The Hard Shoulder

This week, Ciara Doherty was 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…

When it comes to different policies affecting the agricultural sector, there is a lot of uncertainty, especially for those living in urban areas.

Agri Aware are trying to bridge that gap, and one thing they do is run education and awareness programs in schools.

Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been meeting students in Dublin to get their understanding, and sends in this report.

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Ciara Doherty to discuss revitalising the humble sausage roll!

Off The Ball's Eoin Sheahan joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action.

Dublin City Council has decided not to remove Irish tricolour flags hung in some parts of the city, saying today that doing so would carry risks and be counterproductive.

But, how did we get to this place where the Irish flag is the subject of such controversy?

Former Lord Mayor and current Green Party Councillor Hazel Chu and Irish Times journalist and Historian Ronan McGreevy join Ciara Doherty to discuss.

It has now been one year since the General Election, and it feels an appropriate time to look back over the past 12 months and see how they fared out. To chat about some of the key political highlights over that period, Ciara Doherty is joined by Journalist, Broadcaster and Commentator, Alison O’Connor, and Political Reporter with The Irish Examiner, Tadgh McNally.

Following the latest moves in the UK to impose a sugar tax on milk-based products, it’s got us wondering, do you really know what’s in some of the drinks that we’re having?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Dietician and Physiologist, Orla Walsh.

The High Court has ruled that teacher Enoch Burke's salary should be paid directly to the school where he used to work until money he owes to them in damages for trespassing is paid off.

Shane Phelan is Legal Affairs Editor with the Irish Independent, and joins Ciara to give the latest updates.

A recruitment campaign for Therapists to the new Education Therapy Service has been launched today by the Government.

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Minister for Disability, and Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West, Emer Higgins.

Troy Parrott has revealed that after his heroic hattrick that carried Ireland to the World Cup playoffs, he treated himself to some KFC. It begs the question: is it okay to reward achievement with a takeaway?

Garron Noone, Comedian and Musician and Broadcaster Meghann Scully joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk and Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…

The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.

Just a day after April Fools Day came Liberation Day, when US President Donald Trump produced a cardboard cutout of countries to face impending tariffs on exports. Ireland came under the EU umbrella, and we were starting down the barrel of 20% tariffs…

Joining Ciara Doherty to look back is the Positive Economist and Presenter of Newstalk’s Taking Stock, Susan Hayes Culleton.

Image: Reuters

Neuroscientist and Psychologist, Sabina Brennan joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Three of those set to be honoured with a doctorate degree from the University of Galway today have withdrawn their awards.

American Professor Kerby Miller, Actor Olwen Fouéré and Filmmaker Margo Harkin have withdrawn from the ceremony over concerns with the University's links to an Israeli technology institute.

Margo Harkin joins Ciara Doherty to discuss…

Tusla was before the Oireachtas Committee earlier today, as issues facing the system were highlighted and addressed.

To chat about what was discussed today, Ciara Doherty is joined by Chief Executive of Tusla, Kate Duggan.

Former world number one Novak Djokovic recently spoke about who his greatest rival in tennis was - citing Rafael Nadal as pushing him to his limit in matches. So, do rivalries push you to greater heights?

Barry O’Sullivan of the Communications Clinic joins Ciara Doherty to discuss the ups and downs of rivalries in life.

Joining Ciara Doherty is Social Democrats TD for Dublin-Rathdown, Sinéad Gibney who is here to discuss her father, the late Professor Mike Gibney’s final book: ‘In Defence of Bread’.

A new study has found that Ireland’s birth rate has dropped by 20% in just 11 years, while the rate of potentially dangerous ectopic pregnancies has also increased, but what is the cause?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital.

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 to discuss how to write a love letter.

Allergy Action Ireland is calling on The Government to urgently recognise food allergies as a public health issue, saying a national strategy is needed to support the growing number of children and adults at risk of life-threatening reactions.

Joining me now is Catherine Dolan, Spokesperson for Allergy Action Ireland.

Last month on The Hard Shoulder, we spoke to Ukrainian native Luba Healy, as she made a last push for aid for Ukraine ahead of her journey to drive an ambulance to the country.

She has just returned from her trip, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss what life is like in Ukraine at the moment…

The Government has launched a €750 million investment package for research infrastructure across Ireland's higher education sector.

The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss how you can save a lot of money on your monthly phone bill by shopping around online!

Impassioned speeches took place in the Dáil today, as the spotlight moved to the treatment of whistleblowers.

It’s as a Private Members Motion was brought forward on strengthening protections for whistleblowers.

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn brought the motion, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss, as does Noel McGree, a whistleblower who highlighted alleged corruption in the prison service…

Author John Grisham has said there is a steep decline in the US in reading for pleasure. Is this also the case in Ireland, and what has contributed to this? Is it simply our busy lives, or is there just too much vying for our attention?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is children’s author, Lorraine Levis.

The UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the latest Budget today, and it has not come without massive publicity. To chat through what has happened across the pond, Ciara Doherty is joined by Broadcaster, Political Commentator, and author, Iain Dale.

Michael Magner, President of the Irish Hotels Federation, also joins to discuss whether or not Ireland should follow suit with its own country-wide tax on tourism.

Applications for a new "affordable" housing development opened in County Kildare today. However, some of the homes cost more than what is allowed under the local authority's Home Loan Scheme.

Newstalk's Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins Ciara to discuss.

Image: Daft

A debate before the EU Parliament will discuss whether social media companies should be liable for fake ads on their sites, in an effort to cut down on scams.

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Fine Gael MEP, Regina Doherty.

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 Doherty to give the ultimate guide on the Australian city of Melbourne!

A recent report by SpunOut, Ireland’s youth information and support platform, found that loneliness is one of the top concerns among young people, with one-in-five young people aged between 12 and 34 expressing feeling lonely.

How can we better support our young people to ensure they remain socially connected offline?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Clinical Psychotherapist and Director of SeeMee.ie, Enda Murphy and Content Creator, Leo Gibson.

Former CEO of Barnardos Fergus Finlay joins Ciara Doherty to place his favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Deirdre Morely, who killed her three children, has initiated a lawsuit against the Coroner, as she believes the scope of the inquest is limited.

Deirdre was found not guilty of their murders by reason of insanity following a trial at the Central Criminal Court…

The Coroner's inquest is examining the murder of Conor (9), Darragh (7) and Carla (3), who were killed in their home in 2020.

Andrew McGinley is their father, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

The Government is set to introduce new rules which will allow customers to cancel their contracts penalty free if prices go up, following an influx of price hikes over recent months…

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times, Conor Pope.

Taxi drivers are to hold a protest later this week to dispute Uber's fixed fare system for drivers. This follows calls for stakeholders and the union to engage in talks yesterday evening which the company failed to do.

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Paul Murphy, People Before Profit TD for Dublin Southwest.

A bill to rename Dublin airport after former Taoiseach Seán Lemass is being introduced in the Dáil.

Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne, wants to have the airport named ‘Seán Lemass Dublin International Airport’.

Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s Henry McKean to discuss.

The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.

We’re going back to the very start of summer - the 18th of May, and the inauguration of the new Pope, Leo the 14th. The inauguration ceremony took place in the Vatican and was attended by dignitaries from the Catholic church, and many global heads of state. It was one of the biggest events of the year and broadcast right around the world…

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Archbishop of Dublin Dermot Farrel...

Are we finally seeing a breakthrough in the search for peace in Ukraine? After a dramatic series of talks in Geneva, with Ireland’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Helen McEntee, calling it “extremely positive”. But, is real progress being made and can peace be achieved by the touted date of Thanksgiving?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews.

30 years ago today, legislation was passed legalizing divorce in Ireland, with just 9,000 votes in the difference. How have attitudes and legislation changed over the past 30 years as it became more normalised in Irish society?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Michelle Brown, Divorce Consultant, Mediator and author of ‘Scars of Divorce’ and Ivana Bacik, Labour TD for Dublin Bay South, who was involved in the campaign at the time.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Ciara Doherty is joined by Aoife Lee, Parenting Coach at ParentSupport.ie, to discuss how you can deal with school avoidance, and your kids wanting a day off…

Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch is set to run in the Dublin Central byelection.

The byelection will take place after former Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe stepped down to take up a role with the World Bank.

So, could he get in?

Seán Defoe is Newstalk’s Political Correspondent, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.