The Hard Shoulder

It seems like the long-awaited National Children’s Hospital is finally set to be finished in April. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill today announced that BAM has committed to “reach its substantial completion date of 30 April”, after years of delays.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Labour Health Spokesperson, Marie Sherlock.

The 98th Academy Awards takes place in Los Angeles this Sunday, but who will be taking home the trophies? Will Jessie Buckley win Best Actress?Newstalk’s Henry McKean joins from Los Angeles to share what he’s been hearing from people like J.J. Abrams, and Brian Lloyd, Film Critic and host of the ‘Screenland’ podcast joins to share some predictions…

If you’re looking for something to do this St Patrick’s Day weekend, would you be willing to spend €100 for entry to a nightclub? Well, if you are, Dicey’s Garden will be charging exactly that on Saturday night!Joining Ciara to discuss is Jane Cowan, Columnist with the Irish Independent and Pricewill Aguele, Entertainment Officer at Technological University Dublin.

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O’Callaghan from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

On Sunday, President Catherine Connolly issued a statement describing the “violations of international law” that we are witnessing in the Middle East, drawing a slight rebuke from Government, who responded by stating that international affairs rest solely with them. But politicians, including those of Government parties, are beginning to toe a line closer to that of President Connolly than the Government, including Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews.He joins Ciara to discuss.

The Newstalk Changemaker Business Awards, in association with FBD Insurance, will take place on Wednesday, 20th May 2026 in The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dublin. Last year’s awards saw over 60 businesses from across Ireland compete for their chance to be crowned the best in their field across 9 categories, including Innovative Technology, sponsored by Skillnet.Is this year your year? Get to newstalk.com/changemaker and nominate your team or individual now.The closing date for entries is Friday, 20th March.Joining Shane and Ciara to discuss is last year’s winner of Newstalk’s Changemaker Award, Rena Maycock, CEO of Chirp.

Comedian and Writer Peter Flanagan joins Ciara and Shane for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khameni, has issued his first public statement since taking over from his father. In the statement, which was read out on Iranian state television, Khamenei said the closure of the Straits of Hormuz should continue and that US bases should be attacked in the region. In a moment we will get the latest from the region as well as taking a deeper look at how Iran has been able to fight back.And after what the Supreme Leader said in his message earlier today, what actually are the military capabilities of Iran, and can they inflict significant harm to the US and Israel?Joining to discuss is Patrick Bury, Senior Security Lecturer at The University of Bath, former NATO Analyst and Army Officer and William Christou, Journalist writing for The Guardian in Beirut.Image: Reuters

The sale of spice bags trebled last year. As they continue to gain popularity: what makes a spice bag great?Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss is Saba's Paul Cadden...

Ireland exported almost €40 million worth of peat last year despite there being no known legal commercial peat extraction operation in the country.That’s according to The Irish Times Climate and Science Correspondent, Caroline Doherty, who joins Ciara to discuss.