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 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 • 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.
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 • 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 • 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 • 14min
Inside Hollywood: The Godfather movie
This week on Inside Hollywood, we continue our look at The Perfect Movie and Lisa Cannon breaks down the artistry of The Godfather.
Aug 20, 2025 • 16min
Brother of Evyatar David who is one of of 50 hostages still in Gaza
Evyatar David was abducted from the Nova music festival on Oct 7th and is one of 50 hostages still in Gaza, of whom 20 are still believed to be alive. Hamas released footage of the emaciated 24-year-old Evyatar David on Saturday, Aug 2nd. Evyatar’s brother Ilay David is advocating for his immediate return home and he spoke to Pat this morning.
Aug 20, 2025 • 7min
Green Scene: How octopuses fall for the rubber arm trick!
In the Green Scene this week we hear how virtual reality can actually trigger the brain’s own pain suppression mechanisms to deal with chronic pain. Also new research has revealed that plain-body octopuses can be fooled by a version of the famous rubber-hand illusion, a psychological trick first observed in humans. This is the first time scientists have seen evidence of this kind of body ownership in a non-mammalian species.All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.All with thanks to Repak.
Aug 20, 2025 • 11min
Local save a much loved local Pub!
A group of 26 people banded together to buy a pub in the Co. Limerick town of Kilteely to keep it from closing after the previous owners retired. The former Ahern’s pub has now been rebranded as The Street Bar. Pat spoke to gardener and one of the pub investors Noel O’Dea.
Aug 20, 2025 • 9min
The Secrets of Primrose Square comes to the Gaiety Theatre
In 2018, author Claudia Carroll appeared on The Pat Kenny Show to speak about her novel, The Secrets of Primrose Square. Producer Pat Moylan happened to be listening to the radio at the time and called Claudia after the interview to ask if she would be open to adapting the book into a play. The stage adaptation opens at the Gaiety Theatre under the same title as the book on Sept 9th. Both Claudia and Pat came into studio this morning,
