Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Screenwriter and bestselling author of the ‘Skulduggery Pleasant’ series Derek Landy joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

You may have seen online a rise in people using tanning accelerators, essentially, they are lotions, sprays and supplements that claim to enhance the skin’s ability to tan.But, how do they work, and are they safe?Joining Kieran to discuss is Professor Nicola Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist at the Institute of Dermatologists.

The Hip Dysplasia Advocacy Group is calling on the Government to take accountability and for transparency over the delay in assessing children who may have had unnecessary hip surgeries.To discuss this, Kieran is joined by Amy, the Patient Advocacy Group’s Co-Chair.

While the big news of the day has been that both Seán Kelly and Heather Humphries are both putting themselves forward for the Fine Gael Presidential nomination. Fianna Fáil are making sure they’re not outdone. Their MEP for Ireland South, Billy Kelleher, has said he has written to the party’s Cathaoirleach to ask for an urgent meeting to discuss their involvement in the race.Billy Kelleher joins Kieran to discuss, as well as Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, Seán Defoe.

OCD, or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, is often portrayed as a need for complete order and organization, but what is it really like to live with the condition?Kieran is joined by David Monaghan, who has lived with OCD since he was a child, to discuss the common misconceptions of the disorder…

As the world watched Trump and Zelenskyy’s meeting yesterday, the topic of security guarantees for Ukraine emerged. But, what exactly was said, and what role will our Defence Forces have after the war?Joining Kieran to discuss is Shona Murray, European Correspondent for Euro News and Tom Clonan, Independent Senator and Security Analyst.Image: Reuters

It’s never too late to get your finances in order, and when you’re getting into the later stages of your life - it becomes more and more important.Sinead Ryan, Consumer Journalist with Irish Independent and Presenter of the Home Show on Newstalk joins Kieran to give her top financial planning tips for those aged 45-60!

What sets Irish people apart from other people when it comes to complaining? Are we a nation of secret complainers, or has that changed?Joining Kieran to discuss is Caitriona Redmond, Consumer Journalist for the Irish Examiner and Leslie Shoemaker, Counselling Psychologist and Lecturer in TU Dublin.

Research shows that twins experience dependency and rivalry more so than non-twin siblings. This is especially seen in the adolescence years. So, how can parents ensure to help each twin develop their own unique personality?Joining Kieran to discuss strategies for parents of twins is twin expert, Dr Joan Friedman.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to meet with US President Donald Trump today following Trump’s meeting with Putin on Friday. Though the terms are unclear, Trump has maintained that “significant progress” has been made towards a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire.Joining Kieran to discuss is Michael Baskin, CEO of Ukrainian Crisis Centre Ireland, Scott Lucas, Professor & Political Analyst at the Clinton Institute at University College Dublin and later Nadia Dobrianska, Ukrainian Historian in Ireland and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal.

If you were at either of the Oasis Croke Park gigs over the weekend you may have noticed the large amount of people with their phones in the air. Bob Dylan recently banned phones at his concerts and Sabrina Carpenter has said that she considered banning them.So, should we ban filming concerts on your phone to allow people to ‘live in the moment’?Joining Kieran to discuss is Journalist and Host of the ‘No Encore’ music podcast, Dave Hanratty.

Getting your kids to eat their food can already be tough, but the heat can make it more difficult. So, how can you deal with a lack of appetites?Joining Kieran for this week’s Kids Health Check with her advice is Louise Lennox Chef and Founder of Fussy Eating Kids.

The Department of Finance has published a document on tax, and a section has caught people’s attention. Currently, if you have solar panels and sell your excess energy back, you get a €400 tax exemption – but, this is set to be removed at the end of the year, with people needing to declare the income.Joining Kieran to discuss the situation is Darragh Cassidy, the Head of Communications at Bonkers.ie.

Former President Mary McAleese has criticized Pope Leo’s first 100 days in the papacy, saying it's been “too conservative”. She has questioned whether he is as committed to Pope Francis’ reforms – but, is 100 days too early to judge?Joining Kieran to discuss is David Quinn, Columnist with the Sunday Independent and Irish Catholic and Gina Menzies, a Theologian.

With more and more people living in rented accommodation across the country, a lot of people may not fully understand what rights they have as a tenant.Joining Kieran to discuss what issues some people are having at the moment, and how they could go about dealing with them is John Mark McCafferty, CEO of Threshold and Kevin O’Higgins, a practicing Solicitor and a former President of the Law Society of Ireland.

The ASTI has warned that if the planned reforms to the Leaving Certificate go ahead, they may go on strike with their over 20 thousand members. This issue stems from questions about facility quality and fears about generative AI.Joining Kieran to outline the issues, and explain their reasoning is the President of the ASTI and practical teacher Padraig Curley.

A video of a 19-year-old Australian male athlete breaking down in tears has gone viral on social media. The Australian, Archie Wilson, is playing college football in the U.S. state of Nebraska. After a match last week, he was asked by a reporter what it’s like to be away from his family and that’s when he broke down, missing his family.While most of the reaction was supportive and people felt for the young man living away from home, he also received negative comments questioning his masculinity.To discuss the stigma around men being vulnerable and crying, Kieran is joined by former Munster and Irish Rugby International and Mental Health Advocate, Alan Quinlan, Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Tara Logan Buckley, and Newstalk Reporter, Dylan Hand.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

As party campaigns kick off, The Hard Shoulder’s series learning more about the history of the presidential office continues.Patrick Geoghegan, Director of the Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity’s Arts and Humanities Research Institute, and Presenter of Talking History joins Kieran to look back the candidates who received support from county council to become president of Ireland.

Reports are coming in this Friday eve of Oasis fever gripping the country!But, as the capital prepares for the big gigs this weekend in Croker, the question remains: “Which one do you prefer, Oasis or Blur?”.Father Damo AKA Comedian Joe Rooney are here in the studio as well as Micheal Doyle, Journalist with the Irish Sun.