The Pat Kenny Show

As we experience a heatwave here in Ireland, Europe too is experiencing high temperatures and wildfires right down to the Mediterranean. We get the latest here from Aoife Kealy of Met Éireann, from Rome with Josephine McKenna and from Madrid with Guy Hedgecoe

Over 40% of people get caught without cash on them according to a recent survey, are we moving towards a cashless society or will cash always be king to some? Henry McKean reports.  

A report for the UK government has suggested that stiffly formal driving testers might be making women feel ‘potential anxiety’, leading to a gender imbalance in pass rates. Also a rise in e-scooter crashes sparks brain injury warning following crackdown on the seizure of these vehicles. Councillors are now calling for education to warn of dangers of high speeds as illegal models are readily available from retailers. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan Transport Consultant. 

European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, will virtually meet with US President Donald Trump today ahead of his summit with Vladimir Putin this Friday. But what would happen should the pair reach an agreement without Europe and Ukraine at the table? All to discuss with Scott Lucas, Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD.

This week on the Green Scene, how we are interrupting bird sleep, and a new deep ocean superhighway that has been discovered studying museum specimens. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Members of the Irish charity One4Humanity chat to Pat on their life saving work in Ukraine and Gaza. In studio this morning with Pat was Shane Leahy ex Munster rugby player and co-founder of One4Humanity, Professor Chris Fitzpatrick, Vice Chair of the UCD/Ukraine Trauma Programme and also Dr Lyudmyla Zakharchenko Consultant Neonatologist in Rotunda.

There is no denying that prices have gone up dramatically. We ask should we really be blaming farmers for rising food prices? Pat discusses this further with Denis Drennan, President Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association and John McManus, Duty Editor Irish Times.

As many people know, sometimes the harshest critic you will face throughout your life can be yourself. Many will be hindered by the unrealistic expectations they place upon their own shoulders. You may ask yourself questions like why haven’t I achieved this by now, or why don’t I own the car or house I always dreamt of? This can of course have several negative implications on a person’s mind.

Buying a laptop for a student is a big investment, and it's easy to get lost in all the specs. Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly joins us to advise and answers listeners tech questions.

We have all heard the tag cowboy builder. Meaning a tradesperson who fails to carry out work to standard or for an agreed price. But what about cowboy customers? Do we have false expectations over the quality and cost in which work can be done?  All to discuss with Peter Finn, Aka Pete the Builder from the series 'Home Rescue'. 

As the sun is making somewhat of a return, it is important to remind ourselves of just how crucial it is for all us, regardless of whether the sun is high in the sky or not, to be protected by sun cream to protect ourselves against the risk of skin cancer. Gill Costelloe has twice been diagnosed with skin cancer and now knows all too well of the impact that the diagnosis can have on anyone’s life. Gill joined Pat this morning.

The kidnapping of Gena Heraty in Haiti has garnered international attention in recent days. However, American aid worker Jeff Frazier, who was kidnapped in Haiti in 2023, claims this was a ‘misstep’ that may work against Heraty. He instead recommends a secretive approach to negotiation. He joins us to discuss this, as well as the political situation in Haiti and his experience of his own kidnapping.

Since 2005, 2,119 pubs have closed across the country, which represents a 25 percent overall decline in the total number of pubs. Many in the industry are looking to the government in hope of a solution. To discuss further Pat spoke to Donal O’Keefe, Chief Executive of Licensed Vintners’ Association of Ireland.

Donald Trump yesterday announced that he was putting Washington DC’s police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to combat a wave of crime despite statistics showing violent crime falling. We discuss this and more with Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist with The Journal.

Despite over 90% of educational institutions in Gaza having been destroyed since the start of Israel’s war in the territory, teachers in the Occupied West Bank are finding ways to educate Gazans remotely. Sally Hayden, Irish Times Correspondent brings us the details.

Ciara Geraghty began writing at the age of 34 when she had two young children at home and was working in insurance. Now the bestselling Irish novelist is on her tenth book, Late Learner, which is published by HarperCollins. Ciara joined Pat in studio this morning.

Every years issues around student accommodation shortages are raised. On top of high rents and limited supply, Gardai have now issued a warning about rising incidents of rental scams in the student market. Our reporter Jessica Woodlock has been looking into this.

Writing a will can be a daunting task even for young, healthy people. but if you die without a will, your loved ones will find it much more difficult to gain access to your finances and make your final arrangements. What are the best ways to legally prepare for that eventuality?  Our expert today to answer all these questions was John Costello Solicitor at Noble Law Solicitors Past President of The Law Society of Ireland. 

Best-selling author Lynda La Plante has written dozens of books and screenplays, including the award-winning prime suspect. Her latest, The Scene of the Crime, was released last month.  Lynda chatted to Pat about her new book.

With the October presidential election looming large, what really makes a good campaign? From finance to face, what does the Irish electorate value in a candidate? In a rapidly changing political landscape, what really counts when it comes to the campaign?  Is money needed to succeed? How important is personal image in the race for the Áras? All to discuss with Eoin O’Malley,  Professor of Politics at DCU on political spending and also Barry McLoughlin  Head of Client Engagement at the Communications Clinic. 

From Japanese knotweed to giant hogweed to the much fabled rhododendron. What do you do about invasive plants in your garden? And how can you actually identify them? Paul Smyth talks us through how to manage invasive plants that may have appeared in your garden.

Pól O’Conghaile Travel Editor at the Irish Independent has just returned from Mallorca and he brings us tips and what to do and see there.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Why do some people take comfort in horror movies while others can only relax with a comedy? We’ll find out with UCD School of Psychology Assistant Professor and Director of the Media and Entertainment Psychology Lab Dr. Brendan Rooney.

Five Al Jazeera journalists have been killed in Gaza City by an Israeli airstrike. One of the reporters who was killed said he had “lived the pain in all its details” in a message left in the event of his death. It followed Benjamin Netanyahu earlier saying that he would allow foreign journalists in to Gaza and ensure their safety. Analysis from Paul Rogers, including the latest on a crucial week for the war in Ukraine.

A new study conducted by the national maxillofacial unit in Saint James hospital has found that more than a third of people injured in e-scooter crashes in Ireland have drugs or drink in their systems. As it stands. The law requires E scooter users to be over 16 years and to abide by a maximum speed limit of 20kmh.  but as the popularity of the e scooter rises do we need to do more to regulate them?  All to discuss with Dr Chris Luke Retired Consultant In Emergency Medicine  Host Of The Irish Medical Lives Podcast and columnist. 

We look back at a busy weekend of sport, with Galway, Offaly and Laois claiming the all-Ireland Camogie titles. Crystal Palace edging out Liverpool in the Community Shield, and Tommy Fleetwood still searching for that elusive PGA win after dropping the ball on the final day at ST Jude. All to discuss with Cathal Mullaney, Broadcaster with Off the Ball.

Last week we found out that the unemployment rate hit its highest peak in the past three years. That was according to a Grant Thornton report. An interesting aspect of said report was that 12.2% of young people are currently unemployed, but why exactly is that the case? Have young people suddenly developed an allergic reaction to work, or is something larger at play? To discuss with Pat was Louis Copeland, Owner of Louis Copeland and sons, Lorraine Sweeney, Hotelier and also Declan Keenan, Youth Worker from Just Ask. 

Our Friday Forum panel this morning was Ciarán Ahern TD, Spokesperson on Climate, Environment and Energy; Transport, Dublin South West, Labour , Senator Dee Ryan, Senator in Limerick City. Seanad Spokesperson on Further & Higher Education, Innovation, Research and Science. Former CEO of Limerick Chamber of Commerce. Sarah McGuinness, Political Correspondent, Irish Daily Mail.  

Gareth Mullins talks through two dishes perfect to try over the weekend. Grilled peach with Parma ham, honey goats cheese and basil pesto and mussels with lemon, garlic, parsley and chilli.

Drogheda United play Waterford tonight in the League of Ireland Premier Division at Drogheda United Football Club. Looking ahead to the weekend, the All-Ireland Camogie Championship Final between Galway and Cork is this Sunday at Croke Park. Badminton Ireland 4 Nations Graded International runs Saturday and Sunday at the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena. Cathal Mullaney, Broadcaster with Off The Ball looks ahead to the weekend of sport with Pat.

Videos of far-right agitators threatening and attacking homeless asylum seekers are being boosted by social media algorithms, according to a “snapshot” study from The Hope and Courage Collective. We discuss these findings with Niamh McDonald, Director of Community Engagement for the Hope and Courage Collective and Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

How many vitamins do you take a day? Do multivitamins really work? We’ll speak with pharmacist Sheena Mitchell about how supplements can positively or negatively impact our health.

The recent American Eagle ad has received widespread backlash.  However, the campaign has garnered global attention and is the recent focus of Fox news stories in the US.  So, as this ad remains engulfed in controversy what are some of ones that stick with us? All to discuss with Claire Hyland, Thinkhouse Media.   

Israel's political security cabinet has approved a plan to take control of Gaza city, as the country expands its military operations despite intensifying criticism at home and abroad over the devastating almost two-year-old war. To discuss this further was Sean Bell, Former fighter pilot, military analyst, and co-host of the red matrix podcast.Also joining Pat was John Bolton, Former National Security Advisor for Trump to discuss the conflicts in Russia and Ukraine, and also Gaza.  

Independent senator Gerard Craughwell has called for TD and Senator perks to be restored to “pre-crash” levels. These perks were reduced in 2009 as part of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act. Gerard joined Pat this morning to discuss further.

On this segment, we often rely on science to clear misconceptions and challenge misinformation. But what happens when we cannot rely on science? All to discuss with David Robert Grimes, Disinformation Expert and Author. 

According to research by Lidl, only 8% of the population are following expert sun protection advice. additionally, 1 in 6 Irish men aged 55+ admit to never using suncream. Dáithí O’Sé joined Pat this morning as he calls for Irish men to wise up to the dangers of sun exposure.

Cameron Hill from Off The Ball tells us story of Peter O’Connor, the Irish Olympian at the 1906 Athens games. He refused to be recognised under the British flag and took matters into his own hands when the Union Jack was raised during his medal ceremony.

Researchers from New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) have used artificial intelligence to tackle a critical problem facing the future of energy storage: finding affordable, sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. And another lab has devised an AI-driven system to discover new chemicals ten times faster than current approaches. Luke O’Neill Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College and host of Show Me The Science podcast explains all.

This week marks the 150th anniversary of the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS. Its one of the biggest events of the summer with 1600 horses coming through the RDS during the week, attracting over 120,000 spectators. Newstalk reporter Josh Crosbie went to the RDS and spoke with people about why they attend.

As the United States moved much of its manufacturing to China, what impact has that had on the Chinese economy? And has it lifted all of Chinese society when the perception is that it only lifts the richest stateside? Dr Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China, Chatham House discusses further with Pat.

A survey came this week that shows that the average BBQ or picnic wastes €21.19 worth of food. So what are the best tips on how to save on food waste this summer? Editor of the Climate Supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland Jo Linehan brings us the advice.

Ireland is on course yet again for another record tax year, this comes despite the threat of US tariffs. We discuss this further with Emma Howard, Economics lecturer at TU Dublin.

We all want to shield children from life’s darker moments, but what happens if something happens to the person who protects them?  Freelance journalist Niamh O’Reilly to share her personal experience, and the steps she has taken to ensure her children are prepared in the case of an emergency. 

Psoriasis impacts about 2% of the Irish population. Professor Niki Ralph joined Pat in studio for Psoriasis Awareness Month. Nicki discusses the types of psoriasis, its triggers, how psoriasis can affect your risk for disease and skin treatment options.

After months of delays, CCTV has finally been installed to catch dumpers in Dublin’s worst litter blackspot, the North Inner City. But will this be enough to stop the persistent litter problems in this area? Pat discussed further with Olivia Kelly, Dublin Editor of the Irish Times.

Connecting to Nature is an Irish company that specialises in Irish-native wildflower seeds, bulbs, trees, hedge whips and wild bird food, supporting biodiversity and rewilding across Ireland and the UK. Speaking to Pat this morning was Julie Power is Founder and Managing Director of Connecting to Nature.

In 2024, Eurostat compared countries for the mix of prices of their hotels and restaurants. It found that Ireland was 29.3 per cent higher than the EU average. This begs the question has Ireland become too pricey for tourists? All to discuss with David W Higgins, Independent Economist, Paul Gallagher, Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation and Sarah Slattery, Travel Expert.

While summer is the time when the evenings get longer, the sky is bluer and of course it's when the jellyfish are out in the Irish water. So, what jellyfish float in the Irish sea and are they as terrifying as some of us think? To tell us all was Dr Tom Doyle is a Lecturer in Zoology in the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences at UCC.

The countdown to leaving cert results day is on, and before we know it a whole new crop of medical students will be entering their first of many years of training.  But what has the future got in store for the class of 2030?  Sarah Madden reports.