The Pat Kenny Show

An estimated 10,000 farmers are expected to descend on Brussels today for one of the largest Europe-wide farmer protests this century. IFA President Francie Gorman has been travelling to Brussels with his son since the start of the week and gives us an update from outside Brussels.

We are counting down the Top 10 Alternative Christmas Movies the ones that sneak Christmas into the frame and still make December feel special. Joining Pat was Lisa Cannon Head of Studio at DMG Media.

On this week's Garden Stories with Diarmuid Gavin, we about how County Offaly’s Lough Boora Sculpture Park was transformed from a working bog to a place of art and reflection.

We now live in an era of dating apps, mixed signals, situationships, and the constant pressure to figure out who you are while also figuring out who you’re seeing. We discuss this morning what dating looks like for young people today.Pat spoke to our panel this morning, all in their twenties.  Dylan Hand, Newstalk Reporter , Ella Anderson, Newstalk Reporter and Katie Gallagher, Spin 1038 and Spin Southwest News Anchor.

As the nation prepares for warm fires, good food, and time with loved ones, 16,614 people across Ireland, including over 5,000 children, will spend the festive season in emergency accommodation. Sarah Madden reports on those without a place to call home this Christmas.  

Sculpted by Aimee is one of the country’s leading beauty brands. Starting with just two products, the business has grown enormously now selling well over one hundred products in hundreds of locations across Ireland and the UK. Sculpted founder and CEO Aimee Connolly

Nick Reiner could face the death penalty and the white house backs Susie Wiles after her Vanity Fair interview. Professor and Political Analyst at Clinton Institution, UCD Scott Lucas brings us the latest news stateside.

Imagine a future where the walls of your home don’t just hold up the roof they store electricity. Researchers at MIT have created a new type of concrete that acts as a battery, capable of powering everyday household needs. Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland tells us more.All with thanks to Repak.

There has been much debate in recent years about the state of our country’s capital city, Dublin. With many city dwellers debating whether the day-to-day experience is diminishing in terms of safety and crime. We ask is Is Dublin city in decline? To discuss with Pat was Mannix Flynn, Independent Dublin City Councillor and Martin Harte, CEO of Temple Bar company & Spokesperson for Dubin Business Alliance.

Last night, Taoiseach Micheál Martin was in defence of his leadership at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, following the publishing of the Gavin report. Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke to Pat on the show this morning.

With Christmas just around the corner. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly takes us through a last minute tech gift guide for any presents you need.All with thanks to Renault.

As Health Insurance renewal time looms for many, Dermot Goode Health Insurance Expert with HealthInsuranceIreland.ie brings us advice on your search for the best health insurance policy for you and your family.

Selene Daly is our residence expert when it comes to anything and everything dermatology related however. Today she is opening up about her experience with weight loss jabs. She has been on a medicated weight-loss journey with Mounjaro since June. Now approaching a four-stone loss. But the medication is only one element of a much longer, more complex story. Selene told Pat her story.

US President Donald Trump has suggested that Rob Reiner’s criticism of him may have led to his death. In a post on Truth Social he called the late director “tortured and struggling”, comments which he later defended. He also announced he is suing the BBC for $10bn following their edit of his January 6th speech.All to discuss with Dr Harry Browne, Senior Lecturer, School of Media, TU Dublin.

Yesterday Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy resumed talks with U.S. president Donald trump's envoys in Berlin. The talks come after the U.S. side said a "lot of progress" had been made on ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two. But will this be enough to secure a peace deal for Ukraine and bring an end to this war? 

<ore news is coming out about the two gunmen who opened fire at a Hannukah celebration on Bondi beach, killing 15 people. The shooters are believed to be influenced by the Islamic State, and a recent trip they made to the Philippines is currently under investigation.Pat gets the latest on this with Jean Kennedy, Journalist with ABC News.

Described as a “game changer” in terms of helping people currently priced out of the housing market to get a foot on the property ladder. A 50-year mortgage would allow someone to borrow for a longer term, which would mean lower monthly repayments, which, in turn, could make housing more affordable. Is this the solution to the housing crisis or does it cause more problems than it brings solutions? All to discuss with Margaret Barrett, Managing Director of Navigating Mortgages.

This morning we heard about Walks you can do with Christmas that have a connection to a good story. Joining Pat will all the suggestions was John G Dwyer, Chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland  and author of "50 Best Irish Walks" is out now from publishers, Currach Books.

The Dáil is set to break for winter recess at the end of this week, but there's plenty on the agenda to get done. A decision on the Mercosur deal and a cut to childcare costs are all on the agenda. There are also calls for the Fianna fail review of Jim Gavin’s campaign to be published before the end of Christmas. Pat discuss all this and more with Christina Finn, Political Editor with TheJournal.ie.  

Pilates is the newest viral fitness trend. created in the early 20th century by a German PT who used the method to keep him fit while he was a prisoner of war, Pilates has since grown in popularity. Our expert today is Lowry O’Mahony, chartered Physiotherapist and explains how pilates  can help prevent falls.

We’re about ten days out from Christmas now, and for many people this is the point where the pressure really ramps up emotionally, socially, and mentally. Research consistently shows that most adults feel more stressed at Christmas than at any other time of year, and that’s not because people are doing it wrong it’s because there’s a lot going on.How to protect your wellbeing at Christmas? Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist, and host of the Tough Love Podcast advises up.

Talks will continue in Berlin today between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. They will be joined by European leaders later in the day. We get the latest with Scott Lucas, Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD.

In 2016, former RTÉ2 presenter Niamh Devine set out backpacking in Asia. Following a sexual assault, she went straight to Australia but there she found herself having to return to Ireland with what she thought was a medical issue. Since then, Niamh has been on a journey leading her to learn about somatic illnesses and becoming a mind body mentor and somatic based practitioner. Niamh spoke to Pat this morning.

It seems to be common enough for tourists to ride these public e-scooters coming home from bars and clubs while on holidays. We’ve found that people have been caught riding them under the influence in Germany, where you can expect to receive a fine  of up to 1,500 euro if you’re caught.People also mentioned getting caught by police in Greece for reckless e –scooter driving. Joining Pat with more on this was Ger Herbert, Motoring Editor for Sunday Independent. 

Good news for Ireland at the European cross-country championships while Celtic lose the league cup final. Colm Boohig looks back on the weekend of sport.

“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty founder was a child himself.” Those are the immortal words of Charles Dickens, a man who has become synonymous with Christmas. While we take many of our Christmas traditions for granted, Christmas cards, Christmas trees, etc - where and when did they actually originate? Reporter Simon Tierney has been investigating.

As Australia continues to mourn the loss of the victims shot at the Bondi beach terror attack, focus is now shifting to strengthen Australia's gun laws. All to discuss with Hamish McDonald, Presenter of Mornings on ABC Radio Sydney,

Taoiseach’s leadership comes under further pressure as Fianna Fáil TDs and senators demand to know when the party first heard about Jim Gavin's issue with a former tenant. All to discuss with Louise Burne Political Correspondent with the Irish Examiner  

Irish Farmers Association President Francie Gorman is about to hit the road in his tractor this morning. He is on the way to brussels alongside thousands of farmers from across the European Union.   Those making the journey are set to protest on Thursday against various issues farmers are facing including the concerns around the quality of Brazilian meat. Speaking to Pat was Francie Gorman, IFA President.

A total of Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, following a mass shooting at Bondi beach. We get the latest on this with Isobel Roe, Journalist with ABC News. 

On our Friday Forum panel this week was Naoise Ó Cearúil TD, Fianna Fáil, Spokesperson on Artificial Intelligence and Gaeltacht Affairs, Claire Kerrane TD, Sinn Féin, Spokesperson on Children, Disability and Equality and Flor MacCarthy, Journalist and broadcaster.

Uisce Éireann have today announced they are to lodge a planning application for the largest-ever water project in Irish history. Maria O’dwyer, Infrastructure Delivery Director At Uisce Éireann brings us the details.

There an been increase in scam calls from UK-registered numbers in recent weeks. We find out what is being done to tackle them with Adrian Weckler Technology Editor with the Irish Independent. 

With Christmas around the corner, Gareth Mullins is here to chat through the perfect roast for your main course with a roast rib of beef with Yorkshire pudding and honey glazed ham. 

Irish consumer spending reached a new high last Christmas and is on course to break festive records again! But during a cost of living crisis, can we really afford a top dollar Christmas, and how can you keep spending low during the festive high? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: 

John O'Brennan, Professor of European Integration at Maynooth University, joined Pat on the show to discuss whether US and EU relations are breaking down. Also with Declan Power, security and defence writer, we ask is Ireland’s defence strong enough for when we take up the European presidency? 

Working remotely has become the norm for many with some even opting to work abroad of a different jurisdiction entirely. however, there are growing concerns over the employees in the Republic of Ireland working living in the North as issues surrounding auto enrollment income tax arise. So how has this become such a minefield for employers? Pat discussed this further with Joanne Hyde, Employment Partner at Lewis Silkin Ireland. 

Shamrock Rovers missed out on a place in the knockout stages last night against Breidablik. Drama continues for Liverpool as most of the squad are backing Arne Slot over the Mo Salah row as they play Brighton this weekend. The Champions Cup continues this weekend as Leinster take on Leicester tonight and in darts, teenager Luke Littler is hoping to defend his world championship title.  Cathal Mullaney, Broadcaster with Off Ball looks ahead to the weekend of sport.

Just under 500 people nationwide were in hospital yesterday with flu and other winter related illness. Around three quarters of them having not been immunised by the flu jab. In the UK the number in hospital with flu has jumped 55 percent in the space of a week.  It adds to concern that this year the flu could peak early in the run up to Christmas. And we could be instore for one of the worst seasons we have seen in recent years.All to discuss with Tomas Conefrey, Pharmacist, Care Plus, Pearse St Dublin and also Dr Brendan O Shea Kildare based GP and medical director at K Doc.

For better or worse, Ernest Hemingway has come to be synonymous with ideas of supreme masculinity, machismo and virility. But when Hemingway was knocked down during a friendly boxing match, it not only caused serious damage to his pride, but also irrevocably hurt his relationship with another famous writer, F Scott Fitzgerald. To tell us more, Cameron Hill from Off The Ball.

A quarter of primary care doctors in the UK admit to using generative AI like ChatGPT while at work. Whether it's for taking appointment notes or searching for possible diagnoses, AI is revolutionising the healthcare sector for better or for worse. Joining Pat to chat about all the ways the role AI is playing in medicine is Dr Charlotte Blease health researcher and author of ‘Dr. Bot, Why Doctors Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives. 

Probate disputes are often complex and usually involve family members, wills, inheritance, and lots of tension. But how does a person go about probate disputes, how do you solve them and what are the most common kinds of conflict within families? All to talk about with John Costello, Solicitor,with Noble Law Solicitors in Dundrum.

Vaseem Khan is the mastermind behind the newest installation in the James Bond universe. His new novel ‘Quantum of Menace’ follows gadget mastermind Q, after he is ousted from MI6, Q is thrown into a dangerous conspiracy as he investigates the death of his scientist friend. Award winning crime writer Vaseem Khan joined Pat to chat all about his brand-new spinoff series.

Sadly, many conflicts are raging around the world, and some are more publicly discussed than others. One country where hopes for peace are fragile is Ethiopia, and in particular the Northern Tigray region. Trocáire is working on the ground to rebuild the lives of those impacted by the conflict. And our reporter, Josh Crosbie, travelled to the area that has been left devastated by a two-year war. 

Irish visitors to the US could be required to submit five years worth of social media history in order to enter the country, whether they need a visa or not. The notice from the Trump administration has sparked huge outrage in the international community, with many worried it will further reduce already declining tourist numbers in the US. To discuss this new proposal is Eoghan Corry, Editor of Travel Extra and Fianna Fail MEP Barry Andrews.

Jo Linehan Climate Journalist  brings us some great suggestions of some sustainable food and drinks to support this Christmas. 

Today marks 40 years since the first ever mobile phone call in Ireland which Pat made with former Minister for Communications Jim Mitchell in Dublin in 1985. It was during a time when Ireland had the lowest uptake in landline service to then becoming one of the leaders in mobile phone usage. But how has the mobile phone developed since then and what does the landscape look like now?  All to chat about with Derek Cassidy, Founder of the Irish Communications Research Group (ICRG) who is a network technologist and previously worked for BT Ireland and Nicola Cooke, Director Telecommunications Industry Ireland (TII).

This morning chaos continues for commuters as the Luas Green Line remains out of service following a power outage on the line yesterday. The Luas red line services are operating normally after a disruption on that line yesterday. Emma Tyrrell, Newstalk Reporter give us an update.

A new report from the IIEA and Deloitte has said that food supplies could begin to run out within three days in the event of an attack on Dublin Port.Cathal Berry, Former Member of the Defence Forces analyses this further with Pat.

The story of the Christmas tree begins with the ancient use of evergreens in midwinter. Long before Christmas existed, people in ancient Egypt, China and among the Hebrews used evergreen plants as symbols of enduring life during the darkest months of the year. Across pre-Christian Europe, evergreens decorated homes and barns, part of long-standing seasonal customs linked to tree worship. When Christianity spread, these older traditions did not vanish but merged into new religious practices, giving a familiar structure to winter feastsDiarmuid Gavin brings us the interesting story of the Christmas tree.