The Pat Kenny Show

Fans of Joe O’Connor will be happy to know that the second part of the Escape Line Trilogy, ‘The Ghosts of Rome’ is out now. The story is inspired by the true story of Contessa Giovanna Ladii, as she risks everything to help refugees escape, while under threat from the Gestapo. Joe joined Pat on the show.

Travel insurance can be essential in a world of delays, extreme weather and lost luggage, but few have the time to read its policies. Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with he Irish Independent, is here to share his tips.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Alex Slazenger head gardener at Powerscourt explain how they managing trees and storms in Powerscourt Estate. 

Lisa Cannon, Entertainment Presenter and Producer brings us some incredible films about public figures that you need to check out.

With Donald Trump suggesting the US could take over Gaza and move its entire population out of the strip, many are asking does the US actually have any authority to do this? We discuss this with Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at University of Bradford Prof Paul Rogers and hear plenty more reaction from the US.

Russian billionaire Abramovich is exposed for dodging millions in tax with superyachts-for-hire. The investigation carried out by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the BBC reveals that former Chelsea FC owner could owe the UK £1 billion in taxes.  Simon Lock,  Reporter at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.

Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland Dr Ruth Freeman is here to explain the wonder material that is biochar and a look at extreme heat in Europe.

In this week’s Commuter Slot, our secondary roads are second best, a UK team may have invented Potholes that fix themselves…also tesla sales tumble and new speed limits. All up for discussion with Transport Consultant Conor Faughnan.

Sky is set to increase their broadband prices, what will this mean for customers? Pat discussed this with Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Anti-government protests have been taking place across Serbia in recent months with students at the heart of the protest calling for change. Pat discussed why these protests are taking place with Ingrid Gercama, Freelance journalist covering the Balkans.

The last weekend in the United States saw tariffs imposed, paused and threatened; a sign-off on shutting down the US international development agency and, today, Trump will meet with his first world leader since returning to office. To bring us fully up to date is Terry Sheridan Senior Director of News WSHU Public Radio.

Donald Trump has been steamrolling through with his agenda after just two weeks in office. But where are the Democrats when all of this is happening? Is there an effective opposition? To look at this and the prospect of EU tariffs is Larry Donnelly of the University of Galway and columnist with The Journal.

Emmanuel Macron last week announced the move of the Mona Lisa to a new space in the Louvre for the first time in decades. Newstalk's Reporter Simon Tierney talks about the storied history of the world's most famous painting. Including the times it was stolen and vandalised over the years and exactly why it became so famous in the first place.

The Iraqi Parliament is passing a law that will permit children as young as nine to marry. There are calls for the law to be abolished, as activists warn it could legalise ‘child rape’. According to UNICEF, one in five girls globally marry as children. Pat spoke to Juliane Schmucker, Head of Programming at Plan International Ireland.

The end of the Dáil Technical Groups speaker rights, results for the Seanad after a marathon count and the EU reaction to Trumps tariffs. Editor of the Business Post Daniel McConnell brings us the latest in politics.

We look back on the big news stories of the week with our Friday Forum. Joining Pat today was Marie Sherlock, Labour TD for Dublin Central  Shane Moynihan, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Mid West and Christina Finn, Political Editor, The Journal. 

A new law went into effect yesterday, preventing UNRWA from operating in Israel and Palestinian territories. This move is expected to leave tens of thousands of residents in occupied West and East Jerusalem without access to education, healthcare and other essential services. We speak to Juliette Touma, UNRWA Communications Director.

Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel Gareth Mullins talks us through sweet and sour King prawns with steamed jasmine rice dish perfect for a long weekend.

Head of Training at the Communications Clinic Lorcan Nyhan unpicks how Melania Trump is shaping her image from first lady to boss lady.

In 2023, 21 year old Joe Drennan was killed in a hit and run in Limerick. Yesterday, his killer was sentenced to a concurrent sentence to run alongside a drive by shooting sentence. Joe’s mother, Marguerite spoke to Pat this morning.

As life expectancy increases, many are questioning whether Ireland should set a mandatory age for retirement. Should you be forced to retire if you wish to continue working? What does the law say about age discrimination and equality?  All to discuss with Clíona Kimber, co-author of Cyberlaw and Employment.  

The International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants against Taliban Leaders over the persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan. Speaking to Pat this morning was Pashtana Durrani, an Afghan activist who is defying Taliban rule by running the country’s first digital school network, providing education to girls and boys.  

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said that online pornography is driving violence against women. His comments come after it was reported Gardai received 1,600 domestic violence-related calls each week over the Christmas period. Pat discusses this further with Peadar Tóibín, Leader of Aontú.

Sperm cells carry traces of childhood stress, epigenetic study finds. Fathers may carry traces of their childhood trauma in their sperm cells, a new study finds. Prof Luke O'Neill brings us the details of this study.

When a politician is embroiled in scandal, they often resign or move to the shadows of the media spotlight. But as time passes, can a comeback be made? Gabija Gataveckaite from the Irish Independent looks at the art of the political comeback. 

VHI announces an average price increase of 3% across its health insurance plans from 1st March 2025. We speak to Dermot Goode Insurance Expert at Total Healthcover.ie a Lockton company about this increase and what it means for customers.

In 2018 the government introduced new legislation around domestic violence. A year later Ireland ratified the Istanbul Convention a European legal commitment which aims to combat violence against women.But is the state meeting their legal obligations?Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock has been looking into the referral process for perpetrators of domestic violence.

Former Leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan joined Pat in studio. Up for discussion was promoting  roads-based solutions to traffic problems and his career post politics. 

David Robert Grimes brings us through what Irish schools can learn from Finland about tackling media literacy early on and shares how fake cancer cures are being peddled on hugely popular podcasts.

Donald Trump has paused US Aid programmes around the world. One country this is already having an impact in is Ukraine. With more on this, Pat spoke to Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent, RFI and France 24.

Many of us feel that being more sustainable will be time-consuming, expensive, or a chore, but what if being more environmentally and socially active could improve our moods? Jo Linehan digs into the psychology of being sustainable.

Three-quarters of secondary school's report having no applicants for recent teaching vacancies due to the ongoing retention and recruitment crisis. This is according to a survey carried out by the Principals and Deputy Principals Association. Pat discussed these findings with and we are now joined by the Principals and Deputy Principals Association President, Michael Murphy

An American Airlines flight carrying dozens of passengers has collided with a military helicopter as it approached Washington DC's Ronald Reagan National Airport. We get the details from Kevin Byrne a Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Airport Safety and Security Expert. 

On Sunday, Belarussian President Aleksandr Lukashenko won his seventh election in a row claiming 86.62% of the vote in an election that has been described by both the European Union and opposition leaders as a sham. Joining Pat this morning to discuss the election result was Franak Viacorka, Chief Advisor to exiled opposition leader Sveltana Tikhanovskaya.

Five years ago, then teacher Roisin O'Donnell was approached by radio one’s ‘spoken stories’ to produce a piece for air. The resulting 3,000 words would form the basis of her debut novel ‘Nesting’.

Garden Designer Diarmuid Gavin tells us all about Milan's vertical gardens. 

Thirty years on from when they started, Boyzone is back with a series on their road to stardom in the 90s. The documentary explores the rise, challenges they faced, the death of Stephen Gately and the enduring legacy of one of the biggest boy bands in the world. Our own Henry McKean was at the

An estimated 376,000 Palestinians return north following the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. We heard from from UNICEF's Jonathan Crickx on the situation there.

Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland Dr Ruth Freeman explains the great pacific garbage patch and the wonder material that is biochar.

In this week’s Commuter Slot, Conor Faughnan explains to us what to do if you have a minor accident, and also what can you do if someone damages your car when it is parked.

Sinn Féin’s Pa Daly has initiated a High Court challenge to the constitutionality of Super Junior Ministers. Pa Daly joined Pat to explain why he is taking the action and Professor David Kenny of Trinity College Dublin brings us through the Constitution.

Ukraine is one of the many international issues on Donald Trump’s desk. But just what exactly does the new US President mean for the conflict? Lara Marlowe Paris based Journalist and Author. 

The incoming government is facing criticism for its decision to review hybrid working for Civil Servants in the new programme for government.What does this say about the future of work here? Should employees have the option to work from home, or is it time to return to the office.Pat discusses this further with Leisha Redmond McGrath, Work and Coaching Psychologist.

Global tech shares fall as China AI chatbot DeepSeek spooks investors. We get all the details with Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly.

Micheál Martin and Simon Harris are continuing to decide Junior Minister appointments amidst criticism surrounding the lack of women in cabinet. There are also growing calls for the Dáil to be recalled to discuss the damage caused by Storm Éowyn. Pat discusses the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. Siobhan Wynne, ESB Networks Regional Manager, Shane P O. Reilly, Cavan County Councillor. and Fionnán Sheehan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent updated us with all the political news.

Taking too many supplements, obsessing over sugar and intermittent fasting. We take a look at the most common food myths with Dietitian Sarah Keogh.

According to a new CSO survey, more than 6 in 10 of 25-year-olds are still living with their parents and 1 in 8 have emigrated.  To discuss these findings further Pat spoke to Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter and Karl Ormsby, DCUSU President. 

Today, an inquiry into the Omagh bombings will begin. After 26 years since the deadliest killings in the troubles, families will be able to uncover why  examine whether the bombing could have been prevented. Michael Gallagher is the father of son Aiden who died in the bombing and said this was an incredibly important day for families. Michael spoke to Pat this morning on the show. 

Interest Rates are coming down and there’s fresh competition in Ireland’s mortgage market.This means now is a better time than ever for first-time buyers to look for a mortgage.Pat is joined by Margaret Barrett, Managing Director at Mortgage Navigators and a qualified Financial Advisor to discuss all your mortgage queries.

Pat is joined by our resident psychotherapist, Stephanie Regan to dissect our issues this week.Whether we’re calm or panicked, why do certain stresses affect us the way they do. This is the psychology of keeping your cool