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 5, 2025 • 15min
You Are What You Eat: Damsons
Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss damsons, and what you can do with them!
Sep 5, 2025 • 3min
Nikita Hand to be sued by James Lawrence - what we know
News has emerged today that James Lawrence, who was Conor McGregor’s co-defendant in the Nikita Hand case, has taken legal action against her.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Senior News Reporter with The Irish Sun, Michael Doyle.
Sep 5, 2025 • 9min
Sport with Mick McCarthy
Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…
Sep 5, 2025 • 14min
Search continues for missing boy in Donabate - presumed dead
The shocking story of a search for a missing and presumed dead child in Donabate, north Dublin has entered its fourth day. But, where are we now, and are we any closer to finding out what happened?Joining Kieran with the latest is Newstalk’s Chief Reporter, Barry Whyte, and to discuss, Caroline Strong, Chief Operations Officer at the Irish Association of Social Workers.
Sep 5, 2025 • 8min
Ireland face New Zealand in Women’s Rugby World Cup - who will win?
Ahead of Ireland's game against New Zealand this Sunday, Kieran is joined by Allison Miller, former Irish rugby player to discuss and give a preview on what to expect.
Sep 5, 2025 • 10min
Should we abolish inheritance tax?
Does Ireland's current inheritance tax system discriminate?Joining Kieran to discuss is Karl Deeter, Financial Advisor and Analyst, and Thomas Hubert, Editor with The Currency.
Sep 5, 2025 • 6min
Is the public trusting charity more now than ever?
Today is International Day of Charity, and to coincide with the event a report has been published that looks at the public’s attitude towards charities. To discuss the report, Kieran is joined by Advocacy & Campaigns Manager at The Wheel, Guillaume Jacquinot, and Co-Founder of Hygiene Hub, Sorcha Killian.
Sep 5, 2025 • 15min
The Irish language in The Traitors - should we see it more?
Cúpla focail have featured heavily in The Traitors, but should it feature more prominently in pop culture to keep it relevant?Joining Kieran to discuss is Julian De Spainn, Ard-Rúnaí (General Secretary) at Conradh na Gaeilge and Louise Cantillon, Today FM Presenter.
Sep 4, 2025 • 22min
Movies and TV: Thursday Murder Club, The Traitors Ireland, The Paper
John Fardy, Entertainment Journalist and Podcaster, Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O’Callaghan, from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…
Sep 4, 2025 • 14min
How Mary Robinson changed the role of President
As party campaigns kick off, The Hard Shoulder’s series learning more about the history of the presidential office continues.Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute, and Presenter of Talking History joins Kieran to look back on the ‘new wave’ of Irish Presidents, including how Mary Robinson changed Ireland’s place in the world stage as President.
