The Hard Shoulder

Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and David O’Callaghan from the Here and Back Again podcast joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

Senator and Disability Rights advocate Nikki Braley is due to have her leg amputated after she tried a rotationplasty and had a prosthetic leg.She was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, at 16.She has survived multiple surgeries, including a tumour removal, two hip replacements, a femur repair, and an amputation.She joins Ciara to discuss relationship with loss, and how she is finally bidding farewell to her foot.

Walk into any petrol station, grocery shop or locker room today and you are likely to find a colorful tin of nicotine pouches.They are small tea-bag-like sachets containing a strong amount of flavoured Nicotine. There's no smoke, it's absorbed straight into the bloodstream.These pouches have become increasingly popular amongst young people but what are the dangers and how addictive are they?Joining Shane to discuss this is Dr Garrett McGovern, Clinical Lead with HSE Addiction Services.

Athlete Sonia O’Sullivan joins Ciara and Seán for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week’s action…

Today, Wes Streeting resigned from the UK Government, with many now expecting him to mount a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Streeting might not be the only challenge though, as former Deputy Prime Minister and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham aims to run in a local election to get back into Westminster.But, what’s the current state of events? Joining Ciara to give the latest is Broadcaster & Political Commentator Adam Boulton.

AIB's latest economic outlook is warning that inflation could peak at the higher rate of 7% if the Strait of Hormuz blockade continues for the rest of the year. This is in comparison to its initial case forecast of 4%. So, what does this actually mean?Joining Shane to discuss is Deloitte’s Chief Economist, Kate English.

Talks between the representatives for the National Ambulance Service and the Government in the Labour Court have concluded today regarding pay increases to end the recent ambulance strikes, but what’s been agreed?Joining Ciara to discuss is Eoin Drummey, the Waterford Regional Officer at the UNITE trade union.

Researchers say prolonged sitting is linked to everything from back pain and poor circulation to high risks of heart disease, diabetes, and even early death.But here’s the twist, it’s not about whether you exercise. Even people who are in the gym regularly can still be affected if the rest of their day is spent mostly sedentary. So how bad is sitting all day, really?Joining Shane and Ciara to discuss is Stephen O’Rourke, Clinical Specialist in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Mater University Hospital, Dublin, with a specialist focus on spinal care and lower back pain, and a health contributor to The Journal.ie.

The Domestic Violence Charity, Sonas, is calling on the Government to amend Irish domestic violence legislation to explicitly recognise pet abuse as a distinct form of coercive control within abusive relationships. According to Sonas, concerns about pets are a significant barrier preventing some women from leaving abusive homes…Joining Ciara to discuss this is Fiona O’Malley, CEO of Sonas.

Gaelscoil waiting lists are at an all-time high. There is so much demand for them they now have a point system where children who come from Irish-speaking homes are favoured for enrollment ahead of children with one or less parents who speak Irish.Families across the country are frustrated over the waiting lists and enrollment processes.Now, parents from Dunshaughlin in County Meath have taken their campaign for additional Gaelscoil places to the Dáil today.Joining Shane to discuss is Sinn Féin TD for Meath East and Spokesperson for Education and Youth, Darren O’Rourke and Aine McKenna, a parent from Dunshaughlin who was protesting over additional spaces today.

A record number of evictions have been issued by landlords during the first three months of the year compared to the same period in 2025.The data, collated by the RTB, overlaps new rental rules which were introduced two months ago, on March 1st.Marian Finnegan, Sherry Fitzgerald Managing Director, joins Ciara to discuss.

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 Shane and Ciara to discuss how you can be punctual!

If you are a music fan, but unsure if you should take your children to a festival, our next guest has all the tips.The Night and Day music festival is taking place in Lough Key Forest Park in Roscommon from the 29th to the 31st of May.The festival is family friendly with musicians such as The Saw Doctors, Imelda May and the Boomtown Rats playing.There are also activities to keep the kids amused with Coillte hosting guided tours of the forest for kids attending, informing them about all the wildlife that lives there.Aoife Burns, better known as the Play With Me Mammy on Instagram, has the ultimate guide to taking your kids to festivals this summer, and joins Shane to discuss.

The European Commission has confirmed that Brazilian beef and other products will be banned from the EU from 3 September unless Brazil complies with EU rules on antibiotic use in animals throughout their lifetime. The IFA welcomed the move as "an important first step”.Joining Ciara to discuss is Adam Woods, Editor of the Irish Farmers Journal and Francie Gorman, President of the Irish Farmer’s Association.

Laura Guckian, Motherhood Coach and host of ‘Momfessions Podcast’, decided to go into a psychiatric hospital when her first baby was 10 months old…She joins Shane to share her story, and discuss why mothers need more support.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Shane and Ciara to discuss why an Oireachtas committee has published a report on why they are not recommending a social media ban for under 16s, and what they are recommending instead…

Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the rest of the week’s action…

McAuley Park in Artane in north county Dublin was subject to an arson attack on Monday night. Locals had spent a number of years campaigning for the children's park, and it had been in use for around 12 months.Joining Ciara to discuss is Barry Heneghan, TD for Dublin Bay North.

Social Democrats Leader Holly Cairns has said opposition to her abortion law reform legislation from the Minister for Health is shocking and disappointing…The legislation calls for the removal of the three-day wait period and would remove the need for women to travel abroad for an abortion.Holly Cairns, Social Democrats Leader, joins Shane to discuss.

Ireland’s newest bathing area, Dún Laoghaire Baths, is off limits to swimmers this season because of water pollution. It's advised for swimmers not to get into the water.It was designated a bathing area in 2025 after a new jetty and access steps were built. The bathing area was found to be polluted from sewage overflows and dog poo…Newstalk’s Henry McKean visited, and he sent in this report.

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting spent just 16 minutes inside 10 Downing Street this morning with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for what was dubbed as “crunch” talks. Reports are now saying Wes Streeting may be in talks to take Starmer's leadership role…For more on this, Ciara is joined by James Lyons, Keir Starmer’s former Director of Strategic Communication.

The Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight has heard that if oil prices reached $140 (€120) a barrel, Ireland would be worse off by €7.5 billion, or 2.5% of national income.On a national scale, depending on how high oil prices go, this could necessitate Government borrowing as soon as next year…Joining Shane to discuss this is Adjunct Professor at Trinity College Dublin and Research Affiliate with the ERSI, John FitzGerald.Image: Reuters

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 the ultimate guide to Chicago!

Polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition that affects one in eight women, has been renamed in an attempt to cut down misdiagnoses.The hormonal disorder, estimated to impact 170 million women worldwide, will now be known as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome.For more on this, Ciara is joined by Dr Caoimhe Hartley, Clinical Lead for Women’s Medicine at Blackrock Health Women’s Health Centre.

This week marks 100 years of Fianna Fáil, as the party gears up for its Ard Fheis this weekend.Joining Shane in the studio to talk through the party’s history to its present-day politics is former Fianna Fáil Leader and Iar-Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern…

Bestselling author of ‘All Her Fault’ and ‘Such a Nice Girl’ Andrea Mara joins Ciara and Shane to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s bookshelf!

Researchers say that prolonged sitting is linked to everything from back pain and poor circulation, to high risks of heart disease, diabetes, and even early death...Here’s the twist, it’s not about whether you exercise, even people who are in the gym regularly can still be affected if the rest of their day is spent mostly sedentary. So, how bad is sitting all day, really?Joining Ciara to discuss is Chiropractor and Clinical Director at Chiropractix, Dr. Paul Bradley.

You may have seen the video circulating of Sherlock Holmes actor, Benedict Cumberbatch, in a very heated exchange with a cyclist who said he broke multiple rules of the road, but are cyclists guilty of breaking the rules of the road more than they will admit?Joining Shane to discuss this Columnist with the Irish Independent and daily cyclist, Liam Collins.

The Critical Infrastructure Bill is to go through the Dáil this evening which will see the Government designate specific projects that are in the national and public interest as critical infrastructure, and fast track their delivery.Tom Philips,Managing Director of Tom Phillips and Associates and Adjunct Associate Professor of Town Planning at UCD joins Ciara to discuss.

At least 82 out of Labour's 403 MPs have now demanded British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's departure after the party's electoral mauling last week…For more on this, Shane is joined by Lewis Goodall, of the Newsagents Podcast.

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan rejects RTÉ’s showing of the Father Ted episode ‘A Song For Europe’ in place of the Eurovision final. He calls it “an antisemitic political gesture” and wants RTÉ’s Director General Kevin Bakhurst to resign.He joins Shane to discuss...

National Ambulance Service Paramedics are undertaking a country-wide 24-hour work stoppage on Tuesday across the country. Newstalk Reporters Jamie O’Hara and Sarah Madden join Ciara to give updates from Cork and Portlaoise respectively, and Dr Lisa Cunningham, Consultant in Emergency Medicine in the West, joins to give her own perspective on the strike.

Journalist and author Jason Corcoran tells the story of leaving Russia after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and the knock on effects this had had on his family, his work and for Russia, as there was a mass exodus of people fleeing the country at that time.Jason’s book is called ‘Leaving Russia: How Putin forced a country's future to flee’, and he joins Shane to discuss…

For 40 years The George has been at the center of nightlife in Dublin, it has grown through a period that spans the most significant social and legislative changes for the LGBTQ+ community in modern Irish history - having opened six years before homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland in 1993.Joining Ciara to discuss the legacy it has is Brian Merriman, Founder of the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival and Pádraig Wilson McCarthy, Broadcaster.Image: The George

Transition year has been the center of many education debates over the years. Parents of teenagers across the country worry about the costs, experiences, and dossing associated with TY. But, is it a waste of time or useful to students?Joining Shane to discuss is Parent Expert Jen Hogan and Principal of Coláiste Éamann Rís Secondary School in Cork Aaron Wolfe.

For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara is joined by Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Development Therapist & Founder of Cogni Kids to discuss how to best handle weaning with your child.

The Medical Board at University Hospital Limerick has warned that the risks to patient care at the hospital "remain intolerable and unacceptable".Joining Ciara to discuss is Professor Joe Devlin, Consultant Physician & Deputy Chair of the Medical Board of HSE Mid West.

British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer vows to prove “doubters” wrong in his speech today, as 40 Labour MPs call on him to resign.The Prime Minister said he took responsibility for the results, which saw Labour lose almost 1,500 English councilors, go backwards in Scotland and drop to third in Wales…His comments come just days before King Charles III will deliver the King's Speech, in which he will set out the government's planned new laws for the next Parliamentary session.For more on this Shane is joined by Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times and Host of the ‘Political Fix’ podcast, Lucy Fisher and Matthew Torbitt, former Labour advisor, Political Commentator and anti-homelessness campaigner.

The Irish Film Classification Office received correspondence about six different films in the first quarter of this year.Films like Oscar favorites ‘Hamnet’ to the Emerald Fennel’s latest release ‘Wuthering Heights’ prompted strong reactions from Irish audiences, who felt some of their contents were not fit for the age ratings they got.But, how are such decisions made, and how much of a say do audiences have in them?Dr Ciarán Kissane, Director of Film Classification at IFCO, joins Ciara to discuss.

It is hoped that humanitarian assistance will be available quickly for dozens of businesses impacted by a fire in Waterford city on Saturday, that’s according to Minister of State at the Department of Health Mary Butler.One of businesses impacted by the fire is DG Foods, and Shane is joined by their Founder, Andrew Hepburn...

Close to 2,000 National Ambulance Service members of UNITE and SIPTU began industrial action from 8am this morning, over a dispute with the Government regarding pay for ambulance staff.People who require an ambulance have been told they should still call 999/112, but those experiencing cardiac or respiratory arrest, as well as serious injuries, will be prioritised.The HSE has said the ability of the National Ambulance Service to respond to requests for help will be “significantly impacted”.Stephen McMahon is Co-Founder & Director of the Irish Patients' Association and joins Ciara to discuss.

Fixed penalty notices for littering are set to increase to €250 from September, an increase of €100 as part of a Government crackdown on littering and illegal dumping.Recent figures show that the number of fines for littering have reduced in parts of Dublin.In 2024, there were 397 fines issued in South Dublin County Council, compared with 517 in 2022. Figures for Dublin City Council show that 296 fines were issued in 2024 compared with 1,080 the previous year.But, are steeper fines enough to curtail littering?Aileen Browne, Fine Gael Councillor in Charleville in Cork, joins Shane to discuss.

This week, Ciara and Shane were joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Off the Ball’s Ger Gilroy to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

“It’s a tough time for movies about love” - so says the Director of the new film Finding Emily, but have we really lost the art of creating good on-screen romance?Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss this is Brian Lloyd, Film Critic and host of the podcast Screenland, and Esther McCarthy from the Irish Examiner.

Authorities have confirmed that a third British national has been diagnosed with suspected Hantavirus linked to the cruise ship outbreak.It was announced yesterday that plans being made for Irish citizens onboard to self-isolate after leaving the ship. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said health authorities are “working actively” to bring the Irish citizens home.Joining Shane to discuss this is Head of the Department of Biology and Director of the Human Health Research Institute at NUI Maynooth, Professor Paul Moynagh.

Off The Ball’s David Wilson joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

As US and Iranian forces clashed in the Gulf and the United Arab Emirates came under renewed attack, President Donald Trump said a ceasefire was still holding.Joining Ciara with the latest updates is Dominic Waghorn, Sky News International Affairs Editor, and also joining to discuss the fuels impact is Lisa Ryan, Professor in Energy Economics at the UCD School of Economics and the UCD Energy Institute.Image: Reuters

“Selfie mirrors, goodie bags, chocolate fountains – Communion costs are out of control and so is the one-upmanship between parents” - so says Tanya Sweeney in her Irish Independent article this week.Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss this is Events Planner, Tara O’Connor.

As results pour in from the UK local elections, it appears that Reform is being embraced while Labour is left out in the cold.With the loss of its stronghold in Wales, and a performance worse than initially expected, Britain is set to be transformed by the time the sun sets tonight.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Lucy Fisher, Whitehall Editor of the Financial Times and host of the ‘Political Fix’ podcast.