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 14, 2026 • 12min
The Ultimate Guide: Stockholm
Every week for The Ultimate Guide on The Hard Shoulder, Fionn Davenport takes a closer look at some of the fantastic destinations to visit around the world.This week, as part of his 12 best cities in the world, Fionn joined Ciara Doherty to give the ultimate guide to Stockholm in Sweden!
Jan 14, 2026 • 7min
Do we need stricter laws to control dogs?
A second swan has been killed in a suspected dog attack sparking demands for CCTV and stricter laws to control dogs at Bray Harbour.Joining Ciara to discuss Pete Wedderburn, Bray-based Vet.
Jan 13, 2026 • 9min
Irish Prisons Report - what needs to change?
The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Mark Kelly, was before the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration today, following concerns raised in the Office of the Inspector of Prisons’ Annual Report for 2024.To discuss the latest around all this, Mark Kelly joins Ciara.
Jan 13, 2026 • 16min
The Bookshelf with Roderic O’Gorman
Green Party Leader Roderic O’Gorman joins Ciara Doherty to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
Jan 13, 2026 • 6min
George Nkencho inquest formally opened this week
An inquest into the case of George Nkencho was formally opened this week, who was shot dead by Gardai on December 30th 2020.To discuss the latest developments, Ciara is joined by Irish Times Journalist and Historian, Ronan McGreevy.
Jan 13, 2026 • 14min
Government to lift restrictions on data centre construction in Dublin
New data centres will soon be allowed to be built in the capital and greater Dublin area.In the previous Government, Eamon Ryan had introduced restrictions due to issues around energy constraints on the electricity grid.Today, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke announced a 17-point plan called the ‘Large Energy User Action Plan’ or LEAP, which would enable the rollout of sustainable data centre development between now and the end of the decade.Joining Ciara to discuss this is James Geoghegan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South and Deirdre Duffy, CEO of Friends of the Earth Ireland.
Jan 13, 2026 • 8min
Why is NASA bringing home four astronauts early?
NASA is set to bring home four astronauts which are expected to return to Earth within days after an astronaut suffered a health issue, the first such medical evacuation from the station in NASA’s history.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Leo Enright, Space Commentator and former Chairman of the Irish Government’s Science Awareness Program.
Jan 13, 2026 • 11min
What is life in Iran like right now?
It’s been reported by Iranian officials that around 2,000 protesters have been killed in protests in the country.It’s as two weeks of intense protests continue to escalate.One of those concerned for what is happening over in Iran is human rights activist Mansoureh Bekhish, who joins Ciara to discuss. Also joining to discuss is Bernard Phelan, who was imprisoned in Iran in 2022...Image: Reuters
Jan 13, 2026 • 11min
The Dáil returns - what happened today?
After a long Christmas break, the Dáil is back in session.Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has been keeping an eye out, and joins Ciara to discuss what happened on the first day back…
Jan 13, 2026 • 12min
Diageo announces Guinness price increase
Diageo has announced that the price of a pint of Guinness is set to increase next month, along with a number of other products.To discuss this and the impact it may have on the drinks sector, Ciara is joined by Chairperson of the Donegal Vintners Federation, Fine Gael Cllr Martin Harley and Economist at TU Dublin, Emma Howard.
