Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

Highlights from Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder

  • 13 minutes 1 second
    Celebrating World Book Day!

    If you saw children roaming the streets with their heads in books - don’t worry! It’s just World Book Day!

    Over 900 thousand book tokens have been given out to students to redeem a free World Book Day title.

    Joining Kieran to discuss the day and where it came from is Maria Dickenson, Chair of Bookselling Ireland and Author Helena Duggan to discuss.

    6 March 2025, 6:42 pm
  • 10 minutes 50 seconds
    How does public transport in Ireland compare to abroad?

    The NTA’s Bus Connects’ Dublin Progress Report revealed today that contactless payment with card/phone on public transport won't be available here for another three years, even though it is readily available in other countries…

    In what other ways can public transport in Ireland be compared to systems abroad?

    Joining Kieran to discuss is Mark Paul, London Correspondent with The Irish Times and Freelance Journalist in Sweden, Phillip O'Connor.

    6 March 2025, 5:31 pm
  • 10 minutes 23 seconds
    Do people still want to become a ‘domestic goddess’?

    Meghan Markles’ lifestyle show ‘With Love, Meghan’, released on Netflix this week.

    Has this marked the return of the ‘domestic goddess’? And is this something people still want to be?

    Joining Kieran to discuss Columnist with the Independent and Presenter of the Home Show, Sinead Ryan and Freelance Journalist, Niamh O’Reilly.

    Image: Netflix

    6 March 2025, 4:58 pm
  • 7 minutes 19 seconds
    Has the new Bus Connects network been successful?

    Bus Connects’ Dublin Progress Report has revealed today that passenger boardings have increased since the new Bus Connects network has been implemented.

    Hugh Creegan, Interim CEO of the National Transport Authority, joins Kieran to discuss.

    6 March 2025, 4:44 pm
  • 14 minutes 36 seconds
    Why are energy costs on the rise?

    This morning on Newstalk Breakfast, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers explained that we will not have anymore one-off supports toward energy costs…

    So, why are energy costs increasing, and is the Government right to not provide one-off supports?

    To discuss, Kieran is joined by Muireann Lynch, Energy Economist and Senior Research Officer with ESRI and Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, and TD for Donegal.

    6 March 2025, 4:27 pm
  • 11 minutes 33 seconds
    How to do Stuff: Handshakes

    Life 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 might not think about.

    This week, Simon joins Kieran to give advice on the perfect handshake!

    5 March 2025, 6:52 pm
  • 8 minutes 14 seconds
    FIRE - the Irish people retiring early

    For most of us, early retirement sounds like packing up the desk at 60.

    But a growing number of Irish people are devoting themselves to the FIRE movement - with hopes to retire at 50 or even just 40 years of age.

    So, how are they doing it? And can we do the same? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

    5 March 2025, 6:40 pm
  • 5 minutes 32 seconds
    Why adult immunisation is becoming more important

    A new report aiming to kickstart a new era of preventative health is recommending a stand-alone national adult immunisation strategy.

    Karina Butler is Clinical Professor of Paediatrics at UCD, former Chair of The National Immunisation Advisory Committee. She joins Kieran to discuss why she thinks this is necessary.

    5 March 2025, 6:31 pm
  • 9 minutes 9 seconds
    How unsafe are young drivers on the road?

    Earlier in the programme, Henry McKean reported on the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow in UCD.

    The aim of the event was to encourage the next generation of road users to actively consider the importance of road safety and the impact that dangerous driving, speeding, substance use and distracted driving can have on themselves and others.

    So, are young drivers particularly unsafe?  Or are these problems for drivers of all ages?

    Joining Kieran to discuss is Shane O’Donoghue, Editor of completecar.ie as well as Newstalk Reporter / young driver, Alex Rowley.

    5 March 2025, 6:22 pm
  • 9 minutes 2 seconds
    Why has football nostalgia exploded?

    From retro-inspired shirts to audiences with footballing legends replete with anecdotes and golden-era reminiscing, the commercialization of nostalgia in sport has become big business.

    Why is it that now, more than ever, our obsession with the rosy past is at its absolute peak?

    To talk football-nostalgia, Kieran is joined by Gavin Cooney, Sports Writer with The42.ie and Liverpool and Ireland legend, Mark Lawrenson.

    5 March 2025, 5:58 pm
  • 9 minutes 5 seconds
    Tech Takeover: Augmented Reality Glasses

    For this week’s Tech Takeover, Newstalk’s Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joined Kieran to discuss augmented reality glasses - and specifically, the pair that she is wearing: the Even Realities G1! What is the technology, and what can it be used for?

    5 March 2025, 5:47 pm
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