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
Feb 5, 2026 • 11min
Larry Murrin hits out at IFA behaviour over protests outside Bord Bia offices. IFA president joins us to respond.
The chair of Bord Bia Larry Murrin has told the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee today that he has ‘never been conflicted’ in his role as chair of the organisation.Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmers Association joined Shane and Ciara to give his reaction to the Committee meeting and to respond to critism over the associations ongoing protest outside the buildings of Bord Bia.
Feb 5, 2026 • 9min
We Speak to Team Ireland as The Winter Olympics opens tomorrow
It is exactly 10 years ago today, when one of the most horrific gangland attacks took place in this country. The Regency Shooting marked a significant turning point in the Hutch-Kinahan feud. . Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been examining the social impact the feud has on communities affected by gangland activity. And he joined Shane and Ciara to discuss
Feb 5, 2026 • 11min
10 years on the social impact of the Regency Shooting on communities
It is exactly 10 years ago today, when one of the most horrific gangland attacks took place in this country. The Regency Shooting marked a significant turning point in the Hutch-Kinahan feud. . Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been examining the social impact the feud has on communities affected by gangland activity. And he joined Shane and Ciara to discuss
Feb 5, 2026 • 8min
Kier Starmer issues an apology to Epstein victims as pressure mounts on his leadership.
Kemi Badenoch has asked Labour MPs to join her in a no confidence vote against Keir Starmer, as Downing Street comes under pressure to reveal how Mandelson was vetted for the post of US ambassador. Lucy Fisher, Chief Political Commentator with Times Radio joined Shane and Ciara to discuss.
Feb 5, 2026 • 5min
Latest on weather as Dart services are suspended and a Status Orange warning in effect
A Status Orange rain warning is currently in effect for Dublin, Wicklow, Waterford and Louth and a Yellow warning in effect for nine other counties. Joining Shane Ciara for the latest on it was Meteorologist Matthew Martin at Met Éireann.
Feb 5, 2026 • 7min
The latest as one person is dead and three are injured by incident involving bus in Dublin city centre.
One person has died and three others have been injured after a bus drove down a pedestrianised street in Dublin city this afternoon. Joining us with the latest from the scene was Emily Keegan Newstalk Reporter and to react to the tragedy was Ray McAdam Lord Mayor of Dublin and FG councillor for North Inner City
Feb 4, 2026 • 9min
How did Irish Children's TV shape the people we are today?
The Muppets make their grand return to tv today, with a star studded cast including Sabrina carpenter and a special show on Disney+. It's a classic of American kids television, but Irish Telly has some classics of it’s own. Where are the realtaí of Irish children's tv now and how has home grown programming shaped the people we are today? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:...
Feb 4, 2026 • 9min
How to Do Stuff: Leave the Toilet presentable.
Ciara and Shane were joined, as always at this time on a Wednesday by Simon Tierney, who tells us how to do stuff...the stuff you do every day but may not be great at or need advice on...
Feb 4, 2026 • 16min
10 years since the Regency hotel shooting: How did it change organised crime in Ireland ?
Tomorrow marks 10 years since the Regency Hotel shooting. Ciara and Shane were joined by Paul Williams, Author & Crime Journalist, to take us back to this seminal event in the history of organised crime in Ireland...
Feb 4, 2026 • 8min
Nothin' like a bit of nostalgia - Irish Kid's TV
The muppets make their grand return to tv today, with a star studded cast including Sabrina carpenter and a special show on Disney+.It's a classic of American kids television, but Irish Telly has some classics of it’s own.Where are the realtaí of Irish children's tv now and how has home grown programming shaped the people we are today?Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:
