

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
Mentioned books

Aug 15, 2025 • 18min
What can we expect from Trump’s meeting with Putin?
The big news of the day is that Donal Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet in Alaska, with rumors circling about whether this could end the war in Ukraine.Joining Kieran to give the latest news on the ground is Jeff Landfield, the Editor-in-Chief at the Alaska Landmine, and Newstalk Reporter Meghan O’Halloran speaks with Ukrainians living in Ireland on what they would like to see from the meeting.Image: Reuters

Aug 15, 2025 • 18min
Are you excited for Oasis? - Henry McKean Asks
After their massive falling out Oasis are back together and are on stage at Croke Park tomorrow night. The Live 25 tour could bring in over €1 billion, their first gigs in over 16 years!Henry McKean has been soaking up the atmosphere in advance of the 2 night sold-out Croke Park gigs (after securing his own tickets), and joins Kieran to discuss.

Aug 15, 2025 • 7min
Do brain boosting supplements actually work?
Brain boosting supplements - are they just a gimmick? Or can they really improve your long-term memory?To discuss, Kieran is joined by Dr. Sabina Brennan, Psychologist, Neuroscientist and author of ‘Still Me: A neuroscientist’s guide to caring for someone with dementia’.

Aug 15, 2025 • 15min
Is there a catcalling problem in Ireland?
Do we have an issue with catcalling in this country?Because there seems to be one in Surrey in the UK. Female police officers went undercover as joggers for an entire month to experience the alleged harassment that locals were reporting to the police. So, what did they find out? One police officer was honked at within ten minutes of her running. Then another car slowed down, beeping and making gestures just 30 seconds later...To discuss this, Kieran is joined by Fitness Influencer, Siobhán O’Hagan and Fianna Fáil TD, Erin McGreehan.

Aug 15, 2025 • 18min
Reaction to the Crowe Road Policing report
Now, a new report has shown that many guards are not doing their jobs for road policing properly. The Crowe Report, to give it its official title, says that some Guards may be breaching their code of ethics as they’re unproductive and unconcerned with doing effective work. The Report also says a lack of resources for road policing is a problem.Joining Kieran to discuss was Pat Marry – former detective, inspector, and senior investigating officer, who now works as an author John Joe O’Connell - member of the Roads Policing Unit and GRA Representative for Kildare Donna Price – President of the Irish Road Victims Association whose son died in a road accident in 2006 –

Aug 14, 2025 • 5min
Mairead Mcguinness pulls out of presidential race
Fine Gael Presidential nominee Mairead McGuinness has dropped out of the race to become the next president of Ireland.In a statement to Fine Gael Members, McGuinness said the “This decision is not lightly taken and follows a stay in hospital last week.”To reflect on where this leaves the Presidential race and to speculate who may become the next president of Ireland now, Kieran was joined by Shane Coleman, Broadcaster and presenter of Newstalk Breakfast and Sean Defoe Newstalk Political correspondent

Aug 14, 2025 • 20min
Movies and TV: Eddington, Together and K Pop Demon Hunters
From Eddington, together to k-pop demon hunters David O’ Callaghan, From the Here and Back Again podcast and Dee Reddy, Podcaster and Cultural commentator, joined the Hard Shoulder with their top picks for weekend viewing — including the best new films, series, and streaming releases.

Aug 14, 2025 • 11min
Is “Cead mile failte” a fad
Ireland is known to be the land of a "hundred thousand welcomes or “Cead mile failte” In recent times, we have seen and heard about the horrific attacks on members of the Indian community so how true really is the notion of Cead mile failte ?Joining Kieran was Irish Times Journalist and Historian Ronan Mcgreevy, and Keire Murphy, Senior Policy Officer at the ESRI to discuss.

Aug 14, 2025 • 26min
Why are the Irish we so flippant with the rules ?
Alcohol and drug use among e-scooter users, increased littering within Dublin city's inner city and a Donegal GAA club being forced to install CCTV to deal with dog fouling. This week, there have been a number of stories which seem to suggest that we have a blatant disregard for others. But what is driving the disrespect of our communities?Joining Kieran to discuss was Noel Cunningham, hotelier, and TV personality, author of Guide to Modern Irish Manners, Shane Coleman, Broadcaster and presenter of Newstalk Breakfast IDPTL, Patti Shields, Chairperson of Democrats Abroad. Brendan Kelly Professor of Psychiatry, At Trinity College Dublin. Brenda Power, Sunday times and Daily Mail Columnist

Aug 14, 2025 • 9min
The Latest on the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin
Will the two leaders make a deal to bring the war in Ukraine to an end? Or will the conversation be overshadowed by the urge to discuss the "huge untapped potential" for Russia-U.S. economic ties. For the latest on the meeting between president Trump and Putin. Kieran was joined by European Correspondent for Euro News, Shona Murray. And Ukraine Correspondent for Ouest-France, Radio France Internationale, and France24, Emmanuelle Chaze


