The Hard Shoulder Highlights

Grass fed verified beef sets the standard for top quality meat in Ireland. But is it true that our cows only eat grass? Kieran is joined by farmer and journalist Hannah Quinn Mulligan to learn more.

Duration:00:09:16

"I feel good!" Henry McKean speaks to Bambie Thug ahead of the Eurovision semi-final

Live from Malmö, Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean speaks with Ireland's 2024 Eurovision entrant Bambie Thug ahead of their performance on the Swedish stage. Henry shares with Kieran all the emotions that the artist is feeling about competing, representing the non-binary community and Johnny Logan. Image credit: Image credit: Corinne Cumming/EBU

Duration:00:11:08

Shock collars for pets to be banned

The Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, is to bring in new regulations to ban the use of electric dog collars. Electric fences will not be included in the ban and pet owners who already use remote controlled electric collars will not be required to remove them. Kieran is joined by City Vet in Limerick Donal Ryan to learn more about shock collars.

Duration:00:08:28

The Afternoon Update: Eurovision, RTÉ and Limerick Riverfest

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Nigel Dugdale, News Reporter at Live95, and Broadcaster Meghann Scully. Image credit: Rollingnews.ie

Duration:00:14:58

Winners and Sinners

Every week Kieran Cuddihy will be joined by writer and broadcaster, Keith Walsh and the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Duration:00:27:08

What’s the best temperature for beer and wine?

A new study has found that beer is more enjoyable when served cold. That might seem obvious to you, but not everywhere serves it that way. The report also says that we should be chilling red wines and warming whites a bit more...so what is the correct way? Joining Kieran to give their expert guidance is Dean McGuinness, MD of Premier International Beer, and Brigid O’Hora, from @brideys_wine_chats on instagram.

Duration:00:12:28

You Are What You Eat: Tex-Mex

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to chat about Tex-Mex! Not so much the authenticity, but the benefits you can get with the cuisine.

Duration:00:17:07

Sport with Ger Gilroy

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Duration:00:10:34

Is it fair game to protest outside a politician’s front door? Henry McKean asks.

An Taoiseach Simon Harris says people's families and homes should be out of bounds after protesters held up placards right outside his house last night. 16 protesters held signs which said 'South Dublin Says No Close The Borders'. Even though it was in Wicklow… To discuss further, Kieran is joined by Henry McKean.

Duration:00:12:14

What is ‘Wellfest’? With Trisha Lewis

Kieran is joined by Trisha Lewis (@trishas.transformation on Instagram) to talk about her own weightloss journey as well as what the ‘Wellfest’ event is all about. Image: wellfest.ie

Duration:00:05:34

Are dating apps cringe now?

Dating app, Bumble, made some changes this week which means women no longer have to make the first move! But are Gen Z engaging with dating apps the way they used to? Joining Kieran to discuss is Newstalk’s own Sheila Naughton...

Duration:00:08:07

Trinity students fined and politician homes targeted - Gary Gannon's takes

Trinity students have been fined €214,000 over recent protests. The students, who did so in retaliation to increased programme costs, have been fined as Trinity says the disruptive protests held outside the Book of Kells results in a loss of income for them. Gary Gannon, Social Democrats Education Spokesperson, believes this is an attempt by TCD to “suppress” student protests. He joins Kieran to discuss this, as well as the recent protests occuring outside politicians' homes.

Duration:00:10:37

Afternoon Update: Eurovision boycott, Trinity SU fine, Bank Holiday weekend

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Ian Power,CEO of SpunOut and Sinead Ryan, Consumer Columnist with the Irish Independent and the Presenter of The Home Show on Newstalk. Image: Alma Bengtsson / EBU

Duration:00:17:04

Why are Pro-Palestine students being arrested?

The Kuhner Report on WRKO AM680 Radio in Boston is hosted by Jeffrey T. Kuhner, "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," he is a conservative nationalist, who champions God, country and family. He joins Kieran to discuss US politics and to chat about the multitude of arrests made at Pro-Palestine college protests. Image: Wisconsin State Journal

Duration:00:10:41

Student rocket competition blasts off!

The skies of Laois have been closed for air traffic - but why? There is a rocket launch competition happening in Emo Court! Students are taking part in this regional competition to build and launch CanSat's. Kieran is joined by Danielle Willcock, Telescope Operator from Blackrock Castle Observatory and finalist Justin Jahima to learn more.

Duration:00:06:33

Teenagers are physically healthier, but worse mentally

A new survey from the University of Galway finds that while teenagers are more physically healthy (with less alcohol and tobacco usage), their mental health has gone down. We wanted to speak to the people that this survey represents and hear from them what it’s like being a teenager today. Kieran is joined by Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist and Columnist with The Irish Examiner to discuss and also speaks with Luke, Aoibhinn, Lenus and Ciara, who are all transition year students.

Duration:00:12:49

What do we need planning permission for?

Summer is here! You might be thinking about doing up the house: a sky light in the kitchen or a gate in your garden... but what do we need planning permission for? Joining Kieran to discuss is Managing Director for planning from CWPA in Swords and former Irish Planning Institute President, Joe Corr.

Duration:00:11:29

HIQA’s worrying UHL report…

Now, an unannounced inspection conducted by HIQA (Health Information and Quality Authority) found that UHL (University Hospital Limerick) is not “fully managing” the risk to its patients in the hospital amidst overcrowding. Melanie Cleary knows this situation well, when her daughter needed to attend the hospital after a fall. She died only hours after UHL discharged her. Melanie joins Kieran to discuss.

Duration:00:08:45

Afternoon Update: Rugby fans can’t drink, rents go up, unhappy teenagers

This is the Afternoon Update – The Hard Shoulder’s catch-up on the day's news. Today, Kieran was joined by Shane Hannon, Presenter from Off The Ball and Jen Hogan, Columnist with the Irish Times.

Duration:00:15:27

New fleet of electrified trains coming to Dart services