Highlights From The Hard Shoulder

Many of us probably have fond memories of playing conkers when we were younger, but Chris Emmel, the organiser of Conkerthon, a UK conker tournament, and member of the ‘Active in Redbourn’ community group, decided that he wanted to continue playing conkers into adulthood. However, due to a bad harvest, many are accusing the tournament of tampering with the conkers!Chris joins Kieran to explain more.

You might have heard yesterday that Labour MEP Aodhain O’Riordain wants the Irish Labour party to lead the push for reversing Brexit.Stanley Johnson, Author, former MEP  and Environmental Campaigner is not opposed to this idea, and joins Kieran to discuss.

Loneliness is becoming a bit of a theme on the show this week. Listener John spoke about his personal story, and then yesterday a potential Ministry of Loneliness with Senator Pauline O’Reilly was discussed.Today, Kieran is joined by former Mayo footballer David Brady, who gave his number out during the pandemic to anyone who felt lonely and needed a chat.

One of the biggest topics this week is the negative reaction to Irish Rail’s new timetable. Kieran’s guest believes that nothing about public transport will change unless we complain more about it!Sadhbh O'Neill, Climate Activist and Researcher joins the show.

It’s less than a week until Budget 2025 and various interest groups have been on the show to discuss what they would like to see from this year's plan.For more on this, Kieran is joined by National Spokesperson for SPARK, Louise Bayliss and General Secretary at TUI, Michael Gillespe.

It’s time for the Shopping Trolley Hotline! Where we review the same product from various stores and brands.Newstalk’s Simon Tierney joined Kieran to compare different options for the basis of burritos and the like: wraps!

Israel's Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, has informed troops to prepare for a ground invasion of Lebanon following days of airstrikes on the country.Joining Kieran to discuss what this could mean in the future is Independent Senator Tom Clonan, Security Analyst and retired Army Officer as well as Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Correspondent for The Economist.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss the positives and negatives behind smart home devices.

Now, Frances Ford Copolas. Megalopolis seems to be getting a lot of attention, but not for all the right reasons. Joining Kieran to talk through how this $120 million self-funded film came about is Film Critic, Brian Lloyd.Image: Lionsgate

With Budget 2025 almost here, Newstalk’s Henry McKean has returned with another Kidstalk to get the thoughts of the youth on what they would like to see! He went to Bunscoil Chríost Rí in Turners Cross, Cork, and sent in this report.

Today in the Oireachtas Committee on Health, politicians have heard claims that the contractors behind the new National Children's Hospital are holding the hospital hostage for more money.The Hospital Development Board is accusing BAM of unacceptable delays and says it couldn't give assurances for the new June 2025 completion date.Not one single room in the new hospital is up to standard yet, an Oireachtas Health Committee has heard.Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall says an unhelpful standoff has emerged. She joins Kieran to discuss.

A lot of people have been in touch with the show since yesterday, when Kieran spoke to John, a listener, about his experience of the male friendship recession.What can we do on a societal level to tackle the problem of loneliness? Do we need a new Minister to address the problem?That’s the call from Pauline O’Reilly, Green Party Senator, who joins Kieran, as well as Seema Kennedy, Former Conservative MP and Former Co-Chair of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, to discuss.

Aodhan O’Riordain has caused quite a stir after calling for the Irish Labour Party to play a role in reversing the British exit from the European Union.Aodhan joins Kieran as well as Sammy Wilson, DUP Brexit Spokesperson, to discuss.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) went in front of the Finance Committee earlier this afternoon to answer questions on the infamous €335k bike shed! Joining Kieran to discuss is Peadar Toibin, Leader of the Aontu Party and a member of the Finance Committee.

For the release of Irish author Sally Rooney’s fourth book ‘Intermezzo’, Newstalk’s own Ciara Treacy went to Books Upstairs to meet Sally Rooney fans for a special launch event.

Aid Agencies have made calls for public support amidst continued conflict in Gaza, and now Lebanon.CEO of Trócaire, Caoimhe De Barra, joins Kieran to discuss.Image: Max Slaughter/ Medical Aid for Palestinians

You may have seen articles about atheists attending Church and finding it beneficial for their health, but what is behind this?Joining Kieran to discuss is Fr. Iggy O’Donovan, Member of the Augustinian Order, Stephen J Costello, Philosopher and Founder and Director of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland and Chris Hynes, Teaching Officer with Atheist Ireland.

As soon as you step into any shop, you’re bombarded with appealing-looking fizzy drinks in the fridge, but how bad are they for you?Joining Kieran is Hazel Windsor-Aubrey, Registered Dietician with the Orla Walsh Nutrition Centre, to talk about all the health risks associated with fizzy drinks.

Chef and owner of L'Ecrivain restaurant, Derry Clarke joined Kieran Cuddihy to put his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

An Irish family is currently stuck in Lebanon after Israel launched airstrikes against Hezbollah targets yesterday.Munir Zabad, his daughter Ghadir, his wife Ghada and their son Hassan from Kilkenny are currently looking for safety outside of Beirut.Munir and Ghadir both join Kieran to discuss their situation.