Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

Despite international pressures, the Irish economy is projected to grow by almost 11% thanks to strong pharma exports and consumer spending. Joining Pat this morning was David McWilliams on Ireland's economic state .

Margie McCarthy, the Director of Research & Policy at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, joined Pat to discuss the increasing investment in energy has been creating innovation jobs in Ireland’s green economy. 

The Dingle Distillery International Film Festival returns this winter to venues around Dingle from 7 – 9 November. Renowned Hollywood screenwriter, director, producer and acclaimed novelist Todd Komarnicki will appear at the festival for ‘Writing and Directing Your Way To Success’. Todd will talk his creative process, pitching tips and working in Tinseltown, from writing the screenplay for Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks blockbuster Sully, to co-producing Christmas hit Elf, and his most recent Hollywood film in 2024, Bonhoeffer, the true story of pastor turned WW2 spy, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Ahead of his appearance Todd spoke to Pat this morning on the show.

President Donald Trump has just completed perhaps the most consequential meeting of his Asia tour, a conference with Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, Xi Jinping.  Joining Pat with more on this meeting was Professor and Political Analyst from the Clinton Institute, at University College Dublin, Scott Lucas. 

The Deposit Re-turn Scheme. It’s a resounding success. There has been a marked reduction in litter and an unexpected financial boost for community groups, clubs and enterprising individuals who have realised that discarded cans and bottles can be collected and money made.Is the deposit return scheme a success or headache for people? Our reporter Josh Crosbie reports for us.

Ireland take on New Zealand this weekend at Soldier Field in Chicago, a city famous for its close association with Ireland and Irish immigration. One of Chicago’s most storied sporting institutions is the White Sox baseball team, founded by Charles Comiskey, the son of an Irish immigrant. But Comiskey’s legacy in baseball is complicated, and he receives at least partial blame for one of the dirtiest scandals in the sport’s history. Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill can tell us more:

Former Irish International soccer and rugby player Jackie McCarthy O’Brien’s new memoir ‘We Made It Kid’ is out now.  The book follows Jackie’s journey from the Mount Saint Vincent Industrial school, to growing up mixed race in 1960s and 70s Limerick, to coming out as gay, to representing her country on the pitch in both soccer and rugby. Jackie joined Pat on the show.

A new garda station at Citywest is being considered following the recent riots and violence that’s been happening there. We get the latest on this story with Conor Gallagher – Crime and Security Correspondent of The Irish Times.

Earlier this month, a woman from west London was fined £150 for pouring the dregs of her morning coffee down a street drain! So in this weeks sustainability slot Jo Linehan shares the best way to manage liquids at home, the do’s and don’t of disposal.

Cheryl Fergison Eastenders actress and singer joined Pat in studio this morning to chat about her new memoir ‘Behind The Scenes’. Also we hear about her role in the new social drama series the ‘Centra Deli Drama’.

The Government has spent almost €450,000 on enticing builders back home to Ireland from working in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US. But is it worth coming back for? And is it financially feasible for them?Pat discusses this issue further with Peter Flynn, Pete the Builder, Orla Hegarty, Architect & Assistant Professor at UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy and also Sean Downey, Director of Education, Skills, Training, Construction Industry Federation.

The threat of toxic masculinity and the manosphere is really concerning especially when you see research showing how more than a third of young men who watch masculinity influencers, act on their advice.  But what actually is it?  What are the impacts that come with it? And how do we overcome it?  To discuss further Pat was joined on the show by Richard Hogan, Author, Family Therapist and Columnist with the Irish Examiner and Dylan Hand, Newstalk Reporter.

Elizabeth Day's new book ‘One of Us’, a sequel to her bestseller ‘The Party’, is a “compulsive story of betrayal, old bonds and buried scandals”. It follows “one British establishment family comes face to face with the consequences of privilege, and the true cost of power.”Elizabeth joined Pat in studio this morning.

Few films have left as indelible a mark on the horror genre as The Exorcist. Released in 1973 and directed by William Friedkin, it remains one of the most terrifying cinematic experiences ever created. Based on William Peter Blatty’s novel, which itself was inspired by a real-life exorcism of a 13-year-old boy in Maryland, the film shocked audiences with its visceral depiction of demonic possession and spiritual warfare. But what happened behind the scenes was arguably even more chilling. Lisa Cannon tells us all about this Halloween horror.

The clocks have gone back and we are back to commuting in darkness. Add in poor weather and  unsurprisingly this makes roads more dangerous especially for pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter users. Pat discusses this and more with Conor Faughnan, Transport Consultant.

From pumpkin patches, to haunted houses, Samhain celebrations and puca parades. There's more to do this Halloween than ever before. But just what does the spooky season mean in 2025? Is commercial creepiness, or a Celtic comeback on the cards? Newstalk's Sarah Madden reports: 

At least 33 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza following Israeli strikes last night. Is the Gaza ceasefire at risk? Pat discussed this and more with Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies, Bradford University.

This week on the Green Scene how coral reefs have reached a tipping point, and new research on how burying wood could be an unexpected low-tech solution to capture carbon. All to discuss with Dr Ruth Freeman Director of Research for Society For Research Ireland.With thanks to Repak.  

In August, Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was moved from a Florida prison to a minimum security facility in Texas. So how might this have come about and what is life like inside the facility in Bryan, Texas where Maxwell is now held? All to discuss with Sam Mangel, Federal Prison Consultant.

Two thirds of hospital waiting list targets are missed despite a 420-million-euro investment and a pledge to reduce it by the end of this year, according to the Irish Daily Mail.  While over in Limerick, doctors are warning that a ‘capacity emergency’ should be declared at UHL. All to discuss with Steve McMahon from the Irish Patients’ Association.