Fair City star says birth of son has given him 'simpler way of looking at life'

Irish Daily Mirror

19-06-2025

Fair City star Ryan Andrews has told how he took no days off after the birth of his son, Rowen.
The star welcomed his first child with wife Michaela on September 16 last year.
Opening up about Rowen's arrival, the Dubliner said he had to rehearse 17 scenes during Michaela's labour in Holles Street Hospital in Dublin.
He told us: "Rowen was born on September 16. I had to call into RTE. Michaela went a day early. I didn't sleep in three days. I had to go into the busiest week of my life on Fair City.
"I had to do double scenes and at that time I used to MC the Late Late Show and we ran our stage school at three locations a week.
"We were writing the Olympia panto as well. I didn't have a day off until January 16.
"Michaela was in labour in Holles Street and I had 17 scenes to learn. I had the busiest two days.
"Between every scene and every break, I was at home. I wasn't neglecting my family but once January came, I just realised how fast Rowen had grown up."
He said since welcoming Rowen, he looks at life more simply.
"He's nine months old now. Sometimes, with babies, I never listen to anybody, even my mam. Like every child, every pregnancy is different. We found our own way.
"We're very lucky with him. Our whole lives have changed. It's all about Rowen now in the best possible way.
"Becoming a dad has put a lot of things into perspective. I used to worry about things for no reason.
"He makes us more happy than any job, or anything financial. It's a simpler way of looking at life."
Ryan joked that he's already starting his son in showbusiness as Rowen was the baby in The Ferryman when he was just four months old.
"We've been lucky in the industry… I would love for him to get into stage school, and I'd love him to learn because I don't remember anything from school, other than being on stage or stage school with friends."
Barnardos ambassador Ryan was speaking as he took part in a 12-hour Riverdanceathon at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin to help raise money for the children's charity.
Over 580 dancers from dance schools across Ireland took part in the Riverdanceathon. Members of the Riverdance cast also joined in to start the event just before 10am on Thursday and again at lunchtime to perform three numbers from the show on the Gaiety Plaza as well as bringing it all to an end that evening.
Through this partnership Riverdance hopes to raise funds and awareness for the work of Barnardos. Each year for its summer run at the Gaiety, Riverdance partners with a charity.
Barnardos is Ireland's largest children's charity which helps and supports the most vulnerable children and families in society to achieve their full potential with the support of the public.
To donate, log onto www.idonate.ie/event/Riverdanceathon