Best-selling Irish author Sebastian Barry has just published his latest book 'A Thousand Moons.' He talked to Ivan about his family, his passion for writing and how the Coronavirus pandemic has halted his long-held dream of seeing his work on the West End stage.

Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

The Thursday Interview: Sebastian Barry

The Department of Health released last nights figures, for the first time they released a county by county breakdown of coronavirus cases around the country. The Vintners Federation of Ireland has criticised pubs that have remained open despite Government advice. Is London on the brink of lockdown in its bid to tackle Covid 19? And have they finally turned a corner in China in the fight against cornavirus? Barry Whyte has more...

Coronavirus : What Happened In The World Today

The main banks are to introduce a range of measures to help those affected by the outbreak of coronavirus. They include including a payment break up to three months, the deferment of court proceedings and the provision of working capital support to support businesses and personal customers. While cases are continuing to rise in places like Spain and the United States. Our reporter Barry Whyte has been looking at what is happening around the world with coronavirus...

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set for three days of government formation talks this week as the parties move towards forming a grand coalition. The main focus of the initial stages of the talks will be on measures to address the outbreak of the coronavirus. However, there will also be discussions between the negotiating teams on other areas of policy. Ivan was joined by President of Sinn Féin Mary Lou McDonald to hear her thoughts on government formation.

"We will consider every proposal that is on the table."

With over 1,800 deaths related to Coronavirus, Italy is the worst-hit country after China - and the most affected in Europe. They are of course on lockdown now for a little over a week. Ella Harrington an Irish women living in Italy joined Mark Cagney to discuss what like is like for her living in Veneto. https://www.gofundme.com/f/surviving-covid19

Life in Veneto

In just two days, a Dublin business man has helped raise €146,000 to deliver food to the front line workers in this Covid 19 crisis. Cian O'Flaherty had the idea to set up a Go Fund Me page, initially hoping to raise €250 to send a few pizzas to the wards in some hospitals dealing with the crisis. Within four hours, there was €10,000 donations and since then, it's growing by the hour. Cian spoke to Mark Cagney on The Hard Shoulder to explain how it's having a double effect of keeping otherwise quiet kitchens in business, and giving back to the staff who are working round the clock in this crisis. If you want to contribute, you can donate here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/feed-the-heroes

€146,000 raised in two days to help feed frontline workers

Staying at home is something we all long for on cold winter mornings and dark November evenings, but when you are obliged to stay home and the factor of choice is removed it’s a whole different kind of experience.   Clinical Psychotherapist Stephanie Regan joined Mark Cagney on The Hard Shoulder to discuss the best ways of dealing with the issues that could occur and how best to combat them.  She also provided useful tips for combating anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic.

"We need to be taking this one step at a time!"

National Brain Awareness Week starts today. Sabina Brennan neuroscientist and author joined Mark Cagney to discuss how best to keep your brain healthy.

National Brain Awareness Week

Revenue have announced a number of measures to help businesses in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. No interest will be applied to late VAT returns in January and February, and it has suspended interest in late payments of employers’ PAYE liabilities during February and March.  Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe joined Ivan to discuss the various measures being put into place to protect the economy.

"We are moving into a difficult challenge for our economy!"

The Department of Foreign Affairs have upgraded the stance today on travelling to Spain to ‘do not travel unnecessarily’. Meanwhile Aer Lingus have moved their position on their offer of changes to existing bookings.  Eoghan Corry, Editor of Travel Extra joined Ivan to answer some listener travel queries.

Coronavirus: Travel and Insurance

Gina Murphy, owner of Hugo’s Restaurant on Merrion Row, explains why she took the decision to lay off 22 of her 26 staff because of the Corona crisis.  She spoke to Ivan about how devastated she is and how she hopes her business can survive.

"I had to make decisions today I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy!"

As the effort to combat the spread of Covid 19 continues around the globe, some interesting research done here in Ireland may go some way to helping us to assess the best ways to help slow the spread. Pete Lunn, behavioral economist with the ESRI discussed this research with Ivan on the Hard Shoulder.

"This crisis is demanding we change habits!"

Leo Varadkar has announced that Ireland will go into a general shutdown until March 29 of Covid-19. But how have been people been reacting? There have been reports of mayhem at supermarkets across the country this afternoon. While sporting events are set to be cancelled as gatherings of over 500 are cancelled. Funerals will have to be held privately, while some weddings will be cancelled as gatherings of over 100 are cancelled indoors. Barry Whyte reports....

"People were fighting in the aisles of supermarkets"

People might say they have "a bit of OCD" about something, but the diagnosed condition can be very debilitating. For some people, their OCD can leave them quite distressed and at times, incapable of living a normal life. Dr Eddie Murphy explained the challenges and treatments available.

The reality of OCD, with Dr Eddie Murphy

John Duggan of Off the Ball gives Ivan his observations ahead of Day One of the Cheltenham festival including concerns over the Corona virus; the expected weather and which horses to keep your eye on

"This is Christmas Eve for anyone who likes racing"

Highlights from Ivan Yates on The Hard Shoulder

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Highlights from The Hard Shoulder

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