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
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…
Sep 5, 2025 • 11min
Will this new island-hopping experience bring more life to the Mayo coast?
A new tourism initiative is launching this month, based on island hopping along the Mayo coast.To tell more about it, Kieran is joined by Carl O’Grady of Clare Island Whiskey.Image: Clare Island
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.
