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
Jul 1, 2025 • 8min
Are Dublin’s streets getting more dangerous?
Paul Gallagher, owner of the Asics store on O’Connell Street, joins Anton Savage to talk about crime in Dublin city centre. Paul's store was broken into on Monday night, adding another blow to the city centre street.Josh Crosbie also reports with vox-pops from shoppers on if they feel safe in Dublin.Listen here.
Jul 1, 2025 • 8min
How do we make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians?
Colin Baker ('The Gadget Guy') and cyclist Imogen Ní Choitir join The Hard Shoulder to discuss road safety for vulnerable users and whether changes in infrastructure could prevent further fatalities.Especially with new vehicles entering the road, pedestrians and cyclist continue the calls for better cycling infrastructure.Listen here.
Jun 30, 2025 • 20min
The Story of Thin Lizzy
Tom Dunne, Newstalk presenter and frontman of Something Happens, joins The Hard Shoulder to tell the story of Thin Lizzy.From their origins to their legacy in music, and why Phil Lynott’s voice still echoes across generations.Listen here
Jun 30, 2025 • 7min
James McCabe
James Fernandez McCabe, of Irish descent, is due to play Wimbledon tomorrow. His father, Patrick McCabe emigrated from Walkinstown to Sydney in the 1980s. There, he taught his son to play tennis through youtube videos, launching his career which has now brought them to the prestigious tournament. Patrick and James join The Hard Shoulder now to share their story.
Jun 30, 2025 • 12min
Eamon Ryan
Eamon Ryan, former Green Party leader, joins Jonathan Healy to discuss Ireland’s missed climate goals, accountability in government, and what he believes needs to happen next to start hitting those climate goals.Listen here.
Jun 30, 2025 • 10min
What it Takes to be a Tennis Umpire
Amanullah de Sondy, former umpire and UCC academic, joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the life and times of a tennis umpire,Listen here to hear about the abolishment of line judges, the prospects for this year and the changes in refereeing the game.
Jun 30, 2025 • 8min
Kids Clinic
Parenting coach Aoife Lee from ParentSupport.ie joins Jonathan for this week's Kids Clnic.This week, it's sharing tips on maintaining structure for children over the school holidays — and how to avoid chaos without killing the fun.Listen here
Jun 30, 2025 • 8min
Intel to Issue Compulsory Redundancies
Joe Lynam, Newstalk Business Editor, and reporter Jess Woodlock join The Hard Shoulder to explain why nearly 200 staff are facing compulsory redundancies at Intel Ireland.Although a huge hit for the Irish economy, it may describe more accurately the state of affairs within Intel and an apparent failure to adapt to newer technologies.Listen here
Jun 30, 2025 • 16min
Bob Vylan Controversy Distracting from Gaza?
Peter Cardwell, TalkTV presenter, and human rights campaigner Colm O’Gorman join The Hard Shoulder to react to the BBC’s decision not to cut away from Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, which contained comments the broadcaster later called “utterly unacceptable.”Vylan is now being investigated by UK Police.But Jonathan asks the question; has this distracted us from what's really happening in Gaza?Listen here.
Jun 30, 2025 • 11min
Stena Line to Withdraw from Rosslare
Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications for Iarnród Éireann and Rosslare Europort, and Eoghan Corry, travel journalist and editor of TravelExtra, join Jonathan Healy to discuss the rather suprising news of Stenaline withdrawing its Rosslare to Cherbourg ferry service from the end of September this year.Listen here for all the latest.
