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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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Episodes 533

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  • October 22 · 6 min

    Charity being investigated amid money-laundering allegations

    Conor Lally, Crime and Security Correspondent with The Irish Times joins Seán Defoe with the latest on a charity at the centre of an investigation amid money-laundering allegations, following the seizure of BMWs, Louis Vuitton bags, Rolex watches…

  • October 22 · 11 min

    Were you offended by this ‘We Consent’ campaign ad?

    The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has taken down three online video ads related to its 'We Consent' campaign, following criticism of one ad in particular. The ad shows grandparents going to give their teenage granddaughter a hug, but before they do, the ad stops to say "Not everyone wants a hug". It has received significant backlash, with many saying it is offensive to our older population. Joining Seán Defoe and Ciara to discuss this is Catherine Ardagh, Fianna Fáil TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Fine Gael Senator Gareth Scahill.

  • October 22 · 8 min

    Should Airbnb guests be expected to clean up after themselves?

    Airbnb has introduced new rules limiting what hosts can ask guests to do before checking out. From washing the dishes to stripping the beds, guests have often been left with a list of chores to complete before they can leave their rental. It raises the question: should guests be expected to clean up after themselves while also paying a cleaning fee? Joining Ciara to discuss is columnist Brenda Power and Newstalk's own Meghan O'Halloran...

  • October 22 · 9 min

    What is the role of a parish priest in modern Ireland?

    In some of the loneliest moments of our lives, we trust in the wisdom of a priest, born of years spent attending scenes of human devastation. So writes Kathy Sheridan in The Irish Times. But, Ireland has changed dramatically in terms of religion in the past few decades, so what is the role of a parish priest in modern Ireland? And just how important is it? Joining Ciara to discuss this is Father Willie Purcell, parish priest of Canices' in Kilkenny.

  • October 22 · 8 min

    Are people being served properly in emergency departments?

    New figures from the HSE show that more than 70,000 people did not wait, or left before completing their treatment, in emergency departments during the first seven months of this year. Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice obtained the figures, and joins Seán Defoe to discuss.

  • October 22 · 9 min

    What can we expect from Storm Austen?

    Met Éireann has issued a number of status-orange weather warnings for intense rain and wind from around 7pm Thursday evening, continuing into Friday morning. Local authorities are preparing for flooding as heavy rainfall is anticipated with Storm Austen this evening. Joining Seán Defoe to discuss this is Keith Leonard, Head of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management and Carlow Weather's Alan O'Reilly.

  • October 21 · 7 min

    Backstage at the Cork Jazz Festival! - Henry McKean Reports

    The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is now in its 48th year with Boney M headlining. It's 5 days of music, 500 musicians and 100,000 revellers. Henry McKean went backstage to soak up the atmosphere and sent in this report.

  • October 21 · 10 min

    How to do Stuff: Watching horror movies

    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 how to get over the fear or watching horror movies!

  • October 21 · 9 min

    Results of a UN Emissions Gap report described as “sobering”

    A UN report has shown that global temperatures are set to rise far in excess of the 1.5% threshold pledged in the Paris Agreement. Emissions from oil, gas & coal rose globally again last year as countries failed to honour their commitments to reduce their use. Joining Shane to discuss this is Dr. Cara Augustenborg, Assistant Professor in Environmental Policy at UCD.

  • October 21 · 8 min

    Does your ability to drink Guinness prove your Irishness?

    In a great piece in today's Irish Independent, Dónal Lynch explains why the ability to drink a pint of Guinness is the real Irish citizenship test! But what is it about the ‘art’ of Guinness drinking? And why do we consider it such an institution here? Joining Ciara to discuss is Dónal Lynch, Journalist with the Sunday Independent.

  • October 21 · 11 min

    Talks to end Ukraine war continue in Russia - what we know so far

    Russian leader Vladimir Putin has begun talks with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff on ending the Ukraine war, a day after the US official met with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky. This comes at a time when global diesel prices remain high despite Trump's deal with Russia to supply diesel to US and global markets. For more on all of this, Shane is joined by Jenny Mathers, Senior Lecturer in International Politics at Aberystwyth University and Anthony Zurcher, BBC North America Correspondent.

  • October 21 · 7 min

    Tech Takeover: What are ‘AI Worms’?

    For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, joins Shane to discuss a new thing to be aware of on the internet: ‘AI Worms’...

  • October 21 · 9 min

    What is the history of the ‘Triple Lock’?

    The Dáil will convene today to debate legislation to amend the ‘Triple Lock’ mechanism, which has been in place for the past 65 years. Opposition parties fear it will threaten Ireland’s neutrality. So, what exactly is the ‘Triple Lock’ and how would changes affect Ireland? Joining Ciara to discuss is Conor Gallagher, Investigations Reporter at The Irish Times and author of ‘Is Ireland Neutral: The Many Myths of Irish Neutrality’.

  • October 21 · 10 min

    Would you let the State access private messages?

    The public has “significant and clear distrust” of allowing the State to access private phone messages, according to a survey being published by the Irish Council of Civil Liberties. This comes amid a bid by the Justice Minister to intercept encrypted communications. Joining Shane to discuss this is Olga Cronin, Senior Policy Officer with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor of the Irish Independent.

  • October 20 · 11 min

    The Ultimate Guide: Car-free Irish holiday

    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 a car-free holiday across Ireland!

  • October 20 · 6 min

    What does the future hold for credit unions?

    ‘Navigating Change and Building Momentum, Together…’ That was the theme of this year’s Credit Union Engage event, which took place at Croke Park today. For many across the country, they are seen as a cornerstone in many communities, but what does the future actually look like for credit unions? Joining Ciara in studio to discuss this is David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions.

  • October 20 · 10 min

    The Bookshelf with Gina London

    Gina London, Communications Specialist, former CNN Correspondent and Sunday Independent Columnist joins Ciara to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Showing 41–60 of 533 episodes