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Society & Culture

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 entertainment

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222 episodes
Avg 10 min
English

Episodes 222

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Thursday · 14 min
The practicalities of Gaelic Games integration
The Minister for Sport, Patrick O'Donovan, has said that he wants to see "realistic" deadlines in place for the amalgamation of the Gaelic games but also said today that he has “no reason not to believe” the GAA’s commitment to integration despite the comments by Mary McAleese. Joining Shane to discuss is Editor of the journal.ie Sinead O’Carroll...
Wednesday · 6 min
The impact of hard water on your scalp and hair
Many people across the country live in hard water areas, they know the struggle of descaling a kettle or going through bottles of washing up liquid when washing their dishes to create a small bit of suds. But, what effect does hard water have on your hair and scalp health, and are the trending shower head filters worth the hype? Joining Ciara to discuss is Sarah Cummins, a Trichologist with TRUA.
Wednesday · 9 min
How to do Stuff: Proper Phone Etiquette!
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 proper phone etiquette!
Wednesday · 6 min
Law Society President calls for independent mediator in legal aid dispute
The President of the Law Society has called for an independent mediator to be appointed to help resolve the dispute over the new criminal legal aid scheme. The dispute over the new flat fee payment scheme for criminal defense solicitors has caused nationwide disruption to court hearings and led to the majority of defense solicitors withdrawing their services. Joining Shane for more on this is The Chair of the Criminal Law Committee at the Law Society of Ireland, Shane McCarthy...
Wednesday · 9 min
College Survival Guide: First Day Nerves & Anxiety
College is just around the corner for many, or even beginning now. So, on your first day, how do you deal with those nerves and anxiety? Newstalk’s Dylan Hand has been putting together the ultimate college survival guide, and joins Ciara to discuss!
Wednesday · 8 min
Sport with John Duggan: GAA Integration
Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane and Ciara on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…
Wednesday · 11 min
Tech Takeover: What is Meta’s ‘Muse’ AI?
For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, joins Ciara to discuss Meta’s new ‘Muse’ AI, and how it aims to be your own personal assistant in your pocket…
Wednesday · 7 min
What should we expect from protests on Trump’s Ireland visit?
A protest will be taking place in Dublin city centre this weekend of more than 30 groups and left-leaning political parties as President Trump visits Irish shores. Joining Shane to discuss this is Criminal Defence Barrister and Senior Counsel, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha, who is among a group of Irish lawyers who have signed a statement of objection to Trump’s war policies.
Wednesday · 7 min
Have wakes and funerals changed over the years?
How we as a nation deal with death and mourning has always been unique, and so too is the way we show up for people in times of need. Food has always been at the center of that, showing up to neighbors houses with trays of sandwiches and boxes of tea bags following the death of their loved one is how we have shown support throughout the years. Society has changed remarkably over the past 50 years, but has that caused wakes and funerals to change over that time period also? Joining Ciara to discuss is Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire, Chef, Food Historian and TU Dublin Lecturer.
Wednesday · 10 min
More Traitors contestants join to discuss the show!
(Spoilers for last night’s episode of The Traitors Ireland ahead!) Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss their experience on The Traitors is Denis, the murdered Faithful and Grainne, who was also a Faithful whose time was cut short…
Wednesday · 16 min
Fallout from GAA integration failure & Mary McAleese’s resignation
GAA Director General Tom Ryan has said the organisation was “not ready” for the integration of the GAA, the LGFA and the Camogie Association within the 2027 deadline of the Steering Group on Integration. This follows news that Dr Mary McAleese had stepped down as Chairperson of the Integration Committee. Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss this is Deirdre Murphy, former Head of Operations at Clare GAA, former Clare Camogie player & founding member of the Women's GPA and Michelle Ryan, former Waterford player for 19 seasons.
Tuesday · 11 min
The Ultimate Guide: Halloween in Ireland
The Ultimate Guide: Halloween in Ireland 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, Fionn joined Ciara and Shane to give his ultimate guide to celebrating Halloween, or Samhain, in Ireland!
Tuesday · 6 min
What are the logistics of a Trump Ireland visit?
Just how big does a security operation need to be when a US President visits Ireland, especially when that person is Donald Trump? And, how much does it cost? Joining Ciara to discuss is Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst.
Tuesday · 12 min
Empty commercial units - Bairbre Holmes Reports
We have all heard of the issue of derelict houses, but they are not the only empty buildings in this country. The latest figures show that one in seven commercial units are empty. Newstalk Reporter Bairbre Holmes has been looking into this, and joins Shane to discuss.
Tuesday · 8 min
Do we need to see inheritance tax reform?
The Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of State Neale Richmond has said there is an “appeal” to reform the current inheritance tax to boost what people can receive. He stated that the reform is needed because the current model does not reflect modern families. For more on this, Shane is joined by Financial Advisor and Analyst, Karl Deeter...
Tuesday · 13 min
The Bookshelf with Nora Owen
Nora Owen, former Minister for Justice, joins Ciara to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
Tuesday · 10 min
UK and more to sanction Israeli settlements in the West Bank
Twelve countries including Britain, Canada and France have said they would put sanctions on trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, after increasing attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian villages in the occupied territory. Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden also plan to limit trade with the settlements, the nations' foreign ministers said in a joint statement. For more on this, Shane is joined by Vincent McAviney, London-based Journalist and Bobby McDonagh, former Ambassador to the European Union and the UK.
Tuesday · 7 min
Coimisiún na Meán launch investigation into X - what does it mean?
Coimisiún na Meán are commencing an investigation into the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, under the Online Safety Code. What does this mean, and what exactly is the platform being investigated for? Joining Ciara to discuss is Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor with The Irish Independent.
Tuesday · 6 min
How important are texting habits in a healthy relationship?
PING! A message on your phone from your partner. What do you anticipate? A request for your ETA for dinner, or a kiss-strewn ‘can’t wait to see you – let’s go to our favourite Italian?’ Joining Shane is Divorce Lawyer Sheela Macintosh-Stewart, who argues she can tell if your marriage is on the rocks by reading the last ten texts between you and your partner.
Tuesday · 6 min
PISA 2025 study ranks Irish students first for reading in EU
An international study shows Irish 15-year-olds outperform their EU counterparts when it comes to reading, and perform strongly in Science and Maths. The report from the 2025 study concludes that Irish students are first for reading, third for science, and fourth for mathematics out of 27 EU countries. Joining Ciara to react to this is TJ Hegarty, maths teacher and Founder of BreakthroughMaths.ie and Conor Murphy, English teacher in Skibbereen Community School.

Showing 21–40 of 222 episodes