The Pat Kenny Show

Maeve O’Connell Fine Gael TD for Dublin Rathdown, Louise O’Reilly TD for Dublin Fingal West and Sinn Fein Spokesperson on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development and Craig Hughes, Political Editor for The Irish Daily Mail were our Friday Forum this morning.

Today trump will meet with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the white house as Zelensky hopes to secure more American military assistance to keep up that pressure. Zelensky’s meeting come following his call with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

We discuss this and more with Donnacha O Beachain, Professor of Politics at DCU.

TV chef Erica Drumm talks through Irish Apple, brown butter and cardamom cake as apples are in season. We also here what veg are in season such as aubergine, kale, pumpkin and squash that are perfect to cook with. 

Imelda May may be known worldwide as an Irish singer, but that is likely a language you have never heard her sing in, because, up until recently, you would have found Imelda hesitating to even say ‘go raibh maith agat’.

Those days are now gone as the Dublin singer has taken a journey to find not just the confidence to speak as Gaeilge but to sing through it.

Imelda joined us on the show this morning.

The writing has been on the wall for some time with experts globally warning about a child’s unfettered access to a smartphone yet it doesn’t seem to be getting through. Today new research shows that now a majority of children aged eight to 12 have access to mobile devices overnight.

To get reaction and to discuss further Pat spoke to Stella O’Malley, Psychotherapist and author and parent Adrian Barry, Managing Editor with Off The Ball.

The United Rugby Championship starts up again this weekend and Leinster will once again host Munster in a derby match at Croke Park.  Elsewhere in the Premier League, old rivals Manchester United will face off Liverpool on Sunday in Anfield.  The Formula 1 returns for the US Grand Prix as the teams for next year were announced.

Colm Boohig from Off The Ball looks ahead to a very busy weekend of sport.

Secret languages surround us from graffiti writers, gondoliers, and gym rats to spies, sneakerheads, and Swifties. Every group creates a private lingo of jargon and gestures that eludes the rest of the world. Best selling author and British writer, Ben Schott discusses his new book Schott's Significa, which is an indispensable field guide to the hidden lore and language of our modern age.

Ben joined Pat on the show to chat further about his book.

Photos have emerged of independent presidential candidate Catherine Connolly meeting militia leader behind war crimes against Palestinians in Syria Catherine Connolly was on a trip to Syria in 2018. We get the latest on this with Ronan McGreevy Irish Times journalist and author,

Ireland has a proud tradition in the hammer throw dating back to ancient times. Cú Chulainn supposedly invented the sport long before Games took place in the religious sanctuary at Olympia. Ireland’s first-ever back-to-back Olympic champion Pat O’Callaghan claimed his golds in the hammer throw; but perhaps the most extraordinary episode in the sport’s history took place in Cork in 1984. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more:

Are young people less resilient these days than past generations? Does the increased availability and awareness of mental health support help young people? Or are young people being held back by overbearing adults who are ‘democratising’ parenting? 

All to discuss with our panel this morning. Joining Pat was Siobhán O’Neil White of Mums.ie, Newstalk researcher Meghan O’Halloran, who’s in her early 20s and also Brendan Kelly Professor of Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, and Consultant Psychiatrist at Tallaght University Hospital.

The fragile peace in the Middle East could already be in jeopardy. President Donald Trump has warned Israel could resume fighting if Hamas breaches the ceasefire and neglects to return the bodies of Israeli hostages. Speaking to Pat this morning was military analyst, former fighter pilot, and co-host of the Red Matrix Podcast, Séan Bell, to examine the situation in the Middle East. 

Dunnes Stores is up there with Ryanair and Guinness as one of the most successful Irish enterprises created. Opening its first store in 1944 on Cork’s St. Patricks Street, its success spurred on by cheap clothing grew and grew until eventually in the 1960s it exploded in popularity as it brought the concept of the modern supermarket to Irish shoppers. 

Joining Pat this morning was Matt Cooper, Today FM presenter and author of a new book ‘Dynasty, Scandals, Triumph, Turmoil, and Succession at the Heart of Dunnes Stores’.

Nuclear fusion is the process by which two or more light atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a huge amount of energy in the process. It happens naturally in stars under extreme pressure and temperature.

Scientists are trying to bottle that same process inside special machines (like tokamaks or stellarators). That’s why people call fusion “making a star in a bottle:. All to chat with Luke O'Neill Professor of Immunology at Trinity College Dublin.

Gardaí are investigating the death of a seventeen-year-old at an emergency care facility in Dublin yesterday. In a statement, Tusla confirmed this facility provided care to those seeking international protection.   Joining Pat this morning was Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of Children’s Rights Alliance.

Have we dumbed down our maths curriculum for students too much? And have students lost the ability to do all mental maths as a result of calculators? All to discuss during Maths Week 25 with Oliver Murphy, Author of ‘Fundamental Applied Maths’ and Co-Author Of ‘Active Maths’.

Ireland has seen a 10% boom in men's grooming in 2025. With waxing, laser treatments and anti ageing tweakments (non-surgical cosmetic procedures) taking off.  Men want to feel better but is it a vanity move? Henry McKean tried some tweakments, he sent us this report.

The latest Irish Times Ipsos/B&A poll shows a commanding lead for Catherine Connolly in the Presidential Election, but shows a significant number unhappy with the choice for the presidency.

All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Host of the 'Let Me Explain' podcast. Political Correspondent for Newstalk.

As winter is just around the corner, what does that mean for all your plants from the summer? And when is the last time you should cut the grass before the cold kicks in? Gardener and Field Worker at Crûg Farm Plants Paul Smyth joins Pat to answer listener questions.

Number one bestselling author and award-winning playwright Michael Harding has a brand-new book out entitled ‘Midwinter, A Journey Through A Season’. The book is a meditation on winter, and follows Michael’s personal reflections of life and death, as well as the life of a fictional character, Martin, whose story ‘reflects the heartache and loss that so many families endure every year’. Michael joined Pat on the show this morning.

The Thousand Madleens Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces last week while attempting to break the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. Among those detained aboard the flotilla was Independent TD Barry Heneghan. Barry joins me now to discuss the flotilla, his detainment, and release.

Continuing our Halloween build up on Inside Hollywood we take a look at a Halloween favourite Ghostbusters. All to chat about with Lisa Cannon Head of Studio at DMG Media. 

Wind Energy & Storms Scientists in China have been working to develop turbines that are “typhoon-proof”, spawning a new generation of wind farms that can not only survive major storms, but harness their power. Also we hear how wildfires are changing the taste of wine. 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.ie

Lawyer, financier, and broadcaster, best known as co-host of ‘The Rest is Politics US’. Anthony Scaramucci joins us to take a look at Trump’s plans for peace abroad, his controversial actions at home, and more.

Andrew Porter has a new autobiography, ‘Heart On My Sleeve, My Story Of Struggle And Strength’. It is the inspirational story of Andrew’s life, from his mental health struggles to his sporting triumphs. Andrew joined Pat this morning.

This morning we discussed driverless cars on the road safety features and experiences. Joining Pat was Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Newstalk’s Claire Darmody who recently took a driverless taxi while recently in Atlanta.

The Government has tabled a confidence motion in An Tánaiste Simon Harris following the announcement of Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín that they would table a no confidence motion later this week. Pat gets the latest on this with Jack Horgan Jones Political Correspondent, Irish Times.

No marinading or time consuming-techniques, Donal Skehan joins to discuss straight through cooking. All advice and recipes are featured in his new cook book

Newstalk's Technology Correspondent Jess Kelly reviews the Google Pixel 10 Fold. Google’s new folding phone is the third version of the Fold.

The people of Kosova went to the polls on Sunday as the country held municipal elections. Though the war Serbia waged on Kosova was ended over 25 years ago by decisive NATO involvement, tensions remain between the majority ethnic Albanians and minority ethnic Serbs.  

Joining Pat to discuss the situation in Kosova is former British army officer and the founder and CEO of Henderson Risk Group, Duncan Bullivant. 

Who won today’s presidential debate? We dive into the highs and lows of the last hour.  All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent and Host of the Let Me Explain Podcast and Sinead Carroll, Editor of TheJournal.ie.  

Yesterday in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El sheikh, the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey signed the declaration of the Gaza peace deal, making them guarantors of the agreement. President Trump described it as a “tremendous day for the world, and a tremendous day for the middle east,” . But although hostilities have ceased and hostages and prisoners have been exchanged, how delicate is the peace deal agreed?

Independent candidate Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael Candidate Heather Humphreys partake in the first standup debate of the campaign. Moderated by Pat Kenny.

The cost of living is in focus as winter draws closer, and travel is no exception. So how can you keep prices under control with your hard earned holiday? Pól Ó Conghaile is Travel Editor with the Irish Independent. 

All with thanks to Ryanair.

Anne Bodley is a breast cancer survivor who has benefited from a cancer research trial and is here to tell us her story. Also joining Pat along with Anne was Dr Claire Kilty Head of Research, the Irish Cancer Society. 

AI is being used to take the emotion out of messaging, is this useful and is it good? All to discuss with Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist.

It's no secret that Donald Trump had DEI in his sights when he took on the US Presidency for the second time.  But what impact has the death of diversity, equity and inclusion in the states had here in Irish companies and workplaces? 

And who are the Irish people made redundant by Trumps war on DEI?  Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports.

As all living Israeli hostages are returned home, is this a new era of peace for the Middle East? All to discuss with Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University.  

Looking back over a busy weekend of sport. With an incredible Irish effort against Portugal that was unfortunately in vain, is it still possible for Ireland to qualify for the World Cup? Shelbourne FC deny Shamrock Rovers the league title. In Rugby, Munster continued their undefeated streak in the United Rugby Championship. Leinster also managed to reverse their poor fortune for their first victory of the URC.  

All the weekend sport to look back on with Colm Boohig from Off The Ball.

All with thanks to Visit Pennsylvania.

Bafta award winning actress Miriam Margolyes has lived quite an extraordinary life from Black Adder to Harry Potter to the cover of Vogue at the age of 83. All of this and so much more is documented from A - Z in her book 'The Little Book of Miriam'. Miriam joined Pat in studio to chat all about her book, life and more.

Israeli hostages are returning home after two years in captivity. All living Israeli hostages have now been handed over with the remains of last hostages expected to be next. We discuss this with Paul Kearns, journalist based in Tel Aviv.