Luke O'Neill: ‘World's oldest baby' arrives 30 years after he was conceived and gives new hope for IVF donations
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Irish Independent
06-08-2025
- Irish Independent
‘The people, the horses, the atmosphere...it's unique' – thousands attend opening day of 150th Dublin Horse Show
Set to be one of the largest summer events in the capital, the five-day show is expected to draw more than 110,000 visitors from Ireland and abroad. Adding a regal note to the opening day, Britain's Princess Anne made an appearance at the horse show, following a morning visit to President Michael D Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. There was a laid-back yet lively feel to the occasion, with many attendees dressed in typical attire, while others opted for their finest glad rags – hats and all. To most people it may not be the most obvious setting for a second date, but Benjamin Moss (21) and Rose Grimes (20) thought otherwise. 'She's enjoying it more than I am,' Benjamin said, amid plenty of laughter. For Benjamin, who is from east Africa and now lives in London, it was his first time at the horse show. 'I've just been dragged here by her. I'm not really into show jumping, but it's interesting to see.' Both wore the typical equestrian uniform of Dubarry boots and wax jackets. Despite his disinterest in show jumping, Benjamin was surprised by how central the location is. 'It's quite weird because it's so close to the city – you wouldn't think it would be here,' he said. Rose, from Westmeath, has been attending the horse show since she was a toddler and thought it was a fitting occasion for their second date. ' I've been coming here since I was three or four. It's just a nice atmosphere and I meet lots of my friends and people I know,' she said. ADVERTISEMENT The 150th staging of the horse show is being marked by a special exhibition that features historic photos and details from past events. The display is in the RDS Concert Hall and runs from today until Sunday. Freya Dempsey (18) missed out on qualifying for this year's Dublin Horse Show, but said the occasion is a 'family affair' that she couldn't miss. 'I started horse riding when I was three or four,' she said. 'It was my birthday last week, so I used to get the season tickets for my birthday ever since I was little. My granny used to take me in.' 'I love watching all the Irish horses' Despite not qualifying this year, Ms Dempsey still comes along in the hopes she can pick up a trick or two. ' I'm holding my breath. I feel sick watching them, so I think if I had qualified I probably would have fallen off on the first round,' she said. 'It's good to come and see the classes that I tried to qualify for. For the last two years I've tried for the Connies and then the Working Hunter Pony categories.' Ms Dempsey said there is more to the horse show than just competing. She enjoys just being among the 1,600 horses and ponies that will compete in over 168 classes and competitions. 'I love watching all the Irish horses. I think that's probably the best part of it. And then the little ponies, too….it's just good fun,' she said. Friday is always the busiest and most popular day of the horse show, as crowds gather to watch the Nations' Cup of Ireland, where teams compete for the prestigious Aga Khan Challenge Trophy. First awarded in 1926, the trophy has been won outright five times. The current version was presented by the Aga Khan in 1980, after Ireland's outright win in 1979. Among the opening day's spectators are mother and daughter duo Kirsty and Grace Jackson (9) from Northern Ireland, who had come today to cheer on their horse. ' We don't know his fancy name, we're just down to spectate for the day. He did really well. He just had two fences down,' Ms Jackson said. Grace, however, had different ideas: 'I come down for the shopping,' she said. Rose Kelbie, from Scotland, hasn't missed the event for the last 15 years. 'The Dublin Horse Show is unique. It's all about the people, the horses, the atmosphere,' she said. Ms Kelbie, who brought her friend Gill Knight to Dublin for her first horse show, said the atmosphere is always incredible. 'Everyone's really friendly. People in Ireland tend to be like the Scots,' she said. Many are eagerly awaiting the results of the international class, with over €1m in prize money up for grabs. Among those most invested are sister duo Gail Boyd and Lynn Heffron, who dedicate themselves to researching what makes a winning horse. 'It's a brilliant event for meeting friends and watching the classes,' Ms Boyd said. 'The Dublin Horse Show is the ultimate standard when it comes to quality: the horses are beautiful. 'We're especially interested in the Connemaras, so Lynn's been looking them up in the booklet.' The best-dressed competition will take place tomorrow, with a €10,000 cash prize sponsored by Poretti. Participants must register online and have their photo taken at event check-in to enter.
Irish Independent
02-08-2025
- Irish Independent
Luke O'Neill: ‘World's oldest baby' arrives 30 years after he was conceived and gives new hope for IVF donations
The world's 'oldest baby' was born last week. Not like in the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where Benjamin is born an old man and gets progressively younger.
Irish Daily Mirror
03-06-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kieran Molloy vows to make Galway a boxing capital ahead of Pearse Stadium bout
Kieran Molloy has vowed to make Kaisee Benjamin wish he did his homework when the pair clash at Pearse Stadium in Galway on 28 June. Molloy is unbeaten in 11 professional fights, and not only does he want to become a world champion, but he wants to take his county along for the ride. The 26-year-old flew in from London on Tuesday morning, where he trains with Charlie Beat, and went straight to the home of Galway GAA. He will be the headline act of the first event to be held at the Salthill stadium, and as he walked around the pitch and up the steps of the main stand, it was obvious that the enormity of the occasion was hitting him. The Oughterard man told the Irish Mirror: "I've been dreaming of moments like this since I was a kid. "I've been here for many big football and hurling matches. I've got a few great mates playing football now for Galway, Matthew Tierney and Johnny Heaney, they'd all be local lads from where I'm from, so I know what the atmosphere and the crowds are like here. "It's just huge now to be able to bring it back to the West of Ireland and have a first ever outdoor stadium. "This has been my vision. I really do believe that Galway can become an active hub for Irish boxing. We're making history with this show alone. "They've always had shows in Belfast and Dublin, and Galway's been missing out on all that. But on 28 June, people are going to set it for real and it's going to be very exciting. I think everyone is going to get right behind it. "It's brilliant to be able to bring a different sport to this venue." It was typical Galway weather for the press conference, a cold wind blowing and showers of rain. Indeed, Molloy's opponent Benjamin started to shiver as the fighters sat down to talk about the upcoming fight. And the Englishman, a former British title challenger, could be forgiven for wishing he were elsewhere as he revealed that he is on baby alert. "My last couple of fights haven't been my past, as I had stuff going on outside of the ring. But I have got that all sorted now. "I have a little girl on the way. The due date is the day after the fight, so I've got my wife eating prunes, dates and pineapples, everything to get it out earlier." He added: "I'm doing it for her, my unborn child. I'm doing it for her future and my future. "It's all or nothing for me." Experienced campaigner Benjamin (18-4-1) raised some eyebrows when he said that he had never seen Molloy in the ring. Asked how highly he rated the Galway man, he said: "To be honest, I've never seen him box. You might think I am being a bit naive, but that's the way I do things." Molloy was quick to respond to this revelation, saying, "Fairy play Kaisee for stepping in as the last seven or eight opponents have all pulled out for one reason or another, but I would recommend that you get studying before 28 June or you could be in big trouble!" The fight night is stacked with a brilliant undercard, including the likes of Belfast's Sean McComb, Westmeath's Joe Ward, and Hughie Fury, the cousin of heavyweight king Tyson, and a late addition to the bill. But there is no doubt that Molloy, who was joined at Pearse Stadium by a host of family and friends, will bring the star attraction as he looks to inspire a new generation of Galway boxers. He said: "When I started off boxing in the Oughterard Club, I was five years old, but I had dreams to fight here. "That's where it all started for me, and the great coaching I received, and all the fans travelling up and down the country, around Europe and around the world to watch me fight, it's all preparation for these nights, and I'm going to grab this with both hands. "I think everybody's in for a shock about how much noise this place is actually going to make on the night. "It's going to build a massive platform for Galway boxing. "In Belfast, you've got your Lewis Crockers and your Michael Conlons, in Dublin you've got your Katie Taylors, and in Galway it's going to be the Kieran Molloy show. We're going to build it massive."
