‘I have to be honest' – RTE star Arthur Gourounlian makes confession after bump in the road on family day out
The Dancing With The Stars judge spent some quality time with his mum Maria, sister-in-law Aoife, and kids Blake and Blu yesterday.
3
Arthur brought his kids for a day out in Wicklow yesterday
Credit: Instagram
3
Arthur's mum is currently staying at his Dublin home
Credit: Instagram
3
Arthur spoke about Blake's tantrum
Credit: Instagram
They visited Smurfs Village in Avondale in Wicklow and had an "absolutely amazing day".
Arthur shared snippets of their day out over on Instagram and raved over the unique experience.
The 45-year-old said: "Loved every single moment. The Smurfs Village is nothing short of enchanting.
"From the exceptional presentation to the welcoming atmosphere and the incredible professionalism of the team, everything was truly top-notch.
read more arthur gourounlian
"We are genuinely impressed and wholly immersed in the experience."
After having fun at the Smurf-themed family event, they went to see what the all fuss is about at Beyond the Trees in Avondale Forest Park.
The family-of-five took a leisurely stroll through the walled gardens and walked along the forest park trails.
Arthur said: "I love discovering new things everyday. I adore the view, the nature and the location. Wow."
read more on the irish sun
They decided they wanted to climb to the top of the viewing tower to go on the giant slide and look out at the stunning scenery.
However, after posting about the excursion, Arthur confessed that they didn't actually end up making it to the slide.
Arthur Gourounlian shares summer fun clip with mum
The dad-of-two told his fans: "Right, so I have to be very honest here, from the last video you saw Blake going up.
"We wanted to get to the top then do the slide, but we never made it to the top because my lovely daughter had a little tantrum.
"She didn't want to go into the buggy and she didn't want to walk but she wanted Papa to carry her.
"It was a long way up so we're trying to compromise but none of us wanted to give up. Yes I wasn't going to let her win, those little tears wouldn't fool me.
FAMILY FUN
"So we ended up going home. So we never made it to the top but I've seen people sliding through the slide and I'm definitely going to come back and revisit this place when Blake is 25-years-old.
"Honestly, the views are just spectacular. Oh, if you're wondering what happened after, she was absolutely fine. She sat in the car and said, 'Papa, let's go home', I was like, 'You won't break me'."
Arthur also shared some gorgeous photos from their day out and captioned the post: "What a beautiful Friday spent at Beyond the Trees Avondale with my gorgeous girls!
"We started with the charming Smurf Village and discovered the most magical walking path through the forest. It's always incredible to stumble upon new places, views, and little adventures that make your heart full. We loved every single minute of it."
The celebrity choreographer's friends and fans flooded the comment section with compliments.
Hubby Brian Dowling wrote: "Family."
Evelyn said: "Beautiful family."
One fan commented: "Aw beautiful family. J'adore. Tati is looking fabulous."
Karen added: "Gorgeous photos."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
11 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Inside Maura Higgins' new luxury €1M dream Essex home with generous spaces as fans cry ‘this house is gonna be amazing'
FORMER Love Island star Maura Higgins has shared an insight into her "iconic" new home in London. The 34-year-old Love Island star took to social media late last year to share the first glimpse into her stunning pad. 4 Maura Higgins recently moved into her new home Credit: Instagram 4 Maura created a new Instagram to show off her home renovation journey 4 Maura said this new pad was her 'dream home' The stunning five-bedroom detached home in a gated development is estimated to be worth around €1.2million (£1million), according to its listing on Onthemarket. And although it is unclear how much the TV star paid for the pad, she has decided to take fans inside her renovation of the home. Maura created a new Instagram so she could show off her home renovation journey, aptly named: "Casa A'Maura." The 34-year-old's new Instagram account quickly amassed over 70,000 followers and in her first post, Maura shared that she had finally moved into the new space. read more on love island She posted a snap taken from the kitchen that looks out over the garden of her best pal Carl Bembridge sitting on the kitchen island in the new house. She captioned the wholesome snap: "After the busiest few months... she's finally in. No chairs yet but he always finds something to sit on." Friends and fans all raced to the TV star's comment section to gush over her new fabulous pad. Luke joked: "Islanders, can you all gather around the cardboard box immediately." Most read in News TV Liat commented: "Pretty iconic if I say so myself." Another fan added: "This house is gonna be amazing and you deserve it! Here's to many happy years of making precious memories." Maura Higgins makes shock return to Love Island USA after she was 'replaced' during series Her new five bed pad features a jaw-dropping open-plan kitchen and dining room boasting a marble-effect design on the cabinets. The light-filled kitchen opens up seamlessly into the back garden with the help of bi-folding glass patio doors. The large garden features both a patio and a lawn and is fenced all around with some guaranteed extra privacy guaranteed from the large bushes all around the properties. CASA A'MAURA Meanwhile, the modern property also boasts two reception rooms and five "generously-sized" double bedrooms with one as a master bedroom that features an en-suite and custom-built wardrobes. The interior of the house is currently decorated and painted with modern, neutral tones including greys, whites, and tans. Maura Showing off her home, Maura wrote: 'Bought my dream home,' and posted a photo of the incredible open kitchen which boasts a marble island in the middle. The sleek space has a gorgeous chandelier and grey floors and leads to an outdoor area. I'm A Celeb star The Porsche could be seen under a black cover 4 Maura is delighted to finally move into her new home Credit: Instagram
The Irish Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Erling Haaland's girlfriend Isabel Haugseng treated to ultra-rare £330,000 handbag as couple enjoy break in Rome
ERLING HAALAND treated his stunning girlfriend Isabel Haugseng Johansen to an incredible £330,000 handbag. The Advertisement 6 Erling Haaland has been holidaying with his girlfriend Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa 6 Isabel clutched a £330,000 handbag Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa 6 It is an ultra-rare piece that can only be purchased at auction Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa 6 The bag is a Hermes Birkin 25 Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile. Isabel, 21, has taken to Instagram to share snaps from their trip and the brunette beauty But her designer handbag got the attention of followers as she clutched the luxurious diamond encrusted holdall. The They claim that it is worth an eye-watering £330,000. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And the handbag can only be purchased at auction from authentic Hermes reseller Madison Avenue Couture. Isabel is all smiles in the photos posted on social media as she stands next to The Norwegian stunner is also seen giggling on a step and posing while looking out over a picturesque lake. Advertisement Most read in Football SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN The Becoming parents has not slowed down their jet-setting lifestyle and they also visited Ibiza earlier this summer. Man City star Erling Haaland's girlfriend Isabel frolics in water in a bikini as pair relax on holiday Their travels have helped Isabel grow in popularity on Instagram after only launching her account in November. Advertisement She now boasts a whopping 108,000 followers. Haaland is due back on the pitch on August 9 when City face Palmero in a pre-season friendly. The club's Premier League campaign kicks-off the following weekend against Wolves. 6 Isabel has 108,000 followers on Instagram Credit: INSTAGRAM @isabellaa Advertisement 6 The couple have one child Credit: EPA
Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
‘This nearly broke me' – Irish style guru who bounced back to launch fabulous collection
REINVENTION | 'If you'd told me three years ago that I'd be launching my debut brand at 50, I'd have laughed in your face.' Five years on from the crushing closure of her beloved boutique, the creative is celebrating her fifth decade by launching her debut clothing collection, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase fifty and fabulous. Speaking about her once bustling Newbridge store, it's immediately clear that the loss is as visceral as ever for the talented milliner. 'I have experienced grief and loss before, and this nearly broke me. Even now I can feel myself tearing up when I talk about it,' says the style guru softly. The entrepreneur was the fabulous force behind Vanity Fair, the ultimate destination for occasionwear lovers across the country. After a decade of success on the Irish fashion retail scene, the style mecca shuttered permanently in 2020. Nessa 'Anyone who followed me on Instagram during that time will remember, I cried every day. I just couldn't stop. I was absolutely shattered.' The culprit? COVID-19. 'It was a huge shop, 5,000 square feet, and when weddings stopped, so did we,' she says. 'It was the second lockdown that sealed it. I knew then I had to walk away.' But endings, as they often do, opened up something unexpected. While others might have crumbled under the pressure, the Dubliner chose to create — upskilling, and learning to sew and draft her own patterns in the prestigious, Grafton Academy. That led to a radical rethinking of occasionwear, grounded in sustainability, longevity, and body inclusivity. And so Monessa Joan was born. 'I sold a lot of occasionwear in Vanity Fair, and I always knew when I was selling a dress that it was for a one-off occasion. If it got worn twice, it'd be doing well. And I always kind of felt bad for the outfit because it would be so beautiful. I'd be saying, isn't that terrible? That's going to hang in somebody's wardrobe now. 'When I lost the boutique — well, even before that — I was thinking, if you could just take those sleeves off, or take that belt off… we'd be able to wear clothes much more often. So the idea was kind of always there.' News in 90 Seconds - July 25th Now, through Monessa Joan, she's bringing to life a sustainable, ultra-wearable collection that is produced entirely in Ireland. The brand's standout feature? Detachable elements — sleeves, bows, belts — that completely transform a piece depending on the event, season, or mood. 'I know with sustainability, everyone hops on the bandwagon, but I did want something that could be repurposed and worn in lots of different ways. 'Next year, you don't need a new dress. You just need new sleeves,' she laughs. 'And maybe a different pair of earrings. It's a playful but powerful approach, rooted in her unparalleled knowledge and appreciation of Irish women's bodies and deep-rooted insecurities. 'I've dressed thousands of women. I know what makes them feel self-conscious, what makes them glow. We can go up and down half a stone in any given month — our clothes should work with us, not against us. I've seen too many women cry in changing rooms. I want to change that.' With sizes ranging from 8 to 24, and bespoke adjustments available, inclusivity isn't a buzzword, it's the foundation of the entire edit. The silhouettes are fluid and forgiving, but far from frumpy. The fabrics? A soft, satin-backed crepe that floats over the body. 'Honestly, the way women light up when they try these pieces on — before they've even seen themselves in the mirror — it gives me goosebumps.' And while the designs themselves are clever, Cronin's impact goes deeper. She also runs confidence workshops and online courses, helping women to not only understand their body shapes but to also demystify sizing to silence the harsh inner voice many hear in the fitting room. 'I am not teaching women about body shape to tell you what you can and can't wear. I think women have enough rules in their life without having to add further rules around clothes. 'The number on the label should have absolutely no power over your sense of self. It really shouldn't because it is so arbitrary. I don't think women understand that the difference between a size is so tiny,' explains the designer who opened her first business, a tiny little hat shop - the much adored Mad Hatter - in Dublin in 2001 'You can wear whatever you want, once you understand it. When you are in a fitting room and something doesn't fit, I go through a whole lesson on sizing because I understand it so well. I know this because I stocked over 60 brands in the boutique knowing that not one of them were the same. Even within a brand sizing is different. A size 12 in one shape is different to a size 12 in another shape. 'I think once you understand that a certain pattern wasn't cut for your pear shaped hips, it was cut for a strawberry shaped body, then women understand, it's not their body, it's the dress.' She adds: 'I still have women that message me on Instagram who took my course and say, 'sizes don't bother me anymore, they are nothing to do with me and my body, it's how the clothes were made.' Already stocked in boutiques from Killarney (MacBees Boutique) to Leixlip (Sketch The Label), and with UK expansion now underway, Nessa proves you can rewrite your story at any stage. 'If you'd told me three years ago that I'd be showing in London and launching a brand from scratch at 50, I'd have laughed in your face,' she says. When I look at how far I have come, I am just so proud that everything is made and produced in Ireland. The support from the industry has also been overwhelming. I've opened three accounts in the UK for next year – it's incredible.' Reflecting on one of the darkest periods of her life, Nessa can appreciate the power of redirection, now more than ever. 'Things happen for a reason. I would never have had the time, running my shop, to do this. It would have always just stayed as an idea. So one door closes, another opens.' The entire venture is of course, a family affair, with her husband, Dino, designing the website. But it was her mum Maeve, her cheerleader and confidant, that ensured the style guru was destined to have a career in fashion. 'My mum is the most glamorous woman I know. A teacher all her life, if she had been born in a different time she would definitely have had a career in fashion. 'Every Saturday afternoon as a child was spent in the fitting rooms of shops. She wouldn't always buy, but loved nothing more than trying on clothes, and I'm the exact same. She has always adored clothes, and always looked like she was stepping out in a fashion show. 'Her love of clothes definitely influenced my path. Clothes for me are powerful, you can't have a bad day if you're wearing something you love. It's grand just doesn't cut it, I love every single item in my wardrobe. As for what's next? Expect more mix-and-match innovation, playful colourways, and — in true Cronin style — a surprise accessory or two. 'Who knows what I'll dream up next?' she smiles. 'You'll just have to wait and see.'
