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 15, 2025 • 14min
Bike shed controversy continues following independent report
An independent report commissioned by the OPW says there was no value-for-money assessment before work began on Leinster House's infamous €336k bicycle shed.According to the report by Deloitte, the OPW did not tell the Oireachtas what the shelter would cost.Joining Kieran to discuss is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe and Mairéad Farrell, Sinn Féin TD for Galway West/South Mayo, Chair of Oireachtas Finance Committee and Spokesperson for Public Expenditure.
May 15, 2025 • 7min
Shopping wisely to fight food inflation
The latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that Irish inflation rose again in April, up by more than 2% on the same month last year.It doesn't come as a surprise, since a pound of butter now costs nearly five euro.But, how can you shop wisely to deal with inflation?Joining Kieran to discuss is Consumer Journalist, Caitriona Redmond.
May 15, 2025 • 12min
How will Ireland do at Eurovision? - Henry McKean Reports
With the second Eurovision semi-final on tonight, how will Ireland fare against seemingly tough competition?Newstalk's Henry McKean joins Kieran backstage from Basel to discuss, and share what he's heard from Ireland's representative EMMY, Marty Whelan and more!
May 15, 2025 • 11min
How are you enjoying the weather?
How are people around Ireland enjoying this beautiful week of weather?Joining Kieran to discuss how it is impacting them is John McCarthy, owner of Lahinch Surfing, Yasmin Khan of TEDDY’S Ice Cream Dun Laoghaire, Gary Anderson from the Seafood Shack on the Pier in Killybegs and Karen O’ Neill, Senior Operations Manager from Beyond the Trees Avondale.
May 15, 2025 • 10min
How to do Stuff: Picking a fast food restaurant
Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about.This week, Simon joins Kieran to discuss how to handle one of the most difficult debates you can have: picking what to get for a takeaway!
May 14, 2025 • 11min
What impact will AI have on music and creativity?
A lot is said about how AI impacts our daily lives, but how will it change our music, and will it hinder artists’ creativity?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr. Martin Clancy, Senior AI Research Fellow at DCU and Policy Fellow at Trinity College Dublin.
May 14, 2025 • 10min
How to sleep during hot summer nights
One downside of the beautiful summer weather is that when it’s time to hit the hay, it can be quite uncomfortable to fall asleep in the heat.Joining Kieran is to give her tips on how to not lose sleep during warmer weather is Sine Dunne, Sleep Professional and Founder of SiEST Sleep.
May 14, 2025 • 7min
Tech Takeover: Gardaí issue warning on online misinformation
For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss the Gardaí’s warning of misinformation online following the tragic death of Kevin Flatley, and the bad actors surrounding it.
May 14, 2025 • 10min
Could the housing crisis be solved in 100 days?
As the Government is scrambling to come up with plans to increase housing delivery, Kieran’s guest claims not only to have the best ideas to solve the housing crisis, but that he’ll do it in 100 days to boot.Ronan O’Reilly is the Managing Director of NewKey Homes, and joins to discuss.
May 14, 2025 • 10min
Eurovision kicks off! - Henry McKean Reports
Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean is in Basel Switzerland for this year’s Eurovision! He joins Kieran to discuss what things are like on the ground, including his chat with Ireland’s Eurovision representative EMMY.
