Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Good Friday is tomorrow, and Easter Sunday is coming up, but does it still hold a place in a country that is becoming more secular?Still, this is an important time for many, and joining Kieran to discuss is Father Brian D’Arcy.

The brand new Presenter of Taking Stock on Newstalk, Susan Hayes Culleton, joins Kieran to discuss the ECB cutting interest rates, and if tariffs will just end up hurting the United States in the end.Image: Reuters

Actor Peter M Smith, who has been playing Phil Lynott in ‘Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma’ in Vicar Street, joins Kieran for this week’s Thursday Interview!

The health insurance market is still growing, according to a new report by the Health Insurance Authority, despite the average annual premium sitting at €1,740 which is a 300 euro increase to the average two years ago.Dermot Goode, of Totalhealthcover.ie, part of the Lockton Group, joins Kieran to discuss why this is the case, and offer some top tips for keeping an eye out for a good deal…

Yesterday, Kieran spoke with Gareth Noble, who specialises in child law. They spoke about delays that families face when it comes to getting care for their children with disabilities…Brenda Kenny is a retired Speech and Language Therapy Manager at the HSE, and she joins to discuss how things are in her sector.

With the Bank Holiday weekend fast approaching, the Road Safety Authority is reminding drivers across the country to never, ever drink and drive.Sarah O’Connor, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the Road Safety Authority, joins Kieran to discuss if attitudes to drink driving have disappeared, and how to take extra precautions to stay safe this weekend.

It’s one of the most popular games in the world, but is Roblox really as safe as it looks? New research from the UK says what kids are really finding there is "deeply disturbing”.From sexualized content to chats with adult strangers, the risks seem to go way beyond the screen, so it begs the question, should your children be playing it?Emmet Ryan, Tech and Business Journalist and Ollwyn Moran, Neurodevelopmental Therapist & Founder of Cogni Kids joins Kieran to discuss.

Remember when Good Friday meant no pints and a whole lot of confused tourists wandering Temple Bar looking for a pub that wasn’t open?Well, those days are gone, and with pubs and off-licences back in business, has the meaning of Good Friday gone out the window with the empty kegs?Joining Kieran to discuss this is Comedian Jim Elliot as well as writer and commentator Michael Kelly.

Netflix have just announced that they will be launching a special documentary looking into the killing of Irishman Jason Corbett by Molly Mertens and her father, Tom Martens, which will be released on May 8th.Ralph Riegal, Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent, joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Netflix

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 resist temptations in your life - especially around Lent!

US President Donald Trump, since his inauguration, has seen the cutting of jobs and funding in certain departments as part of his wider process to cut government spending.One of the victims of these cuts is America's weather departments, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which provides data for forecasting, sparking fears that the US might be unprepared for future weather events.David Amelotti, Reporter and Anchor at First Alert 4 News from St Louis, Missouri joins Kieran to discuss, and Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather joins to discuss the impact it may have on Irish weather reporting.

Property prices rose 8% in February compared to last year – in yet more worrisome news for those trying to navigate the housing market.All of this while Dubliners are being asked to have their say on plans to transform an industrial estate on the city’s northside into a “brand-new community”.So, what role can property developers play in solving the housing crisis?Cork Property Developer Michael O’Flynn joins Kieran to discuss.

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins Kieran to discuss the build up to the next Ireland Gateway to Europe trip for the show, as well as a return to her AI 101 series - all about hallucinations with AI!

The UK Supreme Court has made a landmark ruling this morning, backing the biological definition of women in the UK’s Equality Act.This means that the term “woman” in the legal aspect will not include transgender women - which might have a wider implication on policy decisions down the road.Joining Kieran to react to this ruling is Laoise de Brún BL, CEO and Founder of The Countess and Karen Sugrue, Co-Chair for Mammies for Trans Rights and Psychotherapist and Sociology Lecturer in TUS Limerick.

A Cork Pub Owner thought it was a late April Fools when he found out his pub would be demolished to make way for the Cork Luas. The 2 Billion infrastructure project caught some by surprise.Henry McKean went to Cork to find out more, and joins Kieran to discuss.

With April being Autism Awareness on the program, we have heard from parents who have been battling to get adequate services for their children.But, from a legal perspective, how much has the state infringed on the rights of children and their families by failing to provide care?To discuss this, Kieran is joined by Gareth Noble, Partner at KOD/Lyons and Solicitor specialising in child law.

Tucker Carlson, the American media personality, was in Ireland yesterday – he interviewed Conor McGregor, while also visiting his pub in Crumlin.It was reported that approximately 40 people showed up at the Black Forge Inn.But, why did this happen?Joining Kieran to discuss is one of those who attended: Conor Lenihan, former Minister for Science, Technology & Innovation, and former Fianna Fáil TD.

A study has found that we love it when plans suddenly get cancelled and consider it a tiny triumph. We love 'jomo' or the joy of missing out. Finding money in your coat pocket or getting the last parking space are the small wins that cheer us up.Henry McKean asked these people what 'pick me ups' put a smile on their face!

Irish Singer and Musician Brian Kennedy joins Kieran to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Dublin City Council met yesterday to discuss the aftermath of the chaos over the weekend by the Grand Canal in Portobello which saw people littering, urinating and defecating in the area.Labour Party Councillor Dermot Lacey joins Kieran to discuss…Image: Damien Storan