The Pat Kenny Show

The Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed public parks in any capital city in Europe and is home to around 600 deer but when it comes to holding concerts, events and even sporting events, how is the park managed and what goes on behind the scenes? Paul McDonnell is the Chief Superintendent of the Phoenix Park for nearly 10 years and he joined Pat to answer those questions and to tell us what his day in the life looks like as the Park’s Superintendent.The show today  was live from Dublin Zoo as part of Newstalk Summer Tour 2025 with thanks to ESB’s 1600 EV chargers across Ireland giving you the freedom to go further.

Henry McKean went out first thing with the zookeepers and met the red pandas, sea lions and penguins just as Dublin Zoo opened its doors to the public.The show today was live from Dublin Zoo as part of Newstalk Summer Tour 2025 with thanks to ESB’s 1600 EV chargers across Ireland giving you the freedom to go further.

Now that we are well and truly into summer, its the time of year when businesses all preparing for the influx of visitors far and wide.  But despite CSO figures showing a drop in tourism earlier this year, industry experts are expecting a boom of North American visitors this summer.But how is the tourism sector preparing for their busiest time of the year? All to discuss with Lorraine Sweeney Hotelier and business woman and Eoghan O'Mara Walsh, Chief Executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.The show today  was live from Dublin Zoo as part of Newstalk Summer Tour 2025 with thanks to ESB’s 1600 EV chargers across Ireland giving you the freedom to go further.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to look after the elephants at Dublin Zoo? From training them to giving them pedicures, elephants can be very high maintenance. Christina Murphy is the Elephant Team Leader at Dublin Zoo and she told Pat what that’s like.  Also joining us is Jenny Dunne, Head of Commercial Operations who is going to talk to us about all the upcoming events happening here at Dublin Zoo from the Zoorassic Trail Takeover to their first ever Run for Wildlife.The show today was live from Dublin Zoo as part of Newstalk Summer Tour 2025 with thanks to ESB’s 1600 EV chargers across Ireland giving you the freedom to go further.

The origins of the expansive Phoenix Park date all the way back to its founding as a Royal Park in 1662. In the centuries since its founding, the park has seen masses and murders, trenches and turf, allotments and animals and amongst all that, plans to turn the entire thing into an airport! John A McCullen, the park’s former superintendent takes us through some of the park’s history.

The interest in news among young Irish adults remains high but all age groups showed a major concern in fake news. Private hospitals are now getting 60 per cent of public funds to reduce public waiting lists and budget 2026 negotiations get delayed due to Trumps trade threats. Pat was joined by Political Reporter with the Irish Independent and Indo Daily podcast presenter Tabitha Monahan and Editor Business Post Daniel McConnell to discuss these stories and lots more.The show was live from Dublin Zoo as part of Newstalk Summer Tour 2025 with thanks to ESB’s 1600 EV chargers across Ireland – giving you the freedom to go further.

Irish mortgage rates are on average the fifth highest across the 19 states in the Euro Zone, there is a new flex mortgage with Avant and the ECB rate is now 2% but will it go lower? Our expert today was Sean Corbett, Director of SYS Mortgages.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

New research shows that almost half of eight-year-olds in less-advantaged own a smart phone in comparison to those in more middle-class areas. The data from CyberSafe Kids also show that children from lower-income backgrounds have a higher level of exposure to harm than their peers in better-off districts.We discuss the findings with Stella O’Malley, psychotherapist and author of What Your Teen is Trying to Tell You and also Alex Cooney, CEO and co-founder of CyberSafeKids.

Today is Bloomsday, celebrating the James Joyce’s Ulysses. There are many traditions that have formed from this literary work mapping out Dublin. From buying bars of lemon soap, visiting the James Joyce Centre and tucking into offal. Wee sent our reporter Bella Finn to find out how Joyceans are celebrating. 

 From the Metro to Dublin Bus to off shore wind farms and housing, why can’t we build anything and what is the problem? To discuss with Pat was Orla Hegarty, Architect and Assistant Professor at UCD and Karl Deeter, Director at Irish Mortgage Brokers.

Complaining about bad service can be difficult for many reasons, emotional social, and of course, practical so how should we complain? All to discuss with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

Airstrikes between Israel and Iran have continued overnight after Israel launched its first strikes on Iran on Thursday night. Since the first attack, over two hundred Iranians have been killed and at least nineteen in Israel. Alistair Campbell joins us for the latest analysis

You might know him from playing iconic roles in Marvel movies such as The Avengers, Thor and Hawkeye or maybe from being a two-time Oscar nominee. Well, in 2023, Jeremy Renner’s life changed forever when a 14,000 pound snowcat nearly crushed him to death.   The American actor tells his inspiring story on how he survived this near death experience in his memoir ‘My Next Breath’. Jeremy joined Pat this morning on the show.

Colm Brophy, Minister of State for Migration and Fine Gael TD for Dublin West, Marie Sherlock, Labour TD for Dublin Central and Christina Finn, Political Editor with TheJournal.ie. 

The Life and Times Paddy Armstrong by Mary-Elaine Tynan is coming to the Pavillon Theatre from June 20th – 27th as part of a national tour. Alastair Logan was the solicitor who defended Paddy and the Guildford Four until their release. Alaistair will do a post-show discussion on Sat June 21st at Pavillon Theatre. Alastair Logan joined Pat this morning on the show.

TV Chef Mark Moriarty chats through two delicious desserts. Starting off with a vanilla panna cotta with raspberries and toasted almonds and a classic creme brulee.

After years of debates, false promises and deadline delays, the free HRT scheme finally rolled out on June 3rd. But could stock shortages and lingering confusion threaten the positivity around it's launch?   Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

The growing threat of famine is imminent as increases following warnings from United Nations. To discuss further Pat was joined on the show by James Elder, UNICEF spokesperson.

A new gripping Irish novel based in Blarney in County Cork filled with secrets, deception and suspicion explores if there really can be two sides to every story.  ‘Some Of This Is True’ is a fiction story of a young American tourist whose body was found at Blarney Castle while the mother tries to find out what really happened.   Michelle McDonagh, Bestselling Author and Freelance Journalist joined Pat this morning now talk about her latest thriller.

It's Father’s Day this weekend and if you’re stuck for a last minute idea before Sunday, we do not fret! Newstalk’s Tech Correspondent Jess Kelly is here to provide the ultimate guide of tech gifts for dads everywhere. Whether its an Amazon Kindle, a Nespresso coffee machine or even an outdoor electrical grill, Jess talks through the best gifts ahead of Father’s Day. 

Israel targets Iran's nuclear sites and military commanders in major attack. We get the latest on this with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University. 

Fear heightens for the undocumented Irish despite Trump administration denying they have any plans to send illegal immigrants to Guantanamo Bay. Trump won’t allow a ‘mob rule’ as protests against his immigration policies spread across the states. AndHarvey Weinstein was found guilty of sex crimes after a retrial. To discuss all the news stateside was J.D Capelouto, Reporter and Lead Writer for Semafor Flagship Newsletter.

John Montague, this bizarre story of a guy believed to be the best golfer in the world in the 1930s would turn pro or play any big tournaments because he was on  the run for armed robbery and was playing under a false identity .To tell us all was Cameron Hill from Off The Ball.

New Netflix limited dark comedy series Sirens starring Julianne Moore and Kevin Bacon features in this weeks Boxed with John Fardy.

Orlando Bloom undergoes £10k treatment to remove microplastics and toxic chemicals from his blood. We discuss the disinformation around microplastics with David Robert Grimes Author and Disinformation Expert. 

The investing world is undergoing a regime shift so how do you navigate in turbulent times? All to discuss with Neil Osborne Investment Advisor of Santiago Investment Advisors. 

There was another night of unrest in Northern Ireland with Petrol bombs thrown in Ballymena and leisure centre set alight in Larne in third night of violence. To discuss what happened last night and the situation there Pat spoke to Josh Crosbie, Newstalk reporter in Ballymena and also Sian Mulholland MLA, Alliance, North Antrim.

Ocean health is the engine of all life on this planet. However, in Ireland, our oceans are experiencing unprecedented decline due to fishing, shipping, climate change and pollution. But what can we practically do to support our oceans? To tell us more was Jo Linehan Editor of CLIMATE, Sunday Times Ireland and Sustainability columnist Irish Country Magazine, 

Gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder Annie McCarrick have confirmed that they have arrested man on suspicion of her murder. We get the latest on this with Paul Williams Irish Independent Crime Journalist.  

One in four deaths are caused by heart disease and stroke each year. Dr Jim O’Brien Consultant Cardiologist explains how it is important to take care of your heart and what symptoms to look out for relating to heart disease.

Ministers are under increasing pressure to pass the rent pressure zone bill to avoid further price hikes for renters.  But will waiting to introduce the new RPZ will cause a rise in rents?To discuss this and more was Lorcan Sirr, Senior Lecturer in Housing at TUD and Gabija Gataveckaitė political correspondent at the Irish Independent and Sunday Independent.

When most people think of gardens, they picture a quiet plot behind a house, a few potted plants on a terrace, or a peaceful Sunday stroll in a walled botanical garden. But in the small island nation of Singapore, something far more radical took root: What if an entire country could become a garden? This wasn’t an ornamental idea. It was policy. Strategy. Even statecraft. And it began with one man: Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore.Diarmuid Gavin tell us all this week in Gardening Stories.All with thanks to Tirlán,

After two nights of public disorder and riots on the streets of Ballymena in County Antrim, things have calmed down. Petrol bombs and bricks were thrown at police while others had their homes destroyed. Alison Morris, Crime and Security Correspondent with the Belfast Telegraph brings us the latest.

How do you get big things done? That is a question that leading expert in megaproject management Bent Flyvbjerg has sought to answer when it comes to big infrastructural projects around the world. In a country where things often seem to run over budget and time, what are the main reasons this happens around the world and what can we do to stop it?  

On Inside Hollywood this week. When the interview turns sour and stars get annoyed and are they justified as reporters push it too far. All to chat about with Lisa Cannon Entertainment Presenter and Producer.  

It’s a busy day for the RSA today. They are up in front of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, they are hosting their annual conference and they are launching their new TV ad. The conference is focused on Drugs and Driving, and some of the material presented will highlight just how big a problem it is.All to discuss with Transport Commentator Conor Faughnan. 

Dr Ruth Freeman looks at how the Burmese pythons in Florida have been known to swallow large animals, like deer and alligators. Now, for the first time on record, a Florida bobcat has been caught killing a 12-foot python in a sign of nature fighting back. Also, when a heatwave arrives in Ireland, we all reach for the sunscreen and hats but what if the biggest danger isn't just to our bodies, but to our minds?All with thanks to Repak.

Hazel Behan was just 20 years old when her life changed forever. What started off as a summer working broad in Portugal turned into a nightmare.  One night after a long day of working in Praia Da Roch, Hazel returned home and was violently attacked in her apartment by a complete stranger.  The man who attacked her is the prime suspect in the Madeline McCann case Christian Brückner. Brückner is now in prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia Da Luz in 2005. Hazel’s case was brought to the fore years later she decided to waive anonymity and help the Met Police in their investigation regarding Madeline McCann.    Hazel told Pat her story in studio this morning.

In the summer of 2024, sports columnist Eamonn Sweeney set out to follow the All-Ireland championships around the country, retracing footsteps he’d first laid down in his 2004 bestseller The Road to Croker. But there was one big problem. For many years, he had struggled with a crippling travel phobia that left him largely confined to his hometown in West Cork. To fulfil his publishing contract, he had to face his deepest fears. The Last Ditch is a story about mental health, hidden shame and a life-changing moment in a remote train station.

Ministers and retired civil servants are to have the pension contributions checked after Minister Jack Chambers was alerted to potential underpayments and overpayments. We get reaction to this with Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin, Spokesperson for Finance.

Meta is updating its privacy policy, what do we need to know? The update is set to take place for users in Europe next month. Some of the changes will look at adjusting the legal basis it relies on for product improvements.Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly brings us all the details.

The one-woman show, “Mother of All Behans” starring Imelda May  returns this summer. Adapted from the book by Brian Behan, the show, directed by Peter Sheridan, gives a “fascinating record of a remarkable life” of Brendan Behan’s mother, Kathleen.Star of the show Imelda May chatted to Pat this morning on the show.

Switching providers no matter what it is always a task that people do not look forward to. Is it better to switch or easier to stay? Bonkers.ie Daragh Cassidy is here to provide all the best tips and advice when it comes to making the big switch.

Activists from Madleen are deported from Israel this morning following the Israeli seizure of the aid ship. We discuss this and more with Paul Kearns, Freelance journalist in Tel Aviv and also John Reynolds, Associate Professor of Law at Maynooth University. 

The rising cost of saying i do! Why one in four couples spend up to €50,000 for a wedding. All to discuss with Tara Fay, Wedding planner.

Over 500,000 people in Ireland care for loved ones every single day and a lot of our carers are children and young adults. This week marks 'National Carers Week' and so many children and young people take on the carer role in their family.  Joining Pat today was two young carers 15-year-old Lucy O’Connor from county Monaghan who cares for her brother and both of her parents and Benjamiin Buday who is 12 years old and takes care of his sister.

Coalition leaders last night approved changes to rent pressure zones, extending them across the country. To explain what this means Pat spoke to Craig Hughes, Political Editor, Irish Daily Mail and also Rory Hearne TD, Social Democrats, Spokesperson for Housing, Local Government and Heritage .

Financially preparing for death can be made easier than you think. There are seven steps that you should take so you don’t leave your family or loved ones with a big inheritance tax. Leah McMahon Financial Planner at Castle Capital is our expert today and she explained all for our listeners.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

The Mansion House will be full of people in business as they attend the Newstalk Changemaker Business Awards this Wednesday. Pat was joined on the show by Chair of the judging panel, David McRedmond  CEO of An Post and Chair of Judging panel for Newstalk Changemaker Business Awards. The nominees that were required were thought leaders and disruptors in their categories - change makers who had looked at a business challenge and come up with a new path to address them. Over 160 nominations were received and the judging panel chaired by David McRedmond selected a shortlist of 64 to bring to interview. Anton Savage will be the MC on June 11th at The Mansion House. 

Busting up with your buddy. How to behave when your friendship sours. Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist give us advice on dealing with the break up of a friendship.