The Hard Shoulder

We talk a lot in this country about the culture around underage drinking in this country, as kids become teenagers, invites to house parties become more common. These parties often have a drinking element, either with or without the parents’ knowledge…But, do they put parents in an awkward position, and is underage drinking a bit of an inevitably in our culture?Joining Jonathan Healy from Croke Park is Columnist with Irish Independent and Columnist, Mary McCarthy and Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Jane Cowan.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Claims have been made against Prince Andrew in a posthumous memoir of sex-trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre.Giuffre wrote that, on Epstein’s Island, the Prince believed having sex with her “was his birthright”...Mark Paul, London Correspondent for the Irish Times joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

The Arts Council currently does not recognise Comedy as an artform, which means comedians receive no funding as result. However, the Comedy Amendment Bill is going to the Dáil on October 23rd to try and change this.Comedian Ailish McCarthy has been campaigning on this issue for many years, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Former Ireland International and two-time Six Nations winner Fiona Hayes joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Over the last few weeks, several Irish citizens have been detained in Israel after the flotilla they were on was intercepted on their way to deliver aid in Gaza.One of those was Irish author and activist Naoise Dolan who was aboard one of the Thousands Madleens vessels.She joins Ciara Doherty to discuss her experience on the Flotilla, her detainment by Israel and the current peace deal in place.

With many homes having their Halloween decorations up and festivities ready to get underway, we’re going to look at the connection between Halloween and Ireland.To discuss, Ciara Doherty is joined by Brinsley McNamara of Weird Ireland.

Speaking today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU will look to relax state-aid rules to increase the supply of affordable housing.In her speech, she highlighted the number of EU countries experiencing housing crises, and said they will begin working on the first ever European Affordable Housing Plan.But, how would a plan like this be implemented across such different countries with such different issues?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Senior Housing Lecturer at Technological University Dublin, Lorcan Sirr.

Henry's Front Bench is back! Henry McKean meets the Presidential election candidates on a park bench and tries to get to know them behind the politics.Today, Henry meets independent candidate Catherine Connolly, and sends in this report…

There has been a lot of talk over the proposed speed reduction in urban areas from 50km/hr down to 30km/hr. What was originally going to be a directive from the government implemented nationwide, now looks to be left to each county and city council to decide upon.To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Fine Gael Cllr for Galway City Council, Shane Forde, and Labour Cllr for Cork City Council, Peter Horgan.