Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

 Amidst the glitz and glamour of the most wonderful time of the year. We must remember those who are less fortunate than ourselves, those who will spend this Christmas sleeping rough on the streets across the country. Alice Leahy, of the Alice Leahy Foundation, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

Christmas is a time when many of us will try and take a break from the news and developments around the world, but very often, even at this festive time there are stories that have universal cut through. From the fall of Ceausescu to the enactment of our own constitution, some extremely significant events have happened over the festive period. So myself and our political correspondent Seán Defoe are going to take you on a trip to Christmases past and the news stories that grabbed the headlines like this one from December 26th, 2004…

Despite rising temperatures and changing weather patterns, important climate progress was made in 2025, including renewable energy becoming the source of electricity across the globe. Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society for Research Ireland joined Pat Kenny on the show for this week’s green scene.

For many people Christmas morning means opening presents, a big breakfast and for thousands around the country, a bracing dip in the sea. From organised charity swims to regular sea swimmers who go in every day of the year, the Christmas Day swim has become a festive tradition. Our Chief Reporter Barry Whyte has been finding out why it’s grown so popular and what people need to know before taking the Christmas Day plunge… 

If you remember the slogan ‘you cannot eat a better sweet’ then you will remember Lemon’s sweet shop on O'Connell Street, The Confectioner’s Hall. Famous for its use of safe, natural ingredients and its magical Christmas decoration window display.  Cormac O’Moore, co-author of the sweetness of lemons, joined Pat Kenny on the show to take a Nostalgic look back at the story of lemons and the history it lived through as it witnessed the famine, the two world wars, the Irish revolution, the Victorian era and the campaign for Home Rule. 

Conor Faughnan, Transport Commentator and Host of the Driving Life Podcast, joined Pat Kenny to discuss some of the biggest transport stories of the year.  

There’s been a lot of talk lately about blood on the streets of Silicon Valley and this time, it’s not just hype. Some of the biggest names in artificial intelligence have seen billions wiped off their market value in recent weeks, as investors start asking a blunt question: where’s the money?Adrian Weckler, Tech Editor with The Irish Independent, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss all things AI.

 Stephanie Regan, clinical psychotherapist and host of the Tough Love Podcast joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss family rifts at Christmas, when to fix them and when to let them be.

The past twelve months have seen a drastic shift in the Middle East, while focus remains on Gaza and Israel, other parts of the region continue to deal with their own political crisis. Over the past year, the people of Syria continue to rebuild their country after the fall of Assad while in Lebanon marked the anniversary since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. To reflect on all of this Sally Hayden, journalist with the Irish Times who has just arrived back from Lebanon, joined Pat Kenny on the show.  

We all know about the typical Irish traditions at Christmas time like the Late Late Toy Show or maybe heading to mass once a year, but what about those unofficial Christmas traditions? Like the tin of Roses that keeps getting recycled through the parish or the car park ballet that will have you furious trying to figure out whether someone is pulling out of a space or taking forever to straighten up. Comedian, author, and broadcaster Colm O'Regan joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss those unofficial Christmas traditions. 

Christmas, among its joy and happiness, is also a time of health concern. Early next week we are set to reach the peak numbers of what is a severe Flu season. More than 1,000 people expected to spend Christmas in hospital as a result of the flu. As well as this, we must account for lesser injuries like cuts and burns commonly associated with the festive period. Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, GP and Medical Director of the Irish College of General Practitioners joined Pat on the show this morning.

Russia has launched airstrikes on Ukraine's capital early this morning. In response to the attacks, Polish and allied aircraft were deployed. The attacks come just days after US-led peace talks in Miami.  Emmanuelle Chaze, Ukraine Correspondent for RFI (Radio France Internationale) and France24 joined Pat on the show to discuss the latest on the Ukraine-Russian war as Russia launches airstrikes on Kyiv this morning, post peace talks.

Christmas is here and main streets across the country are flooded with those who have decided tactically or stupidly to leave their present buying to the last minute. But, for the droves who line the shopfronts today and tomorrow, what exactly should they be looking for? Is it too late to pick up something good? Niamh O’Reilly, Freelance Journalist, joined Pat Kenny to discuss.

 From hotel breaks to retreats, we find out what people who choose to go alone get up to for at Christmas with Newstalk Reporter Sarah Madden…

You might know him for being one half of the Rubberbandits or his podcast that has over 90 million listeners worldwide. Award-winning Author and Podcaster Blindboy joined Pat Kenny on the show to chat on what it was like to win a Grierson Documentary Award.

Flu cases are expected to peak this week which was expected and it brings up the question as to why the government decided not to take-up the enhanced jab for over 65’s.  Fionnán Sheahan, Ireland Editor of the Irish Independent, joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss.

Under-recognised, underdiagnosed, undertreated, and under-researched heart health is not the same between men and women, and in turn the differences can often prove costly. When it comes to heart health, women’s bodies tell a different story, and it is time we listened.Dr Róisín Colleran, Consultant cardiologist at the Mater Private Network joined Pat Kenny on the show to discuss women’s heart health.

Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon spent long periods of 2024 confined to bunkers as local tensions flared up, particularly between Hezbollah and the IDF.  Has the situation calmed down since then? What are the circumstances on the ground heading into Christmas?   Newstalk's Tom Douglas has travelled to Camp Shamrock to get a feel for the current state of affairs...

Pat Kenny was joined by Scott Lucas, professor and political analyst at the Clinton Institute in UCD, Larry Donnolly, law lecturer at NUIG and columnist with the journal.ie and Gina London, Former CNN White House Correspondent and Sunday Independent Columnist to look back at all the biggest news stories to come out of the US in 2025.

The festive season is in full swing as thousands of people are returning home for Christmas. Many families have their own special traditions or rituals at this time of year. But what about those who are not originally from Ireland, but now call this country home? How will they be spending the 25th of December? Josh Crosbie has been finding out…