The Hard Shoulder

If you have ever sat in a virtual queue only to be met by a dead end and an automated voice, you know how frustrating it can be. Is it time to do away with them?Joining Kieran to discuss this is Shelagh Fogarty, Journalist and Consumer Journalist, Siobhain Maguire.

When it comes to the price of groceries, can there be more transparency when it comes to the price hikes that are being experienced in retail chains across the country?Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrat TD for Wicklow, has brought a motion to the Dáil, and joins Kieran, along with Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, to discuss.

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give his travel tips for a hidden gem in Turkey: Kalkan!

Earlier in the show, Kieran spoke with John Verling and Mia Scully about epilepsy, and the different ways in which they have suffered from it over the years.Joining Kieran to discuss what we do and don’t understand about epilepsy is Dr Colin Doherty, Consultant Neurologist and Director of the Epilepsy Services at St James's Hospital.

Green Party MEP for Dublin Ciarán Cuffe joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Research shows that Gen Z are four times more likely than previous generations to skip queues.So, why do people behave this way, and what has caused the increase in impatience with queues?Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, joins Kieran to discuss.

Over 45,000 people in Ireland have epilepsy, making it one of the most common neurological conditions.Yet, for the multiple types of epilepsy and multiple ways in which they present, it is often misunderstood.John Verling, father of Freddie Verling, who has Dravet Syndrome, and Mia Sherwood Scully who has temporal lobe epilepsy join Kieran to discuss their experiences.

Are Irish towns and cities lacking late night sober spaces to socialize?  A new initiative has been launched across nine Irish towns and cities to promote late night café culture.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Anna Peters from Athena Cafe and KK Lewis from the sober social group Sunflower Sessions.

Students and opposition parties will protest outside Leinster House this evening over Government plans to reinstate the €3,000 college contribution fee.Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless caused this controversy when he said fees would return to €3,000, as a cost of living package may not be available in this year’s budget.This reduction of fee has been in place since 2022, when the then Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris, introduced a €1,000 cut to the student contribution fee, a measure repeated for the 2023 and 2024 academic years.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Donna McGettigan, Sinn Féin TD for Clare & Higher Education Spokesperson and John Connolly Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West and Spokesperson on Higher Education

St. Peter’s Church in Lurgan, Co. Armagh has announced the end of its parish’s tradition to walk from the church to St Colman’s Graveyard after a funeral. The walks were impacting priests’ schedules. Parish Priest Father Colum Murphy said that changes were necessary, given the increasing workload and pressure that the priests are under.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Dave McGowan, CEO of McGowan’s Funeral Home and Father Iggy O’Donovan.