Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss augmented reality glasses - and specifically, the pair that she is wearing: the Even Realities G1! What is the technology, and what can it be used for?

People across the country will be announcing what practices or activities they might be giving up for rent for the next 40 days, as it is Ash Wednesday. But, has the day become less popular?Wendy Grace, Broadcaster and Columnist is one of those who got their ash today, and joins Kieran to discuss.

A new report from the ESRI has shown that there has been a rise in school absenteeism in Deis Schools since the Covid period.So, what happened to allow this to happen, and have we failed to address issues on the return back to in person schooling?Joining Kieran to discuss is Noel Loftus, Principal at St. Attracta's National School and Louise Bayliss, Co-Founder of SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids)...

What happens when a friendship feels more like a race than a bond? In ‘The White Lotus’, the reunion of Jaclyn, Kate, and Laurie shows just how toxic female friendships can become when rivalry and comparison take over. From body image to career success, their “support” for each other is laced with quiet jealousy and competition.How common are these types of friendships, and how do you know if you’re in one? Joining Kieran to discuss is Esther McCarthy, Lifestyle Editor and Weekend Magazine Columnist at the Irish Examiner, Holly Carpenter, Social Media Content Creator and Dr. Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist and Author…Image: HBO

Young drivers under the age of 24 are 85% more likely to be involved in road accidents than drivers over the age of 25, and 135% more likely to cause injury to another party, according to AXA.The Roadsafe Roadshow is an interactive real life immersive experience of what it's like for victims dying in a car crash, and their families left behind…Henry McKean has been learning more, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Being a farmer is often noted as tough work, but one aspect which has been making the job harder is illegal trespassing. So, how big of an issue is it?Louise Crowley, Chair at the Limerick IFA and Dairy Farmer and Conor O’Leary, Munster Regional Chair at the IFA and Chair of IFA Countryside join Kieran to discuss…

At almost the peak of the Celtic Tiger era, Ireland opened what could be considered its truly flagship shopping centre in Dundrum.To look back on that era, and the shopping centre’s time up to now, are Lisa Cannon, Entertainment Broadcaster and Producer and Darren Kennedy, Stylist and Presenter.

One of the legends from Italia 90, Andy Townsend, joins Kieran ahead of an event hosted by the RDS on Patrick’s Day weekend.Two special nights to mark the occasion as the heroes from Italia 90 will share memories of the time.

Tom Dunne joins Kieran Cuddihy to go through all the best music that’s come up on his radar this week, along with some chat about the Oscar's.

Former Detective, Pat Marry, Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein spokesperson on Justice, and Seamus Boland, CEO of Irish Rural Link join The Hard Shoulder to discuss a disturbing rise in burglaries, according to new CSO figures.Burglaries rose by 10% in the 12 months up to September last year with a reported average of more than 27 burglaries a day.

Actress and Model, Vicky McClure joins The Hard Shoulder.The Trigger Point and Line of Duty star, sits down with Kieran to discuss her new production Dayfever, which comes to Dublin’s the Academy in April.

It’s the Kids Clinic Q & A.Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach from ParentSupport.ie joins Kieran, so get all your questions answered here.

Lewis Goodall, co-presenter with the News Agents and LBC presenter in his own right, joins The Hard Shoulder to discuss the latest on a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.But a chaotic few days in the White House may yet stand to be an obstacle.Get all the latest here.

Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee sits down with Kieran on The Hard Shoulder.The Fine Gael TD for Meath East joined the show to speak, among other things, her new briefing as Education Minister and the anticipation toward a Patrick’s Day visit to the United States.

Former Mayo GAA Footballer, David Brady joins Kieran to talk through ambitious Government plans that could see a cure to rural isolation, and especially so for elderly people.

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…

A heated argument broke out between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenksy during a visit to the White House.Joining Kieran to discuss this exchange is Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal and Scott Lucas, Professor of US and International Politics in the Clinton Institute in UCD.Image: Reuters

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran to talk about all the benefits you can get from a blood orange! Plus, what meals you can incorporate them into.

Off The Ball's Cameron Hill joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

32 people, including 28 men, three women and one child, have been deported to Georgia on a chartered flight.The Minister for Justice gave a warning by saying "If you're seeking asylum and you're not entitled to asylum - don't come to Ireland…”Is that the message we want to send out?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Colm O’Gorman, Founding Director of The Open Community and Human Rights Campaigner as well as Paul Treyvaud, owner of Paul Treyvaud’s Restaurant in Killarney.