Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

The Hard Shoulder is in Toronto, Canada today as part of Ireland Gateway to Europe.Kieran was able to escape the makeshift studio and found his way to visit William Peat from the Canada Ireland Foundation. They discuss the work being done at the foundation, and the strong history of Irish in Canada.

The annual Ireland: Gateway to Europe trip to the US and Canada is underway.In its 13th year, it comprises an annual trade mission of 50 business leaders and Irish media to key cities across North America. This year, the Hard Shoulder will be broadcasting from Toronto and Boston!Kieran is joined by Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig, CEO of Skillstack and Director of Ireland Gateway to Europe to discuss.

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney barely has had little time to find his seat in Ottawa’s post-election, and today he’s face-to-face with US President Donald Trump.It’s the first big test for the new Prime Minister as he promised to be tough on Trump in face of sweeping tariffs and annexation threats.Brian Lilley, Chief Political Columnist for the Toronto Sun and Tasha Kheiriddin, Canadian Public Affairs Commentator to discuss this meeting and the state of play here in Canada post-elections…

Former RTÉ Newsreader and Journalist Eileen Dunne joins Kieran to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Harris, will inform the Cabinet today that he plans to fast-track legislation to ratify the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This comes at a time when global trade uncertainty intensifies due to the US’s new tariff policies.Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Minister for Public Expenditure, Paschal Donohoe.

The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrated a 5-4 win in game one of the second-round series against the Florida Panthers last night.Joining Kieran to discuss this, and the role ice hockey plays in Canada is "The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs", Joe Bowen, who has broadcast over three thousand leaf games throughout the course of his career.

In something that might sound familiar to people in Ireland: almost half of Canadians are worried by housing affordability. Obviously, an issue that isn’t confined to one country. But with a new Government on the way, can the crisis be solved?Joining Kieran to discuss is Tim Hudak, Chief Executive with High-Impact Advocacy, Tony Irwin, CEO and Interim President of the Federation of Rental Housing Providers in Ontario, and Sherry Larjani, Canadian Developer & Housing Advocate.

The Hard Shoulder is broadcasting from Toronto, Canada in PJ O’Brien’s Pub, a place known to many of the Irish diaspora in the city.Joining Kieran to discuss some of the stories of the day that are affecting people here and back home is Joe Callaghan, Freelance Feature and Sports Writer and Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent.

This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined 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…

Joining Kieran to discuss his upcoming Irish gigs, 'Achilles Neil', which will kick off this May is Comedian Neil Delamere!

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about some of the biggest recent food trends, and how you could incorporate them into delicious recipes!

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…

It has been 100 days since the new Irish government took office with a fresh mandate, new promises and high expectations. Now, the honeymoon’s over, so how are they really doing?Joining Kieran to discuss is Christina Finn, Political Editor of the Journal.ie and Joan Burton, former Tánaiste and former Leader of the Labour Party.

An Airbnb survey says a quarter of the Irish population have explored Asia, but 82% have never visited Leitrim, and 76% have never visited Westmeath. Are you one of them?Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Today marks the second consecutive Friday that the mosque on sight of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland has remained closed. The centre in Clonskeagh abruptly closed last week following an internal dispute.Well, the Muslim Community of Ireland is today holding a press conference to highlight the impact of the mosque's closure on the community.Abdul Haseeb, community activist, joins Kieran to discuss.

As the temperatures climb, it’s not just humans feeling the heat, our pets are too. From panting pups to frazzled felines, summer can be tough on our four-legged friends.So, how do we keep them cool, comfy, and out of danger? Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet, joins Kieran to discuss.

The average child's birthday party now costs over €500, but are parents the problem and should we re-evaluate how we throw kids birthday parties, or is this just the new norm?Joining Kieran to discuss is Steve Cummins, Comedian and Aideen Finnegan, Podcast Producer for The Irish Times.

The Liberals were victorious this week in the Canadian elections – not quite enough to form a Government on their own, but victorious nonetheless.But, there are some who want out of Canada.Kieran’s guest is a Lawyer and Rancher in Calgary in Alberta, Canada - Jeff Rath joins to discuss.

Amid the trees of County Clare, a living memorial has taken shape: The Forest That Won’t Forget, which has been created in tribute to the women and families affected by the cervical check failures.Joining Kieran to discuss this memorial and why the 221+ group commissioned it is Lyn Fenton, Patient Advocate with 221+ Group and John Conway, Visual Artist and Co-Collaborator on the Forest that Won’t Forget with Fiona Whelan.Image: 221+

The latest skincare trend online you may have seen is the ‘caveman’ method, which essentially involves people cutting out all skincare products and entirely even forgoing washing their face with water for a period to get better skin, but should you be doing it, or is it actually causing more harm to your skin?Joining Kieran to discuss is Professor Nikki Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist in the Institute of Dermatologists and Photobiology.