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
Jun 18, 2025 • 8min
Two Years Since the Submersible Disaster
Enda Brady, presenter with TRT World, and Dik Barton, COO of Armatrex and former VP of Operations with RMS Titanic, join The Hard Shoulder to reflect on the implosion of the Titan submersible two years on — and how the tragedy changed deep-sea exploration.Listen here
Jun 18, 2025 • 4min
Tensions in the Middle East
Anthony Zurcher, BBC’s North America Correspondent, joins The Hard Shoulder to explain how US foreign policy under President Trump is influencing growing tensions with Iran.Listen here
Jun 18, 2025 • 15min
Presidential Race – Where Are the Nominees?
Gerard Howlin, public affairs consultant and Irish Times columnist, and Fionnan Sheehan, Ireland Editor at the Irish Independent, join The Hard Shoulder to discuss the absence of declared candidates for Ireland’s 2025 presidential election.Get all the discussion here.
Jun 18, 2025 • 8min
The Ticket Problem
Dave Hanratty, host of the ‘No More Encore’ podcast, and NewsTalk Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly join The Hard Shoulder to explain why getting concert tickets feels harder than ever — and what fans can do to beat the bots.Listen here
Jun 18, 2025 • 3min
Impending World War III?
Josh Crosbie, Newstalk reporter, brings public reaction to rising tensions in the Middle East and asks whether people are following the news — or becoming desensitised to the conflict.Listen here
Jun 18, 2025 • 10min
Tech Takeover
Jess Kelly, NewsTalk's Tech correspondent joins The Hard Shoulder to give all the best tips for kids, adults and everything in between this Summer.Listen here.
Jun 18, 2025 • 18min
Lotto – What Would You Do?
Ruth Scott, radio presenter and humanist celebrant, Cathal O’Sullivan from 98FM, and Alice Leahy of the Alice Leahy Trust join Kieran to discuss how they'd react if they won €250 million, whether they’d go public, and what they’d spend it on.Listen here
Jun 18, 2025 • 5min
Kneecap Case Adjourned
Emily Keegan, Newstalk reporter, joins The Hard Shoulder with the latest from court after the case involving Kneecap's Liam Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh -- aka Mo Chara -- is adjourned.Listen here for all the latest.
Jun 18, 2025 • 9min
We Need More GPs
Dr Brendan O’Shea, Assistant Adjuvant Professor in General Practice at Trinity College and Kildare-based GP, and Evelyn Mahon, Professor Emeritus at Trinity College Dublin, join The Hard Shoulder to explain why Ireland will need at least 1,200 more GPs by 2040 — and what that shortfall means for healthcare access.Listen here.
Jun 18, 2025 • 5min
What Would You Do with The Euromillions Jackpot?
NewsTalk's Henry McKean joins The Hard Shoulder with reaction from the public after one Irish person scooped a €250 million Euromillions jackpot — the biggest in the country's history.Listen here
