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The Hard Shoulder
The Hard Shoulder
Author: Newstalk
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The Hard Shoulder on Newstalk. Join us every weekday afternoon from 4-7pm for a round-up of the day’s events, interviews with the people at the centre of the stories – and a bit of craic along the way.
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Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Dee Reddy, Entertainment Journalist and Podcaster joined Seán Defoe on The Hard Shoulder to review the latest TV and movie releases…
Hilary Devlin joins Seán Defoe to discuss her journey playing visually-impaired rugby.
Dylan Bradshaw, award-winning Hairstylist and owner of Dylan Bradshaw Salon joins Seán Defoe for this week’s Thursday Interview!
November 20th is World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day, and specialists along with Pancreatic Cancer Ireland are calling for rapid access to diagnostic clinics, as it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related death by 2030…Joining Seán Defoe to discuss this is Professor Tom Gallagher, Consultant Surgeon at the National Surgical Centre for Pancreatic Cancer at St. Vincent’s University Hospital.
A primary school in Louth has been forced to send emails to Government representatives detailing how under pressure the school is financially.In this instance, the school asked parents to ensure students bring in their own toilet roll and their own hand towels to school due to insufficient funding…Joining Seán Defoe to discuss is Eoin Dolan, Principal of Mother of Divine Grace National School in Finglas and Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin TD for Donegal and Spokesperson on Finance, who raised this issue in the Dáil.
Minister for Transport and Climate Darragh O’Brien joins Seán Defoe from COP30 in Brazil to discuss what progress is being made there, as well as matters at home such as the situation in Dublin Airport.
Ireland’s pathway to the World Cup has been confirmed this morning, following a playoff draw at FIFA headquarters…So, does it look good for team Ireland?Joining Seán Defoe to discuss is Cameron Hill from Off The Ball. Also joining is Travel Journalist Eoghan Corry, to discuss your options on getting to the Czech Republic game.
A light aircraft has crashed on the Waterford coast, as multiple units of emergency services attend the scene.Joining Seán Defoe to discuss is Ralph Riegel, Southern Correspondent for the Irish Independent.
Grief is something we’ve all experienced, and it was pushed into the spotlight on Tuesday night when Scotland player Andy Robertson was immediately interviewed after his country qualified for the World Cup, and talked about his friend and former teammate, Diogo Jota.Joining Seán Defoe to discuss the grief process is Founder of Shapes of Grief, Grief Educator and Psychotherapist, Liz Gleeson.
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 properly walk the red carpet!
It’s been 15 years since the arrival of the IMF to Ireland after the financial crash. The IMF programmes after 2008 were the first European programmes for the body since 1953. This, along with the major work the IMF has done in developing countries, make it one of the most influential world organisations in times of crisis.Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Colm McCarthy, Economist and Pat Leahy, Irish Times Political Editor.
For this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent joins Ciara Doherty to discuss how you can avoid scams online, especially during the period of Black Friday and Christmas shopping…
A Status Yellow snow and ice warnings are in place in 11 counties in the north and northeast. How should you prepare for the potentially hazardous conditions?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Cathal Nolan from The Weather Channel and Joey Donnelly, of Crofton Motors.
Ryanair has today called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to fast-track legislation to scrap Dublin Airport’s passenger cap before the end of 2025.Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.
Anglesey, which is just across the ocean from us here in Dublin, has been chosen as the site for the UK’s first small nuclear power station, with work on the site due to start in 2026.To discuss the risks associated with this and the importance of it, Ciara Doherty is joined by Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at UCC, John Sodeau.
The Health Insurance Authority is increasing the stamp duty levy on private health insurance policies by 10% from April 2026, to fund a subsidy scheme for older and higher risk people with health insurance.Is this putting too much pressure on families?Henry McKean has been out asking the public, and joins Ciara Doherty to discuss.
A new Lancet report has found that eating excessive ultra processed foods is leading to increased risk of chronic diseases. They are calling for a global response to put pressure on the production of processed foods, and improve access to healthier alternatives. How bad are these foods for us, and what can we do to avoid the worst of them?Joining me now to discuss is Consultant Endocrinologist and HSE National Clinical Lead for Obesity Donal O’Shea, Dietician and Founder of Eatwell Sarah Keogh and Gerry Devlin, Chef & owner of Dublin Cookery School.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has resigned from Irish public life and is taking a job at the World Bank.Newstalk’s Henry McKean chatted to people in Cork about changing their careers in middle age, and sends in this report.
The Hard Shoulder is looking back on 2025’s biggest moments in the news, and who were at the heart of it.So, where else to start but at the beginning of the year, where the country faced the devastation brought by Storm Eowyn?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is Independent Ireland TD for Roscommon-Galway, Michael Fitzmaurice, and Independent Cllr for Kerry County Council, Jackie Healy Rae.
In the latest development of the Enoch Burke case, the High Court has ordered his immediate imprisonment.To chat through this and more, Ciara Doherty is joined by Newstalk’s Court Correspondent, Frank Greaney.
























Very informative
Pa daly to win