The Pat Kenny Show

In Ireland, it is estimated that one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lives.  While treatment options have improved, it is difficult to understand which treatment will work best for each patient. Scientists have now developed a DNA blood test that can predict how well patients with breast cancer will respond to treatment.Dr Iseult Browne, a clinical research fellow at the Institute of Cancer Research and first author of the study. 

It's only been 30 days since 2026 began and it's safe to say chaos has replaced the status quo. From US threats to invade Greenland, the capturing of Nicolas Maduro, the shooting of two civilians by ICE agents and yet another threat of nuclear action against Iran looms.  As the world continues to grapple with the new normal, what can we expect next?Pat discusses this further with John Simpson, BBC World Affairs Editor.

Steal is a contemporary, high-octane six part thriller about the heist of the century. and the ordinary office worker who finds herself at the heart of it. Available on Amazon Prime. John Fardy Presenter of Screentime tell us all about. 

Children as young as seven coming to school on drugs and being used as drug mules. Fine Gael TD for Louth Paula Butterly told the Oireachtas Justice Committee what she has been hearing in her constituency and Paula explained all to Pat this morning.

Last week, Timothee Chalamet received a nomination for Best Actor at the upcoming Academy Awards, for his role in Marty Supreme, a film based on the life of table-tennis maestro, Marty Reisman. The film has prompted a renewed interest in table tennis and Irish table tennis has attracted and produced plenty of attractive characters over the years, as Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill explains:

February is oesophageal awareness month, and despite Ireland being recognised internationally for excellence in the clinical management of oesophageal cancer, nearly 70% of survey respondents say they would not be confident recognising the early warning signs of oesophageal cancer. Professor John Reynolds, the National Lead on oesophageal cancer, joined Pt to discuss the importance of early diagnoses, and how you can help fundraise. 

Broadway legend Kim Crisswell joined Pat on the show to talk about her life in show business. Also to tell us about her show “Broadway Sound: The 1960s & 70s” on Wednesday 18th February 2026, 7:30pm at the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Republicans are standing up to the White House to protect health, science and space research funding from draconian cuts. All to discuss with Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin.

In the aftermath of the flooding and Storm Chandra, have we done enough for our flood defences? Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment and Minister For Transport, Fianna Fáil Darragh O’Brien discusses this along with scrambler regulation and retrofitting grants.

What measures are retailers taking to make being more sustainable easier for consumers? All to discuss with Jo Linehan, Climate and Sustainability Journalist. 

Last night president Donald Trump threatened a major new strike on Iran after preliminary discussions between Washington and Tehran. Taking to Truth Social last night, Trump demanded that Iran come to the table to negotiate “a fair and equitable deal no nuclear weapons.”To discuss further Pat spoke to Larry Donnelly, Larry Donnelly, Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and Columnist with TheJournal.ie.

Met Éireann is warning of continuing flooding risks as a status yellow weather warning is in effect for six counties in the South East. We get the latest forecast and reaction to comments from the Minister for Housing. Joining Pat was Alan O’Relly, Carlow Weather and

That is, of course, Stockton’s Wing’s tune Over the Moors, which most of you will probably know better as the song that was the Liveline theme tune up until last autumn. It adorned the time of Marian Finucane on that show and the twenty-six-year tenure of the man sitting in front of me, Joe Duffy. Now, exactly a day over seven months since his last Liveline, Joe is settling into a much freer lifestyle without the demands of a daily radio show. Joe Duffy joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss his first seven months of retirement since leaving Liveline.

Bernard McMahon occupies a quiet but pivotal position in the formation of American horticulture. Born in Ireland around 1775, he was part of a generation shaped by political unrest, agricultural hardship and limited opportunity. Like many educated and ambitious young Irishmen of the period, he looked west. When he arrived in Philadelphia in the mid-1790s, the United States was still an experiment, politically fragile, culturally uncertain and botanically dependent on Europe. Gardening in the early republic was largely an act of imitation. Estates, town gardens and productive plots alike leaned heavily on English precedent. Imported seeds dominated the market, and success was measured by how closely a garden resembled those left behind.  Diarmuid Gavin, Award Winning Garden designer joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

In 2022, the leaders of the Kinahan Cartel were hit with a collective fifteen million bounty on their heads by U.S. authorities. In the years that followed, the gang has remained active, but much less so on these shores. So, as we approach the tenth anniversary of the Regency Hotel shooting next week, how has the gang been operating in the years since the U.S. sanctions and bounties? Stephen Breen, Crime Editor of the Irish Sun and Co-Author of Kinahan Assassins and John Hand, News and Crime Correspondent with the Irish Sun and Co-Author of Kinahan Assassins are filling in the gap with their latest podcast, Kinahan’s Downfall, which releases today joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

With less than two years to go to the next presidential election, France's political forces are already jockeying for position. Emmanuel Macron’s power hangs by a thread due to a revolving door of four different prime ministers. All eyes will focus to the upcoming mayoral elections in France and if the far-right national rally will gain enough support to put them in power.     Elaine Cobbe, Paris based journalist joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

2026 could be the Year of the Camera and Government are planning a lot more Speed Cameras, and also plans to introduce cameras for red lights, bus lanes, seat belts and phone use. Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring expert for carzone joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

Met Éireann is warning that the worst may not be over following Storm Chandra which brought extensive flooding to Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin. Homes and businesses suffered damage from the flooding which also caused severe disruption to public transport networks. So why are we so vulnerable when it comes to our public transport network? Brian Caulfield, Professor in Transportation, Trinity College Dublin, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

On this week’s Green Scene, Dr Ruth Freeman, Director of Research for Society for Research Ireland, joined Pat Kenny to discuss Sikkim, the fully organic State in India, and why Greenland really matters. All with thanks to Repak.

Traffic, house alarms and construction are just some of the sweet sounds that make up Dublin city's soundscape. But is our capital becoming too loud for citizens' happiness and health and what can really be done to deal with Dublin's deafening din? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports…

The Cabinet is to approve plans for the abolition of the triple lock. Yesterday, the Minister of State for AI said she would like the power to shut down X when AI crises occur and the government has announced that for the first time ever, every Minister will be going abroad this St. Patrick’s Day.   Political Correspondent with Newstalk & Host of the Let Me Explain Podcast, Sean Defoe, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss some of the biggest stories in politics.   

Artificial intelligence has become ingrained in all aspects of life from search engines, online shopping, and speech writing. Politicians, both at home and abroad, are increasingly starting to write speeches with the help of ChatGPT. One politician who has admitted to this is Fergal Dennehy Lord Mayor of Cork and Fianna Fáil Councillor for Cork City Southwest, and he joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss this morning.

This week Jess Kelly joined Pat to discuss why California Governor Gavin Newsom is carrying out a review of the now US owned TikTok. Newsom accused TikTok on Monday of suppressing content critical of President Donald Trump as he launched a review to decide if its content moderation practices violated state law, while the platform cited a systems failure. With thanks to Renault,

This week marks National Grief Awareness Week. it’s the sixth year the Irish Hospice Foundation are running this campaign, especially during January, a time which can be difficult for many people.  Broadcaster Venetia Quick, who you might know from ‘The Grief Pod' speaks about how her own experience when her husband Martin died in 2018. Also joining Pat was Amy Gibney, National Grief in the Workplace Lead at Irish Hospice Foundation.

When it comes to transport here in Ireland, we always seem to be the last country to jump on the latest trends. We see some progression in the Metro Link, the Luas line has plans to expand and soon we will be bringing in contactless payments. but what's next? Pat discusses this and more with Tony Canavan EY's Global Transport Leader.

Who is Nelson Peltz? As the rift between Brooklyn Beckham and his family was made even more public last week, who is his billionaire father-in-law who calls himself the ‘matchmaker’ between Elon Musk and Donald Trump? All to discuss with Lorcan Nyhan, Head of Training with The Communications Clinic and Columnist with The Sunday Independent.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee will bring to Cabinet the over 50 destinations that Ministers will visit this St Patrick’s Day, headlined by the Taoiseach’s visit to the White House. But in the aftermath of two killings by ICE agents and talk of annexing part of a sovereign European nation, should Micheál Martin attend?Pat asked Malcolm Byrne TD, Spokesperson on Climate, Environment and Energy, Fianna Fáil, Wicklow-Wexford and Richard Boyd-Barrett TD, People Before Profit, Dún Laoghaire.

The impact of storm Chandra has caused major distributions this morning. Our reporter Josh Crosbie who is standing by in one of the worst affected areas of Dublin.

Ireland is among the few European countries who have bucked trends and have continued to increase public funding for the non-profit and charity sector. While the primary work of NGOS is to assist and advocate for some of the most vulnerable members of Irish society, recently public perception of NGOs are on the decline due to the rise of far-right rhetoric.  Pat discussed this further with Teresa Buczkowska from the Immigration Council of Ireland.

Most parents overprotect for the best of reasons. The world feels more dangerous than ever. We want our children to be happy, confident, unhurt. So we step in early. We smooth the road. We solve the problems. We shield them from disappointment, discomfort, and failure but it comes at a psychological cost. All to discuss with Steph Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist, and host of the Tough Love Podcast.

For many people who emigrate, the GAA becomes an important part of their life abroad. For decades now, the sport has been a way for people to find a community and settle in to a new city and country, especially one far from home, where things might be very different from what they’re used to. But, it’s now quickly becoming a new community for locals of the country to join too. Our reporter Emily Keegan was in China recently, where she met with players from the country’s biggest GAA club in Shanghai, to learn more about it.

Storm Chandra has brought rain, wind and flooding across Ireland especially in the East of Ireland. We get the latest on the situation with Aoife Kealy, Meteorologist with Met Eireann, Graeme McQueen, Media Relations Manager with Dublin Airport and Blake Boland, Spokesperson with Dublin Bus.

Back and joint pain are some of the most common injuries many of us face whether it's from playing sports, exercising in the gym or even from sitting at your desk!  So how can we prevent this? Ask the Expert this week was Lowry O'Mahony, Chartered Physiotherapist.

A former flight attendant who posed as a pilot to get hundreds of free flights and why did Air Force one stop in Shannon airport. All to discuss with Kevin Byrne, Retired Lieutenant Colonel and Airport Safety and Security Expert.

Federal immigration officers shot and killed another American citizen in Minneapolis on Saturday. Alex Pretti was a 37 year old ICU nurse who worked in the city’s veteran’s hospital. Pat was joined on the show by Scott Lucas, Professor and Political Analyst, Clinton Institute, UCD.

With a new documentary set to release on February 4th, Lucy Letby is back in the news. The upcoming Netflix documentary on the former nurse is set to feature exclusive footage of Letby’s arrest and interview. With more on this Pat spoke to Enda Brady, TRT World Presenter.  

The cost of accommodation for international protection applicants surpassed €1 billion for the first time in 2024. The new figures come as the latest deportation flight with Polish and Lithuanian citizens left Dublin Airport yesterday afternoon.Pat discusses this more with Matt Carthy TD, Spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Sinn Féin, Cavan-Monaghan.

it was another successful weekend for Michael Carrick at the helm of man united as they defeated arsenal 3-2 in emirates stadium.  Leinster secured their tenth win in a row in the URC against Connacht and in the Australian open, defending champion Madison Keyes is knocked out by fellow American Jessica Pegula. Colm Boohig from Off The Ball looks back on the weekend of sport.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has faced some criticism because of the number of overseas trips he has been on in the last twelve months. But are these trips abroad simply unavoidable when you are the leader of the country? And how beneficial are they? Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been looking into it.

Almost a third of primary schools have seen a sharp rise in the number of pupils absent for four weeks or more in the wake of the pandemic. In a new report, patterns around primary and secondary schoolchildren taking days off have grown worse over two recent academic years and show no signs of reversing course. So what is contributing to this?  All to discuss with Emer Smyth, Research Professor, ESRI and Anna Moya Ponce, Research Assistant, ESRI.

A 14-year-old girl died after being struck by a scrambler bike in Finglas in Dublin yesterday afternoon. With more on this Pat spoke to Kitty Holland, Social Affairs Correspondent.

The Friday Forum look back on the new stories of the week. Joining Pat this week was John Lahart, Fianna Fáil TD FOR Dublin Southwest AND Spokesperson on The European Union, Jennifer Whitmore Social democrats TD for Wicklow and Spokesperson for Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport and also Tabitha Monahan, Political Reporter with The Irish Independent.

For this week’s Friday Food, Gareth Mullins takes us through some afternoon cake favorites. A carrot cake as well as a lemon drizzle and blueberry cake.

2026 marks 30 years since the Divorce Act (1996) came into effect in Ireland. A milestone that offers a timely opportunity to reflect on how separation, divorce, and family breakdown have changed over the past three decades. We discuss this further with Michelle Browne, Divorce Mediator and family mediation specialist.

Microplastics panic shows the dangers of misinformation and distortion even in science!  All to discuss with David Robert Grimes, Author and disinformation expert.

It was 50 years ago this week that Concorde flew its first commercial flights, with British Airways flying their aircraft from London to Bahrain and Air France debuting their route from Paris to Rio de Janeiro. Right up until tragedy struck in the early 2000s, Concorde became the personification of high-speed intercontinental travel for the wealthy and business elite.  To trace the story of this extraordinary episode in aviation history is reporter Simon Tierney, who has been investigating the archives.

One of Dublin's busiest roads is set to face a year of major traffic disruptions. Joining Pat to discuss the roadworks, and the disruptions that will follow, is Dublin Editor for the Irish Times, Olivia Kelly.

After the drama filled week in Davos. President Zelensky launches a scathing attack on European Leaders over their support for Ukraine. We get the latest on this with Shona Murray, Europe Correspondent with Euronews.  

It’s just over two weeks until the 2026 Winter Olympic Games get underway in Milano-Cortina in Italy. The Team Ireland contingent is yet to be revealed, for what will be their ninth appearance at the Winter Games. Ireland’s debut at the Games in 1992 is a fascinating story, all starting with a note left taped to a boat at the Henley Regatta. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more.

John Fardy, Presenter of Screentime reviews the His & Hers is the new Netflix mystery thriller on this week's Boxed.