‘He is the reason I'm doing it' – Rose of Tralee hopeful on entering a festival that once barred mothers like her
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Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Extra.ie
Mayo Rose on how her son gave her 'new purpose' after tragic death of her sister
When 24-year-old Clara Gardiner steps onto the Rose of Tralee stage this August as the Mayo Rose, she'll carry more than a sash and a smile. Behind her is a story of heartbreak and resilience, the loss of her beloved sister to Hydrocephalus sparked a grief that reshaped her world, and that initially set Clara on the road to Tralee. The Mayo native spoke candidly about navigating life after loss, and how the arrival of her baby boy brought light back into her days, giving her a new lease on life she never thought possible. Ohio Rose Fiona Conway, Armagh Rose Erin McCormac and Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner. Pic: Domnick Walsh Hailing from a small village called Kilfian in north Mayo, Clara is currently balancing raising her three-year-old son with the pageantry of representing her county. ' I suppose I have myself and also him to think about and prepare beforehand,' she stressed. 'He's really looking forward to coming down to Tralee as well on his holidays and being on the telly.' ' It's really exciting and I suppose it's been really, really nice to kind of do something for me,' she added. ' I feel like this experience has been really good for my individual and personal growth.' Clara is eager to use her newfound platform for good, spreading awareness about Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland, a cause close to her heart. 'My sister was actually born with Hydrocephalus and we were members of the branch since she was born. She passed away in 2019,' she disclosed, revealing her sister passed at just 16-years-old. ' We'd always go on family holidays together, like during the summer, and it nearly always fell during the Rose of Tralee. Fermanagh Rose Caoimhe Connolly and Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner. Pic: Domnick Walsh ' Our last family holiday, one of my most vivid memories is going down to Tralee the day after the festival and they were taking the dome down and there was like a cardboard cut out of Dáithí and you'd go in beside him like you were a rose. 'I remember thinking, 'oh, that's the closest we'd ever get to it,' and now I'm in the experience. It's really surreal.' Following the heartbreaking loss, Clara was blessed with the arrival of her son, whom she credits for getting her through one of the toughest times in her life. Cork Rose Nancy Lehane, Carlow Rose Katie Ryan, Down Rose Anna Mulholland and Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner. Pic: Domnick Walsh ' I probably wouldn't be doing this without him, because he brought a new purpose to my life after my sister passed away,' she emotionally declared. 'He really inspired me to just go out there and live life. Also becoming a mother as well, kind of in the beginning you might think to yourself opportunities like this aren't an option for you, that you're just a mother and that's it.' ' I wanna show other young mothers as well that there's so much more to you as well. Like, yes, I'm a mother, but I'm also a singer. I'm a teacher, I'm a student.'
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kathryn Thomas' throwback to school days with Leo Varadkar
Kathryn Thomas has taken a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about her school days. The well-known presenter attended secondary school at King's Hospital in Dublin, which counts former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar among its alumni. Looking back at the young man who would become Taoiseach, Kathryn recalled him as being "ahead of the game" in comparison to his peers. "He was ahead of the game compared with most of us, I would say," she shared with The Irish Independent. "Intellectually he was brilliant and he was into debating. He was quiet," reports RSVP Live. "He wasn't that big into sports and he kind of had a core group of friends whereas we [she and her friends] were sort of messers." Back then, Kathryn harboured dreams of making it big in the acting world. "Entertaining or acting was in the blood. I wanted to go to Hollywood and I ended up in Donnybrook." Now, she's gearing up to co-host The Rose of Tralee once again with Daithi O'Se by her side. Broadcaster Kathryn Thomas (Image: Instagram) Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. (Image: Collins) She's also making waves in her new gig as the host of Dublin's Q102 morning radio show. This career move has been a boon for Kathryn, affording her the flexibility to drop her children off at school and strike a better work-life balance. "It's just made me feel more energised because everything is new and the job is about coming up with creative stuff, so I'm in a great place. All my life I thought I was somebody who thrived on not having routine," she reflected. "Now, at 46, I've realised something many people realise when they're children: that routine is actually a good thing. And really this is a great time of life." The bustling mum-of-two has previously expressed her eagerness for fresh ventures after choosing to leave Operation Transformation, sharing how she's feeling absolutely chuffed during this stage of her life. Chatting with RSVP Magazine, she revealed: "Since I decided to step away from Operation Transformation, then doing my documentary, The Skinny Jab revolution, getting into that documentary space, it's like me digging my teeth into something new. I just needed something new. "I have my two kids, Ellie is seven and Grace is three. I was very much ensconced in 'mum mode' for a few years, a new baby and a young kid and they're still young but I knew I was ready for a new challenge. "I knew my time on Operation Transformation was done, even though RTE wrapped the show, I knew my time had come to an end and I had made that decision. I had been there for thirteen years and I work best when I am engaged and challenged. I like challenges." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
07-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Ryan Tubridy gushes over bride-to-be fiance live on air and swoons ‘I'm one lucky man'
RYAN Tubridy may have kept his relationship under wraps for over two years, but now the newly-engaged host can't help but gush over his bride-to-be. The former Late Late Show host Ireland . Advertisement 2 Ryan Tubridy and Dr Claire Kambamettu first met back in 2023 2 Tubridy and Kambamettu have been quietly dating ever since The couple Claire, who was crowned Radio One show in March 2023, where she spoke about the power of manifestation. Later that year, she was seen leaving his gated home in Dublin ahead of his relocation to London, fueling speculation that their relationship had become more serious. Now, two and a half years on, the lovebirds are set to tie the knot and they couldn't be happier. Advertisement READ MORE IN RYAN TUBRIDY Speaking about their engagement live on his UK show, "It's a very exciting time to be alive." He added: "It's just the accumulation of a lot of lovely things happening, and I just decided now is the time. "More to follow in terms of details and all the rest of it, and by the more to follow, I mean I'll tell my family first ." Advertisement MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN Ryan has always expressed his deep love for the west coast and his family ties to the region, making it a fitting backdrop for the couple's special moment. In his Mail on Sunday column, the popular presenter wrote: "By the Atlantic shore, I asked the important question and, thankfully, the answer was yes – and so began the most wonderful weekend. Ryan Tubridy honoured by celebrity pals after receiving major lifetime achievement "The staff and cheerful hotel guests helped make it all feel truly special." Smitten Dr Claire spoke about the gorgeous moment on The Rose Of Tralee podcast, calling it "a big shock". Advertisement She said: "Without saying too much, he had told me that he was going down to find out about how we would hire bicycles, when he was actually going to collect my engagement ring. RING OF DREAMS "I just thought nothing of it. I was like, 'Grand, thanks for doing that.' "So I don't know if I would have been more or less shocked to have an electric bike turn up in the hotel room." Claire also praised the broadcaster's choice of engagement ring and admitted she's a "little bit obsessed". Advertisement Tubridy chose a stunning 2.4 carat ring which has a centre diamond with an emerald cut with two tapered diamond baguettes on either side. He also opted to buy certified lab diamonds to eliminate any environmental worries.
