The Pat Kenny Show

Enda Brady, Presenter of TRT News on the latest on UK news and politics as Cork man, Morgan McSweeney has been appointed as Kier Starmer’s Chief of Staff, following Sue Gray’s controversial departure. McSweeney is considered to be one of Starmer’s top aides and was credited with Labour’s landslide general election victory.

Despite a lack of amenities and local public services, Fingal County Council has given the go ahead for the second phase of a housing development in Donabate.  Our reporter Josh Crosbie went to Donabate to talk to the community and local representatives about the issue 

Extensive assets and a weak security culture make Ireland ‘ground zero’ for hybrid attacks and influence operations by Russia. So says Cathal Berry TD Independent TD for Kildare and Former Army Ranger and Cathal joined Pat this morning on the show.

The Friday Forum brings you the biggest stories of the week – Election speculation and the crisis in the Middle East. All up for discussion with John Lee Executive Editor Daily Mail Group Ireland, Emer Higgins Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid West. Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail and Richard Boyd Barrett TD People Before Profit TD for Dun Laoghaire.

We hear about the rise in personal injury claims and why it’s actually good news for businesses. Joining Pat to discuss all was Stuart Gilhooly  Senior Counsel and Solicitor at HJ Ward Solicitor LLP. 

Gareth Mullins will be here to talk us through a chicken, wild mushroom and shallot pie with carrot and parsnip crush. A winter warmer recipe to try this weekend.

George Hamilton was chief sports commentator for RTE for 40 years. In September he announced he was leaving RTE Sport and would join Premier Sports. He remains as a presenter on RTE Lyric. George joined Pat to talk about this transition, but also to discuss the highlights of his broadcasting career and personal life that are documented in his book The Hamilton Notes.

How you fight this conflict matters, there must be a credible day after” . We speak to former US ambassador and diplomat Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley about the crisis in the Middle East.

Sarah Binchy discusses the literary festival Echoes that celebrates the legacy of her aunt, Irish novelist and playwright, Maeve Binchy, alongside the best in Irish writing and contemporary writers.

From Monday, e scooters will be banned from public transport. Sarah Madden took to the streets to find out how it’s going to work.

An Taoiseach Simon Harris on election dates, Lebanon and the budget fall out. All up for discussion with Pat this morning on the show.

Adrian Barry Managing Editor, Off The Ball  takes a look at sports mascots and explains where the concept came from and how a modern day mascot can even be a business asset. 

Sweden is implementing a national ban on begging. What does this really mean and how will it work? To explain Pat spoke to Philip O’Connor Irish Journalist based in Stockholm. 

The long road towards America’s first woman president”.  We are on the precipice of history, if Kamala win, but whose shoulders is she standing on? The narrative would have you believe it is just Hillary but there are many other women too.Simon Tierney goes right back to the late 19th century when the first woman to run for president, Victoria Woodhull, ran for the Equal Rights Party in 1872. We hear about the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman to run for the presidency in 1972 and other key examples, including Geraldine Ferrera running as VP in 1984. 

You will Die in Prison, the new book by Bernard Phelan about his time spent as a hostage in an Iranian prison. Bernard who lives in Paris with his husband, Roland Bonello, was working for an Iranian tour operator when he was detained seven months ago on charges of spying. 

How Russia’s disinformation campaign backfired and the Florida surgeon who was an anti vaxer explained in this weeks disinformation slot with David Robert Grimes.

Whether it's going solo  on a date or out with the kids, Eadaoin Fitzmaurice gives us her tips on what to get up to this weekend.  

Carl Widger, Managing Director of Metis Ireland joins to discuss Budget 2025’s impact on pensions, as Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphries states there is focus on older people in Budget 2025.

Touring, costumes and props, just like the Irish film sector, Irish theatre is taking steps to improve its environmental impact.  We speak to Jo Linehan Editor of the Climate Supplement at the Sunday Times Ireland about how to be more sustainable in the arts.

Ciara Carolan, Irish Journalist in Odesa gives us an account of how the city is trying to live ‘normally’ under Russian. A view into Ukraine as Zelensky tries to rally more support in the US.

Consultant Dermatologist Caitriona Ryan joined Pat in studio to answer listeners skin related questions. 

John Simpson, World Affair Editor of BBC News joined Pat on the show to discuss how Middle Eastern conflict is escalating as six people have been killed in an attack in Beirut, following Israel's first military fatality in southern Lebanon, as eight IDF soldiers have died.

Award winning garden designer Diarmuid Gavin joins us to share the remarkable and slightly scary story of Sacro Bosco Gardens.

Joining Pat this morning was Mark Moriarty, award-winning chef on his new cookbook called Season. Mark’s book helps you elevate your everyday cooking as he celebrates the best of seasonal ingredients while also focusing on the importance of seasoning your food.

JD Vance and Tim Waltz met for the first and likely only vice-presidential debate ahead of the elections. We get an insight on how the debate went with Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer with The University of Galway & Columnist with The Journal.ie.  

Sir Declan Morgan , Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR)joined Pat in studio this morning. Up for discussion was the legacy act, his role as Chief Commissioner of the ICRIR and the recent major ruling in Belfast's Court of Appeal.

50 Irish Motorcyclists are riding two thousand miles across America to raise money for Ireland’s Children’s Hospitals. Newstalk’s own Anton Savage is ambassador for the challenge. Anton, joined us to discuss travelling the rust-belt and the Mexican-Border states, roughly a month out from the election - is politics on everyone’s minds?

Best-selling author Cathy Kelly joined Pat this morning on the show to raise awareness on ARC Cancer Support Centre and their Torch of Hope event on October 13th. ARC Cancer Support Centre was fundamental to Cathy during her cancer diagnosis.

Kate Winslet for Titanic and Robert De Niro for the Godfather! We take a look at the best Hollywood auditions with Lisa Cannon movie and entertainment correspondent.

Iran launched a massive missile attack on Israel last night. Israel have vowed to retaliate, and the US said they will help defend their ally, Israel. Duncan Bullivant joined Pat on the show this morning to discuss the impact Iran’s involvement and US’ alliance will have on the Middle East conflict.

For our Commuter Slot this week, from public transport services to EV packages. We take a look at the best of the budget for commuters with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Consultant to the RIAC.

Author David Hare joins to talk us through his new children's book ‘The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Irish Lighthouses.’

Tánaiste Michael Martin joined Pat in studio this morning with his reaction to the Government’s giveaway budget.

Today on the show Newstalk Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly reviews the new Google Pixel Watch.

Dublin Airport’s passenger capwhat is it, how does it work, and why could it send ticket prices soaring? All explained with Paul Hackett – Director and VP of Irish Travel Association.

It is now illegal to buy, breed or import xl bully dogs. The minister for rural and community development Heather Humphreys signed the legislation to ban the dogs last week, which was motivated by a number of serious attacks in recent months. Bella Finn from our newsroom has been looking into the ban and what it entails.

When you think of an octopus, you might picture it swimming alone, however scientists think these animals could be more social than we thought. A new study has found that octopuses sometimes team up with groups of fish in order to hunt together.Meanwhile, bees play a critical role in agriculture, helping to pollinate some 35 percent of the world’s food crops. But with habitat loss, climate change, pesticides and other factors threatening bee populations, in recent years, scientists have been turning to robot bees. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director, Research Ireland.All with thanks to AIB Ireland.

A major escalation in the Middle East after Israel launches a ground invasion into Lebanon. We go live to Beirut as we get the latest from Fawaz Gerges  Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Minister Jack Chambers will deliver his first budget and the last of the current government this afternoon, it is expected to be a bumper giveaway. We hear details on how will all benefit with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and also Charlie Weston, Personal Finance Editor Irish Independent. 

A child who refuses to go to school can be difficult to manage – what should you do about it and why is it happening? Dr Richard Hogan joins us to talk through the issues parents and students face.

Can an affair ever lead to true love?  Pat was joined by Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist to examine the topic of affairs.

With the Dublin marathon just a few weeks away, we get the best tips on how to manage the rest of your training and if you might be considering taking up a marathon. Joining Pat was John Treacy, former CEO of the Irish Sports Council and silver medalist at the Olympics.

The death toll climbs as the most powerful storm on record devastates south-east US and Trump calls Harris mentally impaired Terry Sheridan joins Pat with the latest.

We get all the motoring news with Geraldine Herbert including import charges on cars and a call for a review of the internal combustion ban.

David Dunn, Professor of International Politics joined Pat with the latest on Israel. Hamas declare Israel have killed its leader in Tyre in Lebanon. Death toll rises to 1000 in Lebanon including three senior leaders in PLDP in Beirut strike. Israel have also opened a new front in their military campaign in Yemen. 

The true crime series ‘the case I can't forget’ returns for a new season tomorrow at 9.35pm on RTÉ one and RTÉ player. The series will reveal behind-the-scenes stories of some of Ireland's biggest criminal investigations, from the atm heists of 2019, a 2-part special on notorious Dublin criminal Martin Cahill, and finally, will revisit the first ever human trafficking case convicted in Ireland.  Joining Pat ahead of the release was Dr Pat Leahy, Former Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin.

The Irish Women’s rugby team secure an epic win against New Zealand and what is the future for Erik Ten Hag with a heavy loss to Tottenham at Old Trafford?To answer that Pat was joined by Nathan Murphy, Broadcaster with Off The Ball 

How are far-right election gains in Germany and Austria shaping Europe’s political landscape? Joining Pat to answer that was Rosie Birchard, Journalist with DW News.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has signed a commencement order to increase the maximum sentences for four knife-related offences. Pat was joined by leader of Aontu Peadar Tobin.

What's going to show up in the budget tomorrow, what political impact will it have and does it point to a General Election coming sooner rather than later? – Pat spoke to Ivan Yates.