The Hard Shoulder

Minister for Education, Norma Foley, and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton , have today launched the first year of a new scheme which will see free schoolbooks and classroom resources provided to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools.To explain it all, Kieran Cuddihy is joined by Minister Norma Foley.

Hugs are often given to others as a wholesome display of affection, but can it be overused and have its meaning watered down? Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly joins Kieran to discuss.

Today saw the loss of one of Ireland’s most prominent feminists and journalists, Nell McCafferty.Nell famously took part in the contraceptive train in 1971 and paved the way for legalisation of contraception here in Ireland. Eamonn McCann, Activist and Journalist and Ailbhe Smyth, Activist and Campaigner join Kieran Cuddihy to discuss her impact.

Saint Killian’s Cork is a school which provides education and care to children with acute, learning and neuro-developmental disabilities.Children with these conditions require therapeutic hours and this service is crucial for their development.However, since 2019 Saint Killian’s has been without any therapy services for their children and has been excluded from a recently announced pilot project bringing therapies back to schools.To discuss, Kieran is joined by Sue Linehan, Principal of St. Killian’s Special School in Mayfield Cork and Fiona Coughlan from Parents Unite, a group of parents advocating for their children with additional needs.

The RSA latest ad and campaign ‘Lose Your Licence, Lose Your Independence’ has come under fire, with claims of ableism.Joining Kieran Cuddihy to discuss is Neasa Hourigan, Green Party Finance Spokesperson and Louise Williams, Coordinator of Monthly Cycles.Image: RSA

If Irish rock star Phil Lynott was still alive, he would have been 75 today. Newstalk’s Henry McKean met Thin Lizzy super fans celebrating the date, remembering the Irish music legend.

Musician, Broadcaster and founding member of ‘The Hothouse Flowers’, Fiachna Ó Braonáin joined Kieran to put his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s Bookshelf!

Shamrock Rovers, in a statement yesterday, hit out against national TV broadcasters for failing to broadcast big European matches in recent weeks.They state that “The club exhausted every avenue” to get the games broadcasted.Kieran is joined by John Martin, Chief Executive of Shamrock Rovers F.C to discuss.

The curtains will soon be drawn, and the winner crowned, as Tralee prepares for the live final of The Rose of Tralee competition tonight. Steeped in tradition, and met with its fair share of scepticism, there is a lot to love about the show that has been aired across our television screens for decades. Here with me now to discuss is Chef and Radio Broadcaster Edward Hayden and Olivia Fahy, Editor of ‘Geek Ireland’.

Earlier today, Kieran Cuddihy was told that his son won’t be seen by the dentist until sixth class; he is currently in fourth class…This is due to the extreme staff shortages in dentists all over Ireland, causing a backlog so long some children aren't seen by a dentist until secondary school.Joining Kieran to tell more about the dentist shortages and waiting lists around the country is Chair of the GP committee of the Irish Dental Association, and owner of Kiwi Dental in Carlow, Caroline Robbins.