
The Hard Shoulder Highlights
The Hard Shoulder Highlights 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'.
Latest episodes

Jun 11, 2025 • 4min
Remembering the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson
Beach Boys co-founder and frontman Brian Wilson has passed away at the age of 82...Joining Kieran to reflect on his legacy is Arts Journalist Pat Carty.

Jun 11, 2025 • 14min
How to do Stuff: Proposals
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 Kieran to discuss how to get down on one knee and propose!

Jun 11, 2025 • 13min
The impact muscular dystrophy has on families
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, or DMD as it is commonly known, is a progressive neuromuscular disease that causes the weakening of muscles over time.It affects almost exclusively boys, with symptoms typically appearing between the ages of one and three. In Ireland today, around 110 people are known to be living with DMD. Most of them are under the age of 18.Fianna Fáil Senator Teresa Costello has called on the European Commission, HSE and Minister of Health to regulate the drug Givinostat here for children with DMD.Joining Kieran to discuss is Senator Teresa Costello, as well as Úna and Eilish, both parents of children who suffer from Muscular Dystrophy.

Jun 11, 2025 • 8min
What should be done about distracted driving?
Newstalk’s Henry McKean’s reporting today looked into devices that can transform the screen of a car to allow the use of video streaming services, even while driving.So, what should be done about these devices, and how can we combat this epidemic of distracted driving?Shane O’Donoghue, Editor of completecar.ie, joins Kieran to discuss.

Jun 11, 2025 • 11min
The National Development Plan - will it hit its targets?
Can the National Development Plan deliver on all its projects? With a €165 billion investment in transport, housing and infrastructure - will everything be met by 2040?Joining Kieran to discuss is Brian Caulfield, Professor in the School of Engineering at Trinity College Dublin.

Jun 11, 2025 • 9min
Are young farmers an “endangered species”?
Macra, an organisation that represents young people in rural Ireland, have said that young farmers are almost an “endangered species”, but are they really in decline, and what is it that is driving them out?Joining Kieran to discuss is Josephine O’Neill, National President of Macra and Limerick Dairy Farmer, Louise Crowley.

Jun 11, 2025 • 17min
Dodgy boxes for your car - Henry McKean Reports
In recent weeks we have seen a rise in TVs in cars. Touch screens converted to TVs or TVs added to the dashboard playing videos. Driving around and watching TV. But is it allowed and is it safe? Henry McKean has been finding out for us.

Jun 11, 2025 • 12min
What is our limit for DIY?
What are your least favourite DIY jobs? And, what is your limit when it comes to being handy?Joining Kieran to discuss is Building Expert and TV personality Pete the Builder and DIY Educator and Content Creator Suzanne Armstrong.

Jun 11, 2025 • 15min
The Ultimate Guide: The Isle of Man
Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Kieran Cuddihy to give his travel tips for the Isle of Man!

Jun 10, 2025 • 27min
Government officially announce new rent control plans
The Government today officially announced plans to implement a new national rent control system.The new rental regulations will mean that the current system, which caps yearly rent increases at 2%, or in line with inflation, will be retained for existing tenancies.Landlords will also be allowed to hike rents in instances where tenants leave homes voluntarily.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Daniel McConnell, Editor of the Business Post, Kate English, Deloitte Chief Economist and later Pat Davitt, CEO at IPAV.