Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Angela Rayner last week resigned as deputy leader of the UK Labour party along with her government positions following revelations that she underpaid stamp duty. The race to succeed her as deputy leader is now underway. George Parker, Political Editor, Financial Times joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

Most famously known for her debut novel ‘P.S I love you’. ‘Paper Hearts’ is set in rural Ballybeg in County Wicklow. The main character Pip feels like she’ll never be able to reach her dreams again when she becomes pregnant at sixteen during a time when it wasn’t socially acceptable. After years of shame and neglect, her world opens up again, but first, there are a few major plot twists that she has to get through first to find her happy ending. Author Cecila Ahern joined Pat on the show to discuss her latest novel.

School principals have to face budgeting decisions every school year… but what if you were faced with the decision between free school meals or two new teachers, which would you choose?Well, that is one decision that has been taken out of the hands of Robert White, principal of Scoil Íde Naofa in Kildare, who has lost a teacher in this year’s allocation — a teacher he says he would prioritise over the allocation of free school meals in his school.Robert White, Principal, Scoil Íde Naofa, Kildare joined Pat Kenny on the show this morning.

Ireland is one of the fastest-growing ageing countries in Europe but new research highlights how we lack in social and health care needs for older people. That’s according to TILDA, the Irish longitudinal study on ageing which found that many older adults remain undiagnosed for conditions and depression is nearly not reported at all but loneliness levels have dropped back to pre-pandemic levels.  Rose Anne Kenny, Principal Investigator of TILDA joined Pat Kenny on the show to tell us more about the report. 

Why are there so many foxes running wild in our urban areas and what should we do when we see them? Dr Colin Lawton from the University of Galway joined Pat on the show to discuss how foxes are getting more and more comfortable in our towns and cities. 

Traditionally, vision correction surgery has been seen as a permanent change, you do LASIK, PRK, or lens replacement, and that’s your new visual baseline. But more and more, people want to know they have an “exit strategy” if they’re not happy with the outcome. It’s not that they expect to be unhappy, in fact, outcomes are excellent, but the idea that there’s a safety net makes them more comfortable moving forward. Our expert today was Dr Arthur Cummings, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Medical Director at the Wellington Eye Clinic.

Well, it didn’t take long for autumn to be in the air. Though summer is behind us, the changing season throws up some great travel opportunities too. Pól Ó Conghaile, Irish Independent travel editor, joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

US President Donald Trump has said he hopes to get the war in Ukraine solved as European leaders come to meet him today and tomorrow. It comes after the largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine over the weekend. Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News WSHU Public Radio brings us the latest along with a look at a threat of “war” on Chicago and a Senator having an oversight visit cancelled. 

Stephanie Regan, Clinical Psychotherapist, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss trust and group dynamics in light of Traitors.

Pat Leahy, Political Editor of the Irish Times, joined Pat to discuss Presidential hopefuls asking for parties not to block their route to entering the election via the local authorities and the continued threats to Simon Harris.

It was eight years ago since the EU and Canada signed a comprehensive economic trade agreement, otherwise known as CETA, however Ireland is yet to ratify this agreement. In a time when Donald Trump’s tariffs continue to bring uncertainty and upheaval to the global economy, resulting in countries seeking trade outside of the US. Tánaiste Simon Harris has secured cabinet approval for the drafting of legislation which will allow for the ratification of the CETA. Dennis King, Canadian ambassador to Ireland, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

Have you ever heard of a biobank? Well, this morning, we find out exactly what a biobank is and why they form such an important part of disease research. Biobank Ireland is a trust dedicated to expanding a network of biobanks across Ireland with a specific focus on cancer research.  Professor Seán Hynes, Professor in Pathology and Consultant Histopathologist at University Hospital Galway joined Pat Kenny on the show this morning.

Rory McIlroy wins his second Amgen Irish Open and Ireland fought back to claim a draw with Hungary in the World Cup qualifiers. Cathal Muulaney, Broadcaster with Off the Ball, joined Pat Kenny to look back at the weekend in sport.

Today is the first day back at university for many students across the country. But many will have, and continue, to struggle to find accommodation for the year ahead and questions remain over what college fees will be set as in this year’s budget.James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science joined Pat Kenny on the show.

Israeli forces are intensifying their attacks on the outskirts of Gaza city. It is estimated 370 Palestinians deaths from starvation in Gaza since the start of Israel's war in October 2023, including 131 children. We get the latest on the situation there with UNICEF spokesperson in Gaza Tess Ingram.

President Trump is seeking a Nobel Peace Prize and he orders the Defence Department to be renamed the Department of War. To discuss this and more Pat spoke to Larry Donnelly Larry Donnelly Law Lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The journal.

Our Friday Forum look back on the news stories of the week. Joining Pat this morning was Robert Troy TD, Minister of State for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, Fianna Fáil, Longford-Westmeath, Eoin Ó Broin TD, Spokesperson on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Sinn Féin, Dublin Mid-West and also Dr Jennifer Kavanagh, Law Lecturer, South East Technological University.

Chef of The Anantara Marker Hotel  Gareth Mullins talks through seasonal soups and Guinness bread for you to try this weekend.

The latest figures from the CSO show consumers are paying five percent more on their groceries now than this time last year. Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been following our food from farm to fork to examine the different costs, that are adding to these prices. 

As caretakers and secretaries across the country continue to strike, schools are struggling to deal with the fallout. The indefinite strike is resulting in piles of rubbish on school grounds and has reached a tipping point for one school in Dublin. St Joseph's in Fairview has warned that it may have to shut its doors come Monday over fears of rat infestation along with a number of health and safety issues.Pat spoke to Principal at St Joesph’s Fairview Alexandra Duane.