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The Hard Shoulder

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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 entertainment

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  • 116 episodes
  • Avg 10 min
  • English

Episodes 116

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  • Friday · 31 min

    Winners and Sinners

    This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and Broadcaster Meghann Scully to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists...

  • Friday · 9 min

    How can we make Irish roads safer?

    Minister of State with Responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney, called a meeting today, which was attended by senior officials from Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Road Safety Authority, officials from the departments of Transport and Justice and the Garda Commissioner, Justin Kelly. He joins Ciara to discuss what was covered today.

  • Friday · 8 min

    The Crisp Festival! - Henry McKean Reports

    This weekend it's not just Electric Picnic, there is another festival in town! It's the Crisp Festival, taking place all weekend at The Bernard Shaw Pub and Eat Yard in Glasnevin, Dublin. Henry McKean popped down just before it opened to the public and tried the 'hot chip challenge', an extremely hot chilli dorito! He sent in this report!

  • Friday · 17 min

    Dáil votes in favour of excise cuts extension

    TDs have backed an extension to excise cuts on petrol and diesel until November in an emergency meeting at the Dáil today. The Opposition hit out at the debate being confined to just 60 minutes with the cost-of-living crisis but Government Chief Whip Mary Butler said they were dealing with a single financial resolution. Joining Shane for more on this is Political Editor at the Irish Times Pat Leahy. Later joining to discuss is Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein’s Spokesperson on Justice.

  • Friday · 8 min

    Top Gear officially set to return - are you excited?

    After spending four years off air, Top Gear is officially making a comeback, with the BBC confirming that the long-running motoring show will return to television. The programme was taken off the schedule in 2022 following a serious crash involving presenter Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, who suffered facial and rib injuries while filming. Flintoff had been presenting the show alongside Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris at the time. It will return, but will it capture the magic of old without the original trio of Hammond, May and Clarkson? Joining Ciara to discuss is Newstalk's own Rory Galvin and Nadia Adan, owner of Ashford Motors.

  • Friday · 11 min

    Criminal Defence Solicitors decide to continue withdrawal of services

    Criminal Defence Solicitors who practice in Dublin have decided unanimously to continue their withdrawal of services into September. This comes amid an ongoing dispute that has had a significant impact on the legal system over the summer, as criminal legal aid solicitors withdrew their services in protest at reforms to how they are paid. Joining Shane to discuss is Eoghan O’Sullivan, Partner at Powderly Solicitors LLP and Michael Finucane, of Michael Finucane Solicitors.

  • Friday · 11 min

    How should households prepare for floods?

    Every household in the country is set to receive an emergency preparedness booklet in the post as the Government launches a fresh push to help families prepare for an emergency. Storms, blackouts, flooding and water outages are among the emergencies Irish households are being urged to prepare for as a major new nationwide campaign gets underway. This comes after yesterday's heavy downpours led to the closure of all main roads into Co Kerry town while Dublin city recorded up to 28mm of rain in a single hour… Joining Ciara to discuss is Micheal Healy Rae, and Malcolm Noone, Senator and Green Party Spokesperson for Agriculture, Food, the Marine, Heritage and Nature.

  • Thursday · 5 min

    VHI set to increase prices for second time this year

    VHI is set to increase the prices of its health insurance policies by an average of 2.75% from the beginning of October. This will be VHI's second price increase this year, after it announced a 3% average hike across its plans that took effect in March… Joining Ciara for more on this is Dermot Goode from HealthInsurance.ie...

  • Thursday · 9 min

    Russia threatens to bomb British military bases over Ukraine support

    Russia has threatened they could strike British military bases over the UK’s continued support for Ukraine and warned they are “playing with fire” by supplying missile technology. It has also been reported that CIA chief John Ratcliffe told Russian officials not to escalate conflict with the US's NATO allies. Joining Ciara for more on this is former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the ‘Red Matrix’ podcast, Sean Bell…

  • Thursday · 12 min

    College Survival Guide: How do you pay?

    With the first round of CAO offers now out, college has become less of a far away possibility to now a reality. One thing that will be an issue for many is how they will pay for everything, from fees to accommodation. So, how do you get the money together? Newstalk’s Dylan Hand has been putting together the ultimate college survival guide, and joins Ciara to discuss!

  • Thursday · 7 min

    Andy Burnham rules out United Ireland referendum

    British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said that a referendum on a United Ireland is off the table while on his first official visit to Northern Ireland. Joining Ciara to discuss is Stephen Pound, Former Labour MP and former Northern Ireland Shadow Minister.

  • Thursday · 10 min

    Are you able to save for a rainy day?

    Ordinary people are just one breakdown or dental appointment away from the poverty line, and most can’t save for a rainy day, so writes Édaein O'Connell in the Irish Independent. She joins Ciara to discuss.

  • Thursday · 11 min

    Fear is the main reason taxi drivers avoid nights - what can be done?

    The taxi sector is attracting more new drivers with the highest number on record in 10 years, that is according to the National Transport Authority, but the new research shows that fears for personal safety are the main reason taxi drivers stop working nights. Joining Ciara to discuss is Jim Waldron, Spokesperson for the National Private Hire and Taxi Association.

  • Wednesday · 5 min

    Women’s urinals at Electric Picnic - how do they work?

    The 21st edition of Ireland’s biggest music festival, Electric Picnic, will take place in Stradbally this weekend. As usual attendees can expect great music, flimsy tents, colourful outfits and a great (if somewhat rainy) time. One thing they shouldn’t have to worry about is outrageously long queues for the women’s toilets, as women’s urinals known as ‘peequals’ are making their debut at this year’s event. What impact will that have on festivalgoers? Newstalk’s Ciara Treacy is a seasoned veteran of the festival scene at this stage, and joins to discuss!

  • Wednesday · 12 min

    How to do Stuff: Receiving unsolicited advice

    Life can be full of confusing things, but no need to worry! Every Wednesday, Simon Tierney will be showing you ‘How to do Stuff’ - bringing his best tips for those things you might not think about. This week, Simon joins Ciara and Shane to discuss what to do when you receive unsolicited advice!

  • Wednesday · 16 min

    Irish among hundreds missing in Nepal flash flood - what we know

    Two Irish people are among hundreds missing after a flash flood struck the Himalayan border region of ‌Nepal and China's ⁠Tibet, leaving at least 95 dead… Joining Ciara to discuss is Alisha Rahaman Sarkar, News Reporter with The Independent covering Asia. Also joining later to discuss is Anish Raj Shrestha, Communications Manager with Action Aid in Nepal and Surendra Phuyal, Journalist based in Nepal.

Showing 1–20 of 116 episodes