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
Nov 7, 2025 • 7min
Do young people need ‘offline’ spaces?
Calls are being made for more offline spaces to be created for the young people of Ireland. To chat about this need and the urgency behind it, Ciara Doherty is joined by Kathryn Walsh, the National Youth Council of Ireland’s Director of Policy and Advocacy.
Nov 7, 2025 • 6min
Meals to warm you up this winter!
Ahead of what looks set to be a cold and damp weekend, we’re going to be discussing some wintry meals that might warm you up.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss some recipes is TV Chef and Culinary Lecturer, Edward Hayden!
Nov 7, 2025 • 10min
Louvre’s CCTV system password was “LOUVRE”!
The Louvre is facing fresh scrutiny over its security deficiencies following an 80-million-euro heist last month, as it was revealed that the password for the museum’s video surveillance was “LOUVRE”.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Elaine Burke from the ‘For Tech's Sake’ podcast.
Nov 7, 2025 • 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…
Nov 7, 2025 • 13min
Why do BreastCheck targets keep getting missed?
BreastCheck looks set to miss its screening target for a third year in a row.The national screening programme for breast cancer screens symptom-free women aged between 5 and 69 – and the target set was 219,000.However, it is expected that just 170,000 will be screened…Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Amy Nolan, Director of Clinical Affairs at the Irish Cancer Society and the Green Party’s Hazel Chu.
Nov 7, 2025 • 11min
What are the best and worst Irish representations on screen?
American TV series ‘Bob’s Burgers’ has received praise in Ireland following their recent portrayal of an old Irish mammy, and it got us thinking: what are some of the best and worst Irish representations on both the big and small screen?To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Arts Journalist and Film Critic, Chris Wasser.
Nov 7, 2025 • 8min
Former Prince Andrew summoned in the US over Epstein claims
Former Prince Andrew has been ordered to appear before US Congress over ongoing investigations into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. It comes just days after King Charles stripped his brother of his “Prince” title following renewed scrutiny of his links to Epstein.Joining Ciara Doherty with more on this is Mark Paul, London Correspondent for the Irish Times.
Nov 7, 2025 • 11min
Can you post Irish snacks to US relatives this Christmas? - Henry McKean Reports
An Post has put out a warning when it comes to sending teabags, crisps or chocolate this Christmas, because of US tariffs and rules…Newstalk’s Henry McKean has been investigating, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.
Nov 6, 2025 • 17min
Movies and TV: Celebrity Traitors, Predator Badlands, Down Cemetery Road
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…
Nov 6, 2025 • 11min
How to deal with ‘scanxiety’
'Scanxiety' or scan anxiety is something many cancer survivors will understand, but how do you deal with the worry in the days leading up to a scan?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Professor Seamus O’Reilly, Consultant Medical Oncologist at Cork University Hospital and Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.
