

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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Aug 11, 2025 • 20min
Joanna Donnelly on why she left Met Éireann
In April, Met Éireann Broadcaster Joanna Donnelly abruptly stated that she was done broadcasting – shocking the country. She’s remained silent up to now as to the reason for leaving, until today.She joins Kieran in the studio to discuss.

Aug 11, 2025 • 15min
How has dating culture changed?
How has dating culture changed over the years? Are we looking for not just the perfect person, but the perfect life and lifestyle before we settle down? Is that setting us up for failure?Joining Kieran to discuss is Jane Cowan, Columnist with the Irish Examiner, Amanada Brunker, Playwright and Shelly Gray, Dietician and Presenter with Today FM.

Aug 11, 2025 • 6min
Who is Gareth Sheridan?
On Sunday, businessman Gareth Sheridan surprised many by announcing he’s seeking to run for the Áras, but who is he?Joining Kieran to shed some light is Seán Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent.

Aug 11, 2025 • 8min
GAA club install CCTV camera after repeated dog poo on pitches
A GAA club in Donegal is so fed up with finding dog poo on their pitches that they have gone as far as installing CCTV cameras to catch the perpetrators... and their owners.A club in Kilkenny has also flagged this issue on their pitches, so is this a wider community issue?Kieran is joined by Seán Ó hArgáin, Kilkenny Counselor to discuss this.

Aug 11, 2025 • 12min
Is it time for more e-scooter regulation?
Since e-scooters were legalised for public roads last year there have been growing concerns about their dangers. With injuries involving drugs and alcohol having doubled and helmet use decreasing is it time to increase regulations on the scooters?Joining Kieran to discuss is Fine Gael TD Barry Ward and owner of the Bolger School of Motoring, Brenda Bolger.

Aug 8, 2025 • 28min
Winners and Sinners
This week, Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Saoirse Hanley, Writer with the Irish Independent to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aug 8, 2025 • 9min
Why we don't like food we haven't eaten - Josh Crosbie Reports
A new survey has shown that adults have on average 8 things that they refuse to eat, with 5 of them being things they haven't even tried? Why are there things we just refuse to eat?Newstalk's Josh Crosbie reports!

Aug 8, 2025 • 17min
You Are What You Eat: Peas
Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Kieran Cuddihy to discuss peas - and how you should eat them!

Aug 8, 2025 • 7min
Sport with Eoin Sheahan
Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.

Aug 8, 2025 • 17min
Will Israel do a full military takeover of Gaza?
This week we learned that Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is planning to fully occupy the Gaza strip. With thousands of Palestinians killed over the last 22 months, Kieran is joined by Ria Czerniak Lebov, granddaughter of a Holocaust escapee and Lecturer in NCAD, who has been speaking out against Zionism and the Israeli Government.


