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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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  • 542 episodes
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  • English

Episodes 542

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  • 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!

  • October 20 · 6 min

    Workplace Relations Commission talks - what we know

    Public sector talks entered their second day at the Workplace Relations Commission, resuming this morning, after around five hours of discussions yesterday between Government officials and union leaders. For more on this, Shane is joined now by Pat Leahy, Political Editor of The Irish Times.

  • October 20 · 5 min

    Do food safety standards need to be improved for school meals?

    Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary is facing pressure to improve food safety standards for school meals following an inspection that uncovered rodent droppings at a site operated by a provider participating in the scheme. Social Democrats Spokesperson for Education, Jen Cummins, joins Shane to discuss…

  • October 20 · 13 min

    Reaction to Jim O’Callaghan's comments on striking solicitors and rape trials

    Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said that the majority of cases not proceeding in the Dublin District Court due to the legal aid dispute are rape charges, suggesting they are being “deliberately affected”. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has described Jim O’Callaghan’s comments as a “disgrace”. For reaction to these comments, Ciara is joined by Eoin O’Sullivan, Partner at Powderly Solicitors and Rachel Morrogh, CEO of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

  • October 20 · 9 min

    Should we have a special offence for attacks linked to recovery of drug debts?  

    "After the utter depravity of the Waterford arson murders, surely it’s time we introduced a special offence for attacks linked to recovery of drug debts". So says Journalist Paul Williams in The Irish Independent. Do we need to introduce a special offence like the one he is suggesting? Paul joins Ciara to discuss.

  • October 20 · 10 min

    What are the do’s and don’ts of running a marathon?

    With the Dublin City Marathon looming over the horizon at an ever-increasing rate, Shane is joined by Newstalk's John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime and avid runner to talk through the do’s and don’ts ahead of Sunday’s spectacle!

  • October 20 · 8 min

    Do dads not take enough paternity leave? - Henry McKean Asks

    On Instagram, Simon Harris has welcomed baby Aoileann into the world. He thanked his family and the National Maternity Hospital. He went on to say “Mothers do so much, us fathers need to be able to step up too and also to have that precious time.” Henry McKean has been out and about speaking to new dads and asking them about their paternity leave, and joins Ciara to discuss.

  • October 19 · 6 min

    Have nightclubs bounced back since Covid?

    This week marked five years since nightclubs re-opened post Covid lockdowns after an almost 600-day closure, but how has Ireland's nightlife scene changed since then, and did it even bounce back from the Covid hangover? For more on this, Shane is joined now by Sunil Sharpe, DJ and Spokesperson and for Give Us the Night...

  • October 19 · 4 min

    French PM calls for “partial curfews” amid protests

    French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked regional governments in France to put in place “partial curfews” in an effort to contain violent protests. Joining Shane to discuss the latest is Veteran Correspondent based in Paris, John Lichfield.

  • October 19 · 8 min

    Men’s Aid Ireland report shows victims are reluctant to come forward

    A new report by Men's Aid Ireland has found men who are victims of domestic abuse reluctant to get help due to shame and stigma around coming forward. The report also found an increase in calls about encouragement to suicide by partners… For more on this, Shane is joined by Shane Kelly, CEO of Men's Aid Ireland. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, please contact Mens Aid National Confidential Helpline on 01 554 3811.

  • October 19 · 8 min

    Kids Clinic: Toilet Training Tips!

    For this week’s Kids Clinic, Shane was joined by Aoife Lee, Parent Coach of parentsupport.ie to discuss toilet training, and the tips you should know!

  • October 19 · 6 min

    Israeli parliamentary election - what can we expect?

    US President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed his ally Benjamin Netanyahu as the long-time Israeli Prime Minister struggles for an ‌edge in next week’s parliamentary election. What can we expect in next Tuesday’s elections? Joining Shane to discuss this is Mark Weiss, Irish Times Israel Correspondent.

Showing 61–80 of 542 episodes