The Pat Kenny Show

The new season of Formula One kicked off down under in Melbourne. Mclaren driver Lando Norris took the first-place podium, while F1 legend Lewis Hamilton had a slow start in the Ferrari uniform. Newstalk’s Rory Galvin runs through the highs and lows of the first weekend in.

Veterinary practices in rural Ireland are struggling to attract and retain young vets, largely because of the antisocial hours involved in farm work, but Archerfield clinic in Kilkenny city has come up with a solution.

As we know we are increasingly in a renewable revolution. with our energy being created by wind turbines and the cars we drive being powered by batteries Creating these products requires certain rare earth minerals, of which many are found deep on the ocean floor. But how do you extract these minerals from the sea and could it harm the environment in the process? Ivan discuss this and more with Andy Wheeler Professor of Geology at UCC.

More motorists are turning to public transport as people cut back on the amount of driving they do because of rising fuel prices. Personal Finance Editor of the Irish Independent has the story and chatted to Ivan this morning. 

For three years now we the birth information and tracing act has been law.  This bill gave adopted people access rights to key birth information. We hear about the workings of the adoption authority with Orlaith Traynor is the Chair of the Adoption Authority of Ireland

Wellness Coach John Belton joins us to discuss how to begin your strength training journey, and its many health benefits.

While there are 70 extra apprenticeships offered in Ireland there is still a gap in their uptake. Why is this? Ivan discussed this further with Paddy Kavanagh, General Secretary of Connect Trade Union and also Guidance Counsellor Brian Mooney

Amidst the Irish housing crisis, could there be an alternative solution, aside from the 40,000 promised annual new builds? The Hardware Association of Ireland believes there may be a solution, in vacant above the shop units. Ivan was joined on the show by Martin Markey Chief Executive of the Hardware Association Ireland. 

Conor McGregor visits the White House and claims to be speaking for the people of Ireland when it comes to immigration issues, the Government have distanced themselves from the comments. Ivan spoke to Fionnan Sheahan about the visit and reaction.

Time for our weekly news review with our Friday Forum panel. This morning joining Ivan in studio was Sarah McGuinness Politocal Correspondent Irish Daily Mail, Grace Boland, Fine Gael TD for Fingal West Ruth Coppinger, PBP Solidarity TD for Dublin West and Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at NUIG.   

Today Gareth brings us a bank holiday recipe of beef and Guinness and stew as well as apple crumb. 

It's the final day of 2025 Cheltenham Festival as the race opens with the JCB Triumph Hurdle. John Duggan previews the day ahead of the highly anticipated Gold Cup. 

Scabies is on the rise in Ireland.  In 2024, there were 51 scabies outbreaks in Ireland, almost twice the number notified in 2023. Outbreaks in Ireland occurred across a variety of settings.

Residents in Finglas have concerns over plans to open a gaming arcade in the village. They say there are already enough gambling outlets in the area even though the number of bookmakers has declined by 47%. Newstalk Report Josh Crosbie has been talking to residents.

Man UTD and Tottenham kept their hopes of silverware alive last night with both teams winning comprehensively. We have a massive weekend of sport ahead as Ireland hope to win their third consecutive 6 nations title, GAA and formula one is back !

This year we will elect a new president of Ireland, with Higgins's stint coming to an end after serving the maximum two terms allowed under the condition. We ask is it time to extent the vote to Irish abroad ? Ivan discusses this with Emma de Souza, Spokesperson for VotingRights.ie,  

A Dublin judge has found that Tusla did not comply with court directions to return cases to court where a social worker was not allocated to a child in their care within four weeks. Judge Conor Fottrell conducted the inquiry. Ivan discuss this further with Shane Phelan, Legal Affairs Editor, Irish Independent who had the story today.

Jane Casey, Ireland's top history buff shares hidden gems and histories of Dublin ahead of St. Patrick's Weekend. She discusses a plethora of places; from the Great Dublin Whiskey Fire of 1975 to a World War Two bomb shelter in Merrion Square. 

Five years on from the Covid pandemic, are there any positive legacies we have learned from? Ivan discussed this and more with Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College.

From the Gouch, The Juice or even Briefcase, sports stars over the years have from rugby, GAA and even darts are known only by their nicknames. Off the Ball’s Phil Egan looks at some of weirdest sports nicknames throughout history.

Up on the Italian Alps the Special Olympics World  Winter Games is in full swing. 14 Athletes are representing Ireland and we go live up the slopes where we are joined by Henry McKean!  Henry report from world winter games special Olympics in Turin.

New CSO stats show planning approvals for new apartments plummeted in 2024. We ask why with Conor O'Connell Director of Housing and Planning at the Construction Industry Federation of Ireland.

Plastic, paper or perishables with so many different options it's hard to what rubbish goes where. Editor of the Climate Supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland   Jo Linehan sits down with Ivan to discuss how to manage your bins.

As we know hair loss can be a mentally an extremely challenging condition.  With it effecting half of men by 50 and half of women up to the age of 70 its also extremely common. To discuss further Ivan was joined on the show by  Professor Caitriona Ryan Consultant Dermatologist with the institute of Dermatology.

There was sighs of relief among the Irish Government yesterday as Micheál Martin’s meeting with Donald Trump went off without a hitch. There were some notable lines during a long Oval Office meeting but was there anything of concern for us? Newstalk's Political Correspondent Seán Defoe and Independent, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Healy-Rae takes a look back on the day.

Pro Independence Demokraatit Party wins Greenland's elections. We ask does this open the door for President Trump. Joining Ivan to discuss further was Ulrik Gad, Danish Institute for International Studies.

Yesterday it emerged from a briefing document provided to Transport Minister Daragh O'Brien that the metro link project could cost more than €23 billion. Is it time call a halt to the metro link? To discuss with Ivan was Michael McDowell, Senator and Former Tánaiste and Minister for Justice.

Nepo baby term that’s become Hollywood’s inside favourite hot potato. But before we had today’s social media-fuelled debate over celebrity offspring, there were the originals stars like Jamie Lee Curtis, Drew Barrymore, and Michael Douglas, who proved that while a famous surname might open doors, talent is what keeps them open. Lisa Cannon tells us all.

As the Cheltenham Festival continues we chat to Off the Ball’s John Duggan with all the winners and looks ahead to more exciting races.

75% of women suffer from Premenstrual syndrome, with symptoms ranging from uncomfortable cramping to irritability and low mood. But for 1 in 20 women, their premenstrual experience is much more difficult, with consequences so serious they can be fatal. Newstalk’s Sarah Madden reports for us. 

We look at the car sales figures for 2025 across Ireland and Europe and ask why less people are opting for manual cars! We also hear why the EUs 2035 combustion ban is under threat! All to discuss with Geraldine Herbert Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Independent.  

A new study has found rodents perform "mouse-to-mouse resuscitation" on each other, much like human CPR, when finding another rodent unresponsive. Also new research has found that solar farms that are built and managed with biodiversity in mind can host up to three times as many birds as crop fields. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman in this week's 'Green Scene'All with thanks to Repak.

Today An Taoiseach Micheál Martin meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office for the traditional ceremony handing over the bowl of shamrock. Séan Defoe, our political correspondent in Washington joins us to look ahead to the series of Irish American meetings this morning,

The Department of Public Expenditure recently reminded workers of their email tone and times they send them at. So what should your tone in email be? And should you be replying outside of office hours? Donal O’Donoghue of Sanderson Recruitment discusses.

When you think of a opera performance you may think its only for a certain kind of audience with these ideas of the artform many might be quick to write it off as a pastime for cultural snobs. Ahead of her lead role in Irish National Opera’s L’elisir d’amor, Claudia Boyle, leading irish soprano joins us to dispel some notions around operas. 

Ukraine has accepted a 30-day ceasefire with Russia put forward by the US. How Russia will respond to this is unknown. Following the agreement the US also agreed to resume intelligence sharing and military aid which it suspended last week. To discuss further with Ivan Professor Donncha Ó Beacháin joins us.

What can you and can’t you say at a dinner party? And if you really, really want to know something that you shouldn’t ask, how do you get around it?Columnist for The Sunday Times and Irish Daily Mail Brenda Power joined Ivan to discuss further.

Grammy winning and Pulitzer Prize winning Jazz artist Wynton Marsalis joined Ivan on the show this morning. Wynton chatted about his long career and also the work as Artistic Director of Jazz at the Lincoln Centre.

Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly reviews the newly released Sky Glass Gen 2 but is does it trump the first one?

has begun his five day US tour for St Patrick’s Day, starting in the Lone Star State of Texas where he met with Governor Greg Abbott and attended SXSW. Seán Defoe is with him and brings us up to speed.

A group of 14 women are due to set off to the Arctic Circle on Thursday. They will trek the arctic for 6 days, braving the elements and camping in below-freezing conditions. They are raising awareness and funds for the ‘Her Heart Matters’ campaign. 1 in 4 women die from heart disease, the same as men, yet research on heart disease in women is majorly lacking. Judith Gilsenan joins us to discuss the women’s expedition.

Why is it that two items of clothing, of the same size, can fit so differently? Laura Jordan joins us to discuss the lack of standardised clothing sizes, the issues of inconsistent sizing and how best to navigate them.

Households could face being charged for using abnormally large amounts of water. With the charge anticipated to be capped at 500 Euro a year.  With more on this Ivan spoke to   Eoin O Broin Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Mid-West  and, party Spokesperson for Housing.

The fear of spiking is something that crosses every woman's mind. Whether it's clutching onto their drinks tightly or even taking their drink with them to the bathroom on a night out. As the number of spiking incidents continues to rise, fresh calls are being made to put pressure on the government to make spiking a specific criminal offence in Ireland, as it currently falls under poisoning laws. Laura Kelly reports for us. 

Our expert today is Dr. Bronagh Keane, general and cosmetic dentist aka Irelands Tooth Fairy. Bronagh answers listeners dentistry questions.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

Solicitor and Crime Novelist Catherine Kirwan joins us to discuss her newly published thriller ‘The Seventh Body.’ Set in Cork city, a routine excavation, in which six historical remains are found, becomes a crime scene when a seventh body is uncovered.

Today, former QuikPark reopens on Monday serving Dublin airport and also Minister Daragh O’Brien is set to have a meeting on regarding the ongoing issue of Dublin Airport’s passenger cap.

Consumers have been warned to avoid getting caught out by health insurance companies imposing much larger rises in the cost of their cover than the average price quoted. Dermot Goode from Total Health Cover explains more .

France beat Ireland 42-27 in their Six Nations face-off in the Aviva Stadium, Shamrock Rovers beat St Pats 1-0 in Tallaght Stadium, and Ireland wins three medals in just over half an hour in the Apeldoorn Athletics Championships. All to discuss with Colm Boohig, Broadcaster of Off The Ball.

This week is Brain Awareness Week.  Over the week, the Neurological Alliance of Ireland aims to promote greater awareness of the brain and brain conditions. Joining Ivan this morning on the show was Professor and a Clinical Neuropsychologist in Trinity College Dublin and Beaumont Hospital Niall Pender and also Bernadette Spellman  Widowed Carer for her husband Micheál who suffered from Huntington’s disease.