The Pat Kenny Show

Few films have left as indelible a mark on the horror genre as The Exorcist. Released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin, it remains one of the most terrifying cinematic experiences ever created. Based on William Peter Blatty’s novel, which itself was inspired by a real-life exorcism of a 13-year-old boy in Maryland, the film shocked audiences with its visceral depiction of demonic possession and spiritual warfare. But what happened behind the scenes was arguably even more chilling. Lisa Cannon tells us all about this Halloween horror.

The clocks have gone back and we are back to commuting in darkness. Add in poor weather and  unsurprisingly this makes roads more dangerous especially for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users. Pat discusses this and more with Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant.

From pumpkin patches, to haunted houses, Samhain celebrations and puca parades. There's more to do this Halloween than ever before. But just what does the spooky season mean in 2025? Is commercial creepiness, or a Celtic comeback on the cards? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: 

At least 33 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza following Israeli strikes last night. Is the Gaza ceasefire at risk? Pat discussed this and more with Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University.

This week on the Green Scene how coral reefs have reached a tipping point, and new research on how burying wood could be an unexpected low-tech solution to capture carbon. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.With thanks to Repak.  

In August, Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was moved from a Florida prison to a minimum security facility in Texas. So how might this have come about and what is life like inside the facility in Bryan, Texas where Maxwell is now held? All to discuss with Sam Mangel, Federal Prison Consultant.

Two thirds of hospital waiting list targets are missed despite a 420-million-euro investment and a pledge to reduce it by the end of this year, according to the Irish Daily Mail.  While over in Limerick, doctors are warning that a ‘capacity emergency’ should be declared at UHL. All to discuss with Steve McMahon from the Irish Patients’ Association.

Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent reviews reviews the OneSonic Studio Pro headphones, from the independent Irish audio brand OneSonic.

Neutrality has been a long-standing position of Irish foreign policy but is it performative?  Pat asked two guests, Colin Sheridan, is an Irish Examiner journalist and a former UN Peacekeeper and also Daniel Mulhall, Former Ambassador of Ireland to the United States.

Christmas hotel breaks are still popular, despite costs and inflation. Dozens of hotels do them, and some have even sold out for 2025. This week Pol O'Conghaile takes a look at some of the breaks on offer this Christmas season.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Hurricane Melissa is slowly inching its way towards the island as a category five hurricane with sustained winds of up 282km/h. Residents have been urged to get to higher ground to shelter ahead of the expected landfall today. Terry Sheridan brings us up to date on this and more news from across the pond including Donald Trump floating a third term once more.

A new political figure is making headlines all across the UK and its not Nigel Farage.  Zack Polanski is the new leader of the Green party and for a political party that rarely made a splash in the ocean are now making waves. We look at the rising popularity of the new leader of UK Green party with Tim Bale, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary, University of London.

With the cost of living rising more and more people are turning to buy now, pay later options. Shoppers can purchase anything from a takeaway to a new couch and delay payments or pay in installments. But what are the risks and is it going to grow in popularity? Our reporter, Josh Crosbie found out. 

Hate speech is “fuelling hatred and escalating tensions” in Ireland and some politician's reactions to events are partly to blame as well. That’s according to a new report by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance which says new legislative measures punishing hate speech must be introduced as a matter of priority. Pat discusses this further with Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri Chairperson, Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council.

In Madrid in March 2005, the career of David Gillick was put under a new spotlight – he had just become the European 400m Indoor Champion. A feet he would go on to repeat two years later in Birmingham. But a career on the world stage of athletics is always much more than the medals  we may be aware of – the good days. ‘The Race’ is David Gillick’s account of his rise in athletics to where he is today on our TV screens and all that happened in between. David chatted to Pat on the show this morning.

The first recorded powered flight lasted for 12 seconds and covered a distance of 120 feet. ICAO and IATA define ultra long-haul flights as routes lasting more than 16 hours, often spanning 13,000 kms or more. These nonstop journeys connect cities such as Singapore and New York or Perth and London  During World War II, Qantas operated the aptly named “Double Sunrise” route, connecting Perth with Sri Lanka in a time of between 27 and 33 hours. We hear about the ultra long-haul flights with Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel.

Though the presidential election is over, government parties are still feeling the fallout of their loss. With Fianna Fáil attempting to quell a confidence motion against Micheál Martin, and Seán Kelly accusing Fine Gael of ‘shafting’ him, what’s next for the government after this defeat? Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and Host of Let me Explain Podcast, joined Pat to discuss.

Henry McKean looks back at the biggest events and meet the people who made a huge impact in the year 1997!From the death of Princess Diana to Michael Flatley's massive Riverdance success to the band Steps being established, there is plenty to look back on!

An NBA head coach and player are among 31 people who were arrested yesterday in the US in connection with two major federal gambling investigations which include illegal sports betting and allegedly rigged poker games. Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News, WSHU Public Radio joined Pat Kenny to discuss all news stateside.

Four our Friday Forum Pat was joined by Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway, Christina Finn, political editor with The Journal, and Naomi O’Leary, Europe Correspondent for the Irish Times to discuss the week’s biggest headlines.

From over 200,000 Instagram followers and now to an An Post Irish Book Awards-nominated book, Mollie Guidera is on a mission to make our native language fun and invigorating to learn. Mollie Guidera, Creator of Irish with Mollie joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Gareth Mullins talks us through Halloween sweet treats to barmbrack cake, spooky ghost cookies and witchy cupcakes.

Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent joined Pat to bring us the latest on voter turnout for the Presidential election.

It's estimated that Ireland generated 835,000 tonnes of food waste in 2023. But with so many people in need of food, what can be done to reduce surplus products? FoodCloud works with charities to redistribute millions of meals around the world. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been following the journey of this food to find out the impact it is having…

Last night protestors returned to CityWest after two nights of rioting.  A smaller crowd attended as Gardaí maintained a significant presence. However, Gardaí are expecting four more nights of disorder at CityWest.   Conor Lally, Security and Crime Editor with The Irish Times and Dr David Robert Grimes, Author and Disinformation expert joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

Munster face off with Connaught, Shamrock Rovers hopeful they will finally secure the league title, and the Premier League back again this weekend.  Colm Boohig, Broadcaster with Off The Ball looks ahead to the weekend in sporting action.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Benjamin Netanyahu just almost two weeks since the ceasefire in Gaza began. The meeting comes as Trump warns Israel would lose ‘all support’ from the US if it annexes west bank. JD Vance supported trump’s words as he also said it would be ‘very stupid’ Israeli vote to annex the West Bank. Pat was joined by Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Correspondent with The Economist to discuss.

Irish doctors have called for regulations for e-scooters to be prioritized, saying they are causing a growing burden on our emergency care system. Analysis from the Mater Hospital shows there were 380 treated for e-scooter injuries from 2021 to 2023. Dr Chris Luke, Columnist, Host of the Irish Medical Lives Podcast and Retired Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Ciaran Cuffe, Co-Chair of the European Green Party joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss. 

Boxed With John Fardy featured 'The Perfect Neighbour'. The new Netflix documentary tells the shocking and tragic death of Ajike “AJ” Owens.

Running a small business has never been easy. But with competition from big business online and on the ground, survival seems to have never been so hard. So is the end nigh for independent Irish enterprises, and who are the heels-dug-in owners fighting on? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports:

Professor Gordon Hamilton Fairley was the UK’s first professor of medical oncology but that career, and life, was cut short on the 23rd October 1975 when an IRA bomb exploded under his neighbour’s car. So what did the medical world lose on that day when cancer research and treatment lost one of its pioneers?To chat about the legacy of Professor Gordon Hamilton Fairley with Pat was John Crowne, Consultant Medical Oncologist, St Vincent’s Hospital.

President Donald Trump has announced new sanctions on Russia in an attempt to force Putin into peace, however he has refused to send tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, citing difficulties in training the Ukrainians to use the system.  Pat discusses this and more with Sean Bell, Former Fighter Pilot, Military Analyst and Co-Host of the Red Matrix Podcast.

Dublin has recently spent €600 million on its bus service and is planning on spending €3 billion more. Buses and the service they provide have improved greatly and money has certainly been spent. Even so, the bus service is inadequate and journey times have not improved. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator.

Since jewels are on everyone's minds this week, after the Louvre Heist. It a good time to talk about sustainable jewellery, Jo Linehan looks at lab grown diamonds recycled materials and sustainable Irish jewellery makers. 

We get the latest and reaction after another night of unrest in Citywest. Speaking to Pat this morning was our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte, Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Chairperson, Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council and Simon Harris, An Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Minister for Defence, Fine Gael.

Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatologists joined Pat in studio to answer listeners skill relating questions.

With just two days until voters head to the polling station, Catherine Connolly continues to lead in the latest business post poll on 44 percent. The poll also revealed that undecided voters remain at twenty one percent. So, with many of the electorate still undecided and a low turnout expected, how will this affect the result on Saturday?  All to discuss with Pat Leahy, Political Editor with The Irish Times.

Have you ever wanted to just enjoy a takeaway without worrying about the cost, the calories or how you'll feel after eating it?   Well, ‘Healthy Fakeaways’ is Nathan Anthony’s latest cookbook showing you exactly how to do that. Nathan joined Pat in studio to chat about his new book.

On October 7th 2023, some 251 Israelis were taken hostage by Hamas led militants. Now, just over two years later, all living hostages have been released from Gaza.   The last 20 hostages were set free after 738 agonising days in captivity.  One of these now released hostages is Omri Miran, whose brother-in-law Moshe Emilio Lavi joins us to discuss. 

For Japanese Americans, gardening had long been part of daily life and cultural identity. Traditional Japanese gardens are rooted in ideas of harmony, balance, and respect for nature. They emphasise simplicity, asymmetry, and the careful arrangement of natural elements such as stones, water, and plants.Even before the war, many Japanese immigrants had worked as gardeners and landscapers across California and the Pacific coast. When they were sent to the camps, they brought that knowledge with them. Gardens in the camps served cultural and health purposes, acted as a buffer against psychological trauma, and represented an attempt to re-create community in these harsh new environments.Diarmuid Gavin tells us more in this week's 'Gardening Stories'.

It’s that time of year again pumpkins glowing, costumes ready, and just the faintest chill running down your spine. On this week's 'Inside Hollywood' we feature Halloween John Carpenter’s 1978 masterpiece he movie that changed horror forever. 

Today marks world stammer day. Here to tell us what it’s like to live with a stammer, the importance of awareness and what we can do for people who have one is Patrick Hanlon, instructor and coach with the McGuire programme. 

Six people have been arrested after Gardaí were attacked with fireworks and a van was set on fire during scenes of ‘sustained violence and thuggery’ at Citywest hotel last night. Henry McKean spoke with rioters and protestors at the area as the gardai started to clear protesters and regain control. Also speaking to Pat this morning was Acting Deputy Garda Commissioner Paul Cleary.

This week on the Green Scene the amazing microbial world inside trees and how ants shape their colonies to prevent the spread of disease. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Last night the was the final presidential debate on RTE's Prime Times. This gave candidates a last chance to make their pitch for the presidency. Post debate analysis  Pat spoke to Sean Defoe, Political Correspondent with Newstalk and Host of Let Me Explain podcast and also Dr Jennifer Kavanagh, Law Lecturer, South East Technological University. 

Six people are arrested as Garda van is burned at Citywest Hotel. Up to 1,000 people gather near the driveway of premises in Saggart, Co Dublin. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte was at the scene last night and also Newstalk Reporter Stephanie Rohan spoke to locals in Citywest this morning. 

Amazon says AWS cloud service is back to normal after outage disrupts businesses worldwide Amazon.com cloud service returned to normal operations on Monday afternoon.What happened with the Amazon global outage? All to discuss with Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.

How have authoritarian regimes risen around the world? Alexander Dukalskis from UCD looks at the rise of authoritarianism and how countries have put the internet and universities, things the west value as ways to spread democracy to use to enhance their regimes.

At the start of this month, ‘buy one get one free’ and other mulitbuy promotions for unhealthy food and drink have been banned in England to tackle obesity – and more specifically childhood obesity. Should we follow suit? To discuss Pat spoke to

Terry Prone is no stranger to the world of politics and media, in fact her first tv debut was just at the age of 13 years old. She has become a household name across media and politics in Ireland. In her latest memoir, Terry recounts her career working with different political parties and figures such as Charles Haughey and Garrett Fitzgerald.