

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. Listen and subscribe to The Hard Shoulder on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 9, 2025 • 6min
Israel launches attack on Doha - what will the fallout be?
Israel has launched an attack on Doha in Qatar, in what they claim was targeting Hamas leaders.Joining Kieran to discuss and give the latest updates is The Independent’s Chief International Correspondent, Bel Trew.Image: Reuters

Sep 9, 2025 • 30min
Jim Gavin wins Presidential bid - what does it mean for Fianna Fáil?
Jim Gavin has been nominated by Fianna Fáil for the Irish Presidency, beating out MEP Billy Kelleher in a vote today. And, with Taoiseach Micheal Martin backing the candidate who lost the vote, what does it tell us about the party’s faith in his leadership?Kieran is joined by Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher as well as Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe to discuss the nomination, and later Fionnan Sheahan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent and Ivan Yates, former Government Minister, join to discuss what this could mean for the future of the party.

Sep 9, 2025 • 10min
Should greyhound racing be banned?
The Scottish government has supported a new bill looking to ban greyhound racing.Scotland are following the lead from Wales, New Zealand and Tasmania, who have all made moves towards banning the sport.Does Ireland need to look at a similar ban?Joining Kieran to discuss is Independent TD for Limerick, Richard O’Donoghue and Katie Corcoran, Co-Founder of Greyhound Awareness Cork.

Sep 9, 2025 • 12min
Can you spot a liar? - Henry McKean Asks
Last night has been described by Traitors Ireland fans as the best reality TV moment ever! But what makes a great liar?Henry McKean has been asking the public, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Sep 8, 2025 • 8min
Kids Health Check: Fussiness with Clothes
For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Development Therapist and Founder of Cogni Kids, to discuss what to do when your child gets fussy about what they wear.

Sep 8, 2025 • 4min
How to keep your energy bill under control as it gets colder
As Met Éireann predicts a drop in temperatures coming in from this week, but how can you best prepare for the heating costs in advance?Joining Kieran to discuss is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Columnist with The Irish Examiner.

Sep 8, 2025 • 13min
Simon Harris threats - is someone going to get hurt?
The Gardaí are investigating a number of phone calls to garda stations relating to threats against the home of the Tánaiste Simon Harris and his family.Harris and his family were not present in the house at the time but were allegedly advised by Gardaí not to return until security checks had been completed.Former Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan joins Kieran to discuss.

Sep 8, 2025 • 8min
Restaurant owners blame International Protection Office on closure
Restaurant owners have blamed the disruption caused by a nearby International Protection Office (IPO) for the closure of their restaurant after 16 years.Ruth and Clint Hamilton’s run Mamma Mia restaurant on in Grattan Street in Dublin City Centre, and announced the closure on instagram saying “unfortunately due to the ongoing IPAS and IPO situation… we have been forced to close”.Ruth Hamilton joins Kieran to discuss.

Sep 8, 2025 • 10min
Kinder Bueno becomes yet another victim of ‘shrinkflation’
The Kinder Bueno bar has been reduced from four squares per finger to three, and while it’s smaller, the price isn’t. Yet another bar victim of shrinkflation…Joining Kieran to discuss is Edgar Morgenroth, Professor of Economics at DCU.

Sep 5, 2025 • 24min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…