The Pat Kenny Show

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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

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.