

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 30, 2025 • 18min
Is democratic or undemocratic to spoil your vote?
Ahead of the Presidential election, there have been calls in some areas for people to spoil their votes in protest…Is this action democratic or undemocratic?To explain and discuss this more, Kieran is joined by Businessman and Entrepreneur, Declan Ganley, and Independent Senator, Gerard Craughwell.

Sep 29, 2025 • 15min
What would a national action plan for HIV look like?
‘Towards a National Action Plan for HIV in Ireland’ is a conference that is taking place today and tomorrow in Dublin.So, how is HIV handled in Ireland currently? And what can we maybe learn from other countries?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Rebecca Tallon de Havilland, who is a trans woman and HIV-positive advocate, Professor Jane Anderson, who is an AIDS Specialist and Consultant Physician at Homerton Hospital in Hackney and Stephen O’Hare, Executive Director of HIV Ireland.

Sep 29, 2025 • 8min
Is Keir Starmer in trouble?
The political landscape appears to be shifting in the UK, as conservative support falls, Reform UK soars, and reports of Labour infighting.All of this as Labour host their annual conference in Liverpool.To chat through all this, guest host Ciara Doherty is joined by Journalist and Broadcaster, Adam Boulton.

Sep 29, 2025 • 11min
Kids Health Check: Sibling Rivalries
For this week’s Kids Health Check, guest host Ciara Doherty is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie, to discuss how you can deal with a sibling rivalry in your household!

Sep 29, 2025 • 5min
UHL is still in crisis - what needs to be done?
There are 147 patients without a bed at University Hospital Limerick today, which is just short of the record high of 150 from February of last year. This is according to the INMO report today.The latest HIQA inspection report from May 2024 found that University hospital Limerick had high patient numbers and overcrowding and warned: “The processes in place may not be fully sufficient to protect people who use the service from the risk of harm.”What needs to be done?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Conor Sheehan, Labour TD for Limerick City…

Sep 29, 2025 • 14min
Do debates change elections?
The three presidential candidates will all meet for their first debate tonight, but how crucial is this debate to their hopes on election day?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Acting Political Editor with The Irish Examiner, Paul Hosford, and Associate Professor of Politics at DCU, Eoin O’Malley.

Sep 29, 2025 • 9min
What is ‘the fear’ and how do you deal with it?
If you were out over the weekend, you may have suffered from the dreaded ‘fear’ along with other hangover symptoms the next day. But, what causes it, and why does it only affect some of us?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Dr Anne Keogh, Clinical Psychologist.

Sep 29, 2025 • 5min
What do we know about the shooting in Louth?
Gardaí have arrested a man in his 30s in connection with an incident in a rural area of County Louth in which three people were killed. Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock is at the scene, and joins guest host Ciara Doherty to give the latest updates…

Sep 29, 2025 • 12min
Shane Lowry’s granny on his Ryder Cup win! - Henry McKean Reports
Shane Lowry secured the Ryder Cup for team Europe yesterday, and it’s safe to say that many celebrations have happened, with more to come.Newstalk’s Henry McKean has made the trip to Lowry’s home golf club in Offaly to get reactions from the locals, including Shane Lowry’s own granny! He joins guest host Ciara Doherty to share what he’s heard.

Sep 29, 2025 • 13min
Is anti-social behaviour out of control in Dublin?
There was yet another instance of anti-social behaviour in the city center over the weekend, with a Pittsburgh Steelers player allegedly assaulted and robbed in the early hours of Saturday morning…It is one of a spate of similar instances in recent weeks. What impact is it having on how Dublin is perceived globally, and is that having an effect on business in the capital?Joining guest host Ciara Doherty to discuss is Luca de Marzio, owner of Rosa Madre in Temple Bar and Trina O’Connor, Criminologist and Lecturer in Psychology in TU Dublin.