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 14, 2025 • 8min
Gateway to Europe: Adie McGuinness & Clare Kelly
Kieran was joined in Toronto by Adie McGuinness, Co-Founder of Ireland Gateway to Europe and Chair of Sigmar Recruitment and Clare Kelly, Head of Partnerships and Growth at Sigmar to set out the scene for this year's Gateway to Europe trip!
May 13, 2025 • 8min
Irish Times Chess Columnist retires after 70 years
He’s played the long game, mastered the middle, and now, after nearly 70 years, JJ Walsh, Irish Times Chess Columnist, is making his final move by retiring.The Chess Columnist has written close to 16,000 puzzles, outlasting famous grandmasters like Bobby Fischer and Cold War tensions from his first column written back in 1955.JJ Walsh joins Kieran to discuss.
May 13, 2025 • 13min
Coeliac Awareness Month - knowing the symptoms
May is Coeliac Awareness Month, but what are the symptoms to look out for, and how does the diagnostic process work?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dietician and Nutritionist with the Coeliac Society of Ireland, Sarah Keogh and Marina Corrigan and her daughter Shona, who were both diagnosed with Coeliac disease.
May 13, 2025 • 15min
The Bookshelf with Michael McDowell
Michael McDowell, Independent Senator and author of ‘The Definite Article: Collected Writings of Michael McDowell’ joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
May 13, 2025 • 10min
Mark Moriarty talks saving money in the kitchen!
We have all done it - opened the fridge or press and wondered: “What will I cook tonight?”. Well, have no fear, Chef Mark Moriarty is here to help!Mark is back with his new series ‘Mark Moriarty: Cook Like a Chef’ and will show you how to make delicious restaurant quality food in your own kitchen with some basic ingredients you are sure to have at home.Mark joins Kieran to discuss.
May 13, 2025 • 22min
Is the cost of raising children putting future parents off?
A new survey by Laya Health has found a stark increase in the cost of raising a child, with the average cost per child at over €169,000, up 60% in a decade. But, is it actually putting people off having kids, or do we simply deal with the costs as they arise?Joining Kieran to discuss is Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Wendy Grace, Columnist and Journalist and later Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist and Presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk and Financial Expert Karl Deeter.
May 13, 2025 • 8min
Dubliner wins University Challenge!
A Dubliner has led his team to victory on one of the toughest quiz shows on TV! Oscar Despard, a PhD student at Cambridge, captained Christ’s College to their first-ever win on ‘University Challenge’ beating the University of Warwick by just five points in a tense final last night.Oscar Despard joins Kieran to discuss the win.Image: BBC
May 13, 2025 • 8min
Is there a fast fashion problem in tech?
Many of us are more conscious of where we are buying, with a move away from fast fashion to more sustainable and environmentally conscious brands, but do we give the same level of thought when it comes to buying tech?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr Sinead Sheehan, Climate Activist.
May 12, 2025 • 4min
Rachael Blackmore retires - reflecting on her legacy
Rachael Blackmore has retired this afternoon after a glittering racing career, which included a famous success in the 2021 Aintree Grand National.To reflect on her retirement, Kieran is joined by former Jockey Davy Russell...
May 12, 2025 • 12min
Ciara Mangan hopes that her story can inspire other survivors
Ciara Mangan, a woman who was raped at a house party in Co Mayo more than 10 years ago, spoke of the psychological stress following the 22-month long trial appealing the sentence of perpetrator Shane Noone, which a court ruling rejected.She has since founded a charity, Beyond Surviving, which supports victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.Ciara joins Kieran to discuss.
