About this podcast
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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Episodes
The newest 50 of 3,000 episodes
- Winners and Sinners · 24 minThis week, Ciara and Shane were joined by Off the Ball’s Cameron Hill and presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis, to look back on the week that was, but with a…
- Housing: Are young people as unhappy as we think? - Sarah Madden Reports · 13 minIs rent ‘dead money’ or is it an investment in your personal development? The vast majority of Gen Z live with their parents, usually citing financial reasons, but should they…
- Darth Vader’s lightsaber sells for nearly $5 million - are prop collectors mad? · 9 minDarth Vader’s lightsaber, used in Star Wars movies ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ and ‘Return of the Jedi’, sold at auction for nearly $5 million, having previously been estimated to…
- Sport with John Duggan: Ireland V Austria preview · 8 minOff The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the weekend action…
- Elliott English's funeral takes place in Waterford - Barry Whyte Reports · 8 minThe funeral has taken place this afternoon for 6-year-old Elliott English, who died from injuries sustained in an arson attack on his family in Waterford last month. 400 mourners…
- Could Ireland be involved in the Ukraine peace negotiations? · 12 minAn Taoiseach Micheál Martin has ruled himself out as being the European representative for peace talks with Russia and Ukraine, but could Ireland still play a role? Joining Shane…
- Italy seeks legislation to bring back anti-vax medics - why? · 6 minItaly is facing a fresh controversy over doctors and healthcare professionals who were disciplined or removed from professional registers during the COVID-19 pandemic because of…
- Would people accept a horse meat factory? · 10 minFine Gael Senator Paraic Brady calls for a horse meat factory to be opened in Ireland for “worn-out” animals… Joining Shane to discuss is Maddie Doyle, Spokesperson for My Lovely…
- EU leaders continue meetings in Dublin - what has been happening? · 9 minEuropean leaders have been meeting in Dublin again today, this time informally, with the likes of Ukraine and global security still on the agenda. Newstalk’s Political…
- What was the impact of the Microsoft outage? - Henry McKean Reports · 11 minToday was a day for another massive global outage. This time, it's your emails and Teams chats and calls. Microsoft is gradually restoring its services to hospitals, emergency…
- Movies and TV: Ebeneezer, The Good Daughter, How to Rob a Bank · 16 minSarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime on Newstalk joined Ciara and Shane to review the latest TV…
- How should you deal with migraines? · 8 minMigraines are much more than just a headache. For some people, they can be hours or days of debilitating pain. So, what actually causes migraines, and what can be done to manage…
- Pete Hegseth survives impeachment vote - U.S. updates · 7 minA soldier guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Virginia issued a verbal reprimand to a group of advisers and staff members with U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth…
- Why do Irish people say sorry so much? · 11 minThere was a funny piece in yesterday's Irish Times by Newstalk’s own Seán Moncrieff on why Irish people say sorry so much, even when we don’t actually mean it. That is just one…
- Sport with John Duggan: Michael Carrick officially out of Man United · 9 minOff The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…
- How important is the EU summit happening in Dublin? · 10 min“The heavy security and disruption will annoy Dubliners and visitors to the capital, and inconvenience businesses, but that should not drown out the reason why major European…
- What needs to change with the handling of bomb threats in schools? · 6 minSchool principals are seeking new protocols from Gardaí and the Government to ensure a calm and co-ordinated response to future threats like Wednesday’s widespread bomb scares…
- Waterford Whispers author on the biggest news of 2026 · 12 minWith a round up of the year that was, there really is only one trusted source you'll need: Whispers of what's been happening straight from Waterford. Colm Williamson, author of…
- Nvidia CEO resigns after reports of second affair · 6 minNvidia CEO, Jensen Huang, has resigned after reports he had a second affair emerged last night. This follows his admission of an initial affair with some are speculating to be a…
- Do we need more illumination for our public outdoor spaces at night? · 10 min“Dark evenings, lost freedoms – how winter time change shuts down women’s and children’s daily lives. Perhaps more should be done to make outdoor spaces safer and more accessible…
- How do we solve a lack of places in Gaelscoilleanna? · 6 minThe campaign group IMEASC today held a briefing with TDs and Senators highlighting the significant gap between the demand for Gaelscoileanna and the number of places available…
- How to do Stuff: Being Sexy! · 11 minLife 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…
- Workers across Spain stage first general strike in 14 years · 6 minWorkers across Spain have begun their first general strike in 14 years today over their housing crisis… Spain-based Journalist, Simon Hunter, joins Shane to discuss.
- Short-Term Lettings and Tourism Bill 2026 - should it pass? · 9 min"We must end the absurdity of families in hotels and tourists in houses. It is within the Government's gift to return much-needed homes to long-term use by passing the Short-Term…
- Tech Takeover: Digital Fairness Act · 9 minFor this week’s Tech Takeover, Jess Kelly, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent, joins Shane to discuss a new EU proposal for a ‘Digital Fairness Act’, and what that could mean…
- Sport with Daniel Hussey: Mauricio Pochettino eyes Man United job · 6 minSports Journalist Daniel Hussey joined Ciara and Shane on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to the week’s action…
- US envoys to meet with Zelenskyy in Dublin - what we know · 5 minUS envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will travel to Dublin this week to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For more on this, Ciara is joined by Washington Bureau…
- Minister Darragh O’Brien on COP31 · 13 minMinister for Transport, Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien joins X to discuss Ireland’s involvement at COP31.
- Why you shouldn’t treat the internet as your doctor · 9 minThe temptation to consult Dr Google or worse, Dr ChatGPT, with any health question that springs to mind may simply just be giving you a case of hypochondria. What harm is that…
- What has happened in Catherine Connolly’s first year in office? · 9 minOne year ago today, President Catherine Connolly was inaugurated, but has anything changed since? Political Editor of The Irish Times, Pat Leahy has been writing about this, and…
- What does the public sector pay deal mean for you? · 11 minA new national pay agreement has been secured following talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) concluded at 3:30am this morning. But what does this mean for your…
- Bomb threats continue in Ireland - what is happening? · 9 minHundreds of schools across the country received bomb threats this morning. Gardaí are still investigating, but have said the threats are “not credible”. Sinn Féin TD for Meath…
- The Ultimate Guide: Milan · 11 minEvery 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…
- Winter stress and how it can impact our hair · 8 minStress can impact many areas of our overall health, but what affect does it have on your hair? And, is winter harder on our hair than other seasons? Joining Ciara to discuss this…
- Two arrested after Joe Biden’s surprise Trinity College visit · 3 minTwo people have been detained during a protest at Trinity College in Dublin. Students began protesting after former US President Joe Biden made a surprise appearance at an event…
- How one of France’s top drug gangs is recruiting teenagers · 9 minA BBC investigation has found one of Europe's most powerful drug gangs in France is recruiting teenage children from across the country to commit kidnapping and murder… To tell…
- The Bookshelf with Clíodhna O'Sullivan · 8 minAuthor Clíodhna O'Sullivan joins Ciara to place her favourite reads on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
- Is the Iran war “effectively over”? · 6 minUS President Donald Trump has told reporters he believes the war in Iran “is effectively over”, after meeting Qatar’s prime minister earlier in the day. But, is this actually the…
- What will Ireland’s role be in COP31? · 9 minIreland is expected to take on a leading role in global climate negotiations during the COP31 summit which began in Antalya, Turkey yesterday. Joining Shane to discuss this and…
- Public sector pay deal - what we know · 11 minReports have been emerging today that the Government is close to reaching a deal with public sector unions ahead of strikes on Thursday. Currently, those strikes are still…
- David Walliams receives accusations of sexual misconduct - latest updates · 12 minBritish comedian and author David Walliams has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, including some who were teenagers at the time. The allegations emerged…
- Where is the best service station? - Henry McKean Reports · 8 minWhere is the best service station in the country? Henry McKean asked what do you want in a service station, is it the food, EV stations, choice of fuel, the coffee or the toilets?
- How should we protect ourselves from cyberattacks? · 9 minThe head of Britain’s financial watchdog is urging the public to hold two bank accounts, in case of an IT meltdown or cyberattack. We have also recently seen our supermarkets…
- Gardaí on high alert for EU events & traffic disruptions - latest updates · 11 minAs EU leaders descend on Dublin this week, people are being warned of traffic disruptions, diversions and delays. Joining Ciara to give the latest updates and discuss the impact…
- Why do we still lack a sexual assault clinic in the mid-west? · 5 minA Fianna Fáil TD has reiterated the call for a dedicated sexual assault clinic in the mid-west of Ireland. Ryan O’Meara called the lack of a dedicated unit in the region a…
- What will Israel’s new government look like? · 9 minIsrael's former military chief Gadi Eisenkot has begun the task of forming a government, reaching out to Benjamin Netanyahu's allies, as he warned the veteran Prime Minister had…
- Roger O’Reilly on his new book ‘Birds of Ireland’ · 8 minShane is joined by award-winning artist and illustrator, Roger O'Reilly, to discuss his new book ‘Birds of Ireland: Symbolism, Myth and Folklore’!
- Kids Clinic: Alcohol & Teenagers · 7 minFor this week’s Kids Clinic, Shane was joined by Richard Hogan, Family Psychologist, Irish Examiner Columnist and host of the GoLoud podcast 'They Mess You Up' to discuss how to…
- Former Barack Obama Advisor Brett Bruen on US midterm aftermath · 12 minWith the so-called 'blue tsunami' sweeping the United States following the decisive Democrat win in the midterm elections, what is next for both parties? And what could we see in…
- Will we see another public sector pay strike? · 8 minWith Dublin set to welcome European leaders this week, public sector pay talks were quickly adjourned on Sunday. Yesterday, it emerged that the Government has tabled a new offer…
