The Pat Kenny Show

Henry's Christmas Cracker is a 2-hour special with special guests celebrating the festive season! Presented by Henry McKean.

Questions arise as hospital beds in the next few weeks are being emptied, and surgeries are being cancelled, to accommodate the 900 patients who are expected to be admitted with influenza. Joining Pat was Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer, Health Service Executive.  

Joining Pat for this weeks Friday forum was: Catherine Ardagh TD, Fianna Fáil, Dublin South-CentralEoin Ó Broin TD, Sinn Féin, Dublin Mid-West, Spokesperson on Housing, Local Government and Heritage Philip Ryan, Political Editor, Irish Independent 

Anna McHugh, Head of Communications with An Post  joined Pat to talk all things an post.

As the festive season fills our plates, how can you care for your gut while enjoying the indulgences? and how can you distinguish between cramps and pains related to Christmas excess from more serious conditions? Deirdre O’Donovan - Consultant Gastroenterologist joined Pat with the answers.

UK soldiers are poised to train troops in Ukraine. To discuss Pat was joined by Duncan Bullivant, Special Advisor to the Head of the Bosnia peace keeping mission, part of the UK mission to Kosovo in 1999 and CEO of the Henderson Group, an international risk management advisory   

Glazing your Ham, nailing the turkey, getting the drinks just right and all the sides for a delicious family meal Gareth Mullins, Executive Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel joined Pat with all the tips.

Chaos in Rosslare in the wake of Holyhead closure—what’s being done?To answer that Pat was joined by Ger Carthy, Wexford Councillor

Colm Boohig, Broadcaster with Off the Ball discusses this weekend’s sport as after a two-week hiatus from the URC, the weekend brings two Irish derbies. Ulster will host Munster, while Connacht travels to the Aviva to face Leinster.   There is also plenty of Premier League action, where top of the table Liverpool favours their chances in away game against Tottenham.  

Nicolas Sarkozy has been ordered to wear an electronic tag after corruption ruling. Appeals court confirms verdict against former French president for corruption and influence peddling.   Lara Marlowe, Paris-based journalist and author joined Pat with the latest.

Kevin Byrne retired lieutenant colonel & airport safety & security expert joined Pat for a roundup of the aviation stories.

This week on Boxed John looks at Black Doves.

Éadaoin Fitzmaurice, Travel and Food content creator joined Pat with her Out about tips for the weekend.

We hear about the ultramarathon runner who despite breaking 12 world records this year has been cast out of the ultramarathon community from Cameron Hill, digital producer OTB.

It is peak renewal period, so health insurance expert Dermot Goode informs us next on what to look out for when renewing your insurance.  

Ireland's number one bilingual podcast How to Gael are spreading the Irish language across the Emerald Isle, but also North America, in their upcoming 2025 live shows. Two of its hosts Louise Cantillon and Doireann Ní Ghlacáin joined Pat to discuss.

From Australia, Luke O’Neill brings us news of a large study on long COVID focusing on young people. It shows that 70% of them have recovered after two years.

Festival Productions is bringing Annie to The National Concert Hall this Christmas and Pat was joined by some of the people involved in the production: Rebecca Storm, singer and musical theatre actress, playing Miss Hannigan in festival productions of annie in the national concert hall.Tony Finnegan, co-founder of festival productions, director, actor, playing daddy warbucks.Juneta Gasiunaite, one of the actors playing annie.

David Robert Grimes, author and disinformation expert joined Pat to run through the latest in disinformation.

Dominique Pelicot has admitted to drugging his ex wife, Gisele, and inviting men in to rape her. He and fifty others have been on trial since September. Lisa Louis joined Pat from court in Avignon. 

Doctors in Europe are warning of the rise of drunkorexia - a worrying trend that sees people skip meals to binge on alcohol instead.  But is the concerning phenomenon taking hold here in Ireland and could Christmas be a particularly dangerous time for such a problem to spread? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.If you or anyone you know has been affected by the contents of this item, the Bodywhys helpline is 01 210 7906. Marino Therapy centre also have a wide range of resources, including podcasts and holiday guides, available on their website marinotherapycentre.com. 

Jo Linehan, Editor of the Climate Supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland joined Pat with some ideas of sustainable gifts.

If you’re looking for thoughtful Christmas gift ideas, skincare can be a great option – but it’s important to choose the right products, tailored to age and skin needs.  Professor Niki Ralph, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology joined Pat to discuss.

Holyhead port remains closed and is not expected to reopen until mid January at the earliest. It leaves both people and freight having to find alternate routes to Ireland before Christmas. Eoghan Corry joins us with the latest and advice for passengers looking to get home.Eoghan Corry, Travel Expert, ‘Air & Travel’ Magazine Editor, Historian, Author, Broadcaster.

The story of the Gibside estate is a fascinating tale of grandeur, estate making, gardening, resilience, and intrigue, spanning generations of the Bowes family.  Diarmuid Gavin, Garden designer tell us more about the estate.

We find out the latest in Russia, as the kremlin have detained a suspect in the killing of Igor Kirillov, a senior Russian military officer. a bomb hidden in an electric scooter exploded, killing the general. We get the latest on this with Jason Corcoran, Journalist and Russia Analyst.

Trócaire have launched their Christmas appeal for 2024, where they are aiding children in conflict. Their appeal is primarily focused on sudan, as the war-torn country is facing a humanitarian crisis.  Caoimhe de barra, CEO of Trócaire, joined Pat this morning to raise awareness on the country of ‘forgotten conflict'.

Lisa Cannon reveals the most watched Christmas movies of all time and what makes these holiday classics so unforgettable!

Simon Tierney explores recent and not so recent stand out moments that have happened over Christmas, including the big freeze, the extraordinary story of the Christmas truce, the 1968 apollo mission and the launch of Telifís Eireann on New Year’s Eve 1961.

More than 60% of doctors say they are frequently burnt out or exhausted, while more than 50% feel they are disillusioned or disengaged at work according to a new survey. Columnist, Host of the Irish Medical Lives Podcast and Retired Consultant in Emergency Medicine Dr Chris Luke joined Pat to discuss further.

Paris-based journalist and author Lara Marlowe give us an all-encompassing analysis of the current state of the world and its potential trajectory towards collapse from climate change to the rise of far-right politics.

There are about 22,000 -31,000 polar bears left in the world. Research has revealed that as the Arctic warms, polar bears are facing a growing risk of contracting viruses, bacteria and parasites that they were less likely to encounter just 30 years ago.Turkeys are the star of many a Christmas dinner table but there is more to turkeys than meets the eye. They can fly, blush and are distant relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex. All up for discuss on this week's 'Green Scene' with Dr. Ruth Freeman.All with thanks to AIB Ireland.

Barretstown children charity have launched their national Christmas appeal to help ‘Sprinkle Some Magic’ for children affected by cancer and other serious illnesses this Christmas.  Barretstown’s mission is to rebuild the lives of children and families affected by cancer and other serious illnesses through the provision of therapeutic camps and programmes. Pat was joined on the show by Aoife and Colm Lawless. Aoife got to spend time at Barretstown family camp where she could forget about her illness and enjoy being a child again.

Phone use while driving is getting worse. With Data from the UK and the US showing that the problem has worsened in the last few years with incidence of phone use increasing. We hear why and what can be done to reverse this dangerous practice in this weeks commuter slot with Transport Consultant Conor Faughnan.

It is almost three weeks since the General Election and the 34th Dáil meets for the first time today. The first order of business will be to elect a Ceann Comhairle. No Taoiseach will be elected today. We get all the details of what will happen today with Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor, Irish Independent.

Christmas is just over a week away and soon after that we will be closing out 2024. Joining us for a bit of a reflection on the year that was is Jarlath Regan, comedian and podcaster

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly bring us more Christmas tech suggestions to buy as presents.

A top Russian general assassinated by a bomb hidden in a scooter. Who was behind it and what happens next?" We discuss all with Scott Lucas, Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, University College Dublin.

Legendary fiddle player John Sheahan brings his brand-new show The Dubliners Encore around Ireland from 23 Jan, they’ve sold out two Helix Shows and just put a 3rd on sale. John and his daughter Ceoladh who is Creator and Producer The Dubliners Encore Show joined Pat this morning on the show.

You might have heard of misophonia an intense dislike of other people’s noises, but you may not have heard of misokinesia, a diagnosable hatred of fidgeting. To talk about these two conditions a bit more we’re joined by Dr Jane Gregory, Clinical Psychologist at Oxford University.

Three months ago, Shane Leahy, Co-Founder of One 4 Humanity, joined Pat on the show to discuss the charity’s plan to transport a hospitainer, an operating theatre in a shipping container, to Gaza. After months of planning the hospitainer has finally been delivered. Shane joined Pat again on the show.

Dr Richard Hogan, family psychotherapist and clinical director advises parents on how they can approach and speak to their teenagers after discovering they have been watching pornography, while enlightening the us on the dangers surrounding porn.

There have been unexplained drones spotted in the United States and Britain. We find out next what these mysterious sightings could mean with Enda Brady London-based journalist, TV Presenter of TRT News.

With Holyhead Port still closed, thousands of people will be looking for alternate routes home this Christmas. A remaining option is to fly home, but with the passenger cap at Dublin Airport, is there capacity and what will be the cost? Michael O’Leary Group CEO of Ryanair joined Pat to discuss further.

Dr. Arthur Cummings, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at The Wellington Clinic as he answers your questions on understanding which eye vision correction procedure is right for you in this week's 'Ask The Expert'.

Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist gives some great advice on how to navigate Christmas conversations with family and friends.

Have you got any holiday plans for the New Year? January is traditionally a time for travel planning and airlines have already announced several new routes from Ireland. Pól Ó Conghaile, Irish Independent Travel Editor, joined Pat with some great travel tips.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Israel has announced the closure of its embassy in Dublin owing to what it says is the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government. Pat spoke Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich.

Whether we like it or not, our world revolves around money, yet we rarely stop to think about it. What exactly is money, where does it come from, and can it run out? What is this force that drives trade, ignites revolutions, fuels discoveries and inspires art, philosophy, and science? We discuss all with David Mc Williams, Economist ,and author of “Money The Story of Humanity”.

Travel expert, Eoghan Corry joins to discuss how Christmas presents may not be the only thing affected by storm Darragh and the damage to Holyhead port. As around 150, 000 passengers relying on Holyhead to Dublin route for Christmas have fears that the port will remain closed during the festive period.