The Pat Kenny Show

Episódios

• Icon, Star, Myth: Marilyn Monroe at 100 31.05.2026 15min

  She remains one of the most recognisable and fascinating figures of the 20th century - a Hollywood icon whose image has endured for generations, but whose real life was far more complex than the ‘blonde bombshell’ persona the world came to know. Bestselling author and biographer, Michelle Morgan, joins Pat to discuss Marilyn Monroe’s life, legacy, and why the world remains so fascinated by her a century later.
• The DNA trail in the Sophie Toscan du Plantier case expands 31.05.2026 9min

  Nearly 30 years on from one of the most notorious murders in modern Irish history, the investigation into the killing of Sophie Toscan du Plantier has taken a new turn. Gardaí are now seeking assistance from police forces across Europe and beyond, in an effort to identify a DNA trace found on the victim’s boot - evidence that could yet reshape understanding of a case that has long confounded authorities. Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent with the Irish Times, joins Pat to discuss.
• Pat's Sunday Paper Review May 31st 31.05.2026 17min

  Joining Pat to run through the main stories in the Sunday papers is Mark Hennessy, the Ireland and Britain Editor of The Irish Times.
• Georgina Davis, the newly-retired house manager of Farmleigh House 31.05.2026 12min

  Farmleigh House is the nation’s guest house, hosting dignitaries from around the world when they come to stay. With such a high-powered guest list, the person managing the house must have an eye for detail, a knowledge of the finer things in life, and a love for the job. For the past 25 years that role has been undertaken by Georgina Davis - she joins Pat to talk about her life at Farmleigh.
• Juvenile sentencing for serious sexual offences: Where do we stand? 31.05.2026 15min

  Juvenile sentencing for sex offences and rape hit the headlines in the UK this week when it came to light that a judge had given three boys convicted of the rape and serious sexual assault of two underage girls rehabilitation orders, rather than prison sentences. Noeline Blackwell, Online Safety Co-ordinator with The Children’s Rights Alliance joins Pat to discuss.
• What is a presidential library, and will Trump build his own ? 30.05.2026 11min

  After years of construction, almost a billion dollars in costs and controversy over the design, the Obama Presidential Library is set to open in just a few weeks’ time in Chicago. Never to be outdone by his longtime Democratic rival, Donald Trump is also currently pushing ahead with his own library in Miami, setting up a battle of architectural vanity, legacy and fundraising capacity. But how has the Presidential Library System evolved over the years? Reporter Simon Tierney joined Pat to Explain.
• The dangers of buying weight-loss injections online, and why your pharmacist may now be your first stop for healthcare advice. 30.05.2026 14min

  Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and wegovy are seeing a massive surge in popularity, but concerns are growing about people buying them online without proper medical supervision.  at the same time, new figures show huge pressure on gp services, with more patients than ever turning to pharmacists for frontline healthcare advice.  Joining Pat to discuss this as part of our ‘ask the expert’ slot was laura dowling, better known as the fabulous pharmacist
• Why do rich countries continue to fail in delivering infrastructure and services for their citizens? 30.05.2026 16min

  Now John Kampfner has had a long career as a broadcaster and author.  Starting as a foreign correspondent in Moscow with Reuters, John has worked for the Daily Telegraph, The Financial Times, the BBC and moreHe has also written several books, made award-winning documentaries and is a regular columnist in political and The Guardian  He Joined Pat to dicuss his new book ‘BRAVER NEW WORLD’. Which spends time showing that the big western countries like the US/Germany etc are doing very badly when it comes to quality of life and services.
• Is AI coming for your job ? 30.05.2026 13min

  As AI growth and development continues how many jobs might it replace in the future ? This week, as another college year draws to a close, Professor Luke O'Neill is looking at AI, and the threat it poses to the graduate jobs market.  
• Gareth Mullens makes us a Victoria sponge cake with Wexford strawberries 30.05.2026 7min

  Gareth Mullins, executive chef at the Anantara Hotel, joins Pat with a recipe for a special Victoria sponge with those ever-amazing Wexford Strawberries!
• With the Leaving Cert around the corner how can students stay sane, and what can parents do to support them ? 30.05.2026 14min

  As students careen towards the leaving cert, they may feel overwhelmed by what they know, what they have yet to learn and the impact the exam has on their lives.  Years of schooling have prepared them for this and yet, as the date inches closer, it is up to them and their families to ensure they perform at their best.  counsellor and education columnist for the irish times brian mooney joined Pat in the studio today to present tips on how to feel pressure only when it counts.  
• 'Super Garden' season 17 finale 24.05.2026 7min

  Now in its 17th series, Super Garden is one of Ireland’s favourite television programmes, and once again, viewers have enjoyed seeing five talented designers transforming ordinary gardens in just a few weeks with the winning design set to be revealed this week. Pat is joined by two of the judges on the programme - former super garden winner, Brian Burke, and Bord Bia Bloom’s show gardens manager, Kerrie Gardiner.
• Sporting idioms and where they come from 24.05.2026 8min

  From being “on your tod” to “bringing home the bacon,” these are expressions we use all the time, often without thinking twice about their origins. As it turns out, many of them have fascinating backstories rooted in the world of sport, from horse racing and boxing to cricket and even chess. Joining Pat to go through the stories behind the sayings, and the colourful characters who helped coin them, is Cameron Hill from Off The Ball.
• Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster 24.05.2026 13min

  Alan bradley’s new book, ‘Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster’, tells the extraordinary true story of a serial fraudster who moved between Ireland and the UK for more than a decade, assuming multiple identities, and leaving a trail of devastated families, duped institutions, and exploited charities in her wake. Through meticulous investigation and first-hand testimony, award‑winning documentary film‑maker Alan Bradley reveals how Samantha Cookes - better known to many as “Carrie Jade Williams” - weaponised trust, disability, and vulnerability to deceive everyone from young parents to universities and the Irish state itself. Alan joins Pat in studio to discuss.
• “There was real talk about the possibility of fatalities” - Mikey Cullen on his Gaza flotilla experience 24.05.2026 10min

  International attention has been on Gaza again after a flotilla of activists attempting to deliver aid was intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces, with hundreds detained and later deported via Turkey. Several of the Irish participants have now returned home, and some have spoken about what they describe as violent and degrading treatment while in custody. One of those on board was Dublin poet and musician Mikey Cullen - he joins Pat to discuss.
• The week in US politics 24.05.2026 14min

  It's been another big week in the world of US politics including fresh corruption allegations swirling around president Trump, confusion over American troop movements in Europe, a gunman shot dead near the White House lawn, and growing unease among NATO allies.  Joining Pat to discuss the biggest stories of the week is Professor in International politics at the University of Birmingham David Dunn.
• Pat's Sunday Paper Review May 24th 24.05.2026 17min

  Joining Pat to run through the main stories in the Sunday papers is Kevin Doyle, Group Head of News at Mediahuis Ireland.
• By-election update: What’s the latest? 23.05.2026 8min

  Joining Pat to get the latest as the count continues in the Galway West and Dublin Central by-elections is Newstalk Reporter, Emily Keegan; Barry Whyte, Chief Reporter Bauer Media Audio Ireland; Sean Defoe, Newstalk’s Political Correspondent; and Gary Gannon, Social Democrat TD for Dublin Central.
• Gaza Flotilla: What happened & what are the wider political and humanitarian implications? 23.05.2026 19min

  Irish activists who set out to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza are now on their way home, after a mission that sparked strong reaction both here and internationally. But, what exactly happened, and what are the wider political and humanitarian implications? Pat gets the latest from Maureen Almai, Flotilla Activist and Retired Doctor; Fianna Fáil MEP, Barry Andrews & Euronews Europe Correspondent, Shona Murray.
• Justin Kelly on the ‘Arms Crisis’ of 1970 and its aftermath 23.05.2026 17min

  Even the greatest political scandals have a lifespan, and after a brief public display of remorse, the key players often get on with their careers, but for others, their worlds are permanently changed. Justin Kelly was 11 years old when his father, Captain James Kelly, became embroiled in the infamous ‘Arms Crisis’ of 1970. Family life was changed forever but, as he tells it, not necessarily for the worse. Justin joins Pat in studio to discuss.