The Hard Shoulder
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 s...
Insights from recent episode analysis
On the show
- Ciara3 eps
- Shane2 eps
- John Duggan2 eps
Also: Elaine Burke, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Brendan Kelly, Professor Theresa Reidy, Cormac O'Keefe, Sean Defoe, Frank Greaney, Matthew Martin, Carole Pollard, Eoin Ó Broin, Grace Boland, Paul Stoneman, Sharon Butler, Sarina Bellissimo, John Fardy, Suzanne Moore, Janet Horner
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Based on 1 signal.
Built from
By chart position
- 🇮🇪Ireland · Society & CultureHOME#381.1K to 5.7K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
1.1K to 5.7K🎙 Daily cadence·1,000 episodes·Last published 2d ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
3.6K to 19K🇮🇪100% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
2.0K to 10K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19/26 |  Men’s Aid Ireland report shows victims are reluctant to come forward | A new report by Men's Aid Ireland has found men who are victims of domestic abuse reluctant to get help due to shame and stigma around coming forward. The report also found an increase in calls about encouragement to suicide by partners…For more on this, Shane is joined by Shane Kelly, CEO of Men's Aid Ireland.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised, please contact Mens Aid National Confidential Helpline on 01 554 3811. | 8m 02s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  Kids Clinic: Toilet Training Tips! | For this week’s Kids Clinic, Shane was joined by Aoife Lee, Parent Coach of parentsupport.ie to discuss toilet training, and the tips you should know! | 8m 29s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  Israeli parliamentary election - what can we expect? | US President Donald Trump on Sunday endorsed his ally Benjamin Netanyahu as the long-time Israeli Prime Minister struggles for an edge in next week’s parliamentary election.What can we expect in next Tuesday’s elections?Joining Shane to discuss this is Mark Weiss, Irish Times Israel Correspondent. | 6m 57s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  Revenue to get powers to collect new 7% tax from owners of vacant properties | Owners of derelict properties will be hit with a new 7% tax under plans to go before the Dáil this week. The tax will be collected by Revenue, replacing a current levy which is self-assessed and gathered by local authorities.For more on this, Shane is joined by Seamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central & the party’s Spokesperson on Housing. | 9m 44s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  Making political statements with clothing - when is it not okay? | RTÉ has said it was "a mistake" that a Palestinian flag necklace was edited out of a recent episode of the property programme, ‘Cheap Irish Homes’, after the woman wearing the necklace lodged a complaint.Should we be allowed to wear what we choose, and make political statements with the clothes we wear whatever the setting? On TV, at the school gates or in workplaces? Where do you draw the line?Joining Shane to discuss is Chairman and Co-Founder of The Communications Clinic, Terry Prone. | 7m 25s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  Funeral of Waterford family takes place - Barry Whyte Reports | The joint funeral of four members of the same family has taken place this afternoon in Waterford. Philip English, his wife Kim and their two young sons, Callum and Jayden, were killed in a suspected arson attack last week.Newstalk’s Chief Reporter was at the funeral, and joined Shane to discuss. | 11m 51s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  How to clean a messy home in under 30 minutes! | Whether it's a speed clean before an unannounced guest drops by, or it's using a free half an hour while your child is having a nap to get some order in your home, speed cleaning is something we are all familiar with.But is there a way to rescue a messy house in under 30 minutes?Joining Shane with the answer is cleaning expert and TikToker, Ann Russell! | 9m 41s | ||||||
| 10/19/26 |  Legal aid row - what is the situation? | Solicitors working in criminal defence have said they are withdrawing from all work from today, marking an escalation of their dispute with the Justice Minister over a new payment scheme for criminal legal aid.One of those solicitors is Michael O’Connor, and he joins Shane to discuss… | 11m 11s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  Public sector strikes suspended | Public sector unions have suspended strikes planned for next Wednesday following discussions with the Government. Pat Leahy, Political Editor of the Irish Times and John Boyle, General Secretary of the INTO joined Shane on the show to discuss. | 6m 22s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  How to manage difficult relationships with in-laws? | How do you manage difficult relationships with in-laws without affecting your children or putting pressure on your marriage? Michelle Brown, Divorce Consultant, Mediator and author of “Scars of Divorce joined us on the hard Shoulder to discuss. | 8m 50s | ||||||
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| 10/16/26 |  Notable moments from White House Press Secretaries | Larry Donnelly, Law lecturer at University of Galway and Columnist with the Journal joined Shane on the show to discuss some notable moments in recent times from behind the White House lectern. | 8m 04s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  EU summit where leaders are rallying around Ukraine | European leaders face growing pressure to secure Ukraine’s wartime finances through to the end of 2028. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned that decisions will need to be made quickly, as efforts continue to repair Kyiv’s strained relationship with the Trump administration.Europe correspondent at Euronews, Shona Murray spoke to Ciara on the show. | 9m 20s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  The rise of the ‘indie dad’ | The rise of the ‘indie dad’, is this a good or bad thing and does anyone care?! Comedian Steve Cummins and Entertainment Journalist Dee Reddy joined Shane on the show to discuss. | 8m 42s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  Higher proportion of migrants in urban and more affluent areas | The proportion of migrants living in more affluent areas of the State is higher than those who live in disadvantaged areas, according to research by the Economic and Social Research Institute. Teresa Buczkowska, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland joined Ciara on the show to discuss. | 8m 10s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  Is it fair to say 'everybody' is responsible for road deaths? | As road deaths rise, the Government dropped planned reforms of the RSA and increased public transport fares and now the minister seems to be disavowing political responsibility, writes Ciarán Cannon in the Irish Examiner who joined Shane on the show to discuss. | 8m 29s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 |  One-fifth of under-12s fall asleep watching a screen | Families and workplaces are being urged to switch off all smart devices from 7pm today and take a 24-hour break from the online world. It is part of CyberBreak 2026, an initiative supported by the HSE. Family Psychotherapist, columnist with the Examiner and Co-host of ‘They Mess You Up With’ Podcast Richard Hogan joined us on the Hard Shoulder this evening. | 12m 31s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  Ireland’s first university-led AI research institute | Minister James Lawless announced this morning Ireland's first university-owned AI Institute. The Institute will put AI engineers alongside researchers to advance the use of AI across health, agriculture, climate, humanities and the sciences. Professor Robin Burke, incoming director of the UCD AI Institute joined Shane on the show to discuss. | 7m 04s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  White House faces questions over its new press secretary | The White House is defending its new press secretary, Katie Zacharia as questions emerge over her legal credentials as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he feels personally betrayed by Donald Trump. BBC North American Correspondent, Anothony Zurcher joined us on the Hard Shoulder with all the latest from the States. | 7m 14s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  When is an MRI useful? | Scans can reveal a lot about your spine, but they don’t always explain the cause of your pain. Stephen O’Rourke, Chartered Clinical Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at the Mater University Hospital joined us on the Hard Shoulder to discuss. | 7m 55s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  EU court backs Dublin Airport’s 32 million passenger cap | EU’s top court, the ECJ has upheld the Dublin Airport passenger cap, meaning regulators must take the 32 million a year limit into account when allocating airline slots. Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel & Airport safety & security expert spoke to Ciara on the show this evening. | 7m 40s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  Defence Forces appear before the Oireachtas | Earlier today, an Oireachtas Committee heard pandemic remains the top risk to National Security, with antibiotic-resistant infection, cyber-attacks and disruption to critical supply chains also included. Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway Walsh who is chair of the Joint Committee on Defence and National Security joined Shane on the show discuss. | 10m 19s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  The Irish Carvery | Has the humble carvery become the hottest trend in Gen Z dining? Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden reports. | 10m 30s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  Government trying to prevent second day of public sector strikes | The Government is seeking to get public sector unions back around the table to avoid a second day of strikes next week. It follows yesterday’s nationwide walkout by around 300,000 workers over pay. Louise Byrne, Irish Examiner Political Correspondent joined us on the show to discuss. | 5m 09s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  Arrests made after Waterford arson attack | Arrests have been made in the arson attack in Waterford City that took the lives of four members of the English family on Wednesday. Barry Whyte, Newstalk’s Chief Reporter brought us the latest on the investigation. | 4m 36s | ||||||
| 10/15/26 |  Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison | Newstalk Reporter Emily Keegan brought us the latest as Jeffrey Donaldson sentenced to 15 years in prison for rape and child sex assaults. | 10m 20s | ||||||
| 9/9/26 | hard waterhair health+3 | Sarah Cummins | TRUA | — | hard waterscalp health+3 | — | 6m 15s | ||
| 9/9/26 | phone etiquettecommunication+3 | CiaraShane | — | — | phone etiquettecommunication tips+3 | — | 9m 57s | ||
| 9/9/26 | legal aiddispute resolution+3 | Shane McCarthy | Law SocietyLaw Society of Ireland+1 | — | legal aiddispute+4 | — | 6m 42s | ||
| 9/9/26 | collegesurvival guide+4 | Dylan Hand | Newstalk | — | collegefirst day+5 | — | 9m 17s | ||
| 9/9/26 | GAAsports review+3 | John Duggan | Off The BallThe Hard Shoulder+1 | — | GAAsports+5 | — | 8m 56s | ||
| 9/9/26 | technologyAI+3 | Jess Kelly | MuseMeta | — | MetaMuse AI+3 | — | 11m 07s | ||
| 9/9/26 | protestsTrump+4 | Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha | — | IrelandDublin | Trumpprotests+5 | — | 7m 13s | ||
| 9/9/26 | deathmourning+4 | Máirtín Mac Con Iomaire | TU Dublin | — | wakesfunerals+5 | — | 7m 34s | ||
| 9/9/26 | reality TVcontestants+4 | DenisGrainne | The TraitorsThe Traitors Ireland | — | The TraitorsDenis+5 | — | 10m 49s | ||
| 9/9/26 | GAA integrationsports governance+4 | Deirdre MurphyMichelle Ryan | GAAIntegration Committee+3 | — | GAAintegration+5 | — | 16m 27s | ||
| 7/21/26 | traveldestinations+3 | Ciara | — | OrlandoFlorida | OrlandoFlorida+3 | — | 12m 00s | ||
| 7/21/26 | electric vehiclessavings+3 | Ger Herbert | Sunday Independent | — | electric carsavings+3 | — | 6m 47s | ||
| 7/21/26 | local governancetown councils+3 | Derek Mooney | Fianna FailNewstalk | — | town councilsmunicipal councils+3 | — | 7m 22s | ||
| 7/21/26 | domestic abusesurvivor support+3 | Sarah Benson | Women's Aid | — | domestic abuseWomen's Aid+4 | — | 11m 27s | ||
| 7/21/26 | booksliterature+3 | Leo Varadkar | Speaking My Mind | — | Leo Varadkarbookshelf+3 | — | 19m 14s | ||
| 7/21/26 | fuel costscrude oil prices+3 | Muireann LynchPearse Doherty | ESRISinn Féin | Donegal | fuel costscrude oil+3 | — | 15m 55s | ||
| 7/21/26 | houseplantsgardening tips+3 | Marie Staunton | — | — | houseplantsgardening+6 | — | 9m 23s | ||
| 7/21/26 | hosepipe bangardening+3 | Sinead Ryan | Irish IndependentNewstalk | — | hosepipe bangardening+5 | — | 10m 29s | ||
| 7/21/26 | divorcepension+3 | Michelle Browne | Scars of Divorce | — | divorcepension sharing+3 | — | 10m 19s | ||
| 7/21/26 | GP carerural healthcare+3 | Dr Máire Finn | Centric HealthCSO | rural areas | GP carerural areas+3 | — | 14m 08s | ||
| 6/12/26 | trial updatesattempted murder+3 | Alex Rowley | — | DublinParnell Square East | Riad Bouchakertrial+5 | — | 7m 58s | ||
| 6/12/26 | caffeinesleep+3 | Lucy Wolfe | Newstalk | — | caffeinesleep+5 | — | 5m 00s | ||
| 6/12/26 | cleaningyoung people+3 | Ann Russell | Times of LondonTikTok | — | cleaningyoung people+3 | — | 9m 49s | ||
| 6/12/26 | sportWorld Cup+4 | John Duggan | Off The BallNewstalk | — | World Cupsport+3 | — | 8m 31s | ||
| 6/12/26 | footballneutral venue+5 | Patrick O’Donovan | Football Association of Ireland | IrelandIsrael | IrelandIsrael+6 | — | 15m 27s | ||
| 6/12/26 | parentingpublic spaces+3 | Niamh O’ReillySaoirse Hanley | The JournalIndependent | — | public placeschildren+3 | — | 12m 22s | ||
| 6/12/26 | EU Migration Pactrefugee rights+3 | Nick Henderson | The Irish Refugee CouncilEU Migration Pact | European Parliament | EU Migration Pactrefugee organisations+3 | — | 9m 34s | ||
| 6/12/26 | UFCpolitics+4 | Terry Sheridan | WSHU Public Radio | White House | UFC fightDonald Trump+3 | — | 7m 25s | ||
| 6/12/26 | public consultationCork Luas+3 | Ciara O’Connor | Bishopstown GAA Club | CorkBallincollig+1 | Cork LuasBishopstown GAA Club+3 | — | 9m 38s | ||
| 5/1/26 | Irish immigrantsPhiladelphia+3 | Edel Howlin | Newstalk | PhiladelphiaIreland | Irish immigrantsPhiladelphia+4 | — | 20m 11s | ||
| 5/1/26 | trade missionbusiness leaders+4 | Adie McGennisDr Deirdre Giblin | Sigmar RecruitmentNational College of Ireland | IrelandWashington D.C.+1 | trade missionbusiness leaders+5 | — | 8m 50s | ||
| 5/1/26 | bird feedingtrichomoniasis+4 | Collie Ennis | Birdwatch IrelandTrinity College Dublin | — | birdwatchingsummer+5 | — | 7m 51s | ||
| 5/1/26 | nationalismIrish flag+3 | Dr Mike RyanDavid Gilbert | World Health OrganisationWIRED | — | Irish flagnationalism+4 | — | 11m 33s | ||
| 5/1/26 | NASAArtemis programme+3 | Bob Gibbs | NASA | Moon | NASAArtemis II+3 | — | 9m 42s | ||
| 5/1/26 | Iran conflictUS foreign policy+3 | Borzou Daragahi | US CongressDonald Trump | Iran | IranDonald Trump+5 | — | 8m 42s | ||
| 5/1/26 | mortgage lendingfirst time buyers+3 | Karl Deeter | Núa Money | — | mortgage changesfirst time buyers+3 | — | 8m 11s | ||
| 5/1/26 | televisionmedia+3 | Dee Reddy | Late Late Show | — | Patrick KieltyLate Late Show+4 | — | 6m 50s | ||
| 5/1/26 | opioid usedrug conversation+3 | Ed Mahon | Spotlight, PA | Philadelphia | opioid crisisPhiladelphia+3 | — | 11m 24s | ||
| 4/30/26 | moviesTV shows+3 | Sarina BellissimoJohn Fardy | NewstalkScreentime+3 | — | moviesTV+3 | — | 17m 44s | ||
| 4/30/26 | anti-semitismterrorism+3 | Suzanne Moore | The Telegraph | UKGolders Green | terror threatanti-semitism+3 | — | 9m 11s | ||
| 4/30/26 | plastic banlitter problem+3 | Janet HornerRichard Guiney | Green PartyDublin Town | Dublin | plastic bin bagsDublin+3 | — | 7m 12s | ||
| 4/30/26 | American historyDeclaration of Independence+3 | Jim Murphy | Real Philly HistoryReal Philly History, Real Fast | AmericaPhiladelphia | AmericaPhiladelphia+3 | — | 15m 08s | ||
| 4/30/26 | mental healthlegislation+3 | Richard Hogan | NewstalkThe Mental Health Bill | — | Mental Health Billhealth care+3 | — | 7m 21s | ||
| 4/30/26 | Republican PartyUS Midterm Elections+3 | Greg Swenson | Republicans Overseas UK | United States | RepublicansMidterm Elections+3 | — | 16m 52s | ||
| 4/30/26 | housing crisishome completions+3 | John Cummins | — | — | home completionshousing crisis+5 | — | 13m 35s | ||
| 4/30/26 | travelPhiladelphia+3 | — | Ireland Gateway to Europe | Philadelphia | Philadelphiatravel+3 | — | 10m 40s | ||
| 4/30/26 | maternity leaveUnited States+3 | Maria Trapenasso | NFP Talent SolutionsWhite House | — | maternity leaveKaroline Leavitt+3 | — | 6m 02s | ||
| 4/30/26 | languageAmerican culture+3 | ShaneCiara | — | — | speak Americanlanguage tips+3 | — | 12m 02s | ||
| 4/23/26 | mobile phone operatorsdata rationing+2 | Elaine Burke | the For Tech’s Sake Podcast | UKIran | phone signaldata speeds+2 | — | 6m 54s | ||
| 4/23/26 | tolling boothstransportation+2 | Cynthia Ní Mhurchú | Fianna FailEU Transport Committee+2 | Ireland | EU Transport Committeefree-flow tolling+2 | — | 8m 43s | ||
| 4/23/26 | habitsannoyance+1 | Brendan Kelly | Trinity College Dublin | — | queue jumpingchewing loudly+2 | — | 12m 12s | ||
| 4/23/26 | bye electionsGalway West+2 | Professor Theresa Reidy | Dáil Éireannthe World Bank+2 | Galway WestDublin Central | electionspolitics+1 | — | 10m 11s | ||
| 4/23/26 | Islamist terrorismlone wolves+3 | Cormac O'Keefe | the Irish Examiner | Ireland | security agenciesterrorism legislation+1 | — | 8m 30s | ||
| 4/23/26 | fatherhoodlife changes+1 | Sean DefoeFrank Greaney | — | — | fatherhoodlife changes+2 | — | 9m 04s | ||
| 4/23/26 | BBQweather+1 | Matthew Martin | Met Eireann | — | 20Csunny spells+1 | — | 3m 33s | ||
| 4/23/26 | redevelopmentarchitecture+2 | Carole PollardEoin Ó Broin | Dublin City CouncilSinn Féin’s+1 | Dublin | Dublin City Councilfaçade+2 | — | 13m 33s | ||
| 4/23/26 | rail traffic managementcost overruns+1 | Grace Boland | the Dáil Public Accounts CommitteeFine Gael | IrelandDublin+1 | IrelandDáil+2 | — | 6m 52s | ||
| 4/22/26 | heart diseasecardiac trouble+1 | Paul StonemanSharon Butler | RCSIIrish Heart Foundation | Ireland | Irelandcardiology+1 | — | 12m 21s | ||
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Chart history for The Hard Shoulder
Peaked at #38 in Ireland, currently #38 in Ireland.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | — | #38 | #38 | — |
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.
Chart Positions
1 placement across 1 market.