Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Kieran’s guest has been appearing as a contestant on Irish language dating show ‘Grá ar an Trá’. The catch? He’s a TD now…Independent TD for Dublin Bay North, Barry Heneghan, joins to discuss.

Earlier today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with President Donald Trump in the White House.Joining Kieran to give their reactions is former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and Brian Murphy, former Chief of Staff to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar…

Former Tánaiste Micheal McDowell has said today someone should stop development on the MetroLink, which is facing a total sum of nearly €23 billion...But, will it be worth that cost?Joining Kieran to discuss is Sinn Féin Councillor for the North Inner City, Janice Boylan.

With reflections being made 5 years on from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marking the first lockdown - what actually happened 5 years ago, and have things returned to full normality?Joining Kieran to discuss is Oonagh Carr, long Covid patient, Robert Maguire, Director at Massey Brothers Funeral Homes and Linda Kelly, Spokesperson for Better Maternity Care.

People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire, Richard Boyd Barrett joined Kieran Cuddihy this week to place his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Despite a statement from the Department of Housing that there are no plans for it at the moment - do we need water charges in households?Joining Kieran to discuss is Padraig O’Ceidigh, former Senator and former Chair of the Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water as well as Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire.

Ticketmaster, Eir and Ryanair are at the top of a list of companies with the most complaints in a list compiled by the CCPC in its Consumer Helpline Report.Many complaints have been submitted over 2024, but do we in Ireland complain enough, or do we prefer not to make a fuss?Siobhan Maguire, Consumer Journalist, joins Kieran to discuss.

5 years ago, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marked the first lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic. Cast your mind back to some of the weird and bizarre aspects to the pandemic - there’s too many to think ofJoining Kieran to discuss is Ruth Scott, Broadcaster and Celebrant, Jen Hogan, Irish Times Columnist and Conor McAllister, co-owner of Grafton Barbers.

TikTok has announced a new change to the platform to help teenagers shut down from the day – and walk away from their screens.Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly and Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner join Kieran to discuss what’s being introduced, and the impact it could have.

With the Dáil firmly in place, there is another race on the horizon, and the rumour mill is buzzing around who might replace Michael D Higgins.But, what will potential candidates be looking to do at this stage, and how does a presidential candidacy differ from regular elections?To discuss, Kieran is joined by former Campaign Manager for Mary Davis and Joan Freeman, Derek Mooney.

Earlier in the show, Kieran spoke with Sports Journalist Daniel Hussey, who thinks the weekend defeat to France in the Six Nations could be a stark warning for the future…So, are we over-reliant on our school system?  Does the tightening of residency rules adversely affect us? Is Irish rugby in trouble?Gordon D’Arcy, former Ireland international, joins Kieran to discuss.

US President Donald Trump has announced that the month of March will officially be declared as ‘Irish-American Heritage Month’, but that begs the question on the eve of Micheál Martin’s White House Trip; is this just opportunism, or does Trump actually want to celebrate that heritage?Susan Garraty is a former MSNBC Producer, Writer and Freelance Journalist based in the US. She joins Kieran to discuss.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Enda Murphy, Clinical Psychotherapist and Director of SeeMee.ie to discuss what to do when your child inevitably watches something a bit too scary for them!

A new survey has found that 40% of women have been harassed or felt threatened in sports or exercise…Joining Kieran to discuss this is Valerie Mulcahy, former Cork Footballer.

Syria's new authorities announced on Monday the end of an operation against loyalists of deposed President Bashar al-Assad, but it’s after nearly 1,000 civilians were killed in the worst violence since his overthrow...So, where does this leave things in a Middle East that seems to be ever-more fractured?Author, Comedian and Broadcaster Dom Joly, who born in Lebanon himself, but who knows the area very well joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

Actor and Comedian Ricky Tomlinson, and Artist and Songwriter Asa Murphy join Kieran to discuss their new show!‘In Conversation with Ricky Tomlinson’ is a show taking place on Thursday April 3rd in the Ambassador in Dublin, Friday April 4th in the National Opera House in Wexford, and Saturday April 5th in Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda.

With a devastating 42-27 loss to France in the Six Nations this weekend, questions are being raised about the state of the Irish team.So, are we in a new era?Kieran is joined by Daniel Hussey, Sports Presenter, to discuss.

New Leaving Cert reforms could see Home Economics shift to a purely theoretical subject to help aid with busy teachers schedules, but would children miss out on the practical life skills this way?Holly Dalton, Chef and Director of Conbini Condiments and Clare Corrigan join Kieran to discuss.

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…

Ireland will be facing off in a pivotal clash against the French tomorrow in what will be a crucial game for their Six Nations hope.To help preview the game, Kieran is joined by Denis Hickie, former Irish International and Phillip Saint-Andre, former French Head Coach.