The Pat Kenny Show

How to take care of your skin in the winter months, cold weather and post Christmas indulgence. Professor Niki Ralph, consultant Dermatologist with the institute of dermatology gives us advice and guidance.

This spring, the man known as “The Tinder Rapist” will be free to leave the midlands prison in county Laois. Patrick Nevin, previously ofnow of no fixed abode, has been in custody since 2014 for the attack of three women over an eleven day period in 2014. We get the details from Stephen Breen, Crime Editor, The Irish Sun.

There’s something about the New Year that cinema understands better than almost anything else. That strange pause between who we were and who we might become. And some of the best films don’t just use New Year’s Eve as a backdrop they use it as a turning point.” Lisa Cannon, Head of Studio, DMG Media tell us all about these films.

In 1636 for a few glittering months the tulip sat at the centre of the first great speculative bubble in European history. A single flower bulb, not even in bloom yet, had just changed hands for more than the price of a fine house with a garden on the smartest canal in Amsterdam. We now call it Tulip Mania, Diarmuid Gavin tells us more.

Over the past number of days we have been focusing on events in Venezuela. Conditions on the ground continue to be unpredictable with the maduro regime essentially intact without him. Jeeny Maltese is a Venezuelan-Irish chef and has been watching events from afar but also attempting to make contact with friends and family back in Venezuela.

Inspired by her father’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, former CNN and RTÉ journalist Fionnuala Sweeney, explores both the challenges and the constantly evolving therapies, for dementia, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the symptoms and how to live well longer.Professor Seán Kennelly, Head of the Institute of Memory and Cognition at Tallaght University Hospital and Consultant Geriatrician and Fionnuala both joined Pat to chat about the The Many Faces Of Alzheimer’s podcast.

As most of us return to work this week a quarter of workers say they are unhappy in their jobs. With almost one in ten planning to hand in their notices in January, a new survey has revealed and work place trends for 2026.  Pat discusses this further with Donal O'Donoghue, Managing Director Sanderson Recruitment. 

Oil prices fell sharply last year, and they are expected to stay low for 2026. Sadly though, the Irish motorist isn’t going to see it. M50 a ‘cash cow’ as drivers pay higher tolls on increasingly congested roads. Total funds collected could have covered the construction cost more than 30 times over. All to discuss with Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Independent Motoring Expert for Carzone.  

The Taoiseach has described reports of the Grok artificial intelligence tool being used to create sexually explicit images of adults and children on social media as "shocking" and "unacceptable". Yet Irish authorities have refrained from tackling Elon Musk on this. We ask why with Adrian Weckler, Technology Editor at the Irish and Sunday Independent.

European leaders show support for Greenland as U.S. increases its takeover overtures. We get the latest with Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg.

Today marks the third day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China.  Trade remains high on the agenda as well international relations following Donald Trump’s comments on possible military action in Greenland. He met with the Kerry Group along with WuXi Biologics, who employ about 700 people in Dundalk, and Trip.com, as this market could be very strong for Irish tourism.We get the latest from China with Newstalk Report Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter.

Finally we might have a way to stop nearly all microplastics from our laundry before they enter the environment. Thanks to a new fish-inspired filter that removes over 99 % of these tiny plastic fibres from washing machine wastewater. Scientists are now arguing that microbes underpin almost every ecosystem on the planet, from fertile soils to healthy oceans.All to discuss on this week's Green Scene with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.

Government ministers are to return for their first Cabinet meeting after the winter recess. Issues such as immigration, data centres and the triple lock are all on the agenda today, and here to tell us more about it Pat was joined by Sean Defoe, Newstalk political correspondent and host of the Let Me Explain podcast.

Autonomous driving technology is expected to dominate the CES trade show in Las Vegas this week as investors bet that artificial intelligence will invigorate an industry beset by slow progress, high costs, safety incidents and regulatory scrutiny. For more on this Pat was joined by Jess Kelly Newstalk's Technology Correspondent.All with thanks to Renault.

No bottled water in school meal scheme would save €10 million. Ten million euros is what the state would save if they scrapped bottled water in the school meal scheme. That’s according to a review by the Irish Government Economic and evaluation service. We discuss this further with Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD Kildare North.

A new year brings a new world of travel possibilities. So what new flights are available from Ireland, and what travel trends that will shape how we holiday? Pól O Conghaile, Travel Editor with The Irish Independent bring us all the travel trends for 2026.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were arraigned in a New York courtroom yesterday. The pair pled not guilty to drugs and weapons charges with maduro striking a defiant tone, stating he was the President of Venezuela and had been kidnapped.We get the latest on this with Sam Kiley, World Affairs Editor, The Independent and also Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.

A warning about the dangers of unlicensed Botox procedures. Getting botox or filler from an unlicensed practitioner can have “devastating consequences”, a doctor has warned. Dr Caitríona Kieran, vice-president of the Irish College of Aesthetic Medicine (ICAM), said some people view getting aesthetic procedures “in the same way as popping in to get your hair done for Christmas, or a facial”. Pat discusses this further with Professor Caitriona Ryan Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology. 

Following his military intervention in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump has turned his sights to other potential targets – one of which has previously come onto his radar: Greenland. The Danish territory is home to a US Space Force base but Trump has restated his desire to now fully take the country. Pat discusses this and more with Mogens Lykketoft, Former Foreign Minister for Denmark. 

Do you often find yourself battling with others to turn the heating up or down? Or maybe people in your workplace are feeling colder than you despite sitting under the same air conditioning. Well, what does that actually mean and what makes women feel the cold more than men? All to chat about with Leona Donaghy, PhD researcher in the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Ulster University.

Today marks the second day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China and trade was high on the agenda.  However Martin’s meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing was mired with questions surrounding the ousting of Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela.Pat spoke to Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter who is reporting for us in China.

As the fallout from Maduro’s ousting continues, as it's estimated that a dozen oil tankers are trying to escape a US naval blockade of Venezuela country and one was 250 miles off the coast of Ireland. Pat discusses this further with Conor Gallagher, Security Correspondent with the Irish Times.

Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at last night's Golden Globes. Henry McKean visited Jessie's old school Ursuline Secondary SchoolThurles, Co -Tipperary and met the students and the drama teacher. 

Employment Law Expert and Chief Business Officer at Arachas Julie Galbraith answers listeners employment-related questions and what to do if the cold spell affects your work.

Stromness whaling station, where Shackleton crafted the rescue mission of his men from Elephant Island, is now under restoration.  At the brink of collapse, Shackleton's South Georgia base has indelible ties to Ireland.  

As the new year is here and many are starting a set of new resolutions. Stephanie Regan looks at the 9-science backed small steps to feeling better in 2026. Some of these include to stop striving for perfection, practice self-compassion and invest in better friendships. 

As Nicolas Maduro is set to face appear in court a New York City today after his capture by the us military for drug and weapons charges. But back in Venezuela, the country continues to revel in the disgraced leader’s ousting as neighbouring countries in Latin America raise concerns about any attempt at US governmental control of natural resources.  Pat discusses this further with Alan McPherson, Freaney Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy at Temple University.

This week on our motoring slot, Geraldine Herbert discusses the danger of a maxed out M50,the Dublin traffic plan and how Tesla loses ev pole position.

Chronic kidney disease affects around one in ten people in Ireland and is on course to becoming the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040. Despite the opt-out organ donation system, less people donated organs in 2025 compared to the previous year, Adrian Cummins, Head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019. He spends more than 10 hours a week on dialysis as he waits for a kidney transplant. Adrian joined Pat on the show the show this morning.

Early on Saturday morning, the United States carried out Operation Absolute Resolve, a raid which killed at least forty people and lead to the capture and removal of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. We get the latest from on the ground in Venezuela from Víctor Amaya and analysis from Scott Lucas.

French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing forward with new first-in-Europe legislation to prohibit social media access for minors under 15 and a ban on mobile phone use in secondary schools, with implementation expected for the 2026 school year.Pat discusses this further with Elaine Burke, Host of For Tech’s Sake Podcast and also John Lichfield, Veteran Correspondent based in Paris.

Ireland will be confronted by a different world in 2026. A mixture of under-investment compared to European neighbours and concern over unidentified drones in the airspace, have placed defence atop the national agenda for 2026.Pat discusses this further with Cathal Berry, Former member of the Defence Forces.

If you are travelling this morning, you will feel the baltic weather and notice the heavy frost everywhere and if you are in Donegal, then you will be looking out at a blanket of snow. Some schools are set to close, and there could be more snow on the way for other parts of the country.  We get the latest on the weather with Holly O’Neill, Meteorologist with Met Eireann.

Joining Pat on today's Friday Forum was Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with The Irish Examiner, Harry Browne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Media at Technological University Dublin and also Eoin O’Malley, Lecturer in Politics at DCU.

It’s time to look across the pond for the latest US news. This week saw the new mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, sworn in on New year's Eve. His speech outside city hall signaled his unwavering ambitions for the city. All to chat about with Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.

 For this week’s Friday Food, the K Club's Gary O’Hanlon leaves behind the classic turkey and ham to try a mango chicken and vegetable Curry for your weekend dinner.

The EU has warned that Israel's threat to suspend aid groups into Gaza under new registration rules would block life-saving aid. What will this mean for the people in Gaza and how has the winter impacted those on the ground?  We heard from Kazem Abu, UNICEF spokesperson in Jerusalem.

After Christmas, we often feel that looming anxiety or impending doom when it comes to our finances. Robert Whelan of Rockwell Financial explains how we can avoid financial stress, and plan for the year and beyond.

After weeks of celebrations, late nights, and maybe one too many glasses raised, January often brings a moment to pause. Dry January encourages people to go alcohol-free for 31 days, raising questions about our drinking habits and the impact alcohol has on our health. Joining Pat to discuss further was Catríona Redmond, Columnist with the Irish Examiner and  Malie Coyne, Clinical Psychologist, Author, Broadcaster.

Investigations continue into the tragic fire that tore through a bar in a Swiss ski resort that killed 40 people and injured at least 115 people.  Joining Pat with the latest on the tragic fire was Julia Hamilton a Switzerland based reporter.

We look ahead to the weekend’s sporting action. The Premier League is back to the weekend after a series of stalemates on Thursday. Inter-provincial rugby action today as Ulster play Munster. all-Ireland club football semi-final. A final to look forward to on Saturday at the Alexander Palace.  Cathal Mullaney, Broadcaster with Off the Ball brings us all the details

Michael Healy Rae, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, is calling for the government to have a “serious rethink” of the planned crackdown on short-term letting. 

During the Christmas break, services through the channel tunnel resumed following power failure caused disruption for passengers. However, despite the major fault there more changes are set to come for the channel tunnel across Europe with different routes across a variety of countries. Eoghan Corry, Editor of Travel Extra.ie brings us the details.

Start the New Year with Henry McKean and special guests!

Emmet was joined on the show this morning by Colin O'Byrne Spokesperson for VOICE who gave advice on handling all the waste from the Christmas season. 

Dee Reddy Entertainment Journalist and Podcaster joined Emmet this morning to recommend some of the best podcasts of 2025.

Electoral changes and the political temperature heading into 2026. Emmet discuss this and more with Art O’Leary CEO of Electoral Commission.  

With January just a couple of days away, this is the time when many people are set to renew their health insurance. Companies are set to hike up premiums from later this week which is expected to impact over one point two million people. With advice on getting the best deal on health insurance Emmet spoke to Dermot Goode from Health Insurance Ireland.ie. 

With the new year just around corner, for some its time to start a fresh but with others there that its a time for anxiety and stress. So with all the pressure to live your best life, do we just need to fake it till we make it?All to chat about with Psychotherapist Enda Murphy.

Lisbon, Copenhagen and Bologna are just some of the cities across Europe offering the best food on the continent. But with a new bursting food scene in Dublin, is our capital city set to become a gastronomical hotspot?  Emmet Oliver chats to Russell Alford, one half of the Gastro Gays.