

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 • 15min
Antisocial Behaviour on Public Transport
Sarah Madden, Newstalk reporter, joins The Hard Shoulder to share her report on commuter experiences of antisocial behaviour, including drug use and inappropriate conduct on Irish trains. Meghann Scully, broadcaster, and Jason Cullen of the Dublin Commuter Coalition also join to react.Listen here

Jun 17, 2025 • 13min
The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf: Neven Maguire
It’s time now for this week’s edition of the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf. Each week we ask the great and the good of Ireland to come in and to place their favourite read upon the Bookshelf. Last week, former People Before Profit TD Brid Smith place To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee on the bookshelf and this week is the turn of Neven Maguire, TV Chef & owner of MacNean House & Restaurant who joined Kieran in studio.

Jun 17, 2025 • 13min
Should we have generic school uniforms to cut costs?
The consumer watchdog has written to schools, urging them to consider generic uniform options to help reduce back-to-school costs for families. It follows a survey by the CCPC showing that 75 percent of primary and post-primary schools require at least one uniform item to be purchased from a designated retailer Joining Kieran to discuss this is Louise Bayliss, Head of Social Justice and Policy at Saint Vincent De Paul & Co-Founder of Spark and Lisa O'Sullivan Shaw aka Modern Irish Mom on Instagram

Jun 17, 2025 • 8min
New opt-out organ donation system comes into effect
From today, when a person dies, they will automatically be assumed to be an organ donor unless they have indicated an objection during their lifetime.It is hoped that this new opt-out system will reduce waiting lists and encourage more people to become organ donors.Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been hearing from donor families and recipients about the changes.

Jun 17, 2025 • 12min
Paul Murphy discusses his detainment in Egypt
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy, who was detained twice in Egypt while participating in the Global March to Gaza, has returned to Ireland.He joins Kieran to discuss his experience.

Jun 16, 2025 • 11min
Touring through Ireland’s National Heritage Park
Kieran is in Ireland's National Heritage Park, located just outside of Wexford Town, to travel back in time and walk through Ireland's past in what is one of Ireland's outdoor museums.Joining him to give the tour is Liam Dwyer CEO at National Heritage Park!Image: Discover Ireland

Jun 16, 2025 • 15min
What Gaelic Games mean to the people of Wexford
Wexford has produced plenty of GAA legends. So, what do the Gaelic Games mean for them?Joining Kieran to discuss is four-time All-Ireland winner and All-Star, Ursula Jacob, 1996 All-Ireland winning manager, Liam Griffin and former Wexford Captain, Diarmuid Lyng.

Jun 16, 2025 • 12min
Picking Wexford strawberries - Henry McKean Reports
Why is the Wexford strawberry so famous, is it the weather in the Sunny South East, the soil or the cold nights? Henry McKean has tried to find out and visited a strawberry farm in Enniscorthy this afternoon. He joins Kieran to discuss!

Jun 16, 2025 • 6min
What is the life of a Conductor like?
Have you ever thought about what it’s like to be a Conductor? How does the job actually work?Joining Kieran to discuss is Conductor Niall Kinsella, who will be playing in the National Operahouse in Wexford, and the National Concert Hall in Dublin in July.

Jun 16, 2025 • 8min
The Wexford origins behind the Guinness Book of Records
Many arguments lead to inspiration, but one such discussion in Castlebridge, Wexford kicked off one of the biggest books of all time, The Guinness World Records.Joining Kieran to tell more is John Ryan of Castlebridge Inspire.


