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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Mar 12, 2025 • 10min
Tech Takeover: An Overview on Artificial Intelligence
For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss artificial intelligence. For the next few weeks, she will be giving an 'AI 101', delving into the uses of the technology and how it can make your life that bit easier. Today, she gives an overview on what is available now!
Mar 12, 2025 • 4min
Barry Heneghan is on ‘Grá ar an Trá’ - here’s why
Kieran’s guest has been appearing as a contestant on Irish language dating show ‘Grá ar an Trá’. The catch? He’s a TD now…Independent TD for Dublin Bay North, Barry Heneghan, joins to discuss.
Mar 12, 2025 • 12min
Micheál Martin meets with Trump - how did it go?
Earlier today, Taoiseach Micheál Martin met with President Donald Trump in the White House.Joining Kieran to give their reactions is former Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern and Brian Murphy, former Chief of Staff to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar…
Mar 12, 2025 • 8min
Will the MetroLink be worth its high cost?
Former Tánaiste Micheal McDowell has said today someone should stop development on the MetroLink, which is facing a total sum of nearly €23 billion...But, will it be worth that cost?Joining Kieran to discuss is Sinn Féin Councillor for the North Inner City, Janice Boylan.
Mar 11, 2025 • 17min
5 Years on from Covid: Those Still Affected
With reflections being made 5 years on from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marking the first lockdown - what actually happened 5 years ago, and have things returned to full normality?Joining Kieran to discuss is Oonagh Carr, long Covid patient, Robert Maguire, Director at Massey Brothers Funeral Homes and Linda Kelly, Spokesperson for Better Maternity Care.
Mar 11, 2025 • 15min
The Bookshelf with Richard Boyd Barrett
People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire, Richard Boyd Barrett joined Kieran Cuddihy this week to place his favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
Mar 11, 2025 • 12min
Do we need water charges on homes?
Despite a statement from the Department of Housing that there are no plans for it at the moment - do we need water charges in households?Joining Kieran to discuss is Padraig O’Ceidigh, former Senator and former Chair of the Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water as well as Richard Boyd Barrett, People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire.
Mar 11, 2025 • 5min
Do the Irish complain enough?
Ticketmaster, Eir and Ryanair are at the top of a list of companies with the most complaints in a list compiled by the CCPC in its Consumer Helpline Report.Many complaints have been submitted over 2024, but do we in Ireland complain enough, or do we prefer not to make a fuss?Siobhan Maguire, Consumer Journalist, joins Kieran to discuss.
Mar 11, 2025 • 18min
5 Years on from Covid: Looking back on Lockdown
5 years ago, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marked the first lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic. Cast your mind back to some of the weird and bizarre aspects to the pandemic - there’s too many to think ofJoining Kieran to discuss is Ruth Scott, Broadcaster and Celebrant, Jen Hogan, Irish Times Columnist and Conor McAllister, co-owner of Grafton Barbers.
Mar 11, 2025 • 11min
TikTok to introduce screen time limit for teen accounts
TikTok has announced a new change to the platform to help teenagers shut down from the day – and walk away from their screens.Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, Jess Kelly and Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner join Kieran to discuss what’s being introduced, and the impact it could have.
