The Pat Kenny Show

Despite the devastation in Gaza, the Israeli government continues to reject responsibility for its man-made famine. Joining us, is journalist Paul Kearns, based in Tel Aviv, to discuss how the Israeli media and public are reacting to the destruction unfolding in Gaza.

As the country slowly begins to turn its attention towards the next incumbent of Áras an Uachtaráin, how does our presidential system compare to others around the world? Reporter Simon Tierney has been investigating this and why exactly was our current model chosen?

The United Nations' highest court said countries must address the threat of climate change. Countries who fail to meet their climate targets could face legal action. Pat discusses this further with Oisin Coughlan, Policy Advisor for The Stop Climate Chaos Coalition.

Weight based vehicle tax has been mooted by the Tax Strategy Group ahead of Budget 2026. The proposed tax tax that would apply to vehicles with a weight of over 1,600kg. To discuss further we heard from Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator.

The US President is making a private trip to the UK to visit his luxury golf resorts at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire. How do the locals feel about his visit. Pat spoke to Catríona Stewart a Freelance Reporter in Scotland.

Shelbourne, St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers are in European action over the next few weeks, hoping to qualify for the league phase of their respective competitions for next season. But one European tie made headlines recently, as it took place 65 years after it was due to be played! Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill tells us more

We are joined by Dr. David Robert Grimes, Author and Disinformation Expert to discuss two cases of disinformation.  First, how does disinformation impact healthcare? We look at how antivaccine disinformation is putting strain on nurseries in the UK. Als in U.S. politics and the “dangerous disinformation” campaign against former President Barack Obama.

E-scooters could be forced to carry a license and face firmer restrictions in the UK as ministers propose regulation plans. Should Ireland do the same?  To discuss with Pat was Guests: Ger Herbert, Motoring Editor for the Sunday Independent and also Enda Brady, International Tv News Anchor at TRT World. 

John Fardy tell us about a new expansive portrait of the life and music of Billy Joel, exploring the love, loss, and personal struggles that fuel his songwriting. A new two part documentary called Billy Joel and so it goes is featured in this week's Boxed.

Former lawyer and international best-selling author, Steve Cavanagh, joined Pat on the show to chat about his new thriller ‘two kinds of stranger’, the ninth book of Cavanagh's renowned ‘Eddie Flynn’ series. 

As the summer brings sunshine and outdoor adventures, particular skin issues can arise. Strimmer’s rash and horse fly bites can wreak havoc on your outdoor activities. Selene Daly Tarpey, Nurse Tutor, discusses how Strimmer’s rash (phytophotodermatitis) and Horsefly (Clegg) bites appear and what we can do to treat them.  

 We should all go to a 4 day week! Science strongly supports the Four-day work week, benefiting workers and employees  Professor Luke O’Neill Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin tells us all.

Another ten Palestinians have died in the past 24 hours of starvation. That follows yesterdays statement from over 100 aid agencies warning of the risk of mass starvation in Gaza, something the Israeli military has rejected. Irish Times Correspondent Sally Hayden joins us from a lookout over Gaza and war photographer Lynsey Addario tells us of the importance of the harrowing images we are seeing from Gaza.

When it comes to assessing and reducing the impact of specific sectors, healthcare is rarely on the agenda. Unlike other industries and services, healthcare has traditionally been deemed essential, regardless of the environmental cost.  Jo Linehan, editor of the climate supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland discuss this further with Pat.

Are tourists more likely to get ripped off on their travels? A local journalist in Paris went undercover as an American to find out if a cafe was upcharging tourists. Speaking to Pat this morning Air and Travel Magazine Editor, Eoghan Corry to discuss whether it’s a wider issue across the globe. 

It's the 24th of July, 24 / 7, something the Samaritans Helpline knows a thing or two about. The charity is today highlighting the round the clock nature of their vital service. Our reporter Sarah Madden joined Samaritans volunteers on the overnight shift to mark Samaritans 24/7 awareness day.

Pressure is on for EU negotiators as they want to secure a deal with the US before August 1st.. This comes just days after the US struck a similar deal with Japan. All discuss with Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief with Bloomberg.

How is donald trump’s U.S. Performing as a country? Is the U.S. Behaving as a successful country should? All to discuss with Brett Bruen, President of the Global Situation Room and Former Director of Global Engagement at the White House during the Obama Administration.

In a new series we dive into a different title that has stood the test of time for its story, craftsmanship, cultural impact and just how seamlessly every piece fits together. And what better place to begin than with Steven Spielberg’s Jaws – the original summer blockbuster, and a masterclass in suspense, storytelling, and accidental genius.

In the era of modern devices and constant email notifications, it is hard to switch off whether it is in the evening, weekend or on holidays.   Sinead Brady, Career Psychologist, guides us on how to switch off and master that work/ life balance.   

There are some gardens that seem born of imagination rather than geography. Gardens that defy their setting, their time, even their materials. And on Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, there’s a garden like that. Isola Bella. The Beautiful Island. It wasn’t always beautiful. Originally it was just a lump of rock. A fishing islet, bleak and stony, known as Isola Inferiore.All with thanks to Tirlán.

A new study by the ESRI has found rural areas and disadvantaged communities were more likely to have negative attitudes towards immigration. the findings also show that rural areas with high proportions of migrants had more positive views. Do disadvantaged areas have a more negative view of immigration? Our reporter Josh Crosbie has been looking into this.

In your 30s, your most valuable asset is not a job title, property, or a savings account it is time. This is because that decade in your life can provide time for financial planning.   Robert Whelan, Managing Director of Rockwell Financial guides us on how to set financial foundations in your 30s for the future.

This week on the Green Scene we hear how climate change might impact the nutritional content of our food. It’s Shark Week and to mark the occasion, we’re looking at the blue shark that can change the colour of its skin and how shark science has changed 50 years after Jaws premiered. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Over 100 aid agencies have warned that mass starvation is spreading in Gaza. The 2.1m population are essentially confined to an area less than the size of Galway City and its Suburbs with just under 90% of the territory under evacuation orders. Pat discusses this further with Juliette Tuoma Director of Communications, UNRWA.

We are joined by Award-Winning author Sarah Maria Griffin to discuss the inspiration behind her newest novel, Eat the Ones You Love. It is described as a twisted and tangled story about possession, monstrosity, and working in retail. Fans are calling it a modern spin on Little Shop of Horrors. 

The State’s Competition Watchdog has found several breaches in the retail motor fuel sector. Petrol stations were found not displaying their prices, as the law requires. Conor Faughnan discusses this along with the Government’s latest funding boost for the long-delayed Dublin MetroLink.

Women’s Aid Uk have filed a complaint against this year’s love island, over the behaviour of its male participants. They have accused love island of allowing contestants who demonstrate misogynistic behaviour to partake in the reality show. women are often made fun of, lied to, or manipulated, which viewers are finding disturbing because of the deep-rooted sexism. We ask Love Island have a problem with misogyny? Pat discusses this and more with Ali Ryan, Founder and CEO of Goss.ie and Mark Fennell, High Performance Life Coach and Business Coach.  

Vasectomies could soon be offered free of charge across the country. The proposal follows a call from Labour TD Marie Sherlock, who told the Dáil that it’s time for men to “step up” and stop relying solely on women for contraception. Pat spoke to Marie this morning with more on this.

It's been nearly 18 months since the war in Gaza began unleashing a litany of violence across the middle east.  As the war continues to wage on, Pope Leo made a call for the ‘barbarity’ of the war to end but is a ceasefire in sight? To discuss further Pat spoke to Gershon Baskin, hostage negotiator and the Middle East Director for the International Communities Organization, a UK-based NGO. 

The Legal Aid Board is warning that its family law services could face delays as it faces a funding shortfall amidst a significant increase in international protection cases. Legal Affairs Editor, Irish Independent Shane Phelan brings us the full details.

Meta has said it won't sign the EU’s AI code of practice agreement. Meta snubs the EU’s voluntary AI guidelines 'Europe is heading down the wrong path on AI.’ The code published by the EU on July 10th is a voluntary set of guidelines to help companies follow the AI Act’s rules around general-purpose AI before they come into effect in a few weeks. Jess Kelly explains all.

We’ve all done it, put off a deadline, ignored that to-do list, or suddenly decided today’s the perfect day to clean the fridge instead of write that report. Why do we procrastinate, even when we know we shouldn’t? Turns out, it’s not about laziness it’s way deeper than that.” All to discuss with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

Travel requirements for British citizens visiting the E.U. are changing as part of the new entry-exit system. Travellers will see the introduction of the European travel information and authorization scheme (Etias). British holidaymakers will need to apply online and pay a fee of €20, before travelling within the E.U. We discuss further with Simon Calder, Travel correspondent with The Independent UK.

There is uproar in France after their Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, suggested abolishing two public holidays as part of a €43.9 billion budget saving plan. Will this plan happen? All to discuss with Elaine Cobbe, Paris based journalist.

The Government are set to present the details on the National Development Plan, alongside the Economic Summer Statement, on the final day of Cabinet. Sean Defoe looks ahead to the last day of the Cabinet before the summer break.

Avril Murphy Allen, Interior Designer and Artist was our expert today. Avril gave advice on how to master the art of outdoor living by choosing the right garden furniture.

Irish prisons are considering housing inmates in public spaces. This comes as prisons across the country are at maximum capacity and experiencing a “crisis level of overcrowding”. To discuss this we are joined by, Saoirse Brady, Executive Director with the Irish Penal Reform Trust and by Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent at the Irish Examiner.

Six months into the Trump administration and there is no sign of a slowdown of news from the White House. Donald Trump has issued at $10bn lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal following its reporting of a letter they say Trump sent to Jeffery Epstein for his 50th birthday. We cover that and more with Larry Donnelly.

There has been an overwhelming rise in the sum of sanctioned Russian ships, known as shadow fleet vessels, sailing through Irish-controlled waters. The alarming trend has caused the Defence Forces and Department of Transport to escalate monitoring of these vessels as they pass Ireland. With more on this Pat spoke to Cathal Berry, Former TD and Former Member of the Defence Forces. 

Portofino, a small coastal town in the Italian Riveria, is a popular British tourist spot.  Over the weekend, the town mayor signed an ordinance that will see holidaymakers banned from walking barefoot and shirtless, having picnics, consuming alcohol on the streets, and many more. Nick Pisa Senior Global Reporter with the Daily Mail tell us about the news tourist rules.

Hospitals across Gaza are overwhelmed by the daily mass casualties from targeted Israeli attacks. Foreign medics, including teams from the Red Cross, are on the ground providing urgent care. One of those medics is Irish physiotherapist, Rieke Hayes, who is just back from Gaza. Rieke has volunteered in disaster zones across the world since 2017. Rieke along with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University gave Pat an update on the situation there.

Tipperary were crowned the winners of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling finals. Cork failed to bring home the trophy after 20 years since their last win. In golf, it was a disappointing win for Rory McIlroy as he lost out to the Open Championship to Scottie Scheffler.We speak to Tommy Rooney, Off The Ball’s GAA Correspondent and also Colm Boohig, Broadcaster with Off The Ball.

From today, online platforms will be subject to new regulations under Coimisiún na Meán’s online safety code. Part B, which comes into effect today, requires age verification for users of social media.To discuss with Pat was Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor, Irish and Sunday Independent and also Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist and Author of What Your Teen is Trying to Tell You.

With brighter evenings and longer days, there's more learners on our road than any other time of the year. We ask who are those hoping to pass their tests this summer, and are today's novice motorists better than the rest of us? Newstalk’s Sarah Madden reports: 

A status orange warning for rain remains in counties Dublin, Wicklow, Louth, and Meath until 2pm.  There is widespread warning of flooding as rainfall is heavy and persistent. There is also a chance of thunderstorms.   Travel conditions could be hazardous, and visibility will be limited. All to discuss with Alan O’Reilly of Carlow Weather.  

Joining Pat this morning to this week's Friday Forum was Shane Moynihan TD, Dublin Mid-West, Fianna Fáil, Claire Kerrane TD, Spokesperson on Children, Disability and Equality, Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Féin and Gabija Gataveckaite, Political Correspondent, Irish Independent.

Today Gareth Mullins brings us a summer favourite recipe. A chocolate Swiss role with fresh raspberries.

Cork take on Tipperary on Sunday, in the All - Ireland Hurling Final. The first time these two sides have met in the final. The atmosphere and build up is hitting fever pitch, at J K Brackens GAA Club Templemore. Henry McKean took the trip to Tipp and he sent us this report.

Colm Boohig fills us in on all the exciting sporting events for the weekend. This includes the Hurling Final between Tipperary and Cork, the rugby Lyons match and updates on the British Open, which kicked off yesterday in Portrush.