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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 643

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  • October 23 · 5 min

    Should you use plug in solar panels?

    A Government-ordered report has approved the introduction of plug-in solar panel technology. But what are plug-in solar panels, and what makes them unique? Lisa Ryan, Professor of Energy Economics at UCD, joins Ciara to discuss.

  • October 23 · 6 min

    Why has DUP MP Carla Lockhart resigned?

    DUP MP Carla Lockhart has resigned as a party officer amid a deepening row with the leadership over the future of Stormont. Lockhart’s move comes amid a difference of opinion between her and DUP leader Gavin Robinson on whether the party should withdraw Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the power-sharing executive. For more on this, Shane is joined by Tom Kelly, Columnist at Irish News.

  • October 23 · 7 min

    Halloween Kidstalk! - Henry McKean Reports

    Halloween is a week away, but today was the last day before the kids break up for midterm. Henry McKean sent this special Halloween Kidstalk from Balbriggan in North County Dublin.

  • October 23 · 9 min

    French protests and ongoing terror probe - latest updates

    A shooting has taken place, and a terror probe is underway after one person was killed and four others injured in a drive-by shooting in a Paris suburb. For more on this, Shane is joined by Henry Samuel, Paris Correspondent with The Telegraph… Meanwhile the country is preparing for another wave of demonstrations this weekend. It follows protests over the cost of living, public services and education that were accompanied by serious incidents of violence and looting. The government is promising a stronger security response, while concerns are growing about the right to protest. Joining Shane to discuss this is Political Scientist at Science Po University in Paris, Philippe Moreau Chervolet…

  • October 23 · 5 min

    Another storm set to arrive - what to know about Storm Boelo

    As one storm passes, another is set to arrive! Met Éireann has issued Status Orange weather warnings, which are due to come into effect tomorrow, as Storm Boelo arrives. Joining Ciara to explain what this means for you this Bank Holiday weekend is Mark Bowe, Met Éireann Forecaster and Keith Leonard, Head of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management.

  • October 23 · 15 min

    Remembering Dónal Lunny

    Dónal Lunny, the pioneering Irish traditional musician, has died at the age of 79. A central figure in folk and traditional music since the 1960s, he was a founding member of a number of bands, including Planxty, Moving Hearts, LAPD and Usher’s Island. Throughout his career, he also worked with artists such as U2, Kate Bush, Sinéad O’Connor, Elvis Costello and Van Morrison. Joining Shane to remember him and reflect on his legacy is Paddy Glackin, Breanndán Begley and Zoe Conway.

  • October 22 · 7 min

    What is this PHP issue taking websites offline?

    Websites across the globe have gone offline over the last day following the exposure of critical vulnerabilities in PHP, a programming language that underpins much of the internet. The exposed flaw would have allowed hackers to carry out cyberattacks. OpenAI, whose AI models helped discover the vulnerabilities, has called the issue "one of the most impactful security issues in recent memory". For more on this, Ciara is joined by Emmet Ryan, a technology journalist and columnist with the Irish Times.

  • October 22 · 12 min

    Why do we engage in celebrity worship?

    Why do we put celebrities on a pedestal? We trust their judgement from political opinions to healthcare tips minus the medical degree. We are inclined to take their word as gospel… Joining Ciara and Seán to discuss is Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin.

  • 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.

Showing 141–160 of 643 episodes