

The Hard Shoulder
Newstalk
The Hard Shoulder Podcast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman is your essential drivetime companion—bringing fresh perspective and energy to your drive home. CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainmentListen to Newstalk at http://newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk
Episodes
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Sep 23, 2025 • 8min
Are you excited for the Traitors finale?
After weeks of lies and betrayal and an audience that was gripped to their screens, we have reached the finale of The Traitors, airing tonight…Are you excited? Who do you think will win?Comedian Alison Spittle joins Kieran to discuss!

Sep 22, 2025 • 12min
Should we do more to support Irish athletes?
With the World Athletics Championships concluding in Tokyo last weekend, did Ireland fall short, match or surpass expectations?And, do we need to do more to support our Irish athletes?Joining Kieran to discuss is Paul McDermott, High Performance Director with Sport Ireland.

Sep 22, 2025 • 7min
What is the ‘digital’ euro?
We’re coming closer to the introduction of a ‘digital euro’, but what does it all mean? Joining Kieran to explain it all in detail is Jonathan Keane, Journalist with The Currency.

Sep 22, 2025 • 9min
Kids Health Check: Food Allergies
For this week’s Kids Health Check, Kieran is joined by Dr. Iseult Sheehan, Clinical Director at Allergy Ireland to discuss how you can manage your child’s food allergies.

Sep 22, 2025 • 14min
If work pays - then why is there a housing crisis?
Minister of State Robert Troy said today that he was not trying to exclude those with a disability, carers or a parent without access to childcare when suggesting that local authorities should prioritise workers when it comes to social housing.But, he has maintained that he wants work to pay for workers.With the housing crisis as it currently is, does that say something about whether work pays or not?Joining Kieran to discuss this and more is Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Housing & TD for Dublin Mid-West and Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Housing & TD for Cork South-Central.

Sep 22, 2025 • 8min
Who will be on the ballot for the next Presidency?
With the deadline approaching for candidates for the next Presidential election, who will be on the ballot on voting day?Joining Kieran with the latest updates is Political Reporter with The Journal, Jane Matthews, and, to discuss, Fianna Fáil Cllr for Leitrim County Council, Mary Bohan.

Sep 22, 2025 • 11min
Looking back on Ireland’s World Athletics Championship results
Much excitement over the weekend as Kate O’Connor won silver in the Women’s Heptathlon, all while Cian McPhillips just missed out on an 800m medal, coming fourth.Joining Kieran to reflect on the World Championships, and whether more support is needed for our athletes, is former Olympian, and former CEO of Sport Ireland, John Treacy.

Sep 22, 2025 • 13min
How important should religion be in ceremonies?
How important is religion when it comes to ceremonies in life? Instead of a holy Communion, can kids have a different type of event?Joining Kieran to discuss is Columnist with the Irish Independent, David Quinn and Aideen Finnegan, Presenter of the ‘Better with Money’ podcast with the Irish Times.

Sep 22, 2025 • 9min
The housing crisis in the Gaeltacht - James Wilson Reports
Agóid Náisúinta na nGael, a National Protest for the Irish Language, took place in Dublin over the weekend. Chief among protesters’ demands is more housing in the country’s Gaeltacht areas…Newstalk Reporter James Wilson took a trip down to Cape Clear in Cork to find out about the impact of the housing crisis on our native language, and sends in this report.

Sep 19, 2025 • 29min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy and Saoirse Hanley, Feature Writer with the Irish Independent, to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…


