Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Calls for the Molly Malone statue in Dublin to be elevated to protect her from the public and all that comes with that! So, should it be done?Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Kieran to discuss. Also joining to share her thoughts is former Dublin Lord Mayor and Green Party Councillor, Hazel Chu.

‘Grá ar an Trá’, Ireland’s answer to ‘Love Island’ in the Gaeltacht kicks off for a second season on Monday March 10th and will appear all though Seachtain Na Gaeilge next week.Joining Kieran to discuss the show is James Kavanagh, Presenter of Grá ar an Trá and The Simpler Life with James and William.Image: Ruth Medjber

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…

The topic of Early Childcare providers has been discussed on the show recently, covering the issues in the sector.Today, Kieran is joined by Mary Moloney, Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education and Care in Mary Immaculate College and Sonya Duggan, who runs early years educational facilities in Laois, to discuss pay issues in the sector.

You know Kieran’s guest from ‘This is England’ and ‘Line of Duty’, but in a change from acting, she brings her ‘Day Fever’ daytime night club experience to The Academy in Dublin this April!Vicky McClure joins to discuss!

With Ireland facing France in the Six Nations tomorrow, people may be thinking of their storied rugby rivalry, but what is the history of the relationship between the two countries?Joining Kieran to discuss is French Ambassador to Ireland, Céline Place.

When is enough enough? Some people find it hard to know the difference between the perception of their financial status, and their actual finances. So, how bad can it get, and what are ways to alleviate it?Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for The Irish Times & Pricewatch Editor and Leslie Shoemaker, Psychotherapist, join Kieran to discuss.

A new initiative is being rolled across England which will see supervised toothbrushing taking place daily in schools across the country. It’s hoped the Government backed campaign will save the NHS millions by reducing the number of children who require hospital care for tooth decay…Is this something that should be done in Ireland?Dr. Caroline Robbins of Kiwi Dental in Carlow joins Kieran to discuss.

Have you found yourself waking up with aches and pains? You’re probably not sleeping properly!Joining Kieran to discuss the best and worst sleeping positions for your neck and back is Chiropractor and Clinical Director at Chiropractix, Dr Paul Bradley.

If you saw children roaming the streets with their heads in books - don’t worry! It’s just World Book Day!Over 900 thousand book tokens have been given out to students to redeem a free World Book Day title.Joining Kieran to discuss the day and where it came from is Maria Dickenson, Chair of Bookselling Ireland and Author Helena Duggan to discuss.

The NTA’s Bus Connects’ Dublin Progress Report revealed today that contactless payment with card/phone on public transport won't be available here for another three years, even though it is readily available in other countries…In what other ways can public transport in Ireland be compared to systems abroad?Joining Kieran to discuss is Mark Paul, London Correspondent with The Irish Times and Freelance Journalist in Sweden, Phillip O'Connor.

Ireland is an increasingly secular society, so why are Dublin's Marina Grottos still some of the best maintained in the world? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

Meghan Markles’ lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan’, released on Netflix this week.Has this marked the return of the ‘domestic goddess’? And is this something people still want to be?Joining Kieran to discuss Columnist with the Independent and Presenter of the Home Show, Sinead Ryan and Freelance Journalist, Niamh O’Reilly.Image: Netflix

Bus Connects’ Dublin Progress Report has revealed today that passenger boardings have increased since the new Bus Connects network has been implemented.Hugh Creegan, Interim CEO of the National Transport Authority, joins Kieran to discuss.

This morning on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers explained that we will not have anymore one-off supports toward energy costs…So, why are energy costs increasing, and is the Government right to not provide one-off supports?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist and Senior Research Officer with ESRI and Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, and TD for Donegal.

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 give advice on the perfect handshake!

For most of us, early retirement sounds like packing up the desk at 60.But a growing number of Irish people are devoting themselves to the FIRE movement - with hopes to retire at 50 or even just 40 years of age.So, how are they doing it? And can we do the same? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

A new report aiming to kickstart a new era of preventative health is recommending a stand-alone national adult immunisation strategy.Karina Butler is Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at UCD, former Chair of The National Immunisation Advisory Committee. She joins Kieran to discuss why she thinks this is necessary.

Earlier in the programme, Henry McKean reported on the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow in UCD.The aim of the event was to encourage the next generation of road users to actively consider the importance of road safety and the impact that dangerous driving, speeding, substance use and distracted driving can have on themselves and others.So, are young drivers particularly unsafe?  Or are these problems for drivers of all ages?Joining Kieran to discuss is Shane O’Donoghue, Editor of completecar.ie as well as Newstalk Reporter / young driver, Alex Rowley.

From retro-inspired shirts to audiences with footballing legends replete with anecdotes and golden-era reminiscing, the commercialization of nostalgia in sport has become big business.Why is it that now, more than ever, our obsession with the rosy past is at its absolute peak?To talk football-nostalgia, Kieran is joined by Gavin Cooney, Sports Writer with The42.ie and Liverpool and Ireland legend, Mark Lawrenson.