The Pat Kenny Show

When you think of Christmas movies, you’ll get the classics. It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Love Actually but towering above them all, year after year, is a film about an eight-year-old boy, an overlooked plane ticket, and two unlucky burglars. Home Alone isn’t just a holiday favourite  it’s the most-watched Christmas movie of all time,Lisa Cannon talks us through this all time Christmas classic movie.

 A sperm donor who unknowingly carried a rare cancer-causing gene has fathered almost 200 children across Europe. The EBU conducted an investigation into the donor and found his sperm was used in 67 clinics in 14 different countries. It was also sold to Ireland but it hasn’t been used to conceive any babies. The children carrying his DNA now have a 90% chance of developing cancer. We get reaction to this with Dr John Kennedy, Medical Director at Thérapie Fertility.

Paramount has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros at 108 point 4 billion dollars. This challenges Netflix, who reached a 72 billion dollar takeover in an effort to create a media powerhouse that would challenge the dominance of the streaming giant. But what does this actually mean and who is likely to win?  All to discuss with Lorcan Nynhan Head Of Training at the The Communications Clinic.

The Herzog park renaming controversy caught international attention and resulted in widespread accusations that Ireland was antisemitic. However, it is not the Irish people that are antisemitic, argues Dr Dominic Green, but what he calls official Ireland, i.e. our representatives and those in power. Dr Dominic Green, Historian and Columnist with the Wall Street Journal explained why to Pat.

Is Irelands defence strong enough for when we take on the European presidency next year? After a number of suspected Russian drones were spotted near the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Ireland's ability to protect global politicians has come into question.Pat was joined on the show by Naomi O'Leary, Europe correspondent for the Irish Times to discuss further.

Yesterday, Australia became the first country to ban social media for under 16’s. Here in Ireland, we are on route to introducing an age verification system through a digital wallet took that will restrict access to social media for under 16’s. Pat discusses this further with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O Donovan.

Elderly and vulnerable patients will be forced into paying new monthly fees for pill boxes in the new year. Instead of the Government giving pharmacies funding to cover the cost of blister packaging, pharmacies will be forced to put the cost on the patients Guest: Sheena Mitchell Pharmacist and host of the Wondercare podcast  

How living with dogs may influence our microbiome and our mental health and how we might share the same behaviours. Also we hear about the new approaches to deal with forever chemicals. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Critics call it "carspreading". In the UK and across Europe, cars are steadily becoming longer, wider and heavier. Consumers clearly like them – a lot. Big cars are seen as practical, safe and stylish, and sales are growing. So, why are some cities determined to clamp down on them and are they right to do so? 

Australia is set to become the first country to implement a minimum age for social media use. With platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube forced to block more than a million accounts, marking the beginning of an expected global wave of regulation.Newstalk's Technology Correspondent brings us the details.All with thanks to Renault.

A planned taskforce dedicated to the revival of Cork’s city centre was included in the programme for government In October, Tánaiste Simon Harris repeated his desire that a taskforce for cork be urgently introduced, adding that when he was Taoiseach, he had established a Dublin city centre taskforce which had resulted in clear benefits for the capital. Last week Mr. Harris explained that there would be no task force for cork city in 2025. How badly is a Cork task force needed? Pat asked Catríona Twomey, Volunteer coordinator Penny Dinners and also Colm Burke, Fine Gael Spokesman for Cork.

Trending on Tik Tok and Instagram the wabi sabi trend for authenticity and imperfection. The bird theory bids for connection and the dating till your hating.Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist and Co-Host of The Tough Love podcast tells us about the new online relationship trends.

No matter what new rental law the Government introduces, private landlords continue to sell up in droves. The latest figures from Sherry Fitzgerald show that for every three landlords who sell, only one new landlord is entering the market. Private landlord Michael Houghton recently wrote about a mentality shift he had where he lost the quiet guilt he held on to for being a private landlord. Michael chatted to Pat this morning.

The entire country is now under a Status Orange weather warning as Storm Bram makes landfall. We get the latest on the storm with Cathal Nolan, Founder, Ireland’s Weather Channel, Ralph Riegel, Southern Correspondent, Irish Independent and Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager, DAA.

The 49 day Prime Minister is back! Liz Truss has launched her new YouTube Show, The Liz Truss Show, where she promises to expose those who brought an end to her premiership in 2022. Enda Brady reviews 

The Christmas period is often the busiest time for retailers, both on the high street and online. One online store that is on a mission to boost its sales is ASOS. in the hopes of bringing back customers, they have introduced an ai stylist to their app. But how does it work?  To tell us was Laura Jordan, Image and Brand Consultant, Owner Of Style Savvy.

This week, talks are due to be held with the Government over taxi drivers go-slow protests and Uber’s fixed fare system after they paused their six-days of protests. But should they just accept the fact that fixed fare and dynamic pricing is the norm across other countries and get on with it? All to discuss with Economist David W. Higgins.

Airports really ramp up for Christmas, with hundreds of thousands of passengers on the way in and out. Cork and Knock are having their busiest ever years. December 23 is ‘Take-off Tuesday’ according to On the Beach. It says this will be the busiest day for holidaymakers jetting off to escape the season.With tips on where to go this holiday season Pat was joined by Travel with Pol Ó Conghaile Irish Independent Travel Editor.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Arthur Cummings, a consultant eye surgeon at Wellington Eye Clinic joins me now to talk about all things Oculomics The science of using the eye as a window to reveal information about the body.  Arthur also answered listeners eye related questions.

We hear about the US’ new national security strategy that’s worrying allies and being welcomed by Russia. Speaking to Pat about this was David Dunne, Professor of International Politics, University of Birmingham.

Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent explains the best and most sensible way to finance a car, explains why the driving test waiting time is still up as high as 22 weeks in some areas. Also we hear how hauliers may protest. 

Women are twice as likely as men to get stuck in and organise Christmas. A survey found 76 per cent of women took responsibility for prepping most of the Christmas workload. Doing it by themselves and also buying most of the presents. By Christmas Day they feel wrecked. Henry McKean met Christmas shoppers and sent this report.

Amidst the drone and missile strikes in Ukraine, music and the arts are still managing to survive and helping many, including kids, during the trauma of war. Chloe Craft, a reporter with HotPress is just back from Ukraine where she visited the Ukrainian Suzuki Association. 

McLaren driver Lando Norris has won the World Drivers Championship after a close fight across the season, the first to win it for the team since Lewis Hamilton in 2008...Joining Pat to look back on the biggest stories of the season, and what to get excited for in 2026 is Newstalk's Rory Galvin.

We were speaking to our own reporter Kyle Butler a little earlier on the show of the tragic events that took place in Offaly over the weekend.  After a petrol bomb aimed at a house in Castleview park, Edenderry tragically claimed the innocent lives of two, four-year-old Tadhg Farrelly and his 60-year-old great aunt Mary Holt. We get reaction from John Clendennen, Fine Gael TD for Offaly 

It was a dramatic weekend of Liverpool as Mo Salah hit out at Arne Slot for benching him at the weekend. The 33-year-old claimed he was ‘thrown under the bus’ by the club, as he was benched for Liverpool away game to Leeds United. In rugby, the Champions cup returned with a bang as Bath dominated against Munster. Also in F1 McLaren's Lando Norris won the Formula One championship in Abu Dhabi.  All to chat with Cathal Mullaney with Off The Ball and Newstalk's own Rory Galvin.

Local residents of Brittas in Dublin are seeking orders to remove a set of modular homes that were allegedly built in the area without any planning permission. The developer is claiming the project is exempt from needing any sort of planning permission. To discuss this further was Mary Carolan Legal Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Times and Orla Hegerty Architect and Assistant Professor at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy.  

Gardaí have opened a double murder investigation after a young boy and his great-aunt were killed in a suspected petrol bomb attack on a house in Co Offaly. Pat was joined on the show by Newstalk reporter Kyle Butler who was in Edenderry yesterday morning.

A look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Pat this morning on the panel was Fine Gael TD for Louth Paula Butterly,  Labour TD for Dublin Fingal East and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence Ducan Smith and Christina Finn, political editor with Thejournal.ie.  

The Government is launching a new research programme to determine the risk of Russian sabotage on our undersea cables. With a rise in Russian ships visiting our seas, the project hopes to map out all or Ireland’s subsea cables, offshore windfarms and energy pipelines to assess how vulnerable we would be to an attackJoining Pat to discuss the research programme is Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times.  

Friday Food Creamed Celeriac soup with toasted walnuts and garlic croutons, Classic Prawn cocktail and Roasted king scallops, black pudding, apple salad.  Some tasty Christmas starter recipes with Gareth Mullins.

A Nobel prize winning economist has said there is no true European single market. Phillipe Aghion says Europe is falling behind the US in terms of innovation because the market is over-regulated and punishes failure at every turn. If the EU is to keep up with Washington and Beijing, the barriers to entry need to be lowered. Economics lecturer from Technical University Dublin, Emma Howard joined Pat in studio to discuss whether a “true single market” is possible in Europe. 

Is Panto the highest artform? Up and down the country Pantos are showing. Henry McKean visited the Helix Panto in Dublin and this year they are putting on the Snow Queen. Henry sent us this report. 'Oh no he didn't, Oh yes he did.'

Taxi drivers will now protest for six days next week over Uber’s fixed fare system.  After four weeks of warnings and protests, taxi drivers have decided to escalate matters. They feel they have been ignored, dismissed and pushed to breaking point. Pat spoke to David Mitchell, Taxi Driver and Protestor coordinator.

It was a disappointing game for Man Utd last night as the Red Devils disappointingly drew against west ham. the results left former player and pundit Roy Keane has taken aim at Manchester United's subs for "bringing down the level".  in rugby the champions cup returns as Leinster face harlequins and Munster play Bath. And in Formula 1, drivers' championship will be decided in a three-way showdown that takes place this weekend on Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit.To look ahead to the busy weekend of sport was Colm Boohig from Off The Ball.

Barretstown aims to rebuild the lives of children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses through its camps at its kildare campus and also through its outreach services in hospitals. All of their services are provided free of charge to families who use them. One of the families who have seen the importance of their services is the family of Fióna O’Reilly who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at just 14 months.Sarah O’Reilly, mother of Barretstown camper Fióna chatted to Pat this morning.

With many people heading out shopping this weekend, some will Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. But there’s a chance you won’t be able to get in. Tomorrow protestors are staging a blockade over the introduction of parking charges.  An official complaint has been lodged to An Comisiúin Pleanála by Solidarity TD for Dublin West Ruth Coppinger who has praised the protest and who joined Pat on the show.  

Netflix psychological crime thriller TV series The Beast in Me  starring Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys features in this weeks Boxed with John Fardy.

“Next year marks 100 years of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, whose players dazzle crowds with their amazing skills and mischievous antics on the court. While times have changed and left the team behind somewhat, they played an important role in desegregating basketball in the US – even if some in the civil rights movement felt the Trotters didn’t foster change but inhibited it. To give us the full story, Cameron Hill from Off The Ball joined Pat.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most fatal malignancies, with most patients diagnosed only after the disease has already spread. For those with metastatic cancer, the five-year survival rate sits at just 2–3 percent, and median survival is typically measured in months. A breakthrough study from researchers at UCLA could be a pivotal shift in treatment.Professor Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry at the School of Immunology, Trinity College brings us the details.

Ireland's top Google results for 2025 have been revealed and top of the list is Storm Eowyn. To chat about the results was Newstalk own Ciara Treacy.

Ireland will host the EU Presidency from July of next year and, ahead of it, cybersecurity experts are warning of the potential risks to Ireland for cyberattacks from hostile nations. All to discuss with Richard Browne, Director of the National Cybersecurity Centre and Raluca Saceanu, CEO, Smartech247. 

The MyFutureFund portal officially opened for employers this week. Any employees that aren't already contributing to a pension through their payroll will be auto enrolled into the MyFutureFund pension scheme, with payments set to start on the 1st of January 2026. Joining Pat in studio to discuss the new scheme as well as the bonus payments available this winter is Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary.

The Irish people are no strangers to emigration, in fact last year nearly 14,000 of us moved to Australia alone. The majority of those emigrants will have been young, but data now shows emigration is on the rise among older people too. So, what's behind this wave of middle-aged emigration and is it a cause for inspiration or concern? Our report Sarah Madden finds out.

There’s plenty of time to plan for a low-impact festive celebration so this week Jo Linehan looks to trees, crackers, food waste, table settings and secret Santa as areas we can all be more sustainable.  

On December 10th, Australia will become the first country in the world to introduce age restrictions on social media. Communications Minister, Anika Wells, has stated she is not intimidated by major technology companies and is prepared for scrutiny from the United States.  Author and Disinformation expert  David Robert Grimes looks at Australia’s social media ban and the CDC delivering vaccine misinformation.

A lot of people tend to reconsider their career choices this time of year. January might seem like the perfect time for a fresh start but is “new year, new career” really a good idea at the moment. We asked Donal O'Donoghue, Managing Director at Sanderson Recruitment.  

Talks between us and Ukraine resume today following Tuesday’s meeting between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Vladimir Putin in Moscow. It comes as Putin visits India today and French President Emanuelle Macron visits China.Pat discuss this further with Denis Staunton, China Correspondent, Irish Times.

Jacques Majorelle grew up in the soft industrial light of Nancy in north eastern France, the son of Louis Majorelle, a celebrated Art Nouveau furniture designer.Young Jacques was supposed to follow a respectable path into architecture, but painting pulled more strongly. He studied at the École des Beaux Arts in Nancy, then at the Académie Julian in Paris, and began to exhibit as a promising Orientalist painter. The world he painted, however, was not yet his own. Then, illness and chance carried him south, across the Mediterranean, to Morocco.Diarmuid Gavin tells us about the La Majorelle, an iconic garden in Marakaecch. 

With player salaries, Saudi investment and commercial licensing, the premier league deals with an astronomical amount of revenue every year. Recently, premier league clubs have agreed a new set of financial regulations to replace the divisive profit and sustainability rules (psr) with a new squad cost ratio system, but how does it work? and, how does the money flow down throughout clubs? All to discuss with Kieran Maguire, Lecturer in Football Finance at University of Liverpool. Author of ‘The Price of Football’.