermott, former Ireland International.
Aug 29, 2025 • 7min
Who will Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate be?
With more movement on the Irish Presidential race today, the question remains on who will come out on top for Fianna Fáil, with MEP Billy Kelleher putting his name in the hat, and Minister James Lawless officially backing Jim Gavin, who is yet to actually announce if he is running. Also, former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has not ruled out running yet…Joining Kieran to break this down and more is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.
Aug 29, 2025 • 10min
Are you excited for Electric Picnic? - Josh Crosbie Reports
The Electric Picnic music festival kicks off today and across the weekend in Stradbally, County Laois - featuring big artists like Chappell Roan, Hozier and Kneecap.Will you be attending, will you be vicariously living it through social media, or will you be ignoring it from home?Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie is there, and has been talking to attendees, he joins Kieran to share what he’s heard. Psychologist Niamh Delmar also joins to discuss the fear of missing out, or FOMO.
Aug 29, 2025 • 13min
Why are rural schools being deprived of hot meals?
Some small rural schools across Ireland are being excluded from the school meals scheme. To shed some light on the situation and why it’s happening, Kieran is joined by a concerned parent from Kerry, Michael Coady, Principal of St James National School in Stradbally, Co Waterford, Rebecca Miller and Co-Founder and Co-Managing Director of food supplier Carambola, Colm O’Brien.
Aug 29, 2025 • 7min
Sharon Clancy on her journey to becoming a jazz musician
Kieran is joined in the Kennedy Summer School by Sharon Clancy, singer and actress, to discuss her journey to becoming a jazz musician, and her upcoming debut jazz album!
