The Pat Kenny Show

Festivals and cultural events have the potential to be harmful in terms of environmental impact. So what can be done to make them more sustainable? We asked Megan Best Co-Founder and Director of Native Events.  

What is the best life policy to take out, and what can you do to manage inheritance tax? Director for Pensions and Investment at PwC Bernard Walsh joins us this morning to answer these questions.

The Atlantic Magazine's Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a signal message group which included Vice President JD Vance and Defence Secretary Peter Hegseth. Gina London, former CNN White House Correspondent and Sunday independent columnist Gina London explained just how this happened and how we ended up in a situation where an Atlantic Editor gets access to top secret military planning?

French Film star Gerard Depardieu’s trial for sexual assault has begun in Paris. We get the latest on this from France with John Lichfield, Paris based Journalist.

Today is national cerebral palsy day. In Ireland, two and a half thousand people live with cp, making it the most common lifelong physical disability. JJulie Welford was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 6 months old and now 10 years later her mother Nicola has been fighting for better access and awareness of the disability. Nicola joined Anton in studio along with Rachel Byrne, Exec Director of the Cerebral Palsy Foundation.

Just 8% of Northern Ireland pupils are taught in mixed schools despite a majority expressing a desire for mixed education. Anton discuss this and more with Joanne Hughes, Director of the Centre for Shared Education at Queen's.

Today the Dáil resumes and the speaking row is set reignite once again. Opposition leaders are seeking "an urgent meeting" with the Taoiseach. Joining Anton to discuss this on going row was Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and also Cian O’Callaghan, Deputy Leader, Social Democrats.

Latest data from Daft.ie shows that house prices rose by an average of 3.7 percent during the first three months of 2025. Speaking to Anton this morning with reaction to this data was Owen Reilly, Dublin Based Estate Agent.

In 2024, the aviation industry successfully transported 5 billion passengers worldwide on over 40 million flights. We ask what's new in advancing aviation safety. Speaking to Jonathan this morning was Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Airport Safety and Security Expert.

The government plans to incentivize apartment building. The idea is to allow property developers to invest less and borrow. Will this make a difference? To discuss further Jonathan was joined on the show by Labour Housing Spokesperson Conor Sheehan.

 Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist joined Jonathan this morning. Up for discussion this morning was the subject of friends, the value of them and why some end. 

Knowing your rights when it comes to employment law can be confusing and daunting. Joining us to discuss the most common issues that arise in relation to employment law and to answer your questions was Julie Galbraith head of Employment at Evershed Sutherlands.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

The past few years have seen an exponential rise in cybersecurity threats, particularly cybercrime-as-a-service. What kind of cyber attacks do we face and how do we combat them? All to discuss with George Foley Cybersecurity Expert at ESET Ireland.  

How much of a grip does the gambling industry have on the beautiful game ? Analysis conducted by investigate Europe has found that 66% of clubs in 31 divisions across Europe have at least one betting deal. Jonathan discuss this and more with Martyn Ziegler The Times’ Chief Sports Reporter.

People are moving away from fast fashion brands. They are more conscious of the working conditions of the staff and also the environmental impacts. We discuss this with Laura Jordan Image and Brand Consultant Owner Of Style Savvy and also Sinead Ryan Host Of The Home Show and Journalist with The Independent and Sunday Independent. 

The Isle of Man was once a famous seaside holiday destination. Despite being just a short hop away, it has faded from view. So what’s it like to visit now? Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with the Irish Independent, is just back. All with thanks to Ryanair.

The toll from Myanmar's deadliest earthquake in decades has continued to rise, compounding an already dire humanitarian. Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF joined Pat Kenny on the show.

All trainee teachers will be required to undergo mandatory placement in special education under reforms proposed by Minister for Education Helen McEntee. We discuss these proposals with Anne Marie Ford Principal of Scoil Naomh Colmcille, in Togher, Co Louth.  

Friday Forum look back on the stories of the week! Joining Ivan this morning in studio was Senator Lorraine Clifford-Lee, Fianna Fáil, Gabija Gataveckaite, Political Correspondent, Irish Independent, Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow and Sinead Carroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie. 

Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel, Gareth Mullins talks us through us how to make paella and lamb burgers for a quick midweek dinner.

Heathrow Airport is closing all day Friday because of a large fire at a nearby electrical substation that supplies it. Around 4000 Irish passengers have been affected. With more on this we heard from Eoghan Corry, Editor of Air and Travel Magazine. Also Dara Brady, Chief Marketing Officer with Ryanair who are arranging rescue flights today and tomorrow between Dublin and London.

Ireland successful beats Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League last night but can they do it again on Sunday? Also this weekend kicks off the Women's Ireland Rugby team kick off their 6 nations campaign. Colm Boohig, Broadcaster of Off The Ball previews the weekend of sport.

Would reintroducing wolves be positive for the ecosystem? Wolves went extinct in Ireland in around 1700 but in the last 10 years we’re starting to hear this idea of reintroducing them. Would this be positive for the ecosystem or a danger to other animals? Newstalk Reporter Josh Crosbie has been looking into this and joined Ivan in the studio to discuss this idea.

Elephant in the room a new initiative which will be introduced in secondary schools providing funding, resources and interactive elephant sculptures to secondary schools. Brent Pope, broadcaster and author joined Ivan this morning to chat about this initiative.

Anthony Scaramucci is a former White House Director of Communications for Donald Trump’s first term, founder of Skybridge Capital and now host of The Rest is Politics USA with Katty Kay. Ivan meet with him to talk about Trump, Tariffs and much more.

Rory Stewart is a former UK Government Minister and now host of The Rest is Politics podcast with Alistair Campbell. He has a wide outlook on global security and conflict and Ivan sat down with him to discuss his opinion on the many challenges facing the world today.

Heathrow Airport has closed due to a power outage after a fire broke out at a nearby transformer substation. Cancellations and diversions will affect 200,000 passengers on 1,350 flights, with 70 Irish flights impacted. To discuss the effects of the world’s biggest international airport closing was Lieutenant Colonel Retired & Airport Safety And Security Auditor Kevin Byrne and International TV news anchor at TRT World  Enda Brady.

The Irish owned Kind Brand company is the first tan brand to achieve B Corp certification globally. The B Corp is the gold standard for ethical and sustainable business practices. Joining Ivan this morning in studio was Noelle O’ Connor, Founder of The Kind Brand company.

Meta is launching a new  system to counter misinformation on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads but could it be exploited by disinformation groups. All to discuss with Author and disinformation expert David Robert Grimes.   

This week in 'Boxed' John Fardy talks to us about Netflix’s new harrowing and emotional drama – Adolescence. Set in an English town, it follows the story of a 13-year old boy arrested for murder. 

Drones are set to be used this climbing season to ferry heavy equipment and supplies on Mount Everest. The drones are capable of carrying up to 15kg, offering a low risk alternative. This seems like a positive development, but how will this affect the livelihoods of sherpas, who usually carry the heavy loads themselves? Travel blogger Johnny Ward joins us to discuss. 

Should a new Museum of Irish American History in Washington DC get the go ahead we ask who might be honored? Newstalk own Simon Tierney has been looking into this and joined Ivan on the show this morning.

The consumer watchdog has called for a crackdown on companies that are hiking bills for essential services mid contract. Newstalk Technology Correspondent joined Ivan this morning with more on this.

After weeks of ceasefire, this week Israel resumed airstrikes on the Gaza strip killing over four hundred people. It follows no progress on moving to phase two of the ceasefire deal agreed in January. Dana Erlich, non-resident Israeli ambassador to Ireland spoke to Ivan this morning.

Columnist, Historian and Author Dave Hannigan joins us to discuss his new book The Big Fight: When Ali Conquered Ireland. Ali’s visit to Ireland caused quite a splash; from playing hurling with Bobby Keher to spending an afternoon with Jack Lynch in Leinster House, Ali seemed to charm everyone he met.

Artificial Intelligence has an unmatched potential in helping mitigate adverse climate conditions, but it heavily relies on fossil fuels and raw material extraction. What can be done to counteract the energy consumption of AI, while maintaining its potential benefits?Ivan discusses this and more with Jo Linehan Editor of the Climate Supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland. 

Former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan has died following a battle with cancer, aged 76. A family statement read: "Eddie passed away peacefully with family by his side in Cape Town in the early hours of 20th March 2025 at the age of 76, after battling with an aggressive form of prostate cancer for the past 12 months."Newstalk's own Rory Galvin looks back on Eddie Jordan's F1 career.

A number of US pharmaceutical companies are now planning for a scenario in which they could leave the Irish market. John O'Loughlin, Partner responsible with global trade and customs at PWC Ireland.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected a U.S. proposal for a full ceasefire in their war with Ukraine, instead agreeing to a thirty day pause on attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Sir William Browder, Head of Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign joined Ivan on the show to discuss further.

The government has agreed to start matching donations from organization that has raised €109 million investing in big ideas in education, health, social enterprise, equality, and the green transition. Rethink Ireland is a leading funding body for Irish charities and social innovators. CEO Deirdre Mortell talks about how the organization aims to grow its fund to €200m.

Following an executive order from President Trump, the remaining files on John F. Kennedy’s assassination are being released by the US National Archives. More than 80,000 unredacted records are expected to be released. Will this shine a new light on the case, and could it pose a threat to US national security? Managing Editor, WSHU Public Radio  Terry Sheridan joins us to discuss.

Following an injury that forced Jonny Murphy to retire from his professional rugby career, he decided to trade his passion for rugby for baking. He gained is love of baking in his nanny’s kitchen growing up. He joined Ivan this morning to chat about his new book

Here’s a story about one man’s vision, a man who saw cities drowning in floods and believed they could be saved not with more concrete, but with nature. His name is Professor Kongjian Yu, a landscape architect. Ridiculed, rejected, even accused of betraying progress, he stood by his radical idea that cities should work with water, not against it. Today, China and many other countries are reaping the benefits of his persistence.Diarmuid Gavin shares the story of sponge gardens.

Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Independent Geraldine Herbert highlights road safety concerns, particularly for pedestrians and the dangerous roads during holiday weekends. 

Is Ireland’s defence system prepared for the global world we live in today? Ivan discusses this further with Patrick Bury, Senior Security Lecturer at The University Of Bath, Former NATO Analyst and Army Officer.

Leaving Cert students to face oral exams in English under sweeping changes. Draft plan would see candidates quizzed on plays or books at end of fifth year. But how will this roll out work? Education Editor of the Irish Times Carl O’ Brien joined us to tell us all.

Can extreme heat increase your risk of cardiovascular disease? Does heat alter the DNA of older people .Dr Ruth Freeman joins Ivan to answer all of the questions behind heating and ageing. All to discuss on this week's Green Scene.All with thanks to Repak.

Famine, rape, killing, Sudan is in crisis while the world looks away. We'll hear some of the little covered stories of the brave women fleeing the world's forgotten war.  Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports from Bahr al Ghazal.

Seventeen years after banks stopped offering tracker mortgages here, a tracker-type mortgage is coming back to the Irish market courtesy of Avant Money.

Google has announced that it will start to phase out Assistant in exchange for Gemini. The announcement has resulted in my Google users opting for Apple. Irish Times Tech Correspondent Ciara O’Brien brings us the details.