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The Hard Shoulder

Newstalk
Ireland
Dublin
Prague
Donald Trump
Iran
United States
European Union
Dublin, Ireland
Energy Prices
Fianna Fáil
Strait Of Hormuz
Ryder Cup
Russia
Labour Party
Data Centers
Transition Year
Ireland Gateway To Europe
Oil Prices
Israel
Keir Starmer

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

Listen to Newstalk at newstalk.com/listenlive | Download the GoLoud app now, the new home for Newstalk

PublishesDailyEpisodes7394Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for The Hard Shoulder

Latest Episodes

The consulting company Deloitte just released a report which noted that more than half of Gen Z and Millennials are putting off major life decisions because of their finances. But, this isn’t a new phenomenon - it seems that every week there is anoth... more

The Climate Change Advisory Council has today called for the Government to start actively considering the feasibility of relocating families affected by coastal erosion. They are pushing for new legislation to provide funds and a plan for how to impl... more

The family of the Belfast knife attack victim, Stephen Ogilvie, has appealed for calm following last night's violence in Belfast, which saw people forced to flee their homes, with multiple cars and homes set alight…

For more on this, Shane is joined... more

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 r... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Emmet Ryan
Technology journalist
Technology journalist
Episode: Irish shoppers to face new customs charge for goods bought outside EU
Séamus Coleman
Irish footballer
Irish national team, footballer
Episode: Why is Ireland V Israel going ahead?
Ruth Anne
Singer, songwriter
Episode: CMAT shares “deep sadness” over body shaming online
Helena Tubridy
Fertility coach and author of Still Trying to Conceive
Fertility coaching and author
Episode: When should you start looking at a fertility plan?
Ali Dunworth
Food & Drinks writer and author of A Compendium of Irish Pints
The Telegraph (contributor) / author
Episode: Would you steal a pint glass from a pub?
Conor Walsh
Secretary of the Irish Waste Management Association
Irish Waste Management Association
Episode: Why you shouldn’t put biodegradable bin bags in your compost bin
Tad Kirakowski
Chief Executive of Voice Ireland
Voice Ireland
Episode: Why you shouldn’t put biodegradable bin bags in your compost bin
Dee Reddy
Podcaster and cultural commentator
Episode: Movies and TV: Four Seasons, Ponies, Star City
Breda O'Brien
Irish Times columnist
Irish Times
Episode: What are the addictive features put into video games?

Hosts

Ciara Kelly
Host of The Hard Shoulder, Newstalk
Shane Colman
Co-host of The Hard Shoulder

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 229 ratings
  • Desperate interviewing

    Any chance Shane Colman could take a pause and let the interviewee speak? God that man loves the sound of his own voice.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    YerOne73
    Australia3 months ago
  • Stop shouting

    In all the Newstalk podcasts I have to turn up volume to hear guests and turn it down to hear presenter . Also you do not know more than your guest and stop talking across them and trying to be funny …grow up !

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    nxxxtt
    Ireland8 months ago
  • No Barrel Left Unscraped

    Friday’s show is always underwhelming.

    Maybe time for a new producer and someone to replace the bumpkin.

    Need to do something. The rest of the week is not much better these days. Disappointed!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United Statesa year ago
  • Deeee seeeevning

    It’s “this evening” - awful show with terrible overuse of THEEEEEEE before everything. Note to presenter: reading a quotations book and spouting random clever references does not make you clever.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Johanes989
    Irelanda year ago
  • Cringe

    This guy is so disingenuous. The posh accent is actually cringe

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    El Sham
    Ireland2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners crave blunt, energetic discussion and strong host presence.
Fans appreciate the show's willingness to tackle housing, transport, and policy with on-the-ground insight.
Some listeners feel the hosting can overly steer conversations, though guests often provide counterpoints.
Critics note volume and pacing issues but praise timely topics and guest variety.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#172
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#25
Ireland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

When should you start looking at a fertility plan?
Q: Are you seeing more people in their late 30s or 40s having children, and does that affect how they should approach fertility planning?
Yes, more people start families later, which can bring unexpected challenges and risks; early conversations with GPs and awareness of potential issues can help mitigate delays and improve chances when they decide to try for a family.
When should you start looking at a fertility plan?
Q: What do you mean by treating fertility like a college plan for life?
That fertility is something to prepare for alongside education and career, with the aim of understanding how health signals and timing affect future ability to have a family, so you can make informed decisions rather than reacting later.
Sport with John Duggan: Arsenal face PSG
Q: Was this a short-term fix or a long-term project for Real Madrid?
It's a three-year deal that suggests a longer-term project, typical for Madrid, aimed at reestablishing dominance and discipline.
Sport with John Duggan: Arsenal face PSG
Q: Can Arsenal do it?
Yes, they can pull it off, given they are in a final and have capitalized on investments to be competitive at the top level this season.
Irish shoppers to face new customs charge for goods bought outside EU
Q: So the charges, what are they, how are they going to be applied?
The per-item charges are set at a fixed amount (three euros) for every item bought online from outside the EU, with the expectation that larger numbers of cheap items will accumulate significant added costs for consumers, and the charges are typically assessed when the goods enter the country or at the point of delivery.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Hard Shoulder

What is The Hard Shoulder about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Grounded, opinion-forward discussions cover politics, current affairs, society, culture, and urban policy with a focus on Ireland. Episodes frequently feature live updates, panel debates, and long-form interviews with politicians, journalists, academics, and notable figures, producing a candid, sometimes confrontational, but always topical conversation. Notable strengths include a steady host dynamic, timely coverage of breaking events, and a willingness to tackle evidence-based policy debates, housing, transport, and social issues. The show's format tends to blend sharp analysis with accessible storytelling, making it suitable for listeners who want clear opinions, real-world context, and practical takeaways for public discourse, sponsorsh... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Hard Shoulder?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Hard Shoulder:

1. The Pat Kenny Show
2. The Last Word with Matt Cooper
3. Today with David McCullagh
4. The Claire Byrne Show
5. Brendan O'Connor

How many episodes of The Hard Shoulder are there?

The Hard Shoulder launched 9 years ago and published 7394 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Hard Shoulder?

Recent guests on The Hard Shoulder include:

1. Emmet Ryan
2. Séamus Coleman
3. Ruth Anne
4. Helena Tubridy
5. Ali Dunworth
6. Conor Walsh
7. Tad Kirakowski
8. Dee Reddy

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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