The Pat Kenny Show

From a long list of celebrities to those with Irish ancestry, the Irish passport is a highly coveted document. But why is it such a popular passport and what is the process to obtain one? To chat further about this Pat was joined by Carol Sinnott, Principal, Sinnott Solicitors and member of the Irish Immigration Lawyers Association and Eoghan Corry Editor of TravelExtra Magazine.

Countdown to the presidential race is on as people will head to the polls to decide on the 24th of October.  With parties officially declaring their candidate, the pathway for an independent is limited. Bob Geldof, Conor McGregor, Maria Steen and Joanna Donnelly are just some of those independent names hoping to get on the ballot come October.  Pat discusses all with Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent and Host of the Let Me Explain Podcast.

How can you ensure what you put on your plate is not unprocessed food while also keeping it quick and cheap?Health Food Advocate, Food Entrepreneur and Author Sophie Morris tells us all in her book 'Sophie Swaps'.

Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates among high-income countries, influenced by social, cultural, and systemic factors. Around 60% breast feed early on but this drops to around 40% within 3 months and plummets to less than 10% at 6 months.  How breast feeding provides significant benefits to the baby’s immune system. All to discuss with Professor Luke O Neill , Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College.   

Today marks the third day of a Garda investigation into missing boy in Donabate. Gardaí are continuing to search for the remains of the child. Minister for Children Norma Foley has now asked Tulsa to conduct well-being checks on cases closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. For the latest on this Pat spoke to Kitty Holland, Social Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times.

High in the Andes the mountains rise in sheer ridges, their flanks cut with cliffs and ravines, their summits capped with snow.  To the casual eye they seem forbidding, a landscape of rock and cloud where little could grow. Yet if you follow the river valleys upward into the Sacred Valley of the Incas you begin to see an extraordinary sight. The Inca Gardens of Ancient Peru. To tell us the story of the wonderful sight is Diarmuid Gavin, award winning garden designer.

Intensive Care is the memoir of Dr. Suzanne Crowe, a Consultant in Pediatric Intensive Care. Suzanne has spent years caring for children in dire circumstances. Her compassion for them and their parents has grown from the loss of her own daughter, Beatrice.   Suzanne joined Pat this morning to chat about her work and memoir.

You Will Die in Prison, is the new documentary featuring Bernard Phelan, an Irish/French citizen who was wrongfully taken hostage in Mashhad, Iran, in October 2022.   Also his book 'You Will Die In Prison' is being rereleased this week with and documentary of the same title is on RTÉ One tonight.

This week on Inside Hollywood, audiences have been treated to their first look of the trailer for Hamnet. The Chloé Zhao adaptation is based on Maggie O'Farrell's brilliant novel, which is centred around a tragic moment in Shakespeare’s life. We look back at some of the best films that put Shakespeare on screen with Dee Reddy, Podcaster and Pop Culture Journalist.

Searches are continuing this morning at a site in Donabate for a young boy who has been missing from Dublin for up to four years. . Emily Keegan is at the site of the search and gave us this update.

The cost of Dublin city residential parking permits could rise more than threefold to €225. Also today marks the day that children between the age of 5-8 can now go for free on public transport. All this and more to discuss with Conor Faughnan Transport Consultant.

Scientists have uncovered how microbes influence the flavour of chocolate, paving the way for new and novelty flavours in future. Also we hear how sharks, the ocean’s top predators, may lose both their bite and their sleek armour as seas grow more acidic. All to chat with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland  All with thanks to Repak.

Robot wolves", laser weapons, nuclear ballistic missiles and giant water drones are just some of the weapons presented at Chinese military parade. This parade marks 80 years since China's victory over Japan in World War Two.Pat discusses this further with Sean Bell, Former fighter pilot, military analyst, and co-host of the red matrix podcast. 

The European commission will adopt a proposal to ratify the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement. The Irish government is opposed to the agreement and will not support it unless there are assurances to protect Irish farmers and food standards.  The IFA said the deal could 'decimate' the Irish beef and poultry sector.  Pat discusses this further with Francie Gorman the IFA President and Jack Power, Europe Correspondent for The Irish Times.

 More than a quarter of primary school children and over a third of secondary school children have engaged with AI chatbots, according to figures published today in CyberSafeKids’ annual Trends and Usage Report. Pat discusses these findings with Jess along with a review of the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Who is Gavin Newsom and is he the new darling of the Democrats? To discuss further Pat was joined on the show by Brett Bruen, President of the Global Situation Room and Former Director of Global Engagement at the White House during the Obama Administration.

As immigration is one of the biggest issues engulfing UK politics. The Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage is hellbent on stopping the small boats and illegal immigration entering the UK. We ask will this plan upset the Good Friday Agreement? All to discuss with Colum Eastwood, MP for Foyle and Former SDLP Leader.

Secretaries and caretakers continue to strike over public service pensions and other entitlements. Is there any resolution in sight? Pat discusses this and more with Andy Pike, Head of Education at FOSRA.

There are growing concerns as powers preventing electoral disinformation are unlikely to be implemented by the presidential election. Stephen McDermott, Editor of FactCheck with TheJournal.ie and also Ciaran O’Connor, Institute for Strategic Dialogue Senior Analyst.

Gardaí are investigating the disappearance of a child who they suspect is dead. The boy has not been seen for at least three years. This morning Gardaí are searching an area of open ground in Donabate. Our reporter Stephanie Rohan, Newstalk Reporteris at the scene. Also talking to Pat was Tanya Ward, CEO of Children’s Right Alliance.

There is growing demand for workplaces to offer employee assistance programmes. These programmes help tackle issues surrounding mental health and hence improve working environments.  But how do companies go about implementing these programmes, and how can employees open up about their mental health? All to discuss with Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Futurewise and Chairman of the mental heath charity Aware and Enda Murphy, Psychotherapist and author. 

‘High’ or ‘added’ protein foods are popping up everywhere from ice cream to pizza and even coffee. The nutrient’s newfound popularity has a lot to do with the fact that it helps our bodies repair and build up muscle. But could these new snacks come with hidden health risks? And are there other nutrients we should be paying more attention to? Pat discusses this and more with Ciara McNulty, Senior Dietitian at The Rotunda and owner of Happy Feet Run Club.

A flotilla of boats destined for Gaza carrying Greta Thunberg has departed from Barcelona. While the world's leading association of genocide scholars has declared that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. All to discuss with Paul Rogers is Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University.

It's time to think about autumn and winter and to plan for yourself and your own well-being. Planning for winter is about aligning your environment, your habits and your mindset with the season that is ahead instead of just enduring it- you can thrive  on it. There are three components you need to consider when picking a hobby:  Physical, Mental and emotional as well as social connection. Clinical psychotherapist Stephanie Regan provides all the tips you need ahead of the winter.  

Keith Walsh, Family Law and Divorce Solicitor   answering the questions you may have over managing the legalities of your divorce.

Thousands of children are set to be left without a hot lunch from today because suppliers claim changes to the Government’s school meals programme make providing to small schools financially unviable. We discuss this situation further with Ray Nangle, CEO of The Lunch Bag  and also Bríd Hanrahan, Deputy Principal of Kilbaha National School.

Hairdressers are joining the calls for the government to reduce the vat rate back to 9 percent to deal with the rising business costs. To discuss this further Pat was joined on the show by Lisa Eccles Dublin, President of the Irish hairdressers Federation and Owner of Zinc hair and beauty in Kilmainham Dublin. 

The Tenant-in-Setu scheme has headlined the papers recently as many tenants are being evicted because more councils are pausing the scheme  But what is this scheme, who is affected, and why is it being paused? Karl Deeter from Karl Deeter of Irish Mortgage Brokers explains all.

Sean Defoe, Newstalk's Political Correspondent and the Host of Let Me Explain Podcast brings us all an update on what happening in Irish politics.

Ireland’s women’s rugby is through to the World Cup quarter final after beating Spain over the weekend. They will face the black ferns in a challenging match next.  There was also plenty of premier league action as Liverpool beat the Gunners on their home turf, taking them to top of the Premier League table.  The Red Devils also scraped a narrow win over Burnley on Saturday, gaining their first win of the season. All to chat with Cathal Mullaney, Broadcaster with Off the Ball.

Earlier in the year, the CSO reported a 30% decline in visitor numbers for February, Economists warned that Ireland's tourism industry was at a tipping point, while others said Ireland had become too expensive for holiday makers to handle.  So, as the Summer of Tourism 2025 comes to a close, Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden finds out if the high season really did end on a low: 

Aid agencies issue urgent warnings of ongoing famine and a likely rise in preventable disease, linked to the dire living conditions in the war-shattered Enclave. Which begs the question, can Gaza survive famine amid total collapse? Pat discusses this and more with Alastair Campbell, Former Downing Street Director of communications and strategy. Host of the rest is politics podcast.

Joining Pat this morning for our Friday Forum were Thomas Byrne, Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for European Affairs and at the Department of Defence and TD for Meath East, Kathleen Funchion, Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South and also Jack Horgan-Jones, Political Correspondent with The Irish Times.

Gareth Mullins talks through family favourite back to school dishes. The first one is Pork sausages, creamy mash, onion and mustard Gravy and the second is One pan Hake with tomato, red pepper, olives and potato. 

There is a rush to stockpile months worth of Mounjaro as panic grows over its soaring cost.  Lilly who manufactures the jab, told its two British wholesalers to temporarily stop taking orders amid 'unprecedented demand' for the medication.  We discuss further with Enda Brady TRT World Presenter.  

Electric Picnic in Stradbally is on this weekend, with 80,000 people attending the festival.   The weekend is jampacked with artists, DJ tents, and food trucks. from Chappell Roan, Hozier to Kneecap, there are plenty of artists to see.  We heard from Mikie O'Loughlin, Showbiz Editor for RSVP about what to look forward to this weekend. Also Henry McKean is getting festival ready as we asked him to test raincoats, with a watering can and a bucket of water. He sent us this report from the Great Outdoors Store.

The UN security council has voted to terminate the UNIFIL peacekeeping forces in southern Lebanon. The operation in which Irish peacekeepers have been involved with for decades, will end in 2027. All to discuss with Cathal Berry, Former TD and Former Member of the Defence Forces. 

Yaniv Korman grew up in Israel, but now lives in the UK where he has access to multiple perspectives of media. Living out outside of Israel has shaped his opinion entirely. Yaniv Korman landscape designer and heritage researcher joined Pat this morning to discuss this further.

A new species of dinosaur has been discovered on Isle of Wight. The fossils are 125 million years old.  The species has been named after sailor Ellen MacArthur due to the prominent sail along its back. MacArthur set a world record in 2005 for completing the fastest solo non-stop sailing voyage around the world.Maria McNamara, Professor of Paleontology at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork brought us the details.

Is university the first point of call for every student? Maybe it's a plc course or even an apprenticeship. Speaking to Pat was two people to tell us more about those options are Paddy Kavanagh, General Secretary of Connect and Ayebatari Anthony, who recently graduated from Stillorgan College of Further Education. 

Earlier this week a batch of ricotta and buffalo cheeses were recalled by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. And this hasn’t been the first outbreak of listeriosis in Ireland this Summer. But how concerned should the public actually be? Our chief reporter Barry Whyte has been finding out…

This week on Boxed, John Fardy reviews 'Hostage' which is showing on Netflix.

School secretaries and caretakers marched on the streets to the Dáil this morning. This march comes as school secretaries and caretakers have begun indefinite strike action. Our reporter Josh Crosbie was there to talk to secretaries and caretakers this morning.

Job seekers at risk amid surge in CV-writing scams, warns LinkedIn. The professional networking site revealed over a third of job scams reported on the platform globally now involve offers to write or improve CVs. We discuss this further with Donal O'Donoghue Managing Director Sanderson Recruitment.

In November 1977, Kathleen Richards, with her sister Deirdre and baby nephew, arrived to 25 Cromwell St, the home of Fred and Rose West. Looking to rent a room from the couple perceived by locals to be ‘nice people’. Kathleen has, for the first time, documented her story of her time there, along with her childhood in Dublin and England, and her life after in a new book ‘Under Their Roof’. Kathleen joined Pat this morning.

The demographic time bomb. Does Trump have the solution?  People are having fewer babies: Is the end of our species nigh. Professor Luke O’Neill tells us more.

Second Hand September is an annual campaign, primarily by Oxfam Ireland, that encourages people to refuse to buy new clothes for the entire month of September and instead choose to buy and wear second-hand items. We hear all about it with Sustainability Journalist  Jo Linehan.

As the countdown for the Áras race continues, Fianna Fáil are edging closer to announcing their nominee. While former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin remains to be a strong favourite, another candidate by the name of Louise Richardson has now entered the fore.  So who will Michael Martin’s party choose to run? All to discuss with Ireland Editor with The Irish Independent Fionnán Sheehan.

Rossa Mulcahy, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General of the Defence Forces was appointed his role on 1st june. taking this position, Lieutenant Mulcahy faces multiple issues.  Firstly, Irish peacekeepers must wait to find out the future of the Lebanon peace mission as a un vote will take place later this week.  Also, the Defence forces face recruitment and retention issues as personnel numbers continue to fall. Rossa Mulcahy, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General discuss all with Pat this morning on the show.

Consultant Dermatologist Professor Caitriona Ryan joined Pat in studio this morning to answer listener's skin related questions.