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
Jan 23, 2026 • 7min
Traitors finale - who will win?
It’s time to talk Traitors, so beware of spoilers!Tonight is the highly anticipated final and we were left on a cliffhanger last night.Can the Traitors do it? Can they unite and work together to get to the end, or will one be knocked out, being a victim to chance?Joining Ciara to discuss is Darren Stanton, former police officer, behaviour and body language expert and also known as TV’s Human Lie Detector.
Jan 23, 2026 • 10min
2 in 5 farmers are without a formal successor
According to the latest IFAC Farm Report, 2 in 5 farmers do not have a formal successor, which is fuelling fears of a succession crisis.To discuss this issue, Ciara is joined by Limerick Dairy Farmer, Louise Crowley, and News Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal, Amy Forde.
Jan 23, 2026 • 10min
Sport with Mick McCarthy
Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…
Jan 23, 2026 • 11min
No tasers fired by Gardaí since start of pilot programme
A pilot programme began a month ago, which armed Gardaí with tasers, and they haven’t yet fired them.The programme was fast tracked because of fears over increased attacks on Gardaí and antisocial behaviour, and the pilot started with a view to a full roll out.Jim Ryan is a retired Garda in Cork and Cathal Malone is Head of Research at Thomas Coughlan & Co Solicitors. They join Ciara to discuss.
Jan 23, 2026 • 7min
Should pop songs be banned from church?
Church authorities in Poland have banned the song Perfect by Ed Sheeran from being performed at wedding ceremonies, saying that it is not in keeping with the sanctity of the liturgy. So, should pop songs be banned from Irish churches?Joining Ciara to discuss is Father Joe McGrath, Mullahoran Parish Priest, Co Cavan.
Jan 23, 2026 • 12min
Mother issues warning after nuts on flight caused life-threatening anaphylaxis
A Carlow mother has issued a stark warning to airline passengers that eating nuts during a flight could cost someone their life following her daughter suffering a life‑threatening anaphylaxis mid‑air.Lisa Nolan, and her daughter Hallie join me now.
Jan 23, 2026 • 12min
Impact of parking charges on business - Henry McKean Reports
Ireland’s first shopping centre, Stillorgan Village, has introduced parking charges of €1.20 an hour. A modest amount for many, but it has had a knock on effect on footfall, with many shoppers staying away and some retailers withholding rent.Henry McKean was sent to investigate, and joins Ciara to discuss.
Jan 23, 2026 • 12min
How should illegal dumping be tackled?
The illegal dumping of toxic waste containers at a scenic location in Tipperary has once again raised questions over how to tackle the recurring issue in Irish society.To discuss this, Ciara is joined by Independent Cllr Pamela Quirke O’Meara of Tipperary County Council and Ian Davis, Manager of Environmental Project PURE.
Jan 22, 2026 • 17min
Movies and TV: Steal, Mercy, The Hunting Wives
Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O’Callaghan from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…
Jan 22, 2026 • 15min
What would a ‘framework’ deal on Greenland look like?
The heads of all 27 European Union member states are in Brussels for what the body is calling an "extraordinary" summit regarding the recent crisis in transatlantic relations prompted by U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland.It’s as Zelenskyy tells Davos that Europe ‘looks lost’, and is in the middle of Groundhog Day.Joining Ciara to discuss is Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief at Bloomberg and Patrick Bury, Lecturer in Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Bath and former NATO analyst.
