Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Schools across the country will be wrapping up their final classes and exams ahead of the summer break, but some 6th class students will be finishing up in the coming weeks not knowing what secondary school they will be attending in September…This is particularly a problem in areas which have seen high population growth in recent years.Rachel Harper, Principal of Saint Patrick's National School Greystones joins Kieran to discuss.

Disability Rights Campaigner Cara Darmody is staging a 50 hour protest over the long waiting lists for special needs assessments.Cara has been fighting for these issues for her two brothers, Neil and John, who have autism.Kieran spoke with Cara outside the Dáil, as well as Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children, Disability and Equality and TD for Roscommon–Galway.

We have had our new government now for a few months, but given the controversy surrounding the speaking rights row, it took a while for the 34th Dáil to get up to speed.But, Kieran’s guest believes that our current government is turning the Dáil into a 'do-nothing' parliament.Fergus Finlay, Columnist for the Irish Examiner, joins to discuss.

People aged 16 and 17 are as civically informed as their peers aged over 18, but are “unjustly restricted”, according to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly.Today, they will table a bill seeking to reduce the voting age in Ireland from 18 to 16.Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been asking the public for their thoughts, and joins Kieran to discuss.

New figures from the Injury’s Resolution Board show that motor accident claims over the past 6 years are down 30%, and the value of those awards paid for claims are down over 40%.Yet, insurance premiums remain stubbornly high…So, what’s the best way to get the best deal on your motor insurance?Shane O’Donohue, Editor of CompleteCar.ie, joins Kieran to discuss.

Would you let your four-year-old go for a walk alone?Are we protecting them from danger, or are we hindering their development by not allowing them to be independent?Joining Kieran to discuss is Dr Clare Moriarty, Postdoctoral Researcher working at Trinity Research in Social Sciences in Trinity College Dublin and Jen Hogan, Journalist with the Irish Times.

In 2015, Ireland made history becoming the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. A decision that sent waves across the world.As we look back on its 10th anniversary, we want to look at the ripple effects of the vote and how it influenced another nation, Australia, to get its people to vote for marriage equality...Tiernan Brady, Global Director of Inclusion and Clifford Chance and the Director of the Australian Yes Campaign, joins Kieran to discuss.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is hosting European Union chiefs today for a landmark summit to usher in a closer relationship, in the first meeting of its kind since the UK formally left the European Union more than five years ago…But, what will this mean for Ireland?Joining Kieran to discuss is Britain's Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston…

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Dr Sandra Cummings, Consultant Audiologist Consultant Audiologist at the Hearing and Balance Center at the Beacon, to discuss what to do when your child gets an ear infection.

Kieran’s guest is playing the Ambassador Theatre on June 11th, with tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster.Rhys Darby, one of New Zealand’s greatest comedy exports, joins the show!

Average rents in Dublin have risen to above €2,000 euro for the first time.The average rent in 2011 would have cost you €765 euro - now it’s €2,053, and they’re continuing to rise right across the country…Joining Kieran to discuss is Eoin O’ Broin, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing and Marian Finnegan, Managing Director of Sherry Fitzgerald.

Gary Lineker has confirmed he will leave the BBC early and has apologised for a controversial social media post which led to his premature departure.He presented Match of the Day for over 20 years, and was due to front the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup, however this now won’t be the case…Joining Kieran to shed more light on the situation is Martin Lipton, Chief Sports Reporter with The Sun...

Last week on the show, Fine Gael Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn joined Kieran for the Thursday Interview and one of the things she spoke about was girls' participation in sports, and why getting rid of school uniforms could help them get involved in sport more easily.So, should we rethink the school uniform to encourage kids to stay active?Joining Kieran to discuss is Sonia O’ Sullivan, Irish Gold Medalist and Sophie Doolan, Women in Sport Lead and Sport for Business 30 Under 30 recipient.

A man in his 50s remains in custody this morning on suspicion of murdering Kerry farmer Michael Gaine.The 56-year-old sheep farmer has been missing from his farmyard near Kenmare in County Kerry for eight weeks.The man was arrested yesterday afternoon after Gardaí confirmed on Saturday that materials found on Mr Gaine's farm are partial human remains.Joining Kieran to discuss the latest is Anne Lucey, Journalist in Kerry.

100,000 primary schoolchildren were denied dental screening appointments last year. Under the HSE, primary school children should be seen by a dentist three times throughout the course of their primary school years.Joining Kieran to discuss why this is happening is Emer Tóibín, Aontú Cllr in Meath and Dr Bridget Harrington Barry, HSE Dentist based in Galway and President-elect of the Irish Dental Association.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Saoirse Hanley, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Ger Gilroy from Off the Ball to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

On a beautiful day like this, Kieran has escaped the regular studio to seek refuge on the Newstalk to bask in the lovely summer sun that has blessed Ireland this week.Joining him for a chat in his makeshift summer studio is Writer and Playwright, Amanda Brunker!

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about foods and recipes you can use to help with sleep!

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…

Last month, the UK’s top court made a decision that’s left many trans people in Ireland feeling hurt, angry, and scared. It ruled that when the law talks about women, it only means so-called 'biological' women.For trans women, this isn’t just legal language, it’s a step backwards. It sends a message that their rights and their safety might be in question, and one person who has felt that is Jenny Maguire, Trans Activist and Trinity College Dublin Student President. She joins Kieran to discuss.