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
Feb 19, 2025 • 8min
Tech Takeover: The Irish Text Relay Service
For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss the Irish Text Relay Service, the importance of accessibility in technology, as well as give her tech recommendations for the week!
Feb 19, 2025 • 13min
How the IDA will combat Trump’s tariffs
The IDA has announced a new 5-year plan which would create 75,000 new jobs if achieved, in hopes to navigate the possibly difficult economic times ahead for Europe…To go into details of the plan, Kieran is joined by the Chairman of the IDA Ireland, Fearghal O’Rourke.Image: Reuters
Feb 19, 2025 • 10min
Why do we fall for TikTok trends?
A new TikTok trend which has been doing the rounds suggests that a spoonful of butter might help your baby sleep through the night.This has since been debunked, but what causes these ideas and trends to spread so quickly, and why do we believe them?Kieran is joined by Stephen O’Leary, CEO of Olytico and Pete Lunn, Founder and Head of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit to discuss.
Feb 19, 2025 • 14min
Could we see planning open up for garden cabins?
Now, the Government has announced that they intend on living planning exemptions for cabins built on private land to be used by family members in order to alleviate those seeking houses in the current market.Joining Kieran to discuss this potential change is Minister of State at the Department of Housing, John Cummins, as well as one man who has had continued issues with planning permission on his own land, Sean Meehan.
Feb 18, 2025 • 14min
How can prisoners reintegrate into society?
Bosses at the Iceland Supermarkets in the UK have said that they could offer small jobs to those facing conviction to combat overcrowding and help them rehabilitate.Is this a good idea, and are we doing enough to help those in our who are going through our prison service?Joining Kieran to discuss is Comedian Willa White…
Feb 18, 2025 • 7min
Peadar Tóibín on why he thinks Simon Harris should resign
It's been reported today that the long-awaited National Children's Hospital will be costing an extra €850 million and not set to open until 2026…Kieran’s guest believes that Simon Harris should resign, or furthermore, be fired for signing off on the project.Leader of Aontú, Peadar Tóibín, joins to discuss.
Feb 18, 2025 • 12min
The Bookshelf with Gary O’Hanlon
Executive Chef at The K Club Gary O’Hanlon joined Kieran this week to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!
Feb 18, 2025 • 7min
USA and Russia begin negotiations - what to know
Senior officials from Russia and the United States met in Saudi Arabia today to begin talks on improving ties and negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine…To tell more, Kieran is joined by Europe Correspondent with Euronews, Shona Murray.Image: Reuters
Feb 18, 2025 • 12min
Michael Healy-Rae on his new role as a Minister
With less than a month away until almost all the Irish Ministers embark on their St Patrick’s Day missions, one of the Ministers holding the fort while they are gone is Minister of State Micheal Healy-Rae.He joins Kieran to discuss.
Feb 18, 2025 • 5min
What are the dirtiest things in your home?
Did you know that if you flush the toilet with the seat up, you could be breathing in dirty air - along with getting your bathroom surfaces filthy?In that sense, what are the dirtiest things in your home?Microbiologist, Ana Burns, joins Kieran to discuss.
