The Pat Kenny Show

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Donal Trump receives a health diagnosis, threatens to sue the Wall Street Journal, and caves on the release of Epstein files. All to discuss with Scott Lucas, Professor and Political Analyst at the Clinton Institute in UCD.

Just over 6,000 housing commencement notices were issued by builders in the first six months of the year. That is less than half of the notices issued in the last comparable year, 2023. Director of Housing, Planning and Development at the Irish Homeowners Association Conor O’Connell explains why that may be.

Emmy winner Rosie O'Donnell joined Pat in studio to chat about her new life in Ireland, and her new stand-up show which will debut in 3olympia Theatre.

Catherine Wrightstone was just 13 years old when she disclosed that her brother Richard was sexually abusing her. While Catherine believed she was a lone victim it was later revealed that her two other sisters Paula and Yvonne also suffered abuse at the hands of their brother.  Now over 40 years later, justice prevailed for the three sisters as their brother Richard Brennan was jailed for 8 years earlier this week. Catherine and Paula spoke to Pat this morning.  

Author and documentary-maker, Manchán Magan, is starring in the two-episode documentary Listen to the Land Speak. This progamme sees Manchán Magan reveal the profound knowledge and wisdom contained in our landscape and myths and explore how they have shaped the way we look at the world. The first episode is set to air today on RTÉ One. Manchán joins us on the show today to discuss the award-winning programme, which just won the Best Cinematography in an Irish Film award at the Galway Film Fleadh over the weekend.

With the All-Ireland hurling final between Cork and Tipperary this weekend, now is as good a time as any to explore the rich sporting histories of both counties. It’s well-known that Cork has produced a number of iconic names in football: Roy Keane, Denis Irwin, and now, Caoimhín Kelleher. But what about the Tipp man who is believed to have helped found one of the most famous football clubs in the world? Cameron Hill from Off The Ball tells us about him.

US President Donald Trump continues to deflect questions on the Epstein files, but as he feels the pressure from his own party and supporters. We get the latest on all the news stateside with Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News, WSHU Public Radio.

One year on from its €1.4bn cleanup for the Olympic Games, Paris’ River Seine has reopened for swimming at three sites across the city. But what is it actually like to take a dip in the river? Catherine Porter of the New York Times took a swim to find out. 

In the morning of the 28th of October 1996, Michael Gallagher and Mary Attenborough were awoken by armed police in their London home. Michael was arrested, and later charged and convicted, for conspiring to cause explosions in connection with the Heathrow mortar attacks of 1994. Mary held the belief he was innocent? But was that true? Mary and Michael tell Pat the story. 

Jo Linehan, editor of the climate supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland joined Pat this morning to give some tips and advice on sustainable pet solutions.

Ireland is facing a ‘perfect storm’ when it comes to cocaine according to new research. The drug’s wide availability and affordability is contributing to this storm which has led to an increase in hospitalisations and overdoses. Speaking to Pat to discuss was Dr Garrett McGovern, Addiction Specialist and Medical Director, Priority Medical Clinic in Dundrum.  

As the number of fines issued to motorists for unlawfully using bus lanes increased by 34% in the capital last year. Are motorists taking the law seriously when it comes to driving in bus lanes? Is more enforcement needed and do we need more or less bus lanes to help tackle the problem and efficiency of bus services in Dublin? Joining Pat to discuss further was Gwen Morgan, Director of Service Operations at Dublin Bus

Fungi gave us penicillin, a hugely beneficial antibiotic that has saved millions of lives. Cholesterol lowering statins had their origins in fungi, as did the immunosuppressant cyclosporin used in transplantation. These results show that many more medicines derived from fungi remain to be found. All to discuss with Professor Luke O’Neill Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.

Newstalk's political correspondent Sean Defoe is handing out his Dáil star awards as politicians get ready for their summer holidays. From the newcomer of the year to the biggest political cowardice moment, Sean has all the prizes. 

As An Coimisiún Pleanála continues to debate a decision on night time flight restrictions at Dublin Airport, local residents are continuing to voice their concerns about any potential changes to night time flight restrictions. Those potential issues, they say, would only worsen the current situation with overflights during daytime hours. David Walton Spokesperson on Aircraft Noise Pollution, Ballyboughal Community Council spoke to Pat.

On this week’s slot of Inside Hollywood, we are looking at Directors sharing their experience on what it is like to work with legendary actors. From Stephen Spielberg and Tom Hanks and Greta Gerwig and Meryl Streep. We take a look at the greats with Lisa Cannon TV Host and Head of Studio at DMG Media.

Central Park was designed to be an integral part of the city. To understand how Central Park came to be, we need to know the history of Manhattan and of New York City. New York, originally settled by the Dutch and called New Amsterdam, was chosen because of its excellent location.To tell us all about the history of Central Park was award winning garden designer Diarmuid Gavin.All with thanks to Tirlán

Minister of Defense, Israel Katz has begun drawing up operative plans for the construction of the ‘humanitarian city’ on the ruins of southern Gaza. This will initially house 600,000 people and eventually the entire Palestinian population.We discuss all this with Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at The London School of Economics and Political Science. Also speaking to Pat was Paul Kearns, Dublin born journalist living in Tel Aviv. 

Irish cyclist, Ben Healy is wearing the yellow jersey in today’s stage of the Tour de France. Declan Quigley, Cycling Commentator with Europsort joins us for a review on what we can expect later today. 

Rowena Quinn, Managing Partner of Hunters Estate Agents joined Pat to discuss the many mistakes can be made when selling a house. Such as overpricing the property, poor presentation and inflexible viewings. 

In the Green Scene this week, new discoveries that fig trees are converting carbon dioxide (and parts of themselves) to stone, and contagious yawning in fish. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

An Post is facing an alarming financial situation as its cash reserves have dropped below €1 million for the first time.  Despite its financial decline, there is expected to be no bailout for the postal network.  Minister of State and Independent TD, Michael Healy Rae, who is also a postmaster, is advocating for more funding for the postal service and spoke to Pat this morning along with Craig Hughes, Political Editor, Irish Daily Mail.