The Hard Shoulder
Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder with Kieran Cuddihy on Newstalk. Join Kieran 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
May 19, 2025 • 15min
100,000 children denied dental screening appointments - why?
100,000 primary schoolchildren were denied dental screening appointments last year. Under the HSE, primary school children should be seen by a dentist three times throughout the course of their primary school years.Joining Kieran to discuss why this is happening is Emer Tóibín, Aontú Cllr in Meath and Dr Bridget Harrington Barry, HSE Dentist based in Galway and President-elect of the Irish Dental Association.
May 16, 2025 • 26min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Saoirse Hanley, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…
May 16, 2025 • 13min
On the roof with Amanda Brunker!
On a beautiful day like this, Kieran has escaped the regular studio to seek refuge on the Newstalk to bask in the lovely summer sun that has blessed Ireland this week.Joining him for a chat in his makeshift summer studio is Writer and Playwright, Amanda Brunker!
May 16, 2025 • 17min
You Are What You Eat: Food to help you sleep!
Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about foods and recipes you can use to help with sleep!
May 16, 2025 • 4min
Sport with Eoin Sheahan
Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…
May 16, 2025 • 16min
The impact on trans rights from the UK Supreme Court
Last month, the UK’s top court made a decision that’s left many trans people in Ireland feeling hurt, angry, and scared. It ruled that when the law talks about women, it only means so-called 'biological' women.For trans women, this isn’t just legal language, it’s a step backwards. It sends a message that their rights and their safety might be in question, and one person who has felt that is Jenny Maguire, Trans Activist and Trinity College Dublin Student President. She joins Kieran to discuss.
May 16, 2025 • 8min
How close are we to seeing flying taxis?
Los Angeles wants air-taxis to be in place by the time they host the Olympic Games in 2028.They are planning their third Summer Games, and want the service to help spectators avoid the infamous LA traffic.Joining Kieran to discuss is Russell Vickers, CEO of Future Mobility Campus Ireland and Technology Journalist Emmet Ryan.Image: Archer Aviation
May 16, 2025 • 14min
Do we work worse in good weather?
Are you listening from work, or did you pull a sickie because of the good weather? Apparently, you’re not alone if you did...Joining Kieran to discuss all things skiving off is Comedian Jim Elliot and Alexandra Ryan, Founder of Goss Media.
May 16, 2025 • 15min
Are men to blame for climate change?
Is climate change a man's world?That’s apparently the case according to a new study from France, that claims that men contribute 25 percent more than women due to their love of red meat and fast cars.So, do men need to do more to pick up the slack and should they ditch the car keys and steaks to help contribute more positively to climate emissions?Ian O’Doherty Columnist with the Irish Independent and Dr Éanna Ní Lamha, Environmentalist and PRO of the Tree Council of Ireland, join Kieran to discuss.
May 15, 2025 • 7min
Should we feel that guilty over a takeaway?
Meghan Markle has said she doesn’t always have the time to cook every day, but when she opts for a takeaway, she demonstrated to viewers of her new Netflix show, ‘With Love Meghan’, how to present it beautifully.But, if even Meghan Markle can admit to not having the time in her day to cook, should we really be so hard on ourselves for the weekly take away?Joining Kieran to discuss is Cooking Expert, Catherine Leyden.
