The Pat Kenny Show

Over the past number of days but the rate of road deaths in Ireland almost equal to the number of deaths over the same period in 2024. Three people died in separate accidents on Irish roads over the weekend as well as one cyclist in Cork City. So with the high levels of road accidents, who is to share the blame and how much is put on cyclists?  All to discuss with Ciaran Cannon, President of Cycling Ireland and a former Fine Gael TD for Galway East.

Tom Brady at Birmingham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McIlhenney at Wrexham. When it comes to unusual owners of football clubs, there have been some really remarkable stories over the last few years. But while supporters and staff might get excited about the possibilities offered by those at the helm of their club, there is no shortage of cautionary tales about going head first into new ownership without due diligence. One of the most bizarre stories came at Notts County, as Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can explain.All with thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.

With the budget for 2026 just around the corner, childcare costs are on the high agenda for the government this year. Minister for Children Norma Foley is expected to introduce a tax relief for parents this year to reduce costs but how will this impact providers?   All to discuss with Jack Horgan Jones, political correspondent with the Irish Times and also Elaine Dunne, Chairperson of the Federation of Early Childhood Providers.

John Fardy Presenter of Screentime takes a look at 'The House Of Guinness'. The news Netflix drama series which explores the legacy of the Guinness family and their iconic brewery.

Moldova heads to the polls this weekend in an election that could decide whether it moves closer to EU membership or Russia and Russia is peddling disinformation. David Robert Grimes looks at this and the disinformation around sex education in the new primary school curriculum.

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin heads to Canada today to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney following his attendance at the UN General Assembly. Joining us to discuss the visit was our own Political Correspondent Sean Defoe who is in Canada. 

We often hear about the sale of drugs on the dark web, but what if it's actually just as easy to order drugs, as it is to order a pizza to your door? A rise in demand for instant access to drugs has led to the development of apps, and the use of apps already in existence, to buy and sell illegal substances. Our reporter Emily Keegan investigates the growing use of apps and drone deliveries for such a service.

Miriam Hussey helps us unlock our ‘inner pharmacy’ as we discuss her new book, ‘Light Up’.

There is no evidence that taking paracetamol causes autism. The painkiller acetaminophen or paracetamol is one of the most widely taken drugs during pregnancy, used by roughly half of all pregnant people worldwide.  Professor Luke O’ Neill debunks the dangerous and unsafe myths said by Donald Trump.

As budget day looms closer, the Taoiseach has announced that second homes will not fall under the first-time buyers' scheme.   However, housing is still expected to big a big part of the budget as a tax break for developers is set to be on the cards. But will this help the government reach their housing targets as wages in the construction industry continue to rise?  All to discuss with Karl Deeter from Irish Mortgage Brokers.

Sustainability journalist  Jo Linehan, take a look at sustainability of tv and film industry.

We discuss how Nearly 8 in 10 employers are now using AI in recruiting. Ivan discussed this further with Managing Director of Futurewise and and is an expert on future trends and a much sought-after speaker and adviser on the future of work.

Professor Niki Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatologists joined Ivan in studio to discuss skincare awareness month.

Today marks the first full day in campaigning for the Presidential election with all three candidates taking to the campaign trail across the country. Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent brings us the latest on the campaign.

The Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital and remains one of Dublin’s greatest assets, a place of pasture, woodland, monuments and institutions.  Diarmuid Gavin, award winning garden designer  tell us about its' history.   

If you’re a political junkie, and you want to take your hobby on holiday, what are the great political sites you can actually visit? Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor, Irish Independent brings us all the details.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Singer songwriter Gavin James joined Ivan in studio to chat about his new album 'Goldrush.

Yesterday, Donald Trump delivered his address to the United Nations assembly leaving world leaders aghast at some of his remarks.  Trump criticized European countries' migration and climate policies, during a scathing speech to the United Nations that also took aim at the body itself. We speak to Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and Host of the Let Me Explain Podcast on his address and the reaction after.

Two detectives, a murderer and seven deadly sins. The 1995 film ‘Seven’ is a dark thriller featuring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Spacey and Gwyneth Paltrow that will keep you on your toes.  Lisa Cannon, TV Host and Head of Studio at DMG Media joins me in studio now to tell us more about the darkness, the deals and the actors. 

Traitors Ireland finished up last night after infighting, lying and tears but who came out on top and why was this the most successful programme on RTE since Strumpet City? Henry McKean stayed up last night at a watch party and met the winners.

Scientists have established a link between exposure to air pollution and increased risk of developing Lewy body dementia. Also volcanic eruptions could become more frequent and more severe as climate change accelerates melting glaciers. All up for discussion with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland on this week's Green Scene.All with thanks to Repak.

Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza strip continues as hospitals in the territory buckle under the pressure of the number of casualties. For the latest on the situation there we heard from Gregg Carlstrom, Middle East Correspondent, The Economist.

Nominations for the Presidential Election close at 12 noon today. Three candidates are confirmed for the ballot paper with Maria Steen two short for a nomination. Ivan was joined in the studio by our panel to discuss these closing stages. In studio was John Lee, Executive Editor, Irish Daily Mail, Sinéad O’Carroll, Editor, The Journal  and Dr Tom Hickey, Associate Professor of Constitutional Law, School of Law and Government, DCU.

The consumption of alcohol in Ireland is not as high as it used to be, and alcohol-free beers have increased by 150 per cent over the past five years. So where does this leave the future of pubs and how do they fit into the social lives of the next generation?All to discuss with Claire Hyland, Head of Insights and Strategy at Thinkhouse and also Donall O Keefe, Chief Executive of the Licensed Vintners Association. 

There has been a call to introduce curfews in Dublin City Centre to deal with antisocial behaviour and violent incidents. But not everyone agrees this is the correct solution. To discuss this further Ivan was joined by Mannix Flynn, Independent City Councillor for South East Inner City.

Joe Twomey from O'Connors funeral home in Cork’s North Gate Bridge quit his job to pursue his dream as a funeral director. Joe is part of the growing number of first-generation funeral directors, and the Irish Association of Funeral Directors says more of them are registering than ever before. Joe chatted to Ivan about his career choice.

Besides the recent sightings of the Asian hornet, what other invasive species have we got living here? All to chat with John Kelly, Invasive Species Programme Manager, National Biodiversity Data Centre.

World leaders are in New York for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, among them Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris. Newstalk's Political Correspondent Sean Defoe is in New York.

Innovate or die, that's the new rule of thumb for rural pubs around Ireland who are diversifying like never before. But will film screenings and portable saunas be enough to safeguard their future? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: 

A family Succession. the true Story of the struggle to create the world’s largest brewery. Arthur Edward Guinness the Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandson of the founder of Guinness joins us to discuss his new book chronicling the first four generations of his renowned family.

Donald Trump yesterday held a press conference alongside this Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jnr. During that conference Donald Trump falsely linked paracetamol, under its American market name of Tylenol, to autism made numerous false pronouncements on its causes and on vaccines.We got reaction to these claims with Dr Brendan O’Shea, Assistant Adjuvant Professor in Public Health and Primary Care at Trinity College Dublin and Kildare GP and also Adam Harris, Founder and CEO, AsIAm .

Gareth Sheridan admits defeat and left-wing parties distance themselves from Catherine Connolly’s remarks on Hamas, Kevin Doyle, Executive Editor with the Irish Independent brings us up to date on the presidency race.

Bin companies could be taking ­responsibility for an entire geographic area rather than competing for customers on the same street. Could this increase your waste collection bills? All to discuss with Charlie Weston Personal Finance Editor for the Irish Independent.

Movember’s Real Face of Men’s Health report draws on new research to reveal a concerning picture of men’s health in Ireland The report findings show men in Ireland are dying too young, from largely preventable causes; two in five of all male deaths are premature under the age of 75 and men are 40% more likely to die prematurely across the five leading causes of premature death. To discuss these findings Ivan was joined by Cliona Fitzpatrick, Director of Policy and Evidence at Movember.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump later today to discuss the US Administration’s 21-point plan to end the war in Gaza. Pat was joined by Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News, WSHU Public Radio, and Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University, to discuss.

How do we feel when we know we have been left out? From a WhatsApp group, a social event– planned holiday. How do you react? What is going on emotionally and psychologically? Could we slow down our reactions and help ourselves to cope better.  Ciara Doherty discusses all with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

Ger Herbert Motoring Editor with the Sunday Independent brings us all the motoring news and updates. We hear how 61% of Irish drivers say their next used car will be electrified. Nearly half (48%) prefer hybrid, while many remain cautious about battery-only cars. 

Laura Dowling, the fabulous pharmacist and author joined Ciara in studio to discuss her new book ‘Love Your Vulva’! 

Our expert today was Julie Galbraith, Chair of the Employment Law Association of Ireland. Julie explained what our contract should look like and what does an employer need to include on a contract.

Dublin Airport had to deal with two major issues over the weekend. An evacuation of Terminal 2 over the weekend and a cyber attack on a check in provider. Both are still having knock on impacts. Kevin Byrne LT Col retired Airport Safety and Security Auditor.  

We look back on a busy weekend of sport. With Kate O’Connor securing a silver medal in Tokyo, England and Canada through to the Women’s Rugby World Cup Final, Liverpool triumphant in the Merseyside Derby, and Lewis Hamilton failing to attain a podium finish in the Azerbaijan grand prix. Colm Boohig from Off The Ball looks back on a busy weekend of sport.All with thanks to Visit Pennsylvania

A memorial service for Charlie Kirk took place in Arizona yesterday with both his widow and President Donald Trump. CNN’s John King brings us full analysis on this and much more.

This morning we take a look into the presidential election as the deadline for nominations approaches.  Maria Steen and Gareth Sheridan will need more support from Councilors, TD’s and Senators if they want to become the next presidential candidate. And Meta has removed Facebook posts about Jim Gavin for violating standards. All to discuss with Harry McGee Political Correspondent Irish Times.

The announcement of nation-wide rent pressure zones has triggered a mass exodus of landlords from the market.  A real estate alliance report reveals a major spike in landlords selling up after the government announcement in June. Joining Ciara Doherty this morning to discuss further was Seamus McCarthy Spokesperson for REA.

Friday Forum look back on the new stories of the week. Joining Pat live from The Townhall Theatre in Westport was Keira Keogh TD, Fine Gael, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, Sinn Féin and Michael Duffy, Editor, Mayo News.Our show today live from Westport was with thanks to Destination Westport.

Gareth Mullins brings us two classic Irish recipes. A Smoked haddock Chowder celebrates fantastic Irish smoked Haddock and also a apple black berry crumble.

The traitors and a banished faithful. Patrick Hughes restaurant owner Westport and a faithful from The Traitors Ireland joined Pat on the show today live from The Westport Townhall Theatre with thanks to Destination Westport.

Recently, there seems to be a revival or surge in the amount of people wanting to learn Irish and especially with the popularity of Irish speaking bands like kneecap. We discuss the importance of keeping the Irish language alive with Caitlin Ni Dhubhsaigh Bannister Oideachas Uisce and also Eimear Ní Ghallachóir, Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga with Gaeilge Iorrais in the North Mayo Gaeltacht.Our show was live from the Westport Townhall Theatre today with thanks Destination Westport.

History, Industry and much more, we take a deep dive next into Westport history with local Historian James Kelly.

Looking ahead to this weekend in sport, the Premiere League back again this weekend with an exciting lineup with a Merseyside derby set for Saturday, the women’s rugby world cup semi-finals. F1 goes to Baku for the Azerbaijan grand prix, and the Tokyo world athletics championships are coming to an end this weekend. Colm Boohig from Off The Ball previews this busy weekend of sport.With thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.