The Hard Shoulder

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

The sexual assault treatment unit at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin recorded one of its busiest years ever in 2025, with a significant increase in the number of people seeking specialist care and support following sexual violence. Clinical Lead for National Sexual Assault Treatment Unit Services and Consultant at The Rotunda Hospital, Professor Maeve Eogan, joined Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Animator and Filmmaker  John Kelly  joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

100,000 customers in Dublin were faced with low water pressure or no supply following a water main burst this morning, which had a serious impact on households and businesses in Fairview. To talk through the damage, Ciara Doherty was joined by Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, who was at the scene.

The country is trying to put itself back together after Storm Chandra and get to grips with the levels of damage and flooding in the east and southeast.Minister for Housing James Browne has been critical of Met Eireann, accusing them of "guarding" information and called on them to use “judgement calls” in addition to mathematical formula in relation to weather alertsMinister James Browne is in his constituency of Enniscorthy, one of the worst-hit areas by Storm Chandra. He joined Ciara Dohety to discuss.

With Wuthering Heights set to hit cinemas on Valentines Day, the movie is being promoted with the tagline “The Greatest Love Story Ever Told”, and it got us thinking, is it the greatest love story? And if not, what is? To discuss this Ciara was joined by Arts Journalist and Sunday Indo Film Critic, Chris Wasser, and Bestselling Author, Sheila O’Flanagan.  

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has instructed that the regulations banning the use of scramblers on public roads, public parks and public places are finalised with a matter of urgency.  However, the Garda Representative Association are saying that the policies around stopping scramblers on the streets is leaving them exposed.  They say that training isn’t there to allow them to pursue scramblers and as a result they are not protected.Niall Hodgins is the Vice President of the GRA and representative for Dublin Inner City, and he joined Ciara Doherty to discuss.

We heard this morning that primary school enrolment has fallen by 6 thousand, 500 in the past year –This is the biggest decline we have seen in recent years.But is this just down to the declining population in primary school aged children or is there something that can be done to turn this figure around and save small rural schools here? Ciara Doherty was joined by John Boyle, General Secretary from the Irish National Teachers Union and Michael Mac Donncha, primary school teacher and Chairperson of small schools from Connemara...

Many homes and businesses have been left devastated as flooding and adverse weather conditions look set to continue impacting a number of counties. To get all the latest, Ciara Doherty was joined by Forecaster with Met Eireann, Andrew Doran-Sherlock, Deputy Corporate Communications Manager with Iarnrod Eireann, Jane Cregan, and Independent Cllr on Wicklow County Council, Jackser Owens.

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 to discuss how you can take more risks in life and reap the rewards.