The Pat Kenny Show

Johnny Smacks and Johnny B, who together, of course, are The 2 Johnnies. They’ve just announced they’re return to St. Anne’s Park in Dublin for ‘Pints in a Field 4’ on Saturday the 6th of June 2026, with tickets going on sale tomorrow. Johnny and Johnny joined Pat in studio this morning

As President Trump signed a bill last night reopening the government, a tranche of documents released yesterday further implicated the president with the deceased sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein. Joining us to discuss is Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at University of Galway, and a columnist with the Journal.ie.

The Gardai have charged 29 people as part of a major clampdown on retail crime. Operation Táirge is a garda investigation into theft, handling stolen goods, criminal damage and assaults on shop staff in Dubin's north inner city. In the face of this  'Dublin Town' are switching on their Christmas Lights tonight across 24 streets. Henry McKean reports on shoplifting and what shops have to cope with. He sent us this report.   

What are the health conditions women need to look out for at every stage of life? Dr Caoimhe Hartley takes us through the conditions to be aware of and tells us about Blackrock Health’s new women’s health clinic.

New speed limits are set to be introduced across Dublin city in an attempt to make the city safer. The 30kmh speed limit currently applies in parts of the city centre in Dublin 1, Dublin 2, Marino in Dublin 3 and Irishtown and Ballsbridge in Dublin 4. But will this work across our capital city?All to discuss with Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor of The Irish Times.

Cooking healthy, balanced meals everyday can take up a lot of time for people, especially when you’ve a busy schedule. But Clodagh McKenna's new cookbook, Clodagh's Happy Cooking: 100 Easy, Speedy, Healthy Recipes for Good Mood Food, includes easy recipes with ingredients that you can find in your cupboard. From juices and teas, soups and breads to snacks and treats. 

A Garden from Ireland for the White House, a proposal for a symbolic gift from Ireland to the United States. It would celebrate the friendship between the two countries, their shared history. Diarmuid developed the idea while the US was enjoying the Obama administration, but President Joe Biden’s Irish heritage added an extra layer of possibility.Diarmuid told Pat all about this idea and journey.

Professor Nick Maynard has spent 15 years engaging in surgical volunteering in Gaza, including during the most recent conflict. Professor Maynard leading consultant Upper GI Surgeon based in Oxford, with more than 25 years of experience in his field. He is an Associate Professor of Surgery at Oxford University joins Pat this morning discuss his work in Gaza, and an upcoming fundraising talk for the Medical Aid for Palestinians Charity.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has privately vowed to fight any challenge to his leadership that may come after this month’s budget or next May’s local election. For more on this Pat was joined by Tim Bale, Professor of Politics, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London.

In 2019 a couple were found guilty of procuring female genital mutilation, otherwise known as FGM, sentenced to prison and their children removed from their care. Now, they are fighting to clear their name. First Conviction from RTÉ Documentary on One and RTÉ Investigates chronicles their quest for justice. Joining Pat in studio to discuss the details was Pamela Fraher, Reporter, RTÉ Investigates and also James McGuill, Solicitor.

With restrictions on vapes such as banning single use vapes, mandating that vapes be hidden in shops,  and restriction on flavoured vapes, are we doing enough, or too much, to tackle vaping? All to discuss with John Crown Consultant medical oncologist St Vincents Hospital Group, Professor of Translational Cancer Research DCU & UCD Professor.

There’s a whole graveyard of badly handled remakes and “reimagining’s” of beloved classics that just didn’t live up to their legacy. Some weren’t disasters exactly, but they lost the sparkle, magic, or wit that made the originals timeless.  All to chat about with Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio at DMG Media.

As COP-30 takes place in Brazil, scientists there detail what happened in the heart of the Amazon Basin in 2023. We hear how lake temperatures surged past 40 °C. Also, researchers in Kansas have been researching what is know as the legacy effect in microbes. They found microbes in soil were able to remember past drought and share properties with new plants to make them better equipped to survive similar conditions. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland on this week's 'Green Scene'All with thanks to Repak.

Catherine Connolly Inauguration, Party leadership criticised for focus on ‘parachuting in’ famous names .Fine Gael spin doctors got €1,000 ‘gifts’ for election campaign volunteer work .Housing plan aims to deliver 90,000 ‘starter homes’ over five years Government has pledged overall delivery of more than 300,000 new homes by end of 2030.All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent and Host of Let me Explain Podcast.

New car buyers are placing their 2026 orders now. Why does January matter so much, and is it worth buying new at all? All to chat with Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant. 

Aviva are going to renew their sponsorship of the Aviva stadium by another five years. It will bring their sponsorship of the stadium to 20 years. We hear about the legacy 15 years of great sporting and cultural moments especially as the home of Irish Soccer and Rugby. The evolution into a world class sporting venue and what the future brings.All to discuss with Declan O’ Rourke, Aviva Insurance Ireland CEO.

On this week’s Tech Slot, Jess Kelly will review the brand new Google Pixel4 Watch and also answers listener's tech queries.All with thanks to Renault.

In 2020, 21-year-old showjumper Katie Simpson was murdered by her sister’s abusive partner. Yet it took 5 months of persistence from suspicious nurses, Katie’s concerned family and friends, and an investigative journalist for the PSNI to open an investigation into her death. Nicola Tallant discusses her new book on the murder of Katie Simpson with Pat on the show.

In 1974, then Assistant National Director for Simon Ireland, nurse Alice Leahy authored a comprehensive study entitled ‘Medical Care for the Vagrant in Ireland’ where she noted the gaps that separated medical staff from the socially deprived group, resulting in medical problems going untreated. This report led to the founding of ‘Trust’, now known as Alice Leahy Trust which is now marking its 50th Anniversary.All to chat with its founder Alice Leahy.

What can we do to protect our children from bullying? Does the rise of cyberbullying mean that children can never truly be safe? To mark Anti Bullying week this week. Pat was joined on the show by by Rena Maycock, the founder and CEO of Chirp, an anti-cyberbullying software, to discuss what we can do about bullying.

Catherine Connolly’s inauguration takes place today in Dublin Castle. Catherine Connolly will be Ireland’s tenth president, and the third woman to serve in the role, following her victory over Heather Humphreys in October.   Joining us live from Dublin Castle is Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and host of the ‘Let me Explain’ Podcast, to give us a closer look. 

Dana Abu Koash, is the International Humanitarian Law coordinator with the Palestine Red Crescent Society, based in Ramallah, the West Bank. Dana is in Dublin for the Irish Red Cross, International Humanitarian Law Conference, ‘From Commitments to Action: Protecting Humanity in Crisis’ which took place on Thursday. Dana discusses the perspective of someone working on the ground in Palestine.

Over 150 motorists avoided penalty points last year by making a charity donation. This is according to figures from the Courts Service. That is despite a 2014 High Court ruling saying this approach is inappropriate and circumvents legislation. Pat discusses this further with Michael Murphy TD, Chair, Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tipperary South, Fine Gael and also Susan Gray, Founder and Chairperson, Parc Road Safety Group.

Consultant Ophthalmologist Arthur Cummins is our Ask the Expert this week and outlines the importance of a regular eye exam. 

Newfoundland may feel far away, but would you be surprised to know it’s as close as the Canary Islands, and home to some of the most Irish communities outside Ireland? Well, a direct flight from Dublin, is now in place. Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with Irish Independent brings us the sights and sounds of Newfoundland.Travel is with thanks to Ryanair.

Working in a family business can be both rewarding and challenging. It’s a unique situation where personal and professional lives often overlap — and that affects relationships on every level. But there are many issues such as of trust, resentment, entitlement etc. There are 930,000 family business covering a wide variety of business firms, micro small and medium enterprises.So what are the difficulties of working in a family business? Pat discuss all this with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

BBC chair is expected to respond to MPs after Director General and News CEO resign following a criticism of a Panorama documentary. We get the details from Enda Brady, International TV News Anchor, TRT World.

The high-cost burden of skin disease for patients in Ireland skin disease is among the most common and psychologically distressing health problems in Ireland.  While many skin conditions are medically benign, their financial and emotional burden can be profound. We discuss this all with Selene Daly, Registered advanced Nurse and Nurse Tutor.

New research shows that fifty percent of Irish households ae more worried about a break-in compared to a year ago.   Despite the rise in concerns, there has actually been a decrease in the number of burglaries, over the past ten years.  So even with a drop in burglaries, how can people feel safer in their homes? Pat was joined on the show by Eoin Dunne, PhoneWatch Managing Director.

The 30th edition of the COP Climate Summit officially begins today in Belém, Brazil, 33 years after the landmark Rio Earth Summit in 1992. But what have they achieved since their first edition? And what could this edition achieve? All to discuss with Sadhbh O’Neill, Project Lead for Feminist Communities for Climate Justice.

Looking back over this past weekend in sport, Shamrock Rovers beat Cork City securing their first league-cup double since 1987, Ireland defeat Japan in Rugby, Manchester City victorious over Liverpool in the Premier League, Rory McIlroy falls just short of Abu Dhabi title in golf, and Donegal native Catriona Jennings has set a new 100 mile world record. Colm Boohig from Off The Ball looks back on the weekend of sport.

Tomorrow marks the 14th presidential inauguration in Ireland. Simon Tierney has been investigating the evolution of inauguration day over the decades and he joined Pat in studio to tell us all.

This week marks the 30th year of Science week with opportunities to explore events on space, women’s health, sports science and much more across the country. Dr Diarmuid O’Brien is CEO of Research Ireland, the agency that leads Science Week. Dr Diarmuid O’Brien, CEO, Research Ireland

The expected delay into Fianna fail’s review of the presidential election is causing disappointment within the party and leading to criticism of the Yaoiseach. We get all the details and more in our political roundup with Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland Editor with Irish Independent

It's been three weeks since jewels worth an estimated 88 million euro were stolen from the Louvre art gallery in Paris. With four suspects in custody, focus is now shifting to the museum. The Louvre has been heavily criticised for neglecting security following a report from the court of auditors.  We get the details from Elaine Cobbe, Paris based journalist.  

Our Friday Forum looks back on the news stories of the week! Joining Pat today was Joe Neville TD, Kildare North, Fine Gael, Gary Gannon TD, Spokesperson for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Dublin Central, Social Democrats and also Tabitha Monahan, Political Reporter, Irish Independent and Presenter of the Indo Daily Podcast.

This week, Gary O’Hanlon is looking at a classic Beef Stroganoff as the evening gets colder. 

Michael Palin joined Pat in studio to chat about his brand-new book ‘Michael Palin in Venezuela’, from the diary he kept while filming the travel series of the same name. The book takes from the bustling capital of Caracas to the summit of Cordillera de Mérida, and gives us a look at the politics and people of Venezuela.

A busy weekend of sport ahead, with Ireland taking on Japan in the rugby, Manchester City facing off with Liverpool in the Premier league, Rory McIlroy heads to Abu Dhabi for the HSBC Championship, the F1 heads to Brazil, and Shamrock rovers aim for a double as they play Cork City. Colm Boohig from Off The Ball looks ahead to the weekend of sport.

COP30 in Brazil. Can it have any impact without major polluters present? We heard from our reporter Jessica Woodlock who is at COP30 in Brazil and also Oisín Coughlan, Policy Advisor for Environmental Pillar.

Over half a million people will receive renewal notice for their insurance but with premiums set to increase. How can consumers get their bang for their buck? Bringing us a wealth of advice was  Dermot Goode, Health Insurance Ireland.ie.

he market for electric vehicles in Ireland is continuing to grow with EV’s overtaking diesel sales. One new EV hitting the market is the BMW ix3. This latest model is expected to have less of a carbon footprint than the petrol-powered X3, so how sustainable is it?  

New Apple TV Thriller series Down Cemetery Road starring Emma Thompson and from the creators of Slow Horses features in this weeks 'Boxed' with John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime. 

Ice hockey team, the Belfast Giants, received a huge boost last week with the news that former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will rejoin the franchise for this season’s Elite Ice Hockey League. The links between Ireland and ice hockey may not be immediately obvious – but the sport was actually adapted from a 18th-century form of hurling. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more:

Cork comedian Chris Kent will be performing his last few shows from his ‘offline’ tour this month.  From touring across the UK, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, with two small kids and 100 shows. Life has been very busy for Chris. Chris joined Pat in studio to talk about how he’s been getting on and what life has been like since he went back online. 

Mary ‘May’ McGee, activist who won landmark court case against the State’s ban on contraception. She left the country a little better than how she found it'‘ Her nephew writes a tribute to the incredible woman who fought the state on contraception ban so she wouldn’t die by pregnancy. Her nephew is David Robert Grimes, Author and Disinformation expert.   

There has been progress in this effort with immunotherapy becoming more common in the treatment of cancer, but many patients don’t respond to the immune boosters being used. Now comes news that patients with lung cancer are surviving twice as long in those who have also been given the mRNA Covid19 vaccines. All to discuss with Professor Luke O Neill , Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College.   

A new podcast chronicling the serial fraudster, Amy McAuley. ‘Unravelling Amy’ will tell, over two parts, the story of Amy and the trail of deceit that followed her as she scammed a mental health charity, among many other individuals and institutions. Joining Pat on the show was Crime Editor of the Irish Sun Stephen Breen, Producer of the podcast, hosted by Damien Lane of the Irish Sun. 

The Department of Agriculture yesterday confirmed a second outbreak of bird flu at a commercial turkey flock in Meath, following confirmation of the disease among a Carlow flock. From next Monday, all poultry and captive birds will be under a compulsory housing order to minimise further risk of bird flu spreading. So will this have any impact on the supply of Christmas turkeys and what is the risk posed to the public? Pat asked Martin Heydon TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Fianna Fáil’s infighting continues this week, with Micheál Martin flying to Brazil for the COP30 summit. With revolt in the air and Martin across the pond, could the rebels seize the moment and remove the Taoiseach? Joining Pat to discuss the latest news on the ongoing Fianna Fáil drama is Craig Hughes, Political Editor for the Irish Daily Mail.