The Hard Shoulder

Kieran is joined in the Kennedy Summer School by Sharon Clancy, singer and actress, to discuss her journey to becoming a jazz musician, and her upcoming debut jazz album!

As the first round of the CAO offers have been made to thousands of students across the country, what follows for many is a scramble for student accommodation as shortage drives prices…Joining Kieran to discuss all of this is Minister for Higher Education, James Lawless.

Joining Kieran in this year’s Kennedy Summer School in New Ross to discuss his life covering politics is one of Ireland’s best known Journalists in print and broadcasting, Sean O’Rourke!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald turns 100 this year, and joining Kieran to discuss its significance is Dr of Modern History Brian Murphy, Professor Kirk Curnutt, Author and Researcher and Sarah Churchwell, Professor in American Literature.

Over 60 years on from John F. Kennedy’s visit to New Ross, it is a day that is still remembered fondly.Kieran is joined by Anna Sinnott, who was there when the late US President visited in 1963, to look back on the experience.

In the current era of Trump and his influence internationally, what are Irish-American relations like today?Joining Kieran to discuss is former Massachusetts State Senator and State Representative, Linda Dorcena Forry.

From That Small Island is a four-part documentary series which looks at the story of Irish people, and one of the main focuses, the Irish diaspora: over 80 million of them. Joining Kieran to discuss the series and the current diaspora is Briona Ní Dhiarmada, Writer, Academic and Filmmaker, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Musician and Eamonn Hore Director of Services for Wexford County Council.

There are many ways that you can examine the current presidency of Donald Trump - whether that be around international relations, tariffs, and the conflicts around Ukraine and Palestine.Joining Kieran to talk all things Trump is Tanya Gordienko, Ukrainian Analyst, Bill Forry, Boston Journalist and Greg Ballard, former Mayor of Minneapolis.Image: Reuters

The Hard Shoulder is live today from New Ross for the annual Kennedy Summer School festival, which runs for the next three days celebrating Irish and American history, politics and culture.Joining Kieran to give an overview of the Kennedy Summer School are the Directors: Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at UCG and Columnist with theJournal.ie and Eileen Dunne, former RTÉ Journalist.

Health Minister Jennifer Caroll MacNeill has said that she “absolutely” plans on introducing legislation for nicotine pouches under other nicotine legislation.But, how harmful really are nicotine pouches, and what legislation isn't required?Dr Garrett McGovern  is a GP specializing in addiction and Medical Director of Priority Medical Clinic Dundrum. He joins Kieran to discuss.