Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Simon Tierney has been meeting with the Russian community in Ireland and how they have dealt with the isolation of their country and the stigma of being a Russian living abroad since the invasion of Ukraine. Simon spoke to two Russians and a Ukrainian.in order to try and understand their predicament.

Many parents are facing a hike in “voluntary” contributions as inflation has left many primary schools struggling financially. Speaking to Jonathan this morning was Seamus Mulconry, General Secretary of The Catholic Primary School Association and also Peter Melrose, Primary School Teacher from Meath.

Are you having trouble getting your kids to sleep? Maybe it’s the brighter evenings now and they’re refusing to go to bed or maybe their nap times have become irregular. Our expert helping us today is Lucy Wolfe Sleep Expert.All with thanks to Hidden Hearing. 

A relationship review could be exactly what a couple needs to communicate effectively and strengthen their connection.   But what is a relationship review, and how can a couple go about conducting one? All to discuss with Stephaine Regan Clinical Psychotherapist.

Four Wicklow men have set out to beat the Guinness world record for rowing around the island of Ireland. They’re trying to beat the previous record of 32 days and 7 hours. They’ve set off from the west coast and are on route around the island. 12 months of preparation, hard work and the support of their entire communities have helped them set sail to raise money for their local charities. Speaking from the Irish costal waters was Diarmuid Bhroin, Captain of the rowing team.

The Irish Natural and Hill Farmers Association, or INHFAM, are for measures to be implemented to counter the mounting cases of dog attacks on livestock.   The body are meeting with the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture this week. For more on this we heard from ohn Joe Fitzgerald, INHFA Vice President. 

Controversy surrounding Glastonbury continues to dominate the headlines. UK Prime Minster Keir Starmer has led the public criticisms following punk duo bob vylan for chanting the of “death” to the Israeli military. To discuss further Anton was joined on the show by Georgie Prodromou, Political Editor with Bauer Media UK.

Last minute holiday tips for people who have booked but are still prepping to go. Packing smart, avoiding car hire upsells, having EHIC card, using Revolut to avoid fees, packing a small “big” bag so you only pay luggage fees one way.  Pol Ó Conghaile Irish Independent Travel Editor bring us al the travel tips.All with thanks to Ryanair.

A local counsellor in Limerick is calling for more Gardaí to patrol the city so they can clamp down on crime and feuds. Counsellor Sarah Beasley from Aontú said at a metropolitan district meeting “we need more gardaí. Limerick is in trouble, and we all know it.”  Sarah spoke to Anton this morning on the show.

A new report to be published by the Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill this morning will warn that there are areas across the country which face being GP blackspots due to GP retirements. Dr Deirdre Collins joined Anton this morning to discuss these concerns.

Many of our mothers and grandmothers will have had to give up work when they got married, but today in Ireland it's increasingly common for women to outearn their husbands. Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports on the rise of female breadwinners, and what it means for Irish finance and relationships:

As the Presidential election draws nearer more and more candidates are emerging vying for presidency. Some are cautiously raising their hand, while others are staking heavy claim for the job.  All to discuss with Anton and Fionnan Sheahan Fionnán Sheahan is Ireland editor of the Irish Independent at Mediahuis Ireland.

Keira Keogh TD, Fine Gael, Mayo, Senator Laura Harmon, Labour, Spokesperson on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Disability, Cork  and Mary Regan, Political Editor, Irish Independent joined Jonathan in studio today for our Friday Forum.

Top tips on how to secure a mortgage as approvals hit record levels. Telling us all was Martina Hennessy, Managing Director of Doddl.

Gareth Mullins takes us through a sweet strawberry tart and Dubai chocolate chip cookies.

Jenny Maguire President of Trinity College Dublin Student’s Union, Jamie Kenny Co-CEO Dublin LGBTQ+ Pride and Colm O’Gorman look ahead to the Dublin Pride Parade.

There are all calls for the government to take action and deal with the opportunities and risks associated with AI. As Ireland is at risk from falling behind other countries.   Professor Barry O'Sullivan, School of Computer Science and It in University College Cork, and Member of The Government’s AI Advisory Council discussed this further with Jonathan this morning on the show.

The football All Ireland Quarter Finals are this weekend in Croke Park. Ireland's Dan Sheehan will guide the Lions down under to take on Western Force. All this and more on this weekend’s sports with Colm Boohig.

Ireland is to join a €150 billion EU defense plan that will allow member states to acquire military equipment to rearm against Russia. We discuss this and more with Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst.

Wedding celebrations begin for Jeff Bezos as he gets ready to tie the knot with TV presenter Lauren Sanchez.  200 guests in Venice are getting ready to celebrate the tech-multi billionaire’s wedding. Nick Pisa, Senior Global Reporter with the Daily Mail tells us about the big day.