Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

A new year brings a new world of travel possibilities. So what new flights are available from Ireland, and what travel trends that will shape how we holiday? Pól O Conghaile, Travel Editor with The Irish Independent bring us all the travel trends for 2026.All with thanks to Ryanair.

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were arraigned in a New York courtroom yesterday. The pair pled not guilty to drugs and weapons charges with maduro striking a defiant tone, stating he was the President of Venezuela and had been kidnapped.We get the latest on this with Sam Kiley, World Affairs Editor, The Independent and also Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.

A warning about the dangers of unlicensed Botox procedures. Getting botox or filler from an unlicensed practitioner can have “devastating consequences”, a doctor has warned. Dr Caitríona Kieran, vice-president of the Irish College of Aesthetic Medicine (ICAM), said some people view getting aesthetic procedures “in the same way as popping in to get your hair done for Christmas, or a facial”. Pat discusses this further with Professor Caitriona Ryan Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology. 

Following his military intervention in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump has turned his sights to other potential targets – one of which has previously come onto his radar: Greenland. The Danish territory is home to a US Space Force base but Trump has restated his desire to now fully take the country. Pat discusses this and more with Mogens Lykketoft, Former Foreign Minister for Denmark. 

Do you often find yourself battling with others to turn the heating up or down? Or maybe people in your workplace are feeling colder than you despite sitting under the same air conditioning. Well, what does that actually mean and what makes women feel the cold more than men? All to chat about with Leona Donaghy, PhD researcher in the Belfast School of Architecture and the Built Environment at Ulster University.

Today marks the second day of Taoiseach Michael Martin’s official visit to China and trade was high on the agenda.  However Martin’s meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing was mired with questions surrounding the ousting of Nicolas Maduro from Venezuela.Pat spoke to Emily Keegan, Newstalk Reporter who is reporting for us in China.

As the fallout from Maduro’s ousting continues, as it's estimated that a dozen oil tankers are trying to escape a US naval blockade of Venezuela country and one was 250 miles off the coast of Ireland. Pat discusses this further with Conor Gallagher, Security Correspondent with the Irish Times.

Jessie Buckley won Best Actress at last night's Golden Globes. Henry McKean visited Jessie's old school Ursuline Secondary SchoolThurles, Co -Tipperary and met the students and the drama teacher. 

As the new year is here and many are starting a set of new resolutions. Stephanie Regan looks at the 9-science backed small steps to feeling better in 2026. Some of these include to stop striving for perfection, practice self-compassion and invest in better friendships. 

Stromness whaling station, where Shackleton crafted the rescue mission of his men from Elephant Island, is now under restoration.  At the brink of collapse, Shackleton's South Georgia base has indelible ties to Ireland.  

Employment Law Expert and Chief Business Officer at Arachas Julie Galbraith answers listeners employment-related questions and what to do if the cold spell affects your work.

As Nicolas Maduro is set to face appear in court a New York City today after his capture by the us military for drug and weapons charges. But back in Venezuela, the country continues to revel in the disgraced leader’s ousting as neighbouring countries in Latin America raise concerns about any attempt at US governmental control of natural resources.  Pat discusses this further with Alan McPherson, Freaney Professor of History and Director of the Center for the Study of Force and Diplomacy at Temple University.

This week on our motoring slot, Geraldine Herbert discusses the danger of a maxed out M50,the Dublin traffic plan and how Tesla loses ev pole position.

Chronic kidney disease affects around one in ten people in Ireland and is on course to becoming the fifth leading cause of death globally by 2040. Despite the opt-out organ donation system, less people donated organs in 2025 compared to the previous year, Adrian Cummins, Head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2019. He spends more than 10 hours a week on dialysis as he waits for a kidney transplant. Adrian joined Pat on the show the show this morning.

Early on Saturday morning, the United States carried out Operation Absolute Resolve, a raid which killed at least forty people and lead to the capture and removal of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. We get the latest from on the ground in Venezuela from Víctor Amaya and analysis from Scott Lucas.

French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing forward with new first-in-Europe legislation to prohibit social media access for minors under 15 and a ban on mobile phone use in secondary schools, with implementation expected for the 2026 school year.Pat discusses this further with Elaine Burke, Host of For Tech’s Sake Podcast and also John Lichfield, Veteran Correspondent based in Paris.

Ireland will be confronted by a different world in 2026. A mixture of under-investment compared to European neighbours and concern over unidentified drones in the airspace, have placed defence atop the national agenda for 2026.Pat discusses this further with Cathal Berry, Former member of the Defence Forces.

If you are travelling this morning, you will feel the baltic weather and notice the heavy frost everywhere and if you are in Donegal, then you will be looking out at a blanket of snow. Some schools are set to close, and there could be more snow on the way for other parts of the country.  We get the latest on the weather with Holly O’Neill, Meteorologist with Met Eireann.

Joining Pat on today's Friday Forum was Louise Burne, Political Correspondent with The Irish Examiner, Harry Browne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Media at Technological University Dublin and also Eoin O’Malley, Lecturer in Politics at DCU.

It’s time to look across the pond for the latest US news. This week saw the new mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani, sworn in on New year's Eve. His speech outside city hall signaled his unwavering ambitions for the city. All to chat about with Terry Sheridan, Senior Director of News at WSHU Public Radio.