
The Hard Shoulder Highlights
The Hard Shoulder Highlights 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.
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Latest episodes

Jun 16, 2025 • 13min
The importance of Rosslare Port for Ireland
Rosslare Europort is one of Ireland’s central hubs for freight, and it also happens to be in Wexford, where the Hard Shoulder is taking place for Newstalk’s Summer Tour!Joining Kieran to discuss its impois Glenn Carr, Director of Commercial Business at Iarnród Éireann and Bort Authority for Rosslare Europort.

Jun 16, 2025 • 19min
What makes Wexford so special?
As part of Newstalk’s Summer Tour, The Hard Shoulder is live from Wexford today!Joining Kieran to kick off the day, and discuss what makes Wexford so special is Paul Walsh from WexWalks Tours, Labour Councillor Vicky Barron and Chairperson of the Fleadh and CE of Wexford County Council, Eddie Taaffe.

Jun 13, 2025 • 28min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Saoirse Hanley, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Elaine Burke, Presenter of the ‘For Tech’s Sake’ podcast to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Jun 13, 2025 • 10min
Life as a classical musician abroad
Joining Kieran is Dublin-born Recorder and Baroque Cellist extraordinaire, Kate Hearne.Kate Hearne is with the Woodpeckers Recorder Quartet, and they will be performing at the West Cork Chamber Music Festival which takes place in and around the town of Bantry in West Cork from Friday, June 27th to Sunday, July 6th.So far so normal, you might say.The catch is, Kate’s home is 200km North of the Arctic Circle in a place called Kiruna, in Lapland!

Jun 13, 2025 • 15min
You Are What You Eat: Seasonal Eating
Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to discuss seasonal eating this summer!

Jun 13, 2025 • 7min
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…

Jun 13, 2025 • 9min
Should smartphones be banned until you’re 16?
The issue of the use of smartphones by kids is back in the headlines, because the Department of Education has, from today, instructed primary schools to implement policies banning the use of phones…But, should we be delaying giving smartphones to older kids, up to the age of 16?Joining Kieran to discuss is Mary Lovegrove who has spearheaded the ‘Smartphone Free Childhood Ireland’ campaign and Fianna Fáil Education Spokesperson, Ryan O’Meara...

Jun 13, 2025 • 8min
What is Walking Football?
Walking Football is a slower-paced, low impact version of the beautiful game that is growing in popularity among older people looking to stay active and involved in soccer.This weekend, there is a walking football festival taking place at the National Sports Campus in Abbottstown.Joining Kieran to tell more is Derek O'Neill, League of Ireland Football & Social Responsibility Manager with the FAI and Paul Massey, a participant and father of former professional footballer Dane Massey.

Jun 13, 2025 • 6min
The extra travel expenses to watch out for
So, you have your holiday paid for, and then you realise the added expenses you didn’t account for: the car park at the airport, a kennel for the dog and not to mention the last-minute panic buying duty-free.Joining Kieran to discuss the most common pitfalls when it comes to travel overspending is Consumer Journalist, Siobhain Maguire.

Jun 13, 2025 • 12min
Why did Israel attack Iran?
Israel has launched a major strike inside Iran, targeting nuclear and missile facilities in what they call a necessary move to eliminate an existential threat. Iran has since vowed to respond, calling it a declaration of war.The world is now watching closely, and asking what this means for regional stability and global security.Joining Kieran to discuss is Eylon Levy, former Israeli Government Spokesperson…Image: Reuters