The Hard Shoulder

Épisodes

• Dublin renter creates renting video game 01.06.2026 6min

  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 6min

  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 12min

  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 10min

  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 27min

  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 7min

  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 9min

  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 10min

  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 8min

  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 7min

  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’.
• When should you start looking at a fertility plan? 29.05.2026 7min

  In 2024, the average age of a mother giving birth was 33.3. Last year, over 40% of the patient population in the Rotunda Hospital was over 35. It’s clear that women across the country are choosing to have kids later in life.But, we also know that choosing to have a baby later can be a source of many fertility issues. Doctors and Fertility Coaches across the country are encouraging women to start thinking about their fertility plan, but many don’t want to hear it.For more on this, Ciara Doherty is joined by Fertility Coach and author of ‘Still Trying to Conceive’, Helena Tubridy...
• Why you shouldn’t put biodegradable bin bags in your compost bin 29.05.2026 12min

  You may have heard a discussion this morning on Newstalk Breakfast about biodegradable bin bags and how not all of them can be put into your compost bin, but why is this such an issue?Joining Ciara Doherty to discuss is the Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association, Conor Wash and Chief Executive of Voice Ireland, Tad Kirakowski.
• Movies and TV: Four Seasons, Ponies, Star City 28.05.2026 16min

  Sarina Bellissimo, Broadcaster and Presenter of the Bellissimo Files Podcast and Dee Reddy, Podcaster and Cultural Commentator joined Shane to review the latest TV and movie releases…
• What are the addictive features put into video games? 28.05.2026 9min

  Getting kids off games is the struggle of many parents, but if you didn’t already know, many games are made to keep them hooked…“Games are designed to offer something to capture your attention every 40 seconds. No wonder it’s a battle”, so says Breda O'Brien, Irish Times contributor, who joins Shane to discuss.
• The Thursday Interview: Pádraig O’Hora 28.05.2026 14min

  Former Mayo Footballer Pádraig O’Hora joins Shane for this week’s Thursday Interview, following his recent climb of Mount Everest!
• Knee injuries among young people on the rise 28.05.2026 6min

  Knee injuries among young people are on the rise as social media 'runfluencers' wheel out generic training programmes. Physiotherapists are warning that these training programmes are pushing beginners too hard…So, how do you prevent knee injuries when running?To answer this, Shane is joined by Clinical Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Health Contributor for the Journal.ie Stephen O’Rourke…
• Israel Defence Minister committed to large-scale migration of Palestinians from Gaza 28.05.2026 6min

  Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has said he is committed to large-scale migration of Palestinians from Gaza “at the right time and in the right manner”, as part of Israel’s long-term plans for the territory.Joining Shane to discuss this further is Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.Image: Reuters
• Should bigger cars get taxed more? 28.05.2026 12min

  The Irish Just Transition Commission has released a report calling on the Government to increase taxes on bigger cars like SUVs to reduce our carbon footprint, but is this a fair ask?Joining Shane to discuss is Feljin Jose, Dublin City Councillor and Green Party Spokesperson for Transport and Keith Gavin, Director of the Irish Parking Association…
• Does learning an instrument prevent ‘brain rot’? 28.05.2026 6min

  A new study published in the British Journal of Psychology suggests that learning a musical instrument could prevent “brain rot” and boost concentration in young people glued to social media...This begs the question: should we be encouraging young people to engage more with music?Joining Shane to discuss is Fiachna Ó Braonáin of The Hothouse Flowers.
• Data centre electricity consumption could exceed 30% of country by 2030  28.05.2026 9min

  Data centres across the country already account for about 20% of electricity consumption, with recent predictions that it will exceed 30% by 2030.Plus, a new report has found that ongoing limitations to building data centres are posing a "considerable risk" to Ireland's attractiveness for foreign direct investment.Lynn Boylan, Sinn Féin MEP for Dublin, joins Shane to discuss.