The Hard Shoulder
Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk. Join us 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. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 12, 2025 • 10min
You Are What You Eat: Christmas Bites
Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Ciara Doherty in Kilkenny to discuss recipes for bites you can add to make Christmas dinner that bit more special!
Dec 12, 2025 • 10min
What is the role of a Guinness Master Brewer?
Ciara is joined by Guinness Master Brewer Steve Gilsenan to talk all things Guinness 0.0, and how it’s made!
Dec 12, 2025 • 14min
Is the Government’s drugs strategy working?
Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State at the Department of Health, Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, joins Ciara Doherty in Kilkenny to discuss the Government’s drug strategy, and the problems the country is facing in relation to drugs.
Dec 12, 2025 • 9min
How much support do rural pubs need?
Ciara is joined by the owner of the establishment The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from today, Malzard’s Bar and Pub: Fred Malzard.He joins to discuss the history of the establishment, and how much support is needed for rural pubs today.
Dec 12, 2025 • 11min
Paul Murphy on winning cup named after late father
Ciara Doherty is joined by one of the best players of his generation, Kilkenny hurling legend, Paul Murphy.
Dec 12, 2025 • 14min
Chatting Kilkenny and Christmas!
The Hard Shoulder is today broadcasting from Malzard’s Bar and Pub in Stoneyford to chat all things Kilkenny, Christmas and more!Ciara Doherty is joined by TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer, Edward Hayden, Róisín McQuillan from the Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce and General Manager of Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, Colin Ahern.
Dec 12, 2025 • 15min
Movies and TV: Wake Up Dead Man, Man vs Baby, Deadly Night
John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Dee Reddy, Entertainment Journalist and Podcaster joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…
Dec 11, 2025 • 10min
Should we be investing instead of saving?
What should you know when it comes to investing, and should you do it instead of saving?Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell Finance, joins Ciara to discuss.
Dec 11, 2025 • 5min
Rate of inflation at highest point since February 2024
Latest figures from the CSO have revealed that the annual rate of inflation has risen to its highest point since February 2024, at 3.2%.To chat about the significance of this, Ciara is joined by Economist at TU Dublin, Emma Howard.
Dec 11, 2025 • 15min
The Thursday Interview: Síomha Ní Ruairc
Broadcaster, Gaeilgeoir and Presenter of new podcast ‘Labour of Love’ Síomha Ní Ruairc joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!
