Westlife's Shane Filan and wife Gillian supporting inaugural Relay for Life Sligo launch on Friday
Sligo Champion
Westlife's Shane Filan and his wife, Gillian, are lending their support to the inaugural Relay for Life Sligo which is being held in ATU Sligo in September.
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Sunday World
17 hours ago
- Sunday World
Country star Michael English on how Louis Walsh's mother played key role in music career
The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church Country music star Michael English told yesterday how Louis Walsh's mother played a key role in one of the biggest highlights of his career. The top entertainer was the favourite Irish singer of Maureen Walsh, who died this week at the age of 94 and whose funeral took place in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo. And Michael English gave his final performance for Maureen when he was chosen to sing at her funeral service on Thursday, where the attendance included Westlife stars Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, plus Eurovision winner Dana. Michael says: 'It was a huge honour to sing at it with the Kiltimagh Parish Choir. I was looking down the church and seeing the Westlife lads and seeing Dana and all these other singers, so it was a great privilege to get the opportunity to do it for Maureen. Kian Egan and wife Jodi Albert with Louis Walsh 'Maureen and her daughters Sarah and Evelyn and other members of the Walsh family used to come to my shows in the early days. 'And the first time I met Maureen she told me I was her favourite singer. It was around 2008 and I was a bit younger at the time and a bit chuffed that Louis Walsh's mother was into what I did. Family and friends of Maureen Walsh attend her funeral Today's News in 90 Seconds - 08 June 2025 'Maureen was just a lovely country woman who reminded me of my own mother. We struck up a little bond and she said, 'I'm going to get Louis to ring you now and see if he can help you in any way.' 'I thought no more of it, but sure enough Louis did ring me and we arranged to meet up. We had a good chat and I found Louis to be very similar to the rest of his family. I thought he was going to be completely different, but we got on like a house on fire.' Shane Filanwas among the mourners Louis went on to land a major record deal for English with Sony Music – and Michael ended up recording with British producer Nigel Wright, whose work includes the score for The Phantom of the Opera. 'It was a huge experience for me at such a young age and also a huge thrill to be working with Nigel because I'd been a massive fan of The Phantom of the Opera and have seen it about 15 times,' Michael says. 'Nigel arranged for me to go backstage one time to see the workings of it and the illusions that were created by magician Paul Daniels. Dana was among the mourners 'So as well as getting the opportunity to record two great albums I was living the dream – and it was Maureen who had made all that happen for me. 'I would go on to concentrate on the country music scene, but Louis had been great to me while we worked together.' Maureen had been living with Alzheimer's for 12 years before she died. 'I went to see her a few times in the nursing home,' Michael says. 'I was so fond of her and she was a very much loved person in the area, not just because her son was on The X Factor but because of who she was. Louis Walsh looks on as the remains of his mother Maureen are taken from church 'Her house was open to everybody. I was in the house a hundred times and it reminded me of my house, when people would come into my mother she'd say 'will you have a cup of tea?' and she'd take every different kind of biscuit out of the press. 'Louis's mother was like that. She ran an open house and a very welcoming house,' Michael adds.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
‘That's amazing' cry fans as former Westlife star Brian McFadden shares ‘beautiful' clip of rarely-seen daughter
FORMER Westlife star Brian McFadden has shared a "beautiful" video of his rarely-seen daughter that left fans gushing. The and his fiance Danielle Parkinson have been together since 2016 and they welcomed their baby daughter, Ruby Jean, into the world back in 2021. 2 Brian shared a heartwarming video of his daughter on his social media Credit: Instagram 2 The adorable video saw her make new friends with butterflies Credit: Instagram Taking to his The singer's youngest daughter held out two butterflies as she curiously inspected them up close. Her mum, Danielle took the video where she can be heard in the back-ground gushing: "Aww they like you, don't they? read more on Brian Mcfadden "Do you want to go and get some shelter now, it is starting to rain?" Later, the little one posed for an adorable snap with her newfound friends. She looked over the moon as she showed off the two butterflies that landed on her hand. However, as the rain began to pick up, Ruby and her mum brought the animals to "shelter" in her plastic outdoor playhouse. Most read in Celebrity Ruby gently placed them out of the rain and harm's way as her mum asked: "Are you taking them into the playhouse?" As Ruby tried to leave the butterflies on a small leaf inside the play house it was clear they didn't want to leave her side. Westlife star Brian McFadden shares 'adorable' clip of daughter playing the drums After a small struggle she managed to ease the bugs from her hand to the playhouse where they then left the two butterflies. Sharing the adorable video, Brian wrote: "Ruby's little butterflies were set free today." Friends and fans raced to the singer's comment section to gush over the heartwarming video. 'GENTLE SOUL' Reality TV star Cristina said: "I love how gentle she is with them — so careful not to touch their wings. So much care in tiny hands." Jessica remarked: "When butterflies come to visit, you know the soul is gentle." Linda gushed: "It's such a good idea to watch the caterpillars turn into butterflies then put them outside she was so careful with them." Another fan added: "Oh we did this last year! Watching them grow is so amazing."
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Irish Independent
Mother of Louis Walsh remembered as ‘an extraordinary woman' as Westlife members and stars attend funeral of Maureen (94)
The Church of the Holy Family in Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, was almost full to capacity for the funeral of Maureen Walsh (94). Her sons Louis and Frank and daughter Sarah paid tribute to their mother, who enjoyed a great relationship with her children and always encouraged them to 'make the best' of themselves. Celebrities from the music and TV industries were in attendance, including Westlife members Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan, as well as Dana Rosemary Scallan and Glenda Gilson. Born Maureen Healy in 1931 to Delia and Martin Healy and the eldest of five children, Ms Walsh moved to Kiltimagh when she was a teenager. She began working in a premises now occupied by the Teach O'Hora pub before she married Frank Walsh. The couple had 10 children. In the 1970s, she got a 'new lease of life' when she began working with voluntary help group Western Care, where she made many friends and stayed until her retirement. Fr Michael Quinn, who concelebrated the funeral mass with three other priests, described Ms Walsh as 'a true friend of many years', 'a treasured neighbour' and 'a great work colleague'. Mourners heard about the hospitality she showed visitors to her home in Church Street, Kiltimagh, where her door was 'always open'. A Mayo flag, rosary beads, a photo of Padre Pio, a pack of playing cards, a copy of Ireland's Own magazine, a rolling pin and a family photo were brought to the altar as symbols of her life. Ms Walsh was an enthusiastic follower of the Mayo and Kiltimagh GAA teams and always flew a flag outside her house before big games. She was also a keen listener to Midwest Radio throughout the day. 'She said she used to go to bed with Michael Commins twice a week,' said daughter Sarah, referring to the popular radio show presented by Commins, who knew her. She went on several Midwest Radio trips and always brought rashers, sausages and Barry's teabags with her. Described as 'deeply religious', Ms Walsh had a great love of Padre Pio and the rosary and went on pilgrimages to Medjugorje. She was also an enthusiastic set dancer and played cards most nights of the week before being afflicted with Alzheimer's. Son Frank said the disease made her final 12 years 'tough on the family'. 'Maureen lived for her family,' he said. 'She was the heart, she was the rock. We all loved her.' He went on to describe her as 'a woman of great strength, loyalty, grace, with infectious laughter and compassion'. 'It's very, very hard to say goodbye, but we have to let go,' he said. Ms Walsh is survived by sons Louis, Joseph, Noel, Paul, Frank, Eamon and Padraic, daughters Sarah and Evelyn, sisters Anne O'Hora and Christeen Reddington and brother Martin Healy, and was predeceased by her husband and daughter Catherine. She was laid to rest in a wicker coffin in Kilkinure Cemetery in Kiltimagh.
