The Pat Kenny Show

Ireland has a proud tradition in the hammer throw dating back to ancient times. Cú Chulainn supposedly invented the sport long before Games took place in the religious sanctuary at Olympia. Ireland’s first-ever back-to-back Olympic champion Pat O’Callaghan claimed his golds in the hammer throw; but perhaps the most extraordinary episode in the sport’s history took place in Cork in 1984. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more:

The fragile peace in the Middle East could already be in jeopardy. President Donald Trump has warned Israel could resume fighting if Hamas breaches the ceasefire and neglects to return the bodies of Israeli hostages. Speaking to Pat this morning was military analyst, former fighter pilot, and co-host of the Red Matrix Podcast, Séan Bell, to examine the situation in the Middle East. 

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a huge amount of energy in the process. It happens naturally in stars under extreme pressure and temperature. Scientists are trying to bottle that same process inside special machines (like tokamaks or stellarators). That’s why people call fusion “making a star in a bottle:. All to chat with Luke O'Neill Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.

Dunnes Stores is up there with Ryanair and Guinness as one of the most successful Irish enterprises created. Opening its first store in 1944 on Cork’s St. Patricks Street, its success spurred on by cheap clothing grew and grew until eventually in the 1960s it exploded in popularity as it brought the concept of the modern supermarket to Irish shoppers. Joining Pat this morning was Matt Cooper, Today FM presenter and author of a new book ‘Dynasty, Scandals, Triumph, Turmoil, and Succession at the Heart of Dunnes Stores’.

Gardaí are investigating the death of a seventeen-year-old at an emergency care facility in Dublin yesterday. In a statement, Tusla confirmed this facility provided care to those seeking international protection.   Joining Pat this morning was Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of Children’s Rights Alliance.

Have we dumbed down our maths curriculum for students too much? And have students lost the ability to do all mental maths as a result of calculators? All to discuss during Maths Week 25 with Oliver Murphy, Author of ‘Fundamental Applied Maths’ and Co-Author Of ‘Active Maths’.

Ireland has seen a 10% boom in men's grooming in 2025. With waxing, laser treatments and anti ageing tweakments (non-surgical cosmetic procedures) taking off.  Men want to feel better but is it a vanity move? Henry McKean tried some tweakments, he sent us this report.

The latest Irish Times Ipsos/B&A poll shows a commanding lead for Catherine Connolly in the Presidential Election, but shows a significant number unhappy with the choice for the presidency.All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Host of the 'Let Me Explain' podcast. Political Correspondent for Newstalk.

As winter is just around the corner, what does that mean for all your plants from the summer? And when is the last time you should cut the grass before the cold kicks in? Gardener and Field Worker at Crûg Farm Plants Paul Smyth joins Pat to answer listener questions.

The Thousand Madleens Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces last week while attempting to break the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. Among those detained aboard the flotilla was Independent TD Barry Heneghan. Barry joins me now to discuss the flotilla, his detainment, and release.

Number one bestselling author and award-winning playwright Michael Harding has a brand-new book out entitled ‘Midwinter, A Journey Through A Season’. The book is a meditation on winter, and follows Michael’s personal reflections of life and death, as well as the life of a fictional character, Martin, whose story ‘reflects the heartache and loss that so many families endure every year’. Michael joined Pat on the show this morning.

Continuing our Halloween build up on Inside Hollywood we take a look at a Halloween favourite Ghostbusters. All to chat about with Lisa Cannon Head of Studio at DMG Media. 

Wind Energy & Storms Scientists in China have been working to develop turbines that are “typhoon-proof”, spawning a new generation of wind farms that can not only survive major storms, but harness their power. Also we hear how wildfires are changing the taste of wine. All to discuss on this week's Green Scene with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland. All with thanks to Repak.ie

Lawyer, financier, and broadcaster, best known as co-host of ‘The Rest is Politics US’. Anthony Scaramucci joins us to take a look at Trump’s plans for peace abroad, his controversial actions at home, and more.

Andrew Porter has a new autobiography, ‘Heart On My Sleeve, My Story Of Struggle And Strength’. It is the inspirational story of Andrew’s life, from his mental health struggles to his sporting triumphs. Andrew joined Pat this morning.

This morning we discussed driverless cars on the road safety features and experiences. Joining Pat was Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Newstalk’s Claire Darmody who recently took a driverless taxi while recently in Atlanta.

The Government has tabled a confidence motion in An Tánaiste Simon Harris following the announcement of Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín that they would table a no confidence motion later this week. Pat gets the latest on this with Jack Horgan Jones Political Correspondent, Irish Times.

No marinading or time consuming-techniques, Donal Skehan joins to discuss straight through cooking. All advice and recipes are featured in his new cook book

The people of Kosova went to the polls on Sunday as the country held municipal elections. Though the war Serbia waged on Kosova was ended over 25 years ago by decisive NATO involvement, tensions remain between the majority ethnic Albanians and minority ethnic Serbs.  Joining Pat to discuss the situation in Kosova is former British army officer and the founder and CEO of Henderson Risk Group, Duncan Bullivant. 

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly reviews the Google Pixel 10 Fold. Google’s new folding phone is the third version of the Fold.

Who won today’s presidential debate? We dive into the highs and lows of the last hour.  All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and Host of the Let Me Explain Podcast and Sinead Carroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie.  

Yesterday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El sheikh, the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey signed the declaration of the Gaza peace deal, making them guarantors of the agreement. President Trump described it as a “tremendous day for the world, and a tremendous day for the middle east,” . But although hostilities have ceased and hostages and prisoners have been exchanged, how delicate is the peace deal agreed?

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael Candidate Heather Humphreys partake in the first standup debate of the campaign. Moderated by Pat Kenny.

The cost of living is in focus as winter draws closer, and travel is no exception. So how can you keep prices under control with your hard earned holiday? Pól Ó Conghaile is Travel Editor with the Irish Independent. All with thanks to Ryanair.

AI is being used to take the emotion out of messaging, is this useful and is it good? All to discuss with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

Anne Bodley is a breast cancer survivor who has benefited from a cancer research trial and is here to tell us her story. Also joining Pat along with Anne was Dr Claire Kilty Head of Research, the Irish Cancer Society. 

It's no secret that Donald Trump had DEI in his sights when he took on the US Presidency for the second time.  But what impact has the death of diversity, equity and inclusion in the states had here in Irish companies and workplaces? And who are the Irish people made redundant by Trumps war on DEI?  Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

As all living Israeli hostages are returned home, is this a new era of peace for the Middle East? All to discuss with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University.  

Looking back over a busy weekend of sport. With an incredible Irish effort against Portugal that was unfortunately in vain, is it still possible for Ireland to qualify for the World Cup? Shelbourne FC deny Shamrock Rovers the league title. In Rugby, Munster continued their undefeated streak in the United Rugby Championship. Leinster also managed to reverse their poor fortune for their first victory of the URC.  All the weekend sport to look back on with Colm Boohig from Off The Ball.All with thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.

Bafta award winning actress Miriam Margolyes has lived quite an extraordinary life from Black Adder to Harry Potter to the cover of Vogue at the age of 83. All of this and so much more is documented from A - Z in her book 'The Little Book of Miriam'. Miriam joined Pat in studio to chat all about her book, life and more.

Israeli hostages are returning home after two years in captivity. All living Israeli hostages have now been handed over with the remains of last hostages expected to be next. We discuss this with Paul Kearns, journalist based in Tel Aviv.

Sinéad Gibney Dublin Rathdown TD, Social Democrats Spokesperson for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment; Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport; and Defence, Pat Leahy, Political Editor, Irish Times and Barry Ward - Dún Laoghaire TD, Fine Gael. All joined Pat this morning to look back on the news stories of the week.

Jenny Branigan chartered physiotherapist joined Pat this morning on the show to discuss some of the myths around injuries and running.

Gareth Mullins talks us through some delicious baked goods with cinnamon buns and rum spiced fruit buns. 

A big weekend ahead for Irish soccer as we gear up for a World Cup qualifier against Portugal, and Shamrock Rovers set to take on Shelbourne FC – with the first Shamrock Rovers double since 1987 in reach. In Rugby the United Rugby Championship progresses to round 3. Darts, the World Grand Prix continues over the weekend.  All with thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.

Broadcaster, Author and Presenter of ‘Unspun World’ on BBC World John Simpson gives his take on the Trump peace deal for Gaza.

Family influencers are almost exclusively female and aged between 25-35. We ask the question is posting your children, family fun and happy memories a good way for mommy to make money. Or is it child exploitation or worse? Sarah Madden reports on it...

Israel’s government have ratified a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, clearing the way to suspend hostilities in Gaza within 24 hours and free hostages held in the enclave within 72 hours after that.Pat discusses this development and more with Paul Kearns, Journalist based in Tel Avi and also James Elder, Spokesperson for Unicef.

The peace process continues as President Trump announced that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the peace deal. Former FBI Director James Comey pleads not guilty to charges of lying to Congress. Trump calls for the Governor of Illinois and Mayor of Chicago to be jailed. And Pam Bondi testified in a confrontational hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. To discuss the latest US news is Larry Donnelly, a Boston attorney, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway, and political commentator. 

Has Joe Wicks bitten off more that he can chew, as he targets protein bars in his latest documentary. We discuss this and more with David Robert Grimes, Disinformation Expert. 

Jude Law and Jason Bateman are working-class brothers Jake (Law) and Vince (Bateman) Friedkin from Coney Island. They grew up in what we assume from relatively early on was a violent home, dominated by an alcoholic father. They became a Nirvana-lite rock group. Jake the handsome lead, Vince the drummer and creative force, until the latter’s taste for drugs and mayhem put paid to their success.John Fardy reviews 'Black Rabbit' showing on Netflix.

2025 Nobel Prize for Medicine or Physiology goes to immunology for the discovery of a key controller of the immune system that stops autoimmune diseases. American scientists Mary Brunkow and Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi from Japan won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday for work shedding light on how the immune system spares healthy cells, creating openings for possible new autoimmune disease and cancer treatments. Luke O’Neill, Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin brings us the details.

Both Israel and Hamas have said they have agreed to a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage deal. We get the latest on this morning's breaking news with Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Correspondent for The Economist and also Fawaz Gergez, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

“Picasso: From the Studio” opens at the National Gallery of Ireland, which offers a once in a generation opportunity to see this collection of work by one the most influential artists of the 20th century, Pablo Picasso, in Ireland. Joining Pat in studio to chat all about the exhibition was Dr. Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland.

October is dyslexia awareness month. Pat was joined on the by Rosie Bisset CEO of Dyslexia Ireland and senior cycle student Sive O’Brien to talk about dyslexia, the challenges faced by dyslexic students. Also discusses how Ireland is behind when it comes to extra time accommodations in exams.

Hellbrunn Palace garden surrounded by a wall with 60 hectares of park and less than 20 minutes by bicycle from the city centre of Salzburg. Art historians see a mannerist work of art in this park, a chamber of wonders of garden architecture: partly artistically laid-out park landscape, partly untouched natural biotope; partly fields, ponds, hills, partly children’s paradise. The name Hellbrunn means, among other things, ‘healing spring’ – all who come here will understand why.Diarmuid Gavin brings us the story of Hellbrunn Palace garden.

Lisa Cannon, TV Host & Executive Producer for ‘Spotlight' delves into the best horror movie on this week's Inside Hollywood.

Author and former state pathologist Marie Cassidy joins us now to discuss her newest novel ‘Deadly Evidence’, a sequel to her bestselling debut novel ‘Body of Truth’.

Two years on from the attacks of October 7th, could the end of the brutal conflict it sparked be in sight? President Donald Trump believes so, saying yesterday "there's a possibility that we could have peace in the Middle East".Is this achievable ? All to discuss with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University.

As the government sets out our budget. We ask where does it fit into the position of the global economy? All to discuss with Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator at the Financial Times.