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
Mar 13, 2025 • 8min
Ireland win at the Winter Special Olympics! - Henry McKean Reports
Ireland has won big at this year’s Special Olympics World Winter Games, including our first gold medal! Henry McKean is reporting from Turin and joins Kieran to share what he’s seen.
Mar 13, 2025 • 9min
How to do Stuff: Patriotism
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 give a lesson on being patriotic!
Mar 12, 2025 • 15min
Micheál Martin and Trump meet - could he have done more?
Micheál Martin has come out of his meeting with Donald Trump relatively unscathed, but could he have done more?Joining Kieran to give their thoughts is Senior Lecturer in Journalism at TUD, Harry Browne and former People Before Profit TD, Bríd Smith...
Mar 12, 2025 • 9min
Dealing with the ‘pet blues’
Pets are not just for Christmas, but this saying still rings through as there have been reports of a phenomenon called ‘new pet blues’ – where owners experience overwhelming anxiety or regret after getting a new pet…Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet joins Kieran to discuss.
Mar 12, 2025 • 10min
Tech Takeover: An Overview on Artificial Intelligence
For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss artificial intelligence. For the next few weeks, she will be giving an 'AI 101', delving into the uses of the technology and how it can make your life that bit easier. Today, she gives an overview on what is available now!
Mar 12, 2025 • 4min
Barry Heneghan is on ‘Grá ar an Trá’ - here’s why
Kieran’s guest has been appearing as a contestant on Irish language dating show ‘Grá ar an Trá’. The catch? He’s a TD now…Independent TD for Dublin Bay North, Barry Heneghan, joins to discuss.
Mar 12, 2025 • 12min
Micheál Martin meets with Trump - how did it go?
Earlier today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with President Donald Trump in the White House.Joining Kieran to give their reactions is former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and Brian Murphy, former Chief of Staff to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar…
Mar 12, 2025 • 8min
Will the MetroLink be worth its high cost?
Former Tánaiste Micheal McDowell has said today someone should stop development on the MetroLink, which is facing a total sum of nearly €23 billion...But, will it be worth that cost?Joining Kieran to discuss is Sinn Féin Councillor for the North Inner City, Janice Boylan.
Mar 11, 2025 • 17min
5 Years on from Covid: Those Still Affected
With reflections being made 5 years on from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marking the first lockdown - what actually happened 5 years ago, and have things returned to full normality?Joining Kieran to discuss is Oonagh Carr, long Covid patient, Robert Maguire, Director at Massey Brothers Funeral Homes and Linda Kelly, Spokesperson for Better Maternity Care.
Mar 11, 2025 • 15min
The Bookshelf with Richard Boyd Barrett
People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire, Richard Boyd Barrett joined Kieran Cuddihy this week to place his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
