The Hard Shoulder

This week, Jonathan Healy was joined by Ralph Riegel, author and Southern Correspondent with the Irish Independent and Jennifer Horgan, Irish Examiner Columnist to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joins Jonathan Healy to discuss dried fruit - their benefits, and how you can use them!

Off The Ball's Mick McCarthy joined Jonathan Healy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Calls are ongoing for measures to ensure that children in single-parent families have access to the same amount of parental leave as those in two-parent families.

To chat more about this, Jonathan Healy is joined by Carly Bailey from One Family.

US President Donald Trump has been responding today to the latest trove of emails by Jeffrey Epstein with a Truth Social post calling it “THE JEFFREY EPSTEIN HOAX”. He has asked the FBI, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to launch an investigation into those Epstein reportedly had a relationship with. This includes, as listed in Trump’s social media post: “Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, J.P. Morgan, Chase, and many other people and institutions”.

For more on this, Jonathan Healy is joined by BBC News’ North American Correspondent, Anthony Zurcher.

Image: Reu

We can keep dreaming of following Ireland to the World Cup in North America next Summer, as Ireland claimed a historic victory against Portugal last night in the Aviva…

Newstalk’s Henry McKean got thoughts from the public, and joining Jonathan Healy to chat about the game and our hopes for Sunday is former Irish International, Ray Houghton, and Commentator and Broadcaster, George Hamilton.

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…

Over the past few years, AI is becoming more and more apparent in our daily lives. It's used in all factors of people's lives, but how much is it being used in critical digital infrastructure? And, how many jobs are at risk?

Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been investigating, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Throughout the show today, we have been discussing the government's new housing plan launched today, which promises 12,000 new-build social homes each year, and the delivery of an additional 300,000 new houses by the end of 2030.

How realistic is this, and what problems might the Government face in delivering it? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Architect Róisín Murphy and Pat Dennigan, CEO of Focus Ireland.

Senator and author Lynn Ruane joins Ciara Doherty for this week’s Thursday Interview!

Earlier in the show, Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, John Cummins, joined to discuss the Government's new Housing Plan, which was launched today.

But, does this new plan do enough?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Eoin O’Broin, Sinn Féin Housing Spokesperson, Conor Skehan, former Chair of the Housing Agency and DIT Lecturer in Planning and Killian Woods, Senior Business Reporter with The Business Post.

Ahead of their new tour ‘Skittish’, Ciara Doherty is joined by the comedy trio Foil Arms & Hog: Sean 'Foil' Finegan, Conor 'Arms' McKenna and Sean 'Hog' Flanagan to discuss all!

Limerick Influencer Shauna Lindsay suffered a stroke when boxing at the gym - even capturing it on video, which she shared on Instagram.

She joins Ciara Doherty to discuss the terrifying moment.

The Government today published its new housing plan: 'Delivering Homes, Building Communities: An Action Plan on Housing Supply and Targeting Homelessness'.

It aims to deliver 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030 which the Government has described as “ambitious, but also realistic”.

John Cummins is Minister of State for Local Government and Planning and Fine Gael TD for Waterford. He joins Ciara Doherty 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 Ciara to discuss how you stop fidgeting!

Coimisiún na Meán’s Investigations Team has today commenced a formal investigation into the provider of the X online platform, under the EU Digital Services Act.

So, what does this mean? Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is the Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, John Evans.

Dementia in dogs is a very real issue that many pet owners face, but how can you spot it, and how can you treat it?

To chat about this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Pete Wedderburn, AKA Pete the Vet.

Studies have shown that going to a museum or gallery can have major health benefits. In light of this, some are saying that people need to sometimes skip the gym, and have a cultural workout instead.

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Cultural Art Therapist with the National Gallery of Ireland, Andrea Clare Plunkett.

For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss why the incoming social media ban for under 16s in Australia, and how they plan to implement it…

Over half of 18 to 30 year olds have never tested for STIs. That’s according to a new survey from the HSE.

It shows that 7 in 10 find testing stressful, because of the possible implications of having an infection, and are also nervous of the home kits not being discreet.

Dr. Derek Freedman is a Specialist Consultant in Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. He joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.

Farmers have today been highlighting concerns around compulsory purchase orders for the development of greenways, as many travelled from across Ireland to protest outside Leinster House today. It was as the Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee met to hear contributions on the issue.

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss this is Paul O’Brien, Chair of the Irish Farmers' Association Infrastructure Project Team, John Joe Fitzgerald, National Vice-President of the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association and Cathal Crowe, Fianna Fáil TD for Clare & member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee.

Disney has dropped the trailer for Toy Story 5, and it is accompanied with the tagline ‘The Age of Toys Is Over’. The film will focus on a tablet that has been bought by the family, thus scaring the toys into thinking that they will soon be obsolete!

So, is the age of toys truly over in the real world?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Michael White Founder of Ro Óg, a company which makes handcrafted toys and Clinical Psychologist Anne Keogh.

Image: Disney

New emails released have suggested further details to the relationship between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.

To chat about this amid ongoing pressure on the US Government to release the Epstein files, Ciara Doherty is joined by Adrian Walker of the Boston Globe.

According to a recent survey, nearly 80% of childminders that responded are considering closing their service ahead of new regulations being introduced in September 2027.

To discuss this, Ciara Doherty is joined by the Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Children, Deputy Claire Kerrane, Chief Executive of Childminding Ireland, Bernadette Orbinski Burke and Childminder Leigh Ann Gilmore.

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 Universal’s newest theme park in Orlando: ‘Epic Universe’.

A new bee has been discovered by scientists in Australia. The ‘Lucifer’ bee, which gets its name from the unusual with devil-like horns, is the first of its kind…

Joining Ciara to discuss this is Aoife Nic Giolla, Co-Founder of the Native Irish Honeybee Society, and owner of Galtee Honey Farm.

Image: Dr Kit Prendergast, Curtin University

James May, who is probably best known for his presenting role on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, is back launching his new show ‘James May’s Shed Load of Ideas’. He joins Ciara Doherty to discuss!

Image: Armonico

Journalist Lise Hand joins Ciara Doherty to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!

Following the housing order for all poultry, which came into effect yesterday amid bird flu risk, Ciara Doherty is joined by one of those impacted, Nigel Renaghan, Ulster/ North Leinster Regional Chairman of the IFA to discuss…

Sinn Fein’s Pádraig Mac Lochlainn raised the issue of long Covid and renewed calls for the State to recognise long Covid as an occupational illness in line with other EU member states.

It was found that the Department of Social Protection reviewed the EU recommendation and determined that Covid does not meet the criteria required for recognition in respect of the Social Welfare Acts.

But, what is life like for those who still suffer from long Covid?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Jennifer, who has been dealing with long Covid sin...

The Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ Bill on Thursday calling for a legislative pathway towards reducing the voting age from 18 to 16 years.

So, should it be reduced?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Noel Howard, Spokesperson for Social Care Ireland and Aidan Farrelly, Social Democrats TD for Kildare North.

Over 450 motorists have gotten out of convictions and avoided getting penalty points by making a donation to the court poor box since 2022.

459 drivers in front of the District Court had their charges dismissed or struck out after putting money in the poor box.

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

As you should know by now, Catherine Connolly is now the 10th President of the Republic of Ireland. She has officially taken over from Michael D Higgins after an inauguration ceremony in Dublin Castle today.

Newstalk’s Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has been keeping an eye on proceedings today, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss how things went, and to look ahead to the next few days as President Connolly begins the role.

As eight counties are issued a Status Yellow rain warning today, drivers are urged to take care as spot-flooding and poor visibility are expected, but are these warnings enough, or should we look to revamp our flood warnings here to account for high rivers and saturated land?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Alan O’Reilly from Carlow Weather and Danny Collins, Independent Ireland Cllr.

Scams are on the rise across Ireland, with many people being targeted on a daily basis, and so there is a push to make people aware of how to protect themselves as the scams become more intelligent and harder to detect.

To chat about this, Ciara Doherty is joined by former Irish international and FraudSmart advocate, Niall Quinn.

For this week’s Kids Health Check, Ollwyn Moran, Neuro Development Therapist and Founder of Cognikids joins Ciara Doherty to discuss how to recognise autism and ADHD in your child.

BBC Chair Samir Shah has given an apology this afternoon to a parliamentary group responsible for scrutinising the work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its associated public bodies - including the BBC.

It follows the resignation of BBC Director General Tim Davie and Chief Executive of News Deborah Turness following criticism that a BBC documentary misled viewers by editing a speech by US President Donald Trump during an episode of Panorama.

It’s also been confirmed that Trump has sent a letter to the BBC threatening legal action.

Steve Ba...

Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, was asked on the Anton Savage Show on Newstalk on October 18th about popping up in emergency departments unannounced, she stated: “That’s the way I’m doing it, if they don’t like it, they can leave”.

One consultant who was not encouraged by the Minister’s words was Dr Lisa Cunningham, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Mayo University Hospital. She joins Ciara Doherty to discuss…

Sesame Street has gone global today, with new episodes dropping on Netflix, also marking the show’s 56th anniversary. And, in an age where kids have access to endless amounts of entertainment, will there be much of an appetite for Sesame Street - is there a need for a reimagination of kids TV in general?

Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is author Sarah Maria Griffin.

The pressure on Israel’s participation in international competition is building.

It’s after the FAI passed a resolution this weekend to submit a formal motion to UEFA urging it to ban Israel from European club and international competitions.

One of those leading the charge is Bohemians FC, and their Chief Operating Officer Daniel Lambert joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.