The Hard Shoulder

Episodios

• The Ultimate Guide: Melilla 02.06.2026 11m

  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 Shane to give the ultimate guide to the city of Melilla, a Spanish city on the north coast of Africa.
• UN warns of an 80% chance for ‘El Niño’ developing between June and August 02.06.2026 5m

  The world must prepare for the imminent return of El Niño and the supercharged weather extremes it brings, that is according to the United Nations.For more on this Shane is joined by Dr. Darren Clarke, Assistant Professor in Climate in DCU.
• HSE releases new autism protocol - what are its issues? 02.06.2026 9m

  The new HSE protocol hopes to tackle long waiting lists for Assessments of Need (AON) for autistic people. However, The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has “several significant concerns” and will not endorse the new protocol in place.Joining Shane to discuss this is Dr Patricia Byrne from the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland.
• The Bookshelf with Claire Byrne 02.06.2026 15m

  Newstalk Presenter Claire Byrne joins Shane to place her favourite book on The Hard Shoulder’s bookshelf!
• Last minute study advice for Leaving Cert students 02.06.2026 8m

  As the Leaving Cert begins tomorrow with English Paper 1 in the morning and Home Economics in the afternoon, we wanted to have a little chat about how students who may feel they aren’t prepared enough can spend this evening and tomorrow morning.Joining Shane to give some last-minute tips is TJ Hegarty, Founder of BreakThroughMaths online tutoring, and Aoife O’Driscoll, an English teacher in Cork CBC, a textbook author and webinar deliverer at Tralee ED.
• Is Dublin becoming more dangerous? 02.06.2026 12m

  Labour MEP for Dublin Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said that the fatal assault in Dublin City Centre at the weekend is further “evidence of the decline of the capital, and that the government is not taking the crisis seriously enough”.Aodhán was speaking following the death of a young man following an assault in the Grafton Street area in the early hours of Monday morning, who has been named as 21-year-old Qayyum Balogun…So, is Dublin becoming more dangerous, and what can be done about it?Aodhán Ó Ríordáin joins Shane to discuss.
• The impact online gambling has had on sport 02.06.2026 13m

  Gambling and sport have gone hand-in-hand for many years, but now the rise of online gambling has made risking your money a simple click away…How has it impacted the sports landscape and its fans?Joining Shane to discuss is Darragh McGee, author of ‘Imitation Games’, which covers the topic.
• Can teachers go back to work after Love Island? 02.06.2026 8m

  With Love Island kicking off last night, we saw Galway GAA Player and primary teacher Sean Fitzgerald make his villa debut. But given the sometimes-risqué nature of the show, will Sean Fitzgerald make a return to primary teaching?Joining Shane for more on this story is Comedian and Social Media Influencer, Kayleigh Trappe.Image: ITV2
• What does a ‘Dog Warden’ do? 02.06.2026 8m

  Recently there was an article about how much dog poo is on Irish streets, and what Dog Wardens are doing to combat it. South Dublin County Council recently increased the number of Dog Wardens from two to four, but what else is part of this role?Phillip Behan, a Dog Warden with South Dublin County Council, joins Shane to discuss.
• Do we need a driving curfew for novice drivers? 02.06.2026 12m

  This bank holiday weekend on our roads we saw more than 140 motorists arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as more than 3,100 speeding offences and over 340 drivers using a mobile phone or failing to wear a seatbelt.Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Fianna Fail MEP for Ireland South and member of the European Transport Committee has more ideas when it comes to road safety, including a potential curfew for novice drivers…She joins Shane to discuss.
• Dublin renter creates renting video game 01.06.2026 6m

  As new renting rules came in during March, many people found themselves served with eviction notices. Éimhin Ward was one of them. But as he searched for a new place he was shocked by some of the prices and decided to create an online game where you guess a listings’ price.  The game has gone viral, and Éimhin joins Emmet Oliver to explain the game
• Latest updates in the Jeffrey Donaldson trial 01.06.2026 6m

  The high-profile trial of Jeffrey and Eleanor Donaldson has resumed today in Newry Crown Court, after sitting in recess over the weekend.Joining Emmet Oliver to give the newest updates is Alison Morris, a crime correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph.
• Why are people not travelling abroad on their holidays? 01.06.2026 12m

  A new survey has shown that one in 5 Irish people will avoid travelling abroad this year. With rising prices, and rising uncertainty created by war in the Middle East, we are choosing to stay home or holiday in Ireland in bigger numbers this year Joining Emmet Oliver to discuss some of the reasons why, and offer those of us thinking about a holiday some advice is Editor of TravelExtra.ie Eoghan Corry, and CEO of Click&Go Holidays & director of the Irish Travel Agents Association Paul Hackett.
• Minister announces no new Irish-language schools until 2032 01.06.2026 10m

  Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has said that there are no plans to open any new Irish-language primary or secondary schools until at least 2032.  There is much criticism of this move, even within government, as many communities across the country are seeking immersive Irish-medium education across the board, from early-years education right through to third-level education. To discuss this further, Emmet Oliver is joined by Jen Cummins, Social Democrats Spokesperson for Education and TD for Dublin South-Central.
• Winners and Sinners 29.05.2026 27m

  This week, Ciara Doherty was joined by the presenter of Weekend Breakfast on Today FM, Alison Curtis and Entertainment Journalist Brian Lloyd to look back on the week that was, but with a few twists…
• Irish shoppers to face new customs charge for goods bought outside EU 29.05.2026 7m

  Online shoppers across the country are going to be faced with a new customs charge from the first of July. The fee will be applied if you purchase a good worth €150 or less from outside the EU.The Revenue has also warned that a new €3 customs duty charge will apply to each individual item in a parcel bought online from non-EU countries, including the UK.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Technology Journalist, Emmet Ryan...
• Sport with John Duggan: Arsenal face PSG 29.05.2026 9m

  Off The Ball’s John Duggan joined Ciara Doherty on The Hard Shoulder to review the week in sport and look ahead to weekend action...
• Why is Ireland V Israel going ahead? 29.05.2026 10m

  Irish Footballer Séamus Coleman says the question of whether the Republic of Ireland should play Israel in the Nations League or not “should never have came down to the players”.Minister for Sport Patrick O’Donovan and Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport have confirmed this week that  they will not attend the Ireland v Israel match at the Aviva Stadium later this year.Taoiseach Micheál Martin also said this afternoon that Ireland does not want to be "self-defeating" in its approach to international soccer matches against Israel in the autumn.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central and Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs.
• CMAT shares “deep sadness” over body shaming online 29.05.2026 8m

  CMAT posted on her Instagram last night that she is “deeply saddened” over body-shaming after her BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend performance.The singer says she felt “compelled to wade in and speak” after learning of abuse being directed at photos taken of her on stage.Other female singers such as Olivia Dean and Zara Larson have recently spoken out about body shaming they have received online.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Singer-Songwriter Ruth Anne...
• Would you steal a pint glass from a pub? 29.05.2026 7m

  Jeremy Clarkson has admitted to finding the running of a pub relentless, but one thing he didn’t expect to contend with is the extreme amount of theft.He sheds light on these thefts, revealing that by week’s end, the pub is 400 glasses down!Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss further is Ali Dunworth, Food & Drinks Writer and author of ‘A Compendium of Irish Pints’.