The Hard Shoulder

Episodes

• The Ultimate Guide: Europe by Rail 09.06.2026 12m

  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 Ciara and Shane to give the ultimate guide on travelling Europe by rail!
• Are Irish people against online grocery shopping? - Meghan O’Halloran Reports 09.06.2026 10m

  Are Irish people against online grocery shopping? - Meghan O’Halloran ReportsIreland’s three biggest supermarket chains, Dunnes, Tesco and Supervalu all operate their own grocery delivery services. Deliveroo has also weighed in, allowing customers to order from up to three different shops at once, only paying one delivery free.With all of this choice available to Irish consumers - are there reservations they hold about ordering groceries online?Newstalk’s Meghan O’Halloran has been investigating, and joins Shane and Ciara to discuss.
• Controversial plans to reform triple-lock system before Cabinet today 09.06.2026 6m

  The Government’s controversial plans to reform the triple-lock system are before the Cabinet today, with Minister for Defence Helen McEntee’s Defence Amendment Bill looking for approval.Joining Shane to discuss this further is Irish Times Political Correspondent, Harry McGee.
• The Bookshelf with Kathryn Stockett 09.06.2026 12m

  Kathryn Stockett, author of the New York Times bestselling novel and basis for the Academy Award-winning film ‘The Help’ joins Ciara to place her favourite book on the Hard Shoulder Bookshelf!
• Galway ranked as 6th most expensive city for rent in Europe 09.06.2026 6m

  Galway has been ranked as the sixth most expensive city for rent prices in Europe. As of last month, the average rent for an apartment in Galway City was €2,100…Joining Shane to discuss this is Shane Forde, Fine Gael Cllr for Galway City East.
• Should Ireland boycott its game with Israel later this year? 09.06.2026 9m

  A Sinn Féin motion calling for the October 4th fixture in the Aviva stadium in Dublin to be boycotted will be brought to the Dáil this evening.With the party saying that humanitarian conditions in Gaza mean the “international community cannot continue with business as usual”.Joining Shane with more on this is Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South-Central and Party Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs.
• Updates on knife attack in Belfast 09.06.2026 8m

  A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a "brutal" knife attack in Belfast at 10:30pm last night.A video circulating online shows the attack before a number of people, including one wielding a hurley stick, confronting the apparent attacker until the police arrived.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Brian Kingston, Belfast North DUP Member of Local Assembly.
• Ireland to play France in Women’s World Cup qualifier 09.06.2026 7m

  The Republic of Ireland will play France in their final game of the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying Group at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble on Tuesday. A win would see Carla Ward’s side through to the World Cup Finals next year...Joining Shane to discuss ahead of the match is Méabh De Búrca, Pundit and former Ireland International.Image: FAI
• Report released on Bill Kenneally sexual abuse offences 09.06.2026 11m

  Today, the commission into the sexual abuse committed by pedophile Bill Kenneally released a report outlining a “clear and serious dereliction of duty” by Gardaí, even by the standards of the time.Joining Ciara to discuss is Ralph Reigal, the Southern Correspondent for the Irish Independent and Barry Murphy, one of the survivors of Keneally’s sexual abuse.If you have been affected by anything you have heard in this item, help is available. You can contact One in Four on their helpline: 01 662 4070.
• Does Munster need a supervised drug injecting facility? 09.06.2026 7m

  Merchants Quay Ireland opened Ireland’s first supervised drug injecting facility in December 2024, but more centers may open in the near future. TDs have called for Cork to open an injection centre, and the Department of Health has confirmed interest in opening centres in both Cork and Limerick.Joining Shane to discuss is Eddie Mullins, the CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland.
• Childcare providers closing over staff shortages - parent impact 09.06.2026 13m

  Childcare seems to be a constant issue for parents around the country, but while most are focused on the price of care, some parents are finding créche closures becoming increasingly common.Joining Ciara to discuss this is Elaine Dunne, the Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childcare Providers and a parent who has experienced repeated closures…
• Trump says Israel and Iran must immediately stop “shooting” 08.06.2026 8m

  Israel and Iran have traded strikes for the first time since the ceasefire was agreed in April, threatening to drag the Middle East back into a wider war, with the US President Donald Trump telling both sides to stop “shooting”.Joining Ciara to discuss is Bel Trew, The Independent's Chief International Correspondent and David Blevins, Sky News US Correspondent.Image: Reuters
• How difficult is it to get a GP appointment? 08.06.2026 8m

  Journalist Ruth Medjber today wrote an article in today’s Irish Independent on the difficulties she has faced in finding a GP. So, why is it so difficult, and what needs to change?Joining Shane to discuss is Brendan O’Shea, Kildare GP and Medical Director at KDOC.
• Kids Clinic: Parenting Through Rebellion 08.06.2026 10m

  For this week’s Kids Clinic, Ciara and Shane are joined by Ollwyn Moran, M.Ed. from CogniClinic & CogniKids (cogniclinic.ie) to discuss how to properly parent adolescents who are rebelling and pushing boundaries.
• Parnell Square attack trial - jury sworn in 08.06.2026 5m

  A jury has been sworn in for the trial of Riad Bouchaker, who is accused of trying to murder three children in Dublin city centre three years ago.Frank Greaney, Newstalk’s Courts Correspondent and host of the podcast ‘All Rise’, joins Ciara with the latest updates.
• Rotunda Hospital under deadline over public-only consultant care 08.06.2026 14m

  The board of the Rotunda has until close of business today to give the HSE a list of public-only consultants who have been given permission to continue providing private practice at the maternity hospital.It comes after the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill turned down an invitation for a meeting with the board of the hospital, with the Department of Health saying no such meeting would be agreed to until the Rotunda backed down.For more on this, Shane is joined by Priscilla Lynch, Clinical Editor with the Medical Independent and Brenda Power, Columnist with The Irish Independent.
• Are the fake tanning days behind us? 08.06.2026 5m

  Fake Tan has been a fixture in Irish adolescence for years now, but is it time to finally ditch the tan from a tube?Joining Ciara to discuss is Jane Cowen, Lifestyle Columnist with the Irish Examiner.
• Ireland V Israel likely to move to neutral venue 08.06.2026 9m

  The Republic of Ireland's home UEFA Nations League fixture with Israel is likely to be moved to a neutral venue.Joining Shane to discuss this is Ben Symes, Football Reporter for Off The Ball.
• Closing lanes: the answer to tackling anti-social behaviour? 08.06.2026 13m

  Swan Alley, located between Thomas Street and Hanbury Lane, has long been a source of discussion among members of the South Central Area Committee...Last week, it was gated shut due to the ongoing issues related to drug abuse, anti-social behaviour and illegal dumping. Is this the correct thing to do to tackle anti-social behaviour?Joining Ciara to discuss is Brendan Brady of Brady Associates on Meath Street and Lesley Byrne, Dublin City Councillor with the Social Democrats.
• Coffee cup litter at highest level since 2023 - what should be done? 08.06.2026 10m

  Irish Business Against Litter has released their anti-litter league table today, and it showed that coffee cup litter was at its highest level since 2023, but what’s behind this increase, and how can we combat it?Joining Shane to discuss is Colin O’Byrne, Programme Director at Voice Ireland, and Rosie Sharp, Creative Director at Hubbub.