Highlights From The Pat Kenny Show

There’s an eventful weekend of sport ahead. Plenty of action in the premier league all weekend with Man City and Arsenal both playing but there is an interesting tie between Liverpool and Spurs.  Tonight, Leinster and Ulster go head-to-head in the united rugby championship in the Aviva but first we speak to Off The Ball’s Colm Boohig in studio now about last night’s final matches for Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers in UEFA Conference League. All to chat with Colm Boohig, Broadcaster with Off The Ball.

Gareth Mullins rounds out the Christmas dinner with desserts. Gareth features a Christmas pudding baked Alaska, a Christmas pantone trifle and finally a chocolate fondant mixed berry compote and salted caramel ice cream.

Mary O'Rourke was a much-loved politician and prominent public figure in politics. Mary went from teacher to Minister to then becoming an author and presenter of ‘liveline’ and much, much more. Leaving a mark in Irish history while becoming an inspirational figure for women in politics especially.  Well, an episode of Cloch le Charn on RTE will air over the Christmas and it takes a look back at the legacy of the former politician and minister. Joining Pat in studio was Mary’s son, Fergal.

A 90-billion-euro loan to Ukraine and a postponed Mercosur vote dominated the European Council meeting yesterday. Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg brings us the details from the meeting.

When Krispy Kreme arrived in Blanchardstown in 2018, it had to curtail its twenty four hour drive through after complaints from residents of traffic and beeping throughout the night. Seven years later, three more American outlets have arrived to Irish shores in the past three months: Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Wingstop. All with large queues waiting when they opened. So why do these American outlets draw so much fanfare? And is there more Americanisation of food to come here?All to chat with Damien O’Reilly, Senior Lecturer in Retail Management, TU Dublin

Christmas can be an extremely busy and expensive time for passengers flying across the globe. On Wednesday the 10th of December, Dublin airport said that it expects around 1.8 million passengers to pass through its two terminals over the busy Christmas period. But what exactly can flyers expect this festive season? Graeme McQueen, Head of Media Relations at DAA spoke to Pat this morning.

Joining Pat for this week's Friday Forum was Erin McGreehan TD, Fianna Fáil, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Spokesperson on Research and Innovation. Also Cian O’Callaghan TD, Social Democrats, Deputy party leader, Spokesperson for Finance; Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Kevin Doyle, Executive Editor of the Irish Independent and Group Head of News at Mediahuis. 

At a time of year where most of us might be spending in the run up to the big day, it turns out that in the past number of years we have become more a nation of savers rather than spenders.  Since 2016, the savings rate has increased from about twelve and a half percent to thirteen point eight last year and is expected to be closer to fifteen percent this year. So what is behind this rise?

The Revenge Club is entertaining and sharp and occasionally dark. Based on a book and filmed in Ireland a nice 6 episodes on Paramount plus. John Fardy tells us more on this week's 'Boxed'.

Genital skin conditions are often overlooked. gynecologist and urologist waiting lists are long, misdiagnosis is common, and many people are just too embarrassed to seek treatment, even if the condition wasn’t sexually transmitted. All to discuss with Dr. Aisling Loy, Genito-Urinary Medicine Consultant.

For the festive season Luke O’Neill asks if some types of sugar healthier than others? And is dark chocolate better for you than milk chocolate? 

Sensitive information might have been taken after a ransomware cyber-attack in the Office of the Ombudsman. Systems have been taken offline while they investigate what’s described as a financially motivated attack. Pat spoke to Ombudsman Ger Deering.

Over the last 25 years, Ireland has changed. Our voices got louder. Our culture reached further. And some extraordinary people helped shape it all. From trailblazers in the arts and social change, to leaders in sport, music and on the big screen, we’re counting down the most influential Irish people of the last 25 years.Our listeners have picked your winner for best author which we will reveal along with Susan Walsh, Dubray Books and Meghann Scully, Podcaster and Author.

Greta Thunberg visits President Connolly in the Áras, continued fallout for Fianna Fáil. The EU to debate today over the use of frozen Russian assets, and an overwhelming majority decides there is to be no ban for fox hunting. All to discuss with Sean Defoe, Newstalk Political Correspondent.

As is the now the case in the wake of any tragedy or atrocity, falsehoods on the Bondi Beach shooter were rife. But the sea of contradictory narratives betrays a complex mix of motivations and misunderstandings worth unpacking. Some of these false claims got massive traction. To discuss further with Pat was David Robert Grimes, Disinformation Expert, Author of The Irrational Ape.

Are you one of those people who still has to get the last “few bits” for Christmas and buy those last few presents?  Well with some advice on what to purchase is Jo Linehan, Climate Journalist.

Professor Caitriona Ryan, Consultant Dermatologist with the Institute of Dermatology joined Pat in studio to answer our listeners skin-related questions.

An estimated 10,000 farmers are expected to descend on Brussels today for one of the largest Europe-wide farmer protests this century. IFA President Francie Gorman has been travelling to Brussels with his son since the start of the week and gives us an update from outside Brussels.

We are counting down the Top 10 Alternative Christmas Movies the ones that sneak Christmas into the frame and still make December feel special. Joining Pat was Lisa Cannon Head of Studio at DMG Media.

On this week's Garden Stories with Diarmuid Gavin, we about how County Offaly’s Lough Boora Sculpture Park was transformed from a working bog to a place of art and reflection.