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
Nov 28, 2025 • 8min
Government launch recruitment campaign for Education Therapy Service
A recruitment campaign for Therapists to the new Education Therapy Service has been launched today by the Government.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Minister for Disability, and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West, Emer Higgins.
Nov 28, 2025 • 7min
Why do we reward ourselves with a takeaway?
Troy Parrott has revealed that after his heroic hattrick that carried Ireland to the World Cup playoffs, he treated himself to some KFC. It begs the question: is it okay to reward achievement with a takeaway?Garron Noone, Comedian and Musician and Broadcaster Meghann Scully joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.
Nov 27, 2025 • 16min
Movies and TV: Zootropolis 2, Christy, Stranger Things
John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…
Nov 27, 2025 • 12min
Newsmakers: Trump’s Tariffs
The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.Just a day after April Fools Day came Liberation Day, when US President Donald Trump produced a cardboard cutout of countries to face impending tariffs on exports. Ireland came under the EU umbrella, and we were starting down the barrel of 20% tariffs…Joining Ciara Doherty to look back is the Positive Economist and Presenter of Newstalk’s Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton.Image: Reuters
Nov 27, 2025 • 15min
The Thursday Interview: Sabina Brennan
Neuroscientist and Psychologist, Sabina Brennan joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!
Nov 27, 2025 • 5min
Margo Harkin on rejecting University of Galway degree over Israel links
Three of those set to be honoured with a doctorate degree from the University of Galway today have withdrawn their awards.American Professor Kerby Miller, Actor Olwen Fouéré and Filmmaker Margo Harkin have withdrawn from the ceremony over concerns with the University's links to an Israeli technology institute.Margo Harkin joins Ciara Doherty to discuss…
Nov 27, 2025 • 19min
What can be done to improve issues at Tusla?
Tusla was before the Oireachtas Committee earlier today, as issues facing the system were highlighted and addressed.To chat about what was discussed today, Ciara Doherty is joined by Chief Executive of Tusla, Kate Duggan.
Nov 27, 2025 • 8min
Are rivalries good for you?
Former world number one Novak Djokovic recently spoke about who his greatest rival in tennis was - citing Rafael Nadal as pushing him to his limit in matches. So, do rivalries push you to greater heights?Barry O’Sullivan of the Communications Clinic joins Ciara Doherty to discuss the ups and downs of rivalries in life.
Nov 27, 2025 • 8min
Sinéad Gibney talks ‘In Defence of Bread’
Joining Ciara Doherty is Social Democrats TD for Dublin-Rathdown, Sinéad Gibney who is here to discuss her father, the late Professor Mike Gibney’s final book: ‘In Defence of Bread’.
Nov 27, 2025 • 6min
Why has Ireland’s birth rate dropped by 20%?
A new study has found that Ireland’s birth rate has dropped by 20% in just 11 years, while the rate of potentially dangerous ectopic pregnancies has also increased, but what is the cause?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital.
