Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Drag Queen Davina Devine joins Kieran for this week's Thursday Interview!

Luke Combs has been announced as the headliner at Slane Castle next summer as part of his ‘My Kinda Saturday Night’ Tour of Europe and North America, making him the first country music star to headline the iconic venue.Pat Carty, Entertainment Journalist, joins Kieran to discuss.Image: MBC PR

Minister for Education and Youth, and Fine Gael TD for Meath East, Helen McEntee, joins Kieran to discuss current SNA numbers, and the Presidential race as it stands.

Joining Kieran is Randall Plunkett, Barron of Dunsany and Founder of Dunsany Nature Reserve in county Meath to discuss his new book ‘Wild Thing’. He is a reluctant aristocrat who decided to dedicate a third of his County Meath estate to become Ireland’s first vegan rewilding project.

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of a ceasefire deal for Gaza. Israel and Hamas have signed off on the first phase of the Gaza peace plan, which will see hostages returned from Gaza. As a result, Israel says a ceasefire is expected to begin within 24 hours. Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent with The Independent and Reham Mahdi Al Jarrah, Christian Aid Ireland’s local partner in Gaza & the Women’s Affairs Centre, whose whole family have been displaced because of this conflict, join Kieran to discuss.

Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly shared her experience of public transport on social media - criticising how overcrowded her train was, to the point of being dangerous.How widespread of a problem is this in public transport, and do we need to tackle overcrowding?Louise joins Kieran, as well as Barry Kenny, Head of Corporate Communications at Iarnród Éireann, to discuss.

On January 4th there will be a special dedication concert to Phil Lynott in the 3Arena. Darren Wharton, who you may know as a member of Thin Lizzy, will be performing, and joins Kieran to discuss.

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 you can get your kids to fall asleep at a normal time!

From midnight last night, the VAT rate applied to the sale of completed apartments was reduced from 13.5% to 9%, but will this kickstart the construction of apartments which we’re being told has all but stalled?Joining Kieran to dig into this is Ollie Lyons, Director and Head of Land Development at JLL and Orla Hegarty, Architect and Assistant Professor at the UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy…

Kieran is joined by Financial Advisor, Broadcaster, and Columnist, Eoin McGee, who’s here to talk about his new show ‘How To Tackle Your Finances’, which gives important financial advice in an ever-shifting world.

Polling day in the Presidential election is rapidly approaching.With just over two weeks of campaigning left, Kieran is joined by candidate Catherine Connolly to discuss recent events, and her thoughts on the campaign so far…

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Kieran to discuss how Google is changing how their search works with a new ‘AI Mode’...Image: Google

Michael Flynn, AKA Mattress Mick has a new memoir which is called ‘Bouncing Back’, looking at his life, and his many businesses across Ireland.He joins Kieran to discuss!

You may have noticed more Gardai on your commute this morning, that’s because today is operation ‘Twin Tracks’.All day, Gardaí have been patrolling on trains and Luases in an engagement campaign to curb antisocial behaviour on public transport. So, should we have something similar to this year-round with dedicated transport police?Joining Kieran to discuss is SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser John Murphy and former Garda Sergeant, Christy Galligan.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth declared war on “fat generals”, but how hard is it to pass an army fitness test?Henry McKean took part in one with the Irish Defence Forces, and joins Kieran to discuss how he got on!

Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, Fionn joined Kieran to give his recommendations for autumn breaks in Ireland!

With all details of Budget 2026 out today, what would be the opposition's view on all of the changes made?Joining Kieran to discuss is Sinn Fein spokesperson on Finance and TD for Donegal, Pearse Doherty.

Sarah Clancy, Community worker and poet in Galway, has returned to Ireland after being detained by Israel for her participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla.She joins Kieran to discuss her experience.Image: Reuters

Budget 2026 has been fully revealed today, and with it, the Government’s decision to drop VAT rates to 9% in the Hospitality sector.Joining Kieran to discuss this is Paul Gallagher Chief Executive of the Irish Hotel Federation and Michael Taft, Researcher at SIPTU.

Carer and advocate for education & inclusion Tracy Carroll joins Kieran to discuss the impact Budget 2026 has had on carers, and what more needs to be done.