The Pat Kenny Show

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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

Following a reduction in grade inflation in leaving cert results, the CAO was released yesterday. Guidance Counsellor and Columnist with the Irish Times Brian Mooney joins to provide CAO advice. 

Picture the walled gardens of a great estate, dew still clinging to the glass panes of the hothouse. Inside there is warmth, a breath of tropics coaxed into an Waterford dawn.  Diarmuid Gavin, award winning garden designer tell us about a Downton Abbey moment in fruit.

As students all across the country are set move away for college, what impact does it have on their parents? Children leaving the household brings unexpected challenges for parents. Stephanie Regan looks at how children leaving the home can effect parents.

According to CSO statistics from 2023 four in ten adults report experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, clearly it is an issue that needs to continue to be highlighted. But is how rape is depicted on tv and in movies reinforcing myths around sexual violence? Pat discusses this further with Rachel Murrough Chief Executive Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

AI has significantly increased the cybercrime risk to all businesses. Smarttech247 have estimated that over 70% of businesses in Ireland are vulnerable to AI powered cybercrime. We discussed this further with Raluca Saceanu  CEO of cybersecurity firm Smarttech247.

This week on Inside Hollywood, we take a look at one of most iconic films in cinematic history .Gone with the Wind. Lisa Cannon, TV Host and Head of Studio at DMG Media tell us all about the stars and the making of this treasured movie.

This week on the Green Scene, how the horseshoe crab is breaking free from the pharma industry, and a new superfood for bees. All to chat about with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland. All with thanks to Repak.

There is growing demand for the European Union to act against Israel since the latest attack on a Gaza hospital. For more on this Pat was joined on the show by Naomi O’Leary, Irish Times Europe Correspondent and also Paul Rodgers, Professor Emeritus of Peace Studies at Bradford University.

Local authorities are continuing to pause the Tenant-in-Situ Scheme. the scheme allows councils to buy property from landlords when a tenant is at risk of homelessness.   However, because of a lack of funding, councils are being forced to pause the scheme. What does this mean for people facing eviction? Pat discusses this further with Mary Conway, Chairperson of the Irish Property Owner Association and Owner of Janus Estates.

This week on the commuter slot with Conor Faughnan, he discusses the return of the school traffic and the concern about age profile of road deaths with 30% under 30 years old. 

Independent candidate Nick Delahanty launched his presidential bid yesterday, claiming if he gets on the ballot he won’t come last. Fianna Fail still haven’t put a candidate forward, Jim Gavin in the frame for them but does he want it? Billy Kelleher won’t rule himself out of the race to the Áras continues. Sean Defoe, Host of the 'Let Me Explain' podcast. Political Correspondent for Newstalk brings us the latest on the race.

From its wild peninsulas to its wonderful food, West Cork can be a wildly beautiful destination. Beyond the likes of Kinsale and Clonakilty, however, why does so much of it still feel like a secret? Pól Ó Conghaile, Irish Independent travel editor, is just back. All with thanks to Ryanair.

As pupils all across the country return to school and university, Jess Kelly is here to provide a list of gadgets for back to school. So whether its a reliable laptop bag, a subscription for Grammrly or even just a wireless mouse Jess gives us the best gadgets for returning back to school.

‘This is likely the largest child abduction since world war two comparable to the Germanification of Polish children by the Nazis.’  This is what Nathaniel Raymond Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director, Humanitarian Research Lab Yale  has to say about the mass abduction of Ukrainian children into Russia. Pat discussed the ongoing war with Nathaniel and also Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for RFI (Radio France Internationale) And France24.

VHI have announced an average price release of 3% from 1st October 2025.  The increase follows as the cost of delivering healthcare also continues to rise. What does this mean for customers and how can they shop around for the best deal. Speaking to Pat this morning was Dermot Goode from Health Insurance Ireland.  

There comes a time in every dog’s life when a walk in the park doesn’t cut it anymore and the dog only wants one thing to do – get pregnant or more commonly known as entering heat! Now anyone who has a dog know the trials and tribulations when a female dog enters heat, so what should when your dog is in heat and what can you expect during it?  For advice Pat spoke to Elise O' Byrne White, Veterinary Director at the DSPCA.

As traditional banks consolidate their market share, digital-first global players, known as neobanks, are taking over the Irish market. neobanks are said to provide more accessible, more innovative and faster financial services. But what are neobanks, and why are they gaining more popularity?  All to discuss with Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell Financial. 

Construction Industry Federation are expected to meet with the government today. They are urging the government to prioritise funding in water and electricity infrastructure in Budget 2026. Speaking to Pat this morning was Conor O’Connell, Director of Housing and Planning at the Construction Industry Federation.

A new campaign at UCC aims to make health research more inclusive, to include under-served groups like women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, older adults, and people with disabilities. Pat hears about it with Frances Shiely, Director of Education and a Professor in patient focused research at the HRB Clinical Research Facility at UCC and a Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology in the School of Public Health.

It's twenty years since Starbucks arrived here in Ireland, sounding the death knell for local coffee shops nationwide. But just when we thought every corner cafe was done for, the independent coffee shops began to rise and rise. Newstalk’s Sarah Madden went on a coffee crawl around the capital to find out: 

The average waiting time for the driving test has hit its 10-week target but in some centres the waiting time is still higher and the number of no-shows for the test is increasing. All to discuss with Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor and Columnist for the Sunday Independent,

If you’re exhausted and having trouble getting your child to bed, then you might be desperate for a solution. A simple Google search will turn up hundreds of sleep gimmicks, but how do you know what will actually be effective?  All to chat with our expert this morning Lucy Wolfe sleep consultant and author.

The new aviation service, operated by Bristow Ireland under a 10-year contract and includes six purpose-built AW189 helicopters based at Sligo, Waterford, Dublin, and Shannon. The Coast Guard will also deploy a 24-hour fixed wing service, provided by two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft, also based at Shannon. All to discuss with Kevin Byrne Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, & Airport Safety and Security Expert .