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
Oct 2, 2025 • 19min
Who serves to benefit from a prolonged US government shutdown?
The United States government remains shutdown as neither side have been able to reach agreement on continuing to fund the government. With thousands of job cuts threatened, who serves to benefit from a prolonged shutdown? All to discuss with Brett Bruen President of the Global Situation Room and Former Director of Global Engagement at the White House during the Obama Administration.
Oct 2, 2025 • 8min
The complexities of clothes returns and refunds
We buy so many clothes but return a lot of them. We discuss the complexities of returns/refunds with Laura Jordan, Image and Brand Consultant owner of Style Savvy.
Oct 2, 2025 • 14min
The remarkable collection of wildlife inside the m50
We might think of Dublin city being built up, noisy and devoid of anything but humans going about their business. But the reality could be nothing further from the truth. Éanna Ní Lamhna brings us through the remarkable collection of wildlife inside the M50.
Oct 2, 2025 • 13min
Thant Myint-U award winning Historian, Writer and conservationist
In the early 1960s, the United Nations was regarded as Humankind’s best hope for ending war. A peaceful world seemed possible. In Peacemaker, Thant Myint-U shows the forgotten role played by his grandfather, Secretary-General U Thant, in many of the pivotal confrontations of the twentieth century: from the Congo to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the 1967 Arab-Israel War to Vietnam. U Thant’s tireless efforts gave voice to the newly decolonised world as he championed racial equality, environmental protection, and a fairer international economy, all while racing to prevent a third world war.
Oct 2, 2025 • 10min
Israel’s interception of the flotilla heading towards Gaza
Yesterday activists on board a Gaza-bound aid flotilla say the Israeli navy has begun intercepting their vessels. Israel stopped a total of 14 flotilla vessels carrying aid to Gaza. We get the latest on this with Tariq Ra’ouf, spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla.
Oct 2, 2025 • 11min
Many children not been seen for their crucial developmental checks
Some children are not being seen for their crucial child developmental checks. While parents in some parts of the country find it hard to access these appointments at all, due to a post code lottery. Newstalk Reporter Stephaine Rohan has been looking into this and explained her findings with Pat.
Oct 2, 2025 • 5min
We hear about sustainability in sports
From venues and sporting events to equipment and travel, sport, like every industry, has an environmental impact. As the climate continues to change, heatwaves and other extreme weather phenomena negatively affect competitions and impact athletes’ health and performance. Sustainability Journalist Jo Linehan tells us what is being done to reduce this impact.
Oct 2, 2025 • 14min
Should the family home should be exempt from inheritance tax?
According to a new survey, a majority of people believe that the family home should be exempt from inheritance tax. The survey also found that many are unsure about the inheritance tax thresholds. Joining Pat to discuss further is the Irish Independent’s Personal Finance Editor, Charlie Weston.
Oct 1, 2025 • 8min
The gardens of Alcatraz
Most people know Alcatraz as the infamous prison in San Francisco Bay, a place of punishment, isolation, and harsh living. Yet the story of the island is much richer than that. Long before it became a federal penitentiary, Alcatraz had gardens. In fact, the history of gardening on the island stretches back three times longer than its life as a prison.Dermot Gavin tells us the story of the gardens of Alcatraz.
Oct 1, 2025 • 14min
Katherine Zappone on her new memoir
In June of 2020, Katherine Zappone stepped down as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. A latecomer to elected politics, Zappone was first nominated to Seanad Éireann in 2011 before making in to a seat at the Cabinet table. Katherine chronicles her life leading up to this in her new memoir.
