The Pat Kenny Show
Newstalk
Pat brings you the sharpest analysis of news and current affairs on the radio and fresh perspectives on the issues that will define a generation. Breaking news is interwoven with reflective news features and reports from a variety of reporters based across the country. Experts are on hand to guide listeners on everything from consumer and employment rights and health issues to savvy holiday options. And Pat is joined by all the best personalities from the entertainment world.Listen and subscribe to The Pat Kenny Show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App. You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 21, 2025 • 16min
Henry McKean goes full throttle in Mondello park
With the recent F1 success of Alex Dunne, the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ and the Formula One movie with Brad Pitt. Motor racing is even back in Vogue. So we decided to send Henry McKean to Mondello Park.
Aug 21, 2025 • 8min
Market for green sector jobs grows!
A new survey had found that 85% of Irish professionals say they would consider a job that contributes to climate in the future. Sustainability journalist Jo Linehan looks at the findings and explains how people can train, upskill and more into a green sector in the coming years as the market for climate jobs grows.
Aug 21, 2025 • 21min
Israel’s military starts a planned operation to take over Gaza city
Israel gives final approval for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two. We get reaction to this with Paul Kearns, Irish journalist based in Tel Aviv and also Zahra Legris, Mental Health Activity Manager for Médecins Sans Frontières.
Aug 21, 2025 • 10min
New evidence in Guildford and other IRA bombings investigations
The government is under pressure from investigators after new forensic evidence identifies two suspects in the Guilford pub attack and other IRA bombings. The suspects are now in their 70s and 80s. But what does this new evidence mean and what will happen now? Pat discusses this with John Ware, Journalist, Author, and Investigative Reporter, former BBC Panorama Reporter.
Aug 21, 2025 • 14min
Irish pupils relying on social media sexual health advice study warns
Nearly two-thirds of students questioned in an educational program believed that using contraception can cause infertility. Much of the misinformation that they’re exposed to comes from online sources, like social media and Chat GPT. Debunking the Myths, a sexual education programme based at The Rotunda Hospital, provides accurate and reliable sex education without judgement. Pat was joined on the show by Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Rotunda Hospital and Lead doctor on the new programme.
Aug 20, 2025 • 13min
How can we deal with debt effectively?
Debt can come in many forms from a credit card repayment, a car loan or a long-term loan. Unfortunately, for many, debt problems can cause substantial distress and worry. This financial worry may be unavoidable, but how can we best deal with it? And just why do we overspend on what we can’t afford to repay? Paul Merriman, Financial Advisor and Founder of ASKPAUL.ie.
Aug 20, 2025 • 12min
Gardening stories: The tale of atomic seeds
The tale of atomic seeds captures the paradox of the United States in the 1950s and 1960s. It was both a marketing gimmick and a genuine scientific endeavour. It was propelled by a sincere belief that new technology could banish hunger and improve lives, and by a taste for novelty and spectacle. It bridged the lab and the lawn, the scientist and the housewife, the promise of a better tomato and the hope of a better world. All to chat with Diarmuid Gavin, award winning Garden Designer.
Aug 20, 2025 • 6min
The big church move in Sweden!
A Swedish church weighing 672 tonnes is being moved five kilometers over two days so that Europe’s biggest underground mine can expand. It’s taken eight years of planning and more than €45 million to get to this point, which is part of a larger multi-decade process to move the entire Arctic town of Kiruna. We more on this fascinating story with Philip O'Connor a freelance journalist based in Sweden.
Aug 20, 2025 • 13min
What to do if you child refuses to go to school?
It’s that time of year where you may be preparing to get the kids back in school. But for many kids, this can be a very difficult time; putting up a fuss with the idea of getting back in the classroom. This even has a term in psychological term called Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA. Pat discusses this further with James Callaghan CAMHS experienced CBT Therapist, EMDR Consultant and mental health nurse lecturer and author behind Leo Roars: A brave lion’s guide to overcoming panic attacks.
Aug 20, 2025 • 8min
Glow in the dark road markings help or hinder drivers at night?
An Irish company has designed a next-generation luminous paint that could be shining on a road near you soon if a trial in Co. Sligo is successful. Luminous paint isn’t a new idea but with modern materials and manufacturing it does look as if it might now be useful for road markings. The Irish company behind this one is called called LuminousFlux. Conor Faughnan Transport Commentator tell us more.
