The Hard Shoulder Highlights

As Christmas nears, a lot of us are starting to get worried about the prospect of cooking for the family. But, it can be easier for some than others – including Kieran’s guest.Mark Moriarty: Chef, TV Show Host, and Author joins to discuss all things Christmas food.

Ireland's first medically-supervised injection centre in Merchants Quay is set to open over the Christmas period, nine years after it was approved by a Fine Gael-Labour  government.It will operate for 56hs a week, 7 days a week. It will be open for 18 months during its pilot period, but concerns still remain over the facility…Kieran is joined by Eddie Mullins, Merchants Quay CEO and Cieran Perry,  Independent Dublin City Councillor.

The operator of Holyhead Port, Stena Line, has confirmed that ferry terminals will remain closed until the 15th of January.With no return of services before Christmas, disruption to travellers and to freight shipments will be substantial...Joining Kieran to discuss is Eugene Drennan, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association, Eoghan Corry, Travel Journalist and Gary Pritchard, Plaid Cymru Cllr. and Leader of Isle of Anglesey Council.

Robert Mac Giolla Phadraig recently launched SkillStack, a new video streaming learning platform which he describes as “Netflix meets TED”. He tells Kieran why he started the business, the calibre of people he got involved with and how NASA gave the whole thing a ringing endorsement…

Maria Dickenson, General Manager of Dubray Books joined Kieran to suggest books that would make the perfect gifts this Christmas...Maria's recommendations included: 'I see the moon and the moon' - Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney 'History of Information' - Chris Haughton  'Fia and the Last Snow Deer' - Eilis Fisher and Dermot Flynn  'Our London Lives' - Christine Dwyer Hickey  'Here one moment' - Liane Moriarty   'Drawn to Nature' - Don Conroy  'Wonders of the Deep' - Mensun Bound & Mark Frary  'An Irish Food story' - JP McMahon 

Former GAA player and analyst, columnist with the Sunday Independent, and co-host of the ‘Free State’ Podcast, Joe Brolly, reacted to the closing of the Israeli Embassy in Ireland

This week Kieran Cuddihy was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Writer to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…

Joining me is a two-time gold medal Olympian who played a big part in Team Ireland’s record performance at this summer's Paris Olympics.It gives me real joy to welcome Fintan McCarthy, Irish lightweight rower and double Olympic gold medalist…

Aisling Larkin, Mindful Eating Coach and TV Chef joined Kieran to look at how you can use rice to elevate your cooking!

Off The Ball's Ger Gilroy joined Kieran Cuddihy on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…

Is the panto the highest kind of art form? Oh no it isn’t! Or, oh yes it is?Well, Henry went out to see a production of Cinderella in The Lark in Balbriggan, and joins Kieran to share his experience, including his conversations with the cast and crew.

The Department of Education has just published some new guidelines for schools – getting rid of provisions allowing students to be excluded in a different room as a punishment. But, how will this affect teaching methods and child development?Joining Kieran to answer those questions is Rachel Harper, Principal of St Patrick’s National School in Greystones, and Anne Keogh, a Senior Psychologist.

All throughout the month of December, we have been looking at some of the biggest stories of the year, and looking at the people at the heart of it.The Irish summer was full of heavy hitting gigs from Bruce Springsteen, Pink, That That and Coldplay. However, one name took the country by storm: Taylor Swift.Joining Kieran to look back at these gigs is Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter and John Meagher, Music Critic and Reporter with Irish Independent.

In the UK, there have been calls for a tax on junk food to be introduced, in a bid to reduce obesity…Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been looking into this, and joins Kieran to share what he’s learned.

More than a week out now until Santa delivers all the good girls and boys around the country their presents, but for adults, Roy Keane has an interesting opinion regarding gift giving… He doesn’t think adults should give each other gifts! Is he right?Holly Carpenter, Social Media Content Creator and Amanda Brunker, Playwright joins Kieran to discuss.