The Pat Kenny Show

This weekend on the Pat Kenny Show: Scott Lucas makes sense of events in Washington, Ankara, and IranWhat is killing millions of euros’ worth of oysters in Dungarvan? What was British intelligence really up to in the north? On the 12th of July, what is the future for Unionism following the Donaldson conviction?Luke O’Neill on the billionaire trying to cure his own fatal autoimmune diseaseAlex Rowley has been to Cyprus to meet Garda peacekeepersAuthor Jane Casey tells us about her latest novelPlus the latest sports and news headlinesThat’s the Pat Kenny show, on Saturday and Sunday mornings, from 10am

The 262 registration period has begun and there is a lot of activity in the car-buying market. New car registrations are falling, EV sales are booming and the number of used imports is soaring. Joining Pat to make sense of it all is Sunday Independent motoring editor, Geraldine Herbert.

Europe has barely emerged from one of the most intense heatwaves ever recorded, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees and thousands of excess deaths now being counted with forecasters already warning another spell of extreme heat is on the way. Pat is joined from Spain by Naomi O’Leary, Europe Correspondent with The Irish Times, to unpack what’s happening on the ground.

Joining Pat to run through the main stories in the Sunday papers is Brenda Power, Columnist with The Irish Independent & The Daily Mail

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory released its report on June 23, 2026, titled "The essence of childhood has been destroyed: Israel's deliberate targeting of Palestinian children in the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October 2023" Speaking at a press conference, United Nations Commissioner, Chris Sidoti, summarised the report’s findings, saying ‘every international legal norm has been violated by the actions of the Israeli authorities towards Palestinian children and they need to be held accountable.’ Chris joins Pat to discuss.

From VAR controversy and England facing a hostile atmosphere at the Azteca tonight to Paraguay's ill-tempered treatment of France and the opening weekend of rugby's new Nations Championship, not to mention Galway's stunning demolition of Cork to book an All-Ireland Hurling Final spot, it's been another packed sporting weekend. Joining Pat to discuss is Off the Ball's John Duggan.

This week the US Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court ruled that babies born in the US have a constitutional right to citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump's bid to end the 150-year-old policy. With America being built on immigration what does this all mean for average American families celebrating the 4th of July? Henry McKean joins Pat from New York to discuss.

As Americans celebrate the 4th of July and the many events marking the 250th anniversary of creation of the United States, the country's founding ideals of liberty, democracy, and freedom are once again taking centre stage. But there's another story running through America's history - one not of peace interrupted by war, but of a nation shaped by almost continuous conflict. David Vine, author of the United States of War, argues that war has become deeply embedded not only in American foreign policy, but in its politics, economy, and national identity. So, as the US reflects on 250 years of independence, we ask whether the culture of perpetual war has become one of the defining features of the American experience. He joins Pat to discuss.

UK politics has entered a new phase of volatility following Keir Starmer’s resignation, leaving Labour in a leadership contest and raising immediate questions about direction and stability. Andy Burnham has quickly become a focal point in the realignment, while Nigel Farage continues to reshape and upend the traditional two-party duopoly. What emerges is a political landscape that remains institutionally intact, but increasingly fragmented in authority, narrative, and purpose. To explore that wider sense of unease, Pat is joined by novelist & satirist, Jonathan Coe.

Joining Pat to discuss the benefits that listening to music can have on the brain is Dr Luke O’Neill.

During the summer months, many people gravitate towards ordering salads when out, but they are actually dishes that can easily be made at home and with choosing good quality ingredients can make a delicious and filling meal. Gareth Mullins, Executive Chef at the Anantara Hotel joins Pat with some fabulous salad suggestions for the summer months ahead.

When it comes to preventing heart disease, one of the most important factors is cholesterol and new international guidelines are rewriting how we think about it. Experts now say the focus should be on lifetime exposure to ldl cholesterol (the “Bad” cholesterol) and on lowering it earlier, for longer. That shift has led to a major update in global guidelines, including new risk calculators, lower target levels, and greater use of earlier screening and preventive medication in some patients. Joining Pat to explain what this means for patients in Ireland is Dr Roisin Colleran, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Mater Private Network.

Taylor Swift married Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in New York last night but did it hold up to all the hype and did the ‘wedding of the century’ overshadow America turning 250 today? Henry McKean reports from New York.

This weekend on the Pat Kenny Show: As the US celebrates 250 years, Pat asks why so many of them have been spent at war Dr Roisin Colleran answers your heart health questionsMotoring correspondent Ger Herbert on the best EV for youPaul Harrington is here with a stone-cold Elton John classicProfessor Luke O’Neill on how music changes our brainsA UN commissioner on its latest report into Israel’s targeting of Palestinian childrenAs the World Cup heats up, John duggan gives a roundupPlus, we look at the top stories in the Sunday papers That’s the Pat Kenny Show this Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am.

Bestselling thriller writer Karin Slaughter joins Pat to talk about her new novel, The Secrets We Hide, set in the small-town world of North Falls. With more than 40 million books sold and TV hits like Will Trent and The Good Daughter, she explains why she loves writing rural America and more.

Pat is joined by broadcaster and author John Suchet, who looks back on his years reporting for ITN and News at Ten, covering stories from Iran to Afghanistan, and how television news has been transformed by satellites, 24-hour rolling coverage, and the mobile phone.

As relations between the US, China and Europe keep shifting, Pat Kenny asks what it means for the EU’s balance between security ties with Washington and economic links to Beijing. He is joined by George Yin, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China Studies at National Taiwan University, to unpack China’s strategy for Europe, the race for dominance in key technologies like AI, and why “reliability” matters when you’re choosing partners.

The group stages of the FIFA World Cup are complete and the knockout picture is finally taking shape, with the last 32 promising some fascinating ties and potential heavyweight clashes further down the road. Joining Pat to look back on a busy sporting weekend and ahead to what's coming next is Off the Ball's John Duggan.

Joining Pat to run through the main stories in the Sunday papers is Jack Horgan-Jones, Political Reporter at The Irish Times.

What would you do if your husband rang you from the motorway, you heard the sound of a crash, and then he simply vanished?That's the gripping premise of 'If These Walls Could Talk', the new novel from author and co-host of the 'Natter' podcast Michelle McDonagh. Michelle joins Pat to discuss the book and her inspirations for it.

Happy Dublin Pride! Today, a rainbow of colour will be unleashed on the capital's streets as we celebrate the contribution of Ireland's LBGTQ+ community.But 11 years since Ireland's historic marriage equality referendum, just how far have we moved the dial when it comes to discrimination and marginalisation of the LGBT community?Pat is joined by LGBTQ activist James O'Hagan, and Tonie Walsh, founding editor of Gay Community News to discuss.

Ireland has been making the most of the sunny weather, and if there's one thing that comes out the minute the sun does, it's the barbecue.Gareth Mullins, Executive Chef at Anantara The Marker, joins Pat with the perfect centrepiece for your next summer cookout.

For more than a decade, one of the most contentious issues in Irish aviation has been the Dublin Airport passenger cap.Now as the Government moves legislation to remove the cap, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary joins Pat to discuss what the proposed changes could mean for passengers, airlines and the wider economy.

Author Fintan Drury has just published 'Genocide: Sponsoring the Destruction of Palestine'. In it, the reader is left in no doubt that all the major states in the West have been complicit in aiding and abetting Israel's total destruction of Palestine and its people.Pat welcomes Fintan, his old colleague, to talk about the book.

In advance of Ireland's upcoming European Presidency, Pat talks to Luke O'Neill, Professor of Biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, about the European Research Council's recent meeting in Dublin, and how Europe compares with the rest of the world in science and technology.

This weekend on the Pat Kenny Show: Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has advice for the Dublin airport authorityJournalist Fintan Drury picks a side in the Israel/Palestine conflict in his new book, ‘Genocide’; Should China be the EU’s new best friend?ITN Foreign Correspondent and News at Ten anchor, John Suchet And best-selling author Karin Slaughter, on the next instalment in her ‘North Falls’ seriesThat’s the Pat Kenny Show this Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am.

Pat reviews the latest stories with Gabija Gataveckaite, BBC Dublin Correspondent

In a world of cyberattacks, undersea cables, drones, and increasing geopolitical tension, some are asking whether Ireland’s thinking about neutrality and defence has kept pace with the challenges we face.Paul Davis, Associate Professor of Management at DCU, lends his expertise.

From the prize-winning author of 'My Fourth Time, We Drowned', comes a powerful account of human resilience, capturing our capacity for love and connection against all odds. Sally Hayden discusses her latest work 'THIS IS ALSO A LOVE STORY: SEARCHING FOR LOVE IN A DIVIDED WORLD'.

Newstalk Reporter Henry McKean attends Ireland's Special Olympics and talks to competitors and their families

A major new investigation in The New Yorker examines the world of Andrew and Tristan Tate, their online empire, the criminal allegations they face, and the extraordinary network of political, media, and online influence that has grown around them. Journalist Heidi Blake joins Pat.

Built by Samuel Hayes in 1779, today, Avondale House is one of Wicklow’s greatest visitor attractions but just what does this piece of Irish history have on offer for those hoping to, reach new heights this summer? Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden has been exploring just that and she joins Pat to discuss.Pat was broadcasting live from Avondale House in Wicklow as part of Newstalk's 2026 Summer Tour.

Broadcasting from the stunning surroundings of Avondale, Co. Wicklow for the first stop of Newstalk’s Summer Tour 2026, Pat is joined by historian Patrick Geoghegan to explore the life and legacy of Charles Stewart Parnell.

Broadcasting from Avondale for the opening stop of Newstalk’s Summer Tour, Pat turns from Wicklow’s famous woodlands to another local treasure: Kilmacurragh Botanic Gardens near Rathdrum with Diarmuid Gavin.

Housing, homelessness and addiction are now among the most urgent social challenges facing communities across Ireland, and Wicklow is no exception. Broadcasting from Avondale, Pat looks at the pressures on families in emergency accommodation, the rising demand for social housing, and gaps in supports on the ground with Senator Aubrey McCarthy, co-founder of Tiglin.

Broadcasting from Avondale in Rathdrum for Newstalk’s Summer Tour, Pat Kenny is joined by Newstalk newsreader and local man Alex Rowley for a lively look at the morning papers.

A ceasefire between Washington and Tehran has opened the door to fresh talks on Iran’s nuclear programme but can it survive the political pressure building in Israel, Iran, and the United States?Pat is joined by Jerry Arthurs, lecturer in international relations and politics at South East Technological University, to discuss.

Coming up on the Pat Kenny Show this Saturday & Sunday between 10am and 12 noon:Newstalk’s Summer Tour kicks off in Avondale House, birthplace of Charles Stewart Parnell. Historian Patrick Geoghan looks at the legend and legacy of that great Irishman; Diarmuid Gavin on another Wicklow treasure – the Botanic Gardens at Kilmacuragh. As peace breaks out between the US and Iran, we ask whether it can last; Writer Heidi Blake on the hateful empire of the Tate Brothers; And Paul Harrington revisits a Led Zeppelin classic. Heavenly stuff.That’s the Pat Kenny Show this Saturday & Sunday between 10am and 12 noon.

Irish comedy legend Risteárd Cooper joins Ciara, filling in for Pat. Best known for his hilarious impressions on Après Match, Risteárd is here to tell us all about his new solo tour, ‘Out Of His Head’.

Off the Ball's John Duggan joins Ciara, filling in for Pat, to update us on the latest World Cup news.

An anti-tourist protest planned for next month aim to bring the island of Majorca to a halt. To explain the root of the protests, and how it could affect your holiday, travel correspondent with the London Independent Simon Calder. 

According to a new report, Irish children’s reading has gotten worse since the pandemic. Joining Ciara, filling in for Pat, to discuss the importance of reading, and how we can help our children discover a love for books, is author and former Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde

With the government releasing 10 days worth of oil from the national reserve, Ciara, filling in for Pat, is joined by data journalist with the Irish Times, Rachel Lavin, to discuss Ireland’s oil reserve and energy security. 

Mark Carney continues his Irish tour in earnest today with the residents of Mayo eagerly anticipating his arrival. Newstalk reporter Maggie Chambers was no hand to capture a bit of the excitement

Joining Ciara, filling in for Pat, to take a look at the main stories in the Sunday papers Louise O'Reilly, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Fingal West, Paul Hosford, Deputy Political Editor with The Irish Examiner, and Pat Rabbitte, former Labour Party leader.

Now, following the stabbing incident in Belfast and the subsequent disorder and far-right mobilization we’ve seen on the streets including here in Dublin, questions are being raised about how violence is amplified and turned into political flashpoints.   To help us understand the dynamics at play, from a culture of violence to online escalation, Ciara, filling in for Pat, is joined by Gemma McSherry, a writer who has previously worked with Amnesty and The Guardian. 

Reports suggest a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be signed within days. We'll get the latest from Mark Weiss of The Irish Times. 

Time for Ask the Expert and joining Ciara, filling in for Pat, this morning to answer your medical questions is Dr. Eleanor Galvin.

Owner of the Dublin Cookery School, Gerry Devlin joins Ciara, filling in for Pat, with some vibrant summer dishes to make us feel like it’s 25 degrees and sunny.

Miguel Delaney joins Ciara, filling in for Pat, to discuss the World Cup, and some of its shortcomings.