Podcast
The Hard Shoulder
Hosted by Newstalk · EN
The Hard Shoulder Podcast with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman is your essential drivetime companion—bringing fresh perspective and energy to your drive home.
CONVERSATION THAT COUNTS | Ireland’s national independent talk station for news, sport, analysis and entertainment
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168episodes
Episodes
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Peter Thiel’s secret Wexford conference - should it go ahead?
4d ago00:08:37Tap to summarizeLast week a document leaked showed that Palantir and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel is set to hold a secret conference for an elite network of over 220 tech, financial and political figures in Wexford in August.Since the leak, there have been numerous calls for the secret retreat to be cancelled over Thiel’s links to Donald Trump and Palantir’s previous work with ICE in the US, the American military and the Israeli military.Joining Shane to discuss is Labour Senator Laura Harmon.
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Rape Crisis Ireland’s new report - what were the findings?
4d ago00:09:25Tap to summarizeJustice Minister Jim O'Callaghan attended the launch of Rape Crisis Ireland’s 2025 report today, highlighting the barriers experienced by survivors with characteristics associated with greater vulnerability.Joining Ciara to discuss the findings is Dr Clíona Saidléar, Executive Director at Rape Crisis Ireland.
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What is the cost of being single in Ireland?
4d ago00:09:11Tap to summarizeAccording to census data, as many as one in four Irish adults live in a single-person household. Many of them are forced to pay through the nose for their situations, and there is little talk from any quarter of offering them support.But, what is the cost of being single in Ireland right now?Conor Pope, Consumer Affairs Correspondent for the Irish Times was writing about this over the weekend, and joins Shane to discuss.
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Kids Clinic: Family Pets
4d ago00:10:47Tap to summarizeFor this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara and Shane are joined by Iseult White, Psychotherapist and author, to discuss the ups and downs of having a family pet.
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Transport issues with gigs - why does it keep happening?
4d ago00:08:00Tap to summarizeIf you were at one of Olivia Dean’s shows in Marlay Park over the weekend, and you had a nightmare getting home, you are not alone. Many people have reported difficulties leaving the venue and a lack of public transport options once they were able to leave the park…Joining Ciara to discuss this yearly issue is Labour Councillor for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and local to the area, Peter O’Brien.
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Why are prospective buyers avoiding second-hand homes?
4d ago00:10:07Tap to summarizeProspective home buyers are dodging second-hand homes for ready to go properties due to the high renovation costs and lack of availability of tradespeople.Claire McManus, Director of JFOC Architects and Housing Spokesperson for the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland joins Shane to discuss.
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Should you buy your child's teacher a gift at the end of the school year?
4d ago00:10:40Tap to summarizeAs the end of the school year rolls into town for most primary school children this week, the age-old dilemma of what to give your child’s teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) rumbles on. Do you give gifts, or do you not? What do you get if you do, and how much should you spend?Freelance Journalist Niamh O’Reilly wrote a piece in The Journal today commenting on this modern dilemma, and joins Ciara to discuss.
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Keir Starmer resigns - what’s next?
4d ago00:12:25Tap to summarizeAfter months and months of pressure and a key by-election win for Andy Burnham, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned.Burnham is set for a coronation as the next Labour leader, but questions still remain over what his potential future cabinet might look like, and if this fresh leadership will help the party challenge Nigel Farage's Reform.Joining Shane to discuss is Philip Webster, former Political Editor with The Times.
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How should the GPO be used?
4d ago00:09:53Tap to summarizeUnused parts of the GPO complex will be given over for use as community-event spaces on an interim basis while a master plan to redevelop the site is being worked on, Cabinet will be told this week.Some of the suggestions that have been made are to use the GPO as a music venue, or to host retail and food markets.Joining Ciara and Shane to discuss this is Conor Skehan, Sunday Independent Columnist and Architect.
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Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty on sexual abuse charges - latest updates
4d ago00:03:36Tap to summarizeJeffrey Donaldson has been found guilty of 18 historical sexual abuse charges against two victims.Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent Jamie O’Hara joins Shane from Newry Crown Court to give the latest updates…
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