Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Donald Trump is still dominating the agenda following his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States yesterday.With talk about taking back Panama, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, much has been said about what impact this presidency may have on not only American politics, but also global politics.BBC World Affairs Editor, John Simpson, joins Kieran to discuss.

We get texts on a whole range of topics, but all through the month of January, you have been getting in touch to ask for advice on electricity and gas contract renewals. In that vein, Kieran is joined by Head of Communications with Bonkers.ie, Darragh Cassidy, to discuss the best ways to keep your costs down!

The state appeal against the leniency of Cathal Crotty sentence is due to take place this week, but victim Natasha O’Brien isn’t holding out any hope regarding the hearing…Natasha joins Kieran to discuss, as she awaits the coming appeal this Thursday.

Some accents are stereotyped to be more likely to commit crime, a survey in the UK has found.Is there any truth to this in Ireland, do we judge solely based on accents? And, on the opposite end, can a posh accent help you get away with crime?Henry McKean has been out asking the public in his own accent, and joins Kieran to discuss.

It has been about 24 hours since Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America…He’s started withdrawing from climate deals, has vowed to take Panama back, and his friend Elon Musk has been in hot water over what many have deemed a Nazi salute.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe is still in Washington D.C., and joins Kieran to look back at what has happened, and shares what he's heard from people on the ground.Image: Reuters

Israel has confirmed that it has released over 90 Palestinian prisoners as part of the first hostage exchange, as agreed in the ceasefire agreement between the state and Hamas.Is this the stage now for peace in the region, and what lies ahead for the two states?Maoz Inon is an Israeli Entrepreneur and Peace Activist who lost both his parents during the October 7th attacks. He joins Kieran to discuss.

Today is 'Blue Monday', which is supposed to be the most miserable day of the year, but forget that!Kieran is joined by Newstalk Producer Dee King to discuss reasons why we shouldn't be so down on this day.

Donald Trump has been inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States of America.What will his second term mean for Ireland?Tech Entrepreneur and Broadcaster Mark Little joins Kieran to discuss, and Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe joins to give reactions from the ground in Washington D.C.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Caroline Robbins, Chair of the GP Committee of the Irish Dental Association and owner of Kiwi Dental in Carlow joins Kieran to discuss dental decay in children, and setting up good routines…

With Donald Trump now officially the 47th President of the United States, Kieran is joined by Colum McCann, Author and Co-Founder of Narrative 4 and Jerry McDermott, Executive Director, Irish Cultural Centre and former Sheriff of Norfolk County in Massachusetts to discuss the road ahead, as well as react to his opening speech.Image: Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool

An survey by Eir found that children on average are getting their first phones at 9 years old! Is this too young, and when is it okay for a child to get a phone?Henry McKean has been out asking that question, and joins Kieran to discuss.

With Donald Trump being inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States today, Kieran is joined by ‘West Wing’ actor Richard Schiff to discuss the man, as well as what we could anticipate for his second term.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe also joins Kieran from Washington D.C. to discuss what the feelings are on the ground there.Image: Reuters

The theme of Christmas really seemed to be one of illness – you couldn’t speak to anyone without exchanging stories of when and how you were sick over the holidays. This has continued into January. So, why is this happening?Joining Kieran to discuss the reasons behind the spike is Sheena Mitchell, Pharmacist and owner of the ‘totalhealth’ pharmacy and podcaster of the ‘WonderCare Podcast’.

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…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at all the ways you can use buttermilk in your recipes!

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

Today, the Israeli security cabinet recommended approving the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal.A full cabinet meeting is taking place, with ratification meaning that the deal could take effect as early as Sunday… but, what will the future look like for this conflict?Daniel Levy, President of the US/Middle East Project and former Israeli Peace Negotiator joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Reuters

What does Bob Dylan, Fred Astaire, Elon Musk, Madonna and all of the Beatles have in common? They’re subjects of upcoming biopics!How has this happened, and why has Hollywood suddenly turned to this genre?Olivia Fahy, Editor of Geek Ireland, joins Kieran to discuss.

In preparation for the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States, people are looking back to inaugurations of the past... Mark Kirwan, an Irish man who worked as a Washington D.C Metropolitan Police Officer, including for inaugurations and during the January 6th riots, joins Kieran to reflect.Also joining Kieran to discuss his predictions for the inauguration ,and for Trump’s upcoming Presidency is former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

According to research, children who are polite and do their chores are the most likely to be the favourite of their parents!Is there truth to this? Who is your favourite child, and are you the favourite?Henry McKean has been out asking the famous question, and joins Kieran to share what he’s heard.