Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

It’s Inauguration Day in Washington D.C. Donald Trump will, this afternoon, be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States at a ceremony moved inside the US Capitol due to cold weather. Seán Defoe, our Political Correspondent has been talking to those there for the inauguration and brings us through the day. 

With a ceasefire agreement set to be approved today, family members of the hostages are pleading with Netanyahu to push forward. Moshe Emilio Lavi is urging for all hostages to be released as his brother in law Omri Marin, who was captured by Hamas on the October 7th , has not been released. 

In our Friday Forum this week we examine the new programme for government and the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.Joining Pat this morning in studio was Timmy Dooley TD, Fianna Fáil, Clare, Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor, Irish Examiner and Richard Boyd Barrett TD, People Before Profit, Dún Laoghaire.

Nearly 14% of children are exempt from Irish and now schools have been told that they cannot award exemptions for the study of Irish on the basis of psychologists’. So what has lead to the increase in secondary school students opting out of Irish?Pat discusses this with Carl O’Brien, Education Editor with The Irish Times and Prof Pádraig Ó Duibhir, Former Deputy Dean at the Institute of Education at DCU. 

We are in for a real treat this week. Gareth Mullins takes us through a delicious profiteroles recipe.

It's the final leg of the pool stage for the Champions Cup and the Australian Open starts to heat up as Alcaraz secures his spot in the fourth round. Colm Boohig, Broadcaster of Off The Ball looks ahead to the weekend of sport.

As Trump's inauguration is on Monday Newstalk's own Simon Tierney brings us this report on moments from the history of American inaugurations. From JFK's famous inauguration speech in 1961, Obama messing up his oath in 2009 and having to redo it later in the day, to Trump's infamous 'America First' speech in 2017. 

David Robert Grimes brings us through some of the myths being peddled surrounding the LA Wildfires, including by some prominent public figures. 

Aldi Ireland is calling on aspiring Irish entrepreneurs to apply to the ‘Grow with Aldi’ programme. Successful applicants will see their products stocked in 162 stores nationwide.  Cassie Stokes, Foodie Content Creator and ALDI brand ambassador told Pat all about this year's programme. 

266 motorists were caught using their mobile phones when driving during a Garda national day of action to detect the offences. Gardaí used their lorry cab in helping to catch those using the mobile phones.

Cork native and stand-up comedian Chris Kent is performing the biggest gig of his career ‘offline’ at the marquee in cork this July. The show follows the funny stories of how Chris gave up the internet entirely last year.    Additionally, Chris has joined the cohort of Ireland's biggest comedians at cherry comedy’s stand-up for Gaza gig at Dublin's iconic vicar street to kick off 2025. Chris joined Pat on the show today.

This weekend, the highlight of the Irish basketball season takes place at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght with the National Cup finals down for decision. This year, the finals weekend coincides with the anniversary of the first publication of the rules of the sport back in 1891. Here to tell us more is Off The Ball’s Cameron Hill.

The science of sleep and the hidden dangers of sleeping tablets. All up for discussion with Professor of Biochemistry at the school of Immunology, Trinity College  Luke O'Neill.

More than 4,400 fines were issued to motorists by gardaí for parking on footpaths last year. The Dublin Metropolitan Region North had the highest number, with over 1,170 fixed penalty notices issued.  The figures have been obtained from the Minister for Justice through a Sinn Fein Parliamentary question.  Our reporter, Josh Crosbie has been speaking to those who want greater enforcement, and those who are calling for a more localised approach.

After fifteen months of war, a Gaza Ceasefire deal has finally been reached between Israel and Hamas. This ground-breaking deal could see a halt in fighting and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. We get the latest on this with Fawaz Gerges, Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Fiona Gratzer is CEO of Unislim, Ireland's longest running slimming and health organisation. She has released a new cookbook called The 30-day Diet, which offers practical advice on healthy eating and gut health. Fiona joined Pat on the show today.

Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology Professor Caitriona Ryan answers all listeners questions for everything dermatology related.

Today, lawyers for Nikita Hand will seek a High Court injunction to stop the release of CCTV footage. Courts Correspondent Frank Greaney previews the case ahead of court proceedings. 

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, joins us next to discuss the latest health news, from the government calling for the HSE to shift staff working patterns, to the delayed HRT rollout, as he reflects upon his ten-year career.

Award winning Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin on the 43ft vertical garden in the shape of a puppy in Spain.