The Pat Kenny Show

How can we bring more Irish into our lives? Hector Ó hEochagáin, TV and radio presenter, has a brand-new book out now, called ‘An Irish Word A Day’. The book features an Irish word for every day of the year, to bring more Irish into your life and hopefully contribute to reviving our language.   

The government plans to charge asylum seekers for accommodation . We get reaction Conor Sheehan TD, Spokesperson on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Labour.

Registrations for electric vehicles were up 73 per cent in September and over 20 thousand new EV’s were licensed so far this year.  Joining Pat was Derek Reilly is the founder of NEVO– Ireland's largest EV show dedicated to clean energy and sustainable mobility. Taking place on the It’s on November 7–8 at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin.

Looking back over this past weekend in sport. The All Blacks defeat Ireland in Chicago, in the Premier League Arsenal continues their dominance of the tables, Liverpool end their losing streak, Man City rise to second in the standings, and Chelsea victorious in the London Derby. Cathal Mullaney, Broadcaster with Off The Ball l reviews the weekend of sport.

One man is in custody after multiple stabbings on a high-speed train on Saturday evening. The Knife attack took place near Peterborough. Enda Brady brings us the latest.

20 years ago Miriam O’Callaghan was asked to write her memoir, but at the time, life, work and everything had got in the way…but after another nudge from penguin in 2023, Miriam took to her desk and wrote about just that. Life, work, everything for her memoir spanning from her childhood in Cornelscourt to her first television appearance on Kenny Live to a regular presence for every major national event.Miriam joined Pat in studio this morning.

A new report shows how doctors have noticed a change in demographic characteristics in women who attended the Coombe maternity hospital between 2018 and last year. Pat discusses these findings with Donal O’Shea, Clinical Lead for Obesity at the HSE.

On Tuesday, voters in New York City will vote to elect the successor to the incumbent Mayor, Eric Adams. Three candidates remain in the race, after Mr. Adams dropped out: the Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani, the Republican Curtis Sliwa and former Democratic governor and now Independent candidate, Andrew Cuomo.Pat discusses this further with Brett Bruen, President of the Global Situation Room and Former Director of Global Engagement at the White House during the Obama Presidency.

Is the 3I/Atlas that is passing earth a comet or an alien? A Harvard University Professor reckons it could be alien technology because of its brightness, rarity and diameter but only time will tell if is just a natural comet or alien? We asked Frances McCarthy, Education & Outreach at Blackrock Castle Observatory what she thought of it all.

Joining Pat on the Friday Forum was Malcolm Byrne TD, Fianna Fáil, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Artificial Intelligence, Spokesperson on Climate, Environment and Energy, Wicklow-Wexford. Also on the panel was Peadar Toibin TD, Leader, Aontú, Meath West and Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent, Irish Times.

For this Halloween weekend Gareth brings us a recipe for a pumpkin soup with parmesan and garlic croutons as well as pork chops with colcannon and kale.

King Charles has formally stripped Andrew of his royal titles, including his royal status as Prince. We get the latest on this with Enda Brady, International TV News anchor with TRT World.

Looking ahead to this weekend in sport, the Premier League returns with an exciting lineup as Chelsea takes on Tottenham in a London derby, in rugby Ireland play the All Blacks, and we look back over this week in soccer, with Shamrock Rovers finally winning the title, and Abbie Larkin securing a promotion for the women’s national team.All to chat with Off The Ball broadcaster, Colm Boohig.

Back at the end of august we revealed on this show that over the past 10 years the Director of Public Prosecutions chose not to prosecute over 67 percent of sexual offence cases submitted to it by gardaí. The information was received under a freedom of information request, and it showcased the burden of proof needed for justice, what it takes to build a case, and importantly, the thousands of people who don’t get the chance to take their attacker to court.Our reporter Jessica Woodlock has been looking into these figures and reported for us.

Despite international pressures, the Irish economy is projected to grow by almost 11% thanks to strong pharma exports and consumer spending. Joining Pat this morning was David McWilliams on Ireland's economic state .

Margie McCarthy, the Director of Research & Policy at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, joined Pat to discuss the increasing investment in energy has been creating innovation jobs in Ireland’s green economy. 

The Dingle Distillery International Film Festival returns this winter to venues around Dingle from 7 – 9 November. Renowned Hollywood screenwriter, director, producer and acclaimed novelist Todd Komarnicki will appear at the festival for ‘Writing and Directing Your Way To Success’. Todd will talk his creative process, pitching tips and working in Tinseltown, from writing the screenplay for Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks blockbuster Sully, to co-producing Christmas hit Elf, and his most recent Hollywood film in 2024, Bonhoeffer, the true story of pastor turned WW2 spy, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Ahead of his appearance Todd spoke to Pat this morning on the show.

The Deposit Re-turn Scheme. It’s a resounding success. There has been a marked reduction in litter and an unexpected financial boost for community groups, clubs and enterprising individuals who have realised that discarded cans and bottles can be collected and money made.Is the deposit return scheme a success or headache for people? Our reporter Josh Crosbie reports for us.

Ireland take on New Zealand this weekend at Soldier Field in Chicago, a city famous for its close association with Ireland and Irish immigration. One of Chicago’s most storied sporting institutions is the White Sox baseball team, founded by Charles Comiskey, the son of an Irish immigrant. But Comiskey’s legacy in baseball is complicated, and he receives at least partial blame for one of the dirtiest scandals in the sport’s history. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more:

President Donald Trump has just completed perhaps the most consequential meeting of his Asia tour, a conference with Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping.  Joining Pat with more on this meeting was Professor and Political Analyst from the Clinton Institute, at University College Dublin, Scott Lucas. 

Former Irish International soccer and rugby player Jackie McCarthy O’Brien’s new memoir ‘We Made It Kid’ is out now.  The book follows Jackie’s journey from the Mount Saint Vincent Industrial school, to growing up mixed race in 1960s and 70s Limerick, to coming out as gay, to representing her country on the pitch in both soccer and rugby. Jackie joined Pat on the show.

Earlier this month, a woman from west London was fined £150 for pouring the dregs of her morning coffee down a street drain! So in this weeks sustainability slot Jo Linehan shares the best way to manage liquids at home, the do’s and don’t of disposal.

A new garda station at Citywest is being considered following the recent riots and violence that’s been happening there. We get the latest on this story with Conor Gallagher – Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times.

Cheryl Fergison Eastenders actress and singer joined Pat in studio this morning to chat about her new memoir ‘Behind The Scenes’. Also we hear about her role in the new social drama series the ‘Centra Deli Drama’.

The Government has spent almost €450,000 on enticing builders back home to Ireland from working in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US. But is it worth coming back for? And is it financially feasible for them?Pat discusses this issue further with Peter Flynn, Pete the Builder, Orla Hegarty, Architect & Assistant Professor at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy and also Sean Downey, Director of Education, Skills, Training, Construction Industry Federation.

Elizabeth Day's new book ‘One of Us’, a sequel to her bestseller ‘The Party’, is a “compulsive story of betrayal, old bonds and buried scandals”. It follows “one British establishment family comes face to face with the consequences of privilege, and the true cost of power.”Elizabeth joined Pat in studio this morning.

The threat of toxic masculinity and the manosphere is really concerning especially when you see research showing how more than a third of young men who watch masculinity influencers, act on their advice.  But what actually is it?  What are the impacts that come with it? And how do we overcome it?  To discuss further Pat was joined on the show by Richard Hogan, Author, Family Therapist and Columnist with the Irish Examiner and Dylan Hand, Newstalk Reporter.

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.

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.

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.

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.