

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. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 14, 2025 • 7min
Are rising meat prices putting butchers in danger?
Some meat prices have risen by as much as 28% since last year, with butchers experiencing greater challenges in running their shops.Why is that, and is it just down to prices?Jack Molloy is owner of Jack Molloy and Sons Butcher in Waterford City and President of the Association of Craft Butcher of Ireland. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Jul 14, 2025 • 13min
Car park chaos during weekend heatwave - what can be done?
This past weekend brought us the hottest day of the year, with it reaching up to 31.1° Celsius in some parts of the country. And of course, with high weather there comes a high level of beach-goers.There were clips online shared of Portmarnock beach in North Dublin, where cars were blocking both entrances and exits, they were parked up on the grass, some leaving with massive scratches and damage done to the car, and even people abandoning their vehicles.Yesterday, Gardaí confirmed that the car parks at Warren Beach near Rosscarbery and Inchydoney Beach near Clonakilty in West Cork were overcrowded, confirming that there was no longer any safe access to either of the beaches by the afternoon.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Cllr Marie O’Sullivan and Fine Gael TD Brian Brennan.

Jul 11, 2025 • 27min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined (on the roof of Newstalk towers) by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Jul 11, 2025 • 11min
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…

Jul 11, 2025 • 19min
You Are What You Eat: Summer-suited recipes!
Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran on the roof of Newstalk towers to discuss how you can make some summer-themed recipes to suit the glorious weather!

Jul 11, 2025 • 13min
Live Aid turns 40! Looking back
40 years ago, the world gathered to watch the biggest music acts in the world put on a benefit concert, one in London, and the other in Philadelphia.Media Consultant Tony O’Brien was lucky enough to attend, and joins Kieran to look back on the iconic day…

Jul 11, 2025 • 14min
The good, the bad and the ugly of travelling abroad
You will be well familiar with Kieran’s guest, Fionn Davenport, Travel Journalist and Lonely Planet author.He joins to regale his stories of travelling the globe, discussing the good, the bad and the ugly!

Jul 11, 2025 • 11min
What defines a summer anthem?
What defines a summer anthem? Is it a pulsing beat, a beachy hook, or playful experimentation?Freelance Arts Journalist Pat Carty joins Kieran to give his take.

Jul 11, 2025 • 16min
Making the most of the Irish heatwave!
The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting today from the roof of Newstalk towers, soaking up the sun and chatting about all things summer!Joining Kieran to chat and bask in the sun is Holly Carpenter, Model and Andrea Gilligan, Presenter of Lunchtime Live on Newstalk.

Jul 10, 2025 • 15min
Movies and TV: Superman, Too Much, We Live in Time
John Fardy, Presenter of 'Screentime' and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…


