The Pat Kenny Show

Bestselling children’s author Dav Pilkey joins us to discuss the success of his graphic novels and of the new spinoff movie: ‘Dog man.’ Dav is a prolific author, with more than five different kid’s series, notably among those are Dog man, Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club.

There are calls on the government to make it illegal to impersonate someone in order to trick people online, a practice known as ‘catfishing’.  Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist talks us through the psychological dynamics and the impacts.

Liverpool is set to win another title this year as it defeats Man City. And the 6 Nations is heating up as Ireland is on track for another Grand Slam. Colm Bohig from Off The Ball looks back on the weekend of sport.

Now on his tenth day in hospital, how is the Pope’s medical condition progressing? We get the latest with Elise Ann Allen Senior Correspondent, The Crux. 

Planning rules on cabins and modular homes in back gardens could be relaxed as part of Government efforts to tackle the housing crisis. We asked are modular homes just a short-term fix to the housing and rental crisis? Pat discusses this with Orla Hegarty Architect and Assistant Professor at UCD School of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Policy and also Fionnan Sheehan, Ireland Editor with the Irish Independent.

Neale Richmond TD, Fine Gael, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Sinéad Gibney TD, Social Democrats  and also Jane Matthews , Political Correspondent with The Journal make up our Friday Forum this week.

Gareth Mullins talks us through two different recipes on cookies. An Oat cookie as well as a chew and crunch chocolate cookie.

Amazon is set to take creative control of the James Bond franchise. The change of hands was announced yesterday, and will draw to a close almost eight decades of the franchise being owned by the Broccoli dynasty. The announcement has been met with mixed reaction from fans.

Israel has said that an unknown body has been returned from Hamas in a return of hostage bodies. not one of any of the hostages. It comes after a number of bus explosions south of Tel Aviv. We get the latest on this and more with Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at LSE.

Calls increase for Zelensky to return to the negotiating table after his refusal to sign a deal on US access to Ukraine's critical minerals.  We get the latest on this with Inna Sovsun, Ukrainian MP and Deputy Leader of the Golos party. 

The 6 Nations returns this weekend, and Ireland has its sights set on a Triple Crown win against Wales. Also, the Irish Women’s football team faces off against Turkey tonight in the UEFA Women's Nations League. Colm Boohig previews with weekend of sport.

Over the past year, 6,000 cases of suspected welfare fraud was recorded with more than €14 million in public money recovered. We discuss this further with James Geoghan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South and also Susanne Rodgers, Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland.

Caroline West joined Pat in studio to discuss her new book Wrong Women: Selling Sex in Monto, Dublin’s Forgotten Red Light District. She explores the lives of the women of Monto, the clientele who passed through it, and the social perceptions of such ‘fallen women.’ Her book gives a voice to the women who have been rendered invisible from the historical record.

Apple Cider Vinegar is a new six-part series on Netflix that tells the true story of Belle Gibson, an Australian influencer who falsely claimed to have cured her terminal brain cancer through alternative therapies. Set in the 2010s, the series explores the rise of wellness influencers and the impact of social media on self-care and health narratives.John Fardy tells us more about the series on this week's 'Boxed'.

Professor Luke O’Neill explains the asteroid sample that reveals the building blocks of life  likely came from outer space. Also the discovery of a new exoplanet that might have life. 

We've seen the Trump administration's scrubbing of references to everything from climate change to homosexuality, vaccines to contraceptives from various government websites, branded as Orwellian, a justifiable standpointBut there is a more fitting and alarming historical analogy that fits, one that gives us far more insight into the catastrophic consequences that arise when ideology trumps evidence in science: Lysenkoism. David Robert Grimes explains.

Recently football fans were briefly left in the dark at Tolka Park after a floodlight failure during the League of Ireland Premier Division opener between Shelbourne and Derry City. With a growing fear that the match could be abandoned, power was thankfully restored after 45 minutes, allowing play to continue. But floodlights have long held a curious and often controversial place in history, as Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill explain.

 PFAS can be found in everything from straws, beauty products to paint. We hear how to avoid them in this weeks sustainability slot with Jo Linehan, Editor of the Climate Supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland .

Since going to eFlow in 2008, motorists have paid over 2.1 billion euro in tolls on the M50, including 211 million euro last year. Meanwhile in 2024 alone, road users paid over 430 million euro at various toll bridges around the country, according to figures obtained by Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act. To dive deeper into the figures Pat was joined by Newstalk reporter Andrew Lowth.

Germany goes to the polls in a snap election called by Chancellor Olaf Scholz this Sunday. It’s expected to be a historic result for the far right, though no one is expected to go into government with them. Berlin Correspondent at The Irish Times Derek Scally brings us up to speed.

Blanket pay rises for all workers may be a thing of the past according to Morgan McKinley, with companies focusing pay rises for the most in demand roles. Peter Cosgrove, MD of Futurewise and Future of Work Expert joined Pat on the show to discuss this further.  

It’s meant to be the most important meal of the day, but what is the best option for breakfasting like a king or queen? Orla Walsh Dietician at Orla Walsh Nutrition tell us.

Planning rules for cabins and modular homes are to be relaxed to increase housing options while new Dublin €402k apartments hit the market as “affordable homes”. We discuss this and more with Karl Deeter CEO of onlineapplication.com.

Today on Green Scene, evolution in flies, and the unusual circumstances of how a baby shark was born with no dad. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Science for Society at Science Foundation Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Dee Reddy looks at some of the movies inspired by Saturday Night Live skits on the week the show turns 50! Anchorman, Blue Brothers and Wayne’s World all feature with roots in the late night sketch comedy show.

‘Follow me, I’m delicious’ that’s the tagline of comedian and social media star Garron Noone who has amassed over 1.7m followers on both Instagram on TikTok. Garron joins us to talk his fondness for tea and passion for when people make it wrong along with journey to where he is today.

Imagine stepping into a garden where power, politics, and artistry collide. A place where kings and queens once walked, where war and diplomacy shaped the very landscape, and where a hidden tunnel of green shielded a queen from he relentless summer sun. This is Het Loo, the Dutch palace of William of Orange and Queen Mary, a Baroque masterpiece built in an era when gardens were not just for pleasure but for power.Diarmuid Gavin tells us the story of these wonderful gardens and palace.

In this week’s Commuter Slot with Conor Faughan. We look at the level of fines for e scooters and ask if its improving the situation. We highlight the 4th petrol and diesel price hike in a row and we examine why 70% of people would give up their car if they had a better public transport option.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov to discuss peace in Ukraine, without Ukraine present. So what next? Pat discusses this and more with Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University Paul Rogers and also former member of the Defence Forces Cathal Berry.

Killian Ginnity brings us a selection of AI news with last night’s launch of Grok 3, the New York Times embracing AI and South Korea taking action against DeepSeek.

A tourist tax for staying in Dublin is being considered by Dublin City Council in order to increase revenue. This accommodation levy which would be put on hotels and short term lettings is being opposed by those in the tourism industry. Talking to Pat this morning was Michael Magner, President of the Irish Hotels Federation  and Owner of Cork Vienna Woods Hotel.

Domestic EV chargers for rent to public under pilot project. This is among several actions announced aimed at accelerating move to greener transport. With more details on this Pat spoke to Ger Herbert, Motoring Editor and Columnist with the Sunday Independent  

Developments this week on the Gaza ceasefire and negotiations. Hostage releases, negotiations in Cairo and Jordan and how will Egypt respond to Trump’s Middle East Riveria plan. All to discuss with Hussein Ibish Senior Resident Scholar at The Arab Gulf Institute in Washington Dc. 

Recent violence and public order incidents in the city centre has led to unease amongst some business owners, workers and residents who call Dublin home. Newstalk Reporter Jessica Woodlock has been speaking to people about the crime in our capital and Jessica joined Pat in studio with some of their reaction.

What are the tips and tricks of painting your house? Whether its tiles or wood Gaff Goddess Laura de Barra provides all the tips and tricks for painting your house. 

The Tánaiste is set to propose non-lethal military support for Ukraine as Cabinet meets today. The issue of tax break for developers and negotiations for Section 39 workers will also be on the agenda for the Government. All to discuss with Newstalk's Political Correspondent Sean Defoe.

Patients may not be moved into the new children’s hospital until 2026 as moving is delayed over the winter period. It comes as there are reports that costs for the hospital are increasing once more. We get reaction from David Cullinane from Sinn Féin and Columnist, Host of The Irish Medical Lives Podcast and Retired Consultant in Emergency Medicine Dr Chris Luke.

Arthur Cummings, Consultant Eye Surgeon at the Wellington Clinic and Consultant Ophthalmologist at the beacon hospital is our expert today. As well as answering listeners' questions, Arthur speaks about the success of Ocumetra, an Irish data analytics company that helps to manage the symptoms of myopia, or short-sightedness.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing.

Henry Mc Kean was at the Royal Festival Hal in London for BAFTAs last night where there were a few surprises on the red carpet and in the winner's room. Henry joined Pat live from London.

London is the city with most air access out of Ireland, full of iconic sights, starry shows and offbeat attractions. Pól Ó Conghaile, Travel Editor with the Irish Independent, is just back. Travel is with thanks to Ryanair.

European leaders gather in Paris for emergency summit on Ukraine. We discuss what this meeting will bring with John O’Brennan, Jean Monnet Professor Of European Integration at Maynooth University.

Paul O’Callaghan, Water Scientist, Filmmaker and Founder of Bluetech research joined Pat on the show today to chat about his new documentary which is showing at the forthcoming Dublin Film Festival.'Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey' explores the urgent global water crisis while showcasing solutions that bring hope, from sponge cities to drinkable rivers.

Fear among shop owners in Dublin city centre grow following the fatal stabbing of a man over the weekend. Pat discusses this concern with Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town and also Catherine Ardagh TD, Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin South Central.

Google Ireland will be removing reviews of schools online to combat the abuse teachers and schools face online. Pat takes a look at this move by Google with Rachel O’Connor Deputy Director of National Association Principals and Deputy Principals and also Nicola Byrne CEO Riskeye.

We look back on the stories of the week on our Friday Forum. Joining Pat in studio this morning was James Geoghan, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Bay South, Roderic O’Gorman TD, Leader, Green Party, Dublin West and also Alice Leahy, Director of Alice Leahy Trust.

Testimonies continue in the trial of the man accused of stabbing author Salman Rushdie on a West New York stage on 12 August 2022. Also six top prosecutors have resigned from the US Justice Department over the controversial order to drop the bribery case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.We get the latest on all this with Harriet Alexander, US Senior Features for The Times and The Sunday Times.

Chef Gareth Mullins brings us a perfect dish for Valentines weekend.

The prevalence of clothes banks is under the spotlight as local authories are been urged to clean up how they are operated. It comes as there are growing reports of people stealing from the donation bins. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie, has been looking into this, and Josh joined Pat in studio.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will today meet with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference where a potential peace deal with Russia is expected to dominate. Donncha Ó Beacháin from DCU joins us.

Ireland has the lowest spend on defence as a proportion of its economic wealth out of 38 European states, according to a new study. Why does Ireland spends least on defence among 38 European nations? To discuss with Pat was Security and Defence Writer Declan Power.