Latest news with #BrendanO'ConnorShow
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Michael Flatley for President? The Lord of the Dance isn't ruling it out
Lord Of The Dance star Michael Flatley has revealed that he isn't ruling out a potential Presidential bid. Speaking on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor Show yesterday, Mr Flatley said he took questions about his intentions to run, 'very seriously'. Lord Of The Dance star Michael Flatley has revealed that he isn't ruling out a potential Presidential bid. Pic: REX/Shutterstock He said: 'It's certainly not something that I've made any decision on, but it does get frustrating when you see the hard-working Irish taxpayer working as hard out and having no say in things. 'If I thought that I could be of benefit to the Irish people and maybe, more importantly, if I thought I could be a voice of the Irish people. 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice, not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language, 'Flatley said. Pic: David Rose/REX/Shutterstock 'Right now, I don't think they have a voice, not a true proper deep voice that you know that speaks their language.' He said he is 'very blessed' to meet the 'average person', adding: 'I meet them all and I hear their concerns. And I'd be lying if I said they're happy right now, and somebody has to speak for the Irish people.' He said he had been 'approached by some very weighted individuals, people in the know,' about a bid.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Michael Flatley says he's 'seriously considering' run for Irish president
Lord of the Dance and Riverdance star Michael Flatley has confirmed he is 'seriously considering' running for the Áras. As first reported by the Irish Examiner, informed sources indicated that the businessman is prepared to enter the presidential race and is seriously considering a run. On Saturday, Mr Flatley said: 'Everywhere I walk down the street, people stop and ask me" about running for president. 'I take it seriously,' he added. The dancer said he now has a 'team of advisers' guiding him on the matter. When asked about his intentions on RTÉ's Brendan O'Connor Show, Mr Flatley said his final decision would depend on whether he believed he could benefit the Irish people. He said that, at present, he believes the Irish people don't have a voice, and that if he thought he could be that voice, he would seriously consider running. 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people, I'm not sure we need another politician.' While he noted that no political party has contacted him, he added: 'I have been approached by some very weighted individuals — people in the know.' Flatley said it is 'frustrating' for Irish taxpayers who feel they are not being heard. 'Let it be said that I speak for Ireland and the Irish people.' Mr Flatley was among the invited guests at the White House in March when the Taoiseach presented a bowl of shamrock to US President Joe Biden. He also attended the US Embassy's Fourth of July celebrations in Dublin last Thursday, where he entertained over 2,500 guests with a tune on the flute. Read More Michael Flatley suffers setback in €1.4m legal costs row
RTÉ News
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Graham Norton reveals details of his biggest show yet
Graham Norton has said his new big prizemoney reality TV show The Neighbourhood is the biggest thing he has ever been associated with. The Irish chat show host, author and comedian will present the new ITV programme, which airs next year and which sees six households compete for a £250,000 while living in a lakeside housing development in Darbyshire. Speaking on the Brendan O'Connor Show on RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday morning, Norton said, "It's mad. It's the biggest thing I've ever been associated with. "It's these houses around a lake in Darbyshire and real households move into them and they live there 24/7, being filmed all the time, and they also have to play these epic challenges and at the end one of the families wins a quarter of a million pounds. "It's life-affirming. None of the households is the villain. Equally, it was competitive in a way I didn't expect it to be at the beginning but there are only six households and you're close to the prize from day one. There was a bit of people turning on each other but I really liked all the households and I wasn't expecting to." Speaking about is annual summer stay in West Cork, where his mother Rhona still lives, 62-year-old Norton, who married his husband Jonathan McLeod in 2022, said his visits became a big part of his life when he bought his own house in the area. "That was about 15 years ago and now we go back as much as we can because it's a lovely part of the world. I love driving in and the tyres are on the gravel and you turn the engine in the car off and everything just disperses and it's so weightless. It's gorgeous. "I'm a lazy version of myself when I'm there. I do less." Norton will again host the annual table quiz at the end of July and he will be taking part in the West Cork Literary Festival to speak about his new book, Frankie.
RTÉ News
13-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
'When dads are supported, the whole family benefits'
Analysis: When research focuses just on mothers, fathers' voices and the chance to build more balanced parenting supports and policies get lost By , UCD Gender stereotypes and, consequently, parenting roles are constantly evolving. It is no longer uncommon to see dads in charge of family dinners or handling the drop-off and pick-up from crèche. In modern-day Ireland, dads are no longer considered the breadwinners of a family, whose childcare responsibilities are solely financial. The recent State of the World's Fathers Survey, which interviewed 232 fathers across Ireland, reflects this rewiring of traditional family structures. 86% of interviewed fathers stated they feel as responsible for care work as their partners. 65% said they would give up career opportunities for their children. 84% of fathers viewed caring for their children as the most important thing in their life. Although the report also showed that women still bear most of the carework within families, it is evident that fathers spend more and more time with their kids. From RTÉ Radio 1's Morning Ireland, research from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the ESRI finds only half of fathers are taking their paternity leave entitlements But despite this diversity within parenting roles, policies and research for families have not caught up with these evolving family structures. Early research studies on parenting that led to the development of attachment theory, for example, focused exclusively on mothers as the primary caregiver, suggesting that fathers are only secondary to mothers. Although other studies quickly showed that fathers are equally forming attachments to their children, subsequent parenting research up to today has followed suit. Despite repeated calls for an increased focus on the paternal role in children's lives, studies still primarily recruit mothers but not fathers into their research. In our work at the UCD Babylab, we are aiming to proportionally represent fathers in our research, yet have encountered similar difficulties as previous studies in recruiting a balanced sample of parents. For example, in our recent online survey on toddlerhood, we received 407 responses from parents across the island of Ireland, yet only five responses from fathers. From RTÉ Radio 1's Brendan O'Connor Show, psychologist Maureen Gaffney on how your childhood relationship with your father is important for your emotional development This view of parenting within a large majority of studies has biased much of what we know today about children's development, which, in turn, has further implications for policies and programs for families. When research focuses just on mothers, fathers' voices get lost - and with them, the chance to build more balanced parenting supports and policies. For instance, in response to the pandemic, maternity wards were quick to revert to the traditional perspective of the primary/secondary caregiver divide, in their policies to classify fathers as "visitors", with only limited access to their child during the birth and postpartum period. While support for mothers during pregnancy and early parenthood is essential, this imbalance could leave fathers feeling unsure of where they fit in. One organisation that seeks to support men in their role as fathers is From Lads to Dads. It seeks to provide practical guidance, emotional support, and a sense of community for new and expectant fathers transitioning into parenthood. "We see men who want to be present, involved dads," founder Dave Saunders explains. "Yet, when they look for help, they often find that existing services aren't quite designed with them in mind. They just need someone to meet them where they are. To be seen, heard, and supported in a non-judgmental environment tailored to their needs." From RTÉ Radio 1, Ella McSweeney talks to Dave Saunders about Lads to Dads Research on the parenting experiences of fathers mirrors Saunders' practical insights. Paternal involvement early in children's lives has been shown to be consistently related to their cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural developmental outcomes. When included early on, dads can build stronger bonds with their children, feel confident in their parenting, and become connected, equal partners. Other research has found that support for fathers in the early months, such as the programs offered by From Lads to Dads, can have a significant impact on men to feel more equipped and engaged (not just present) as fathers. One area, often overlooked in current interventions, is that fathers, too, can experience postnatal depression or birth trauma, experiences that can leave them feeling overwhelmed, isolated, or emotionally shut down. In response, From Lads to Dads is developing a dedicated therapeutic service to support fathers' mental health during the perinatal period. According to Saunders, "this program is structured around counselling, peer-led support, and welcoming spaces where dads can talk openly, feel understood, and begin to process their experiences". Ultimately, the goal is to make supports like these more accessible and integrated into everyday services, so no father is left feeling isolated or unprepared in their new responsibilities as a parent. To truly support families, we must ensure fathers are supported too That starts with recognising the changing role of fathers within families by research, clinical and community services. This means involving fathers in appointments, designing antenatal classes with them in mind and offering mental health support that acknowledges their unique experiences. It means reaching out to fathers to participate in research to inform more inclusive policies and practices that support the whole family unit. However, it also means shifting the culture around fatherhood - breaking down stigma, making space for men to speak up, and showing that asking for help is okay - because when dads are supported, the whole family benefits.
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
How carrying spuds and playing Wordle are signs of good health
Analysis: If you can balance on one leg while brushing your teeth, carry a bag of spuds up the stairs and name 20 animals in 30 seconds, you're doing well While ageing is inevitable, ageing well is something we can influence. It's not just about the number of candles on your birthday cake – it's whether you've got the puff to blow them out, the balance to carry the cake and the memory to remember why you're celebrating. As we age, our bodies change. Muscle mass shrinks, bones weaken, reaction times slow. But that doesn't mean we're all destined for a future of walking frames and daytime TV. Ageing well isn't about staying wrinkle-free – it's about staying independent, mobile, mentally sharp and socially connected. From RTÉ Radio 1's Today with Claire Byrne, have classical conductors cracked the key to healthy ageing? In gerontology, there's a saying: we want to add life to years, not just years to life. That means focusing on quality – being able to do what you love, move freely, think clearly and enjoy time with others. There's no one-size-fits-all definition, but some simple home tests can give you a good idea. No fancy lab required – just a toothbrush, a stopwatch and a sense of humour. Balance One fun (and surprisingly useful) way to test your balance is to stand on one leg while brushing your teeth. If you can do this for 30 seconds or more (eyes open), that's a great sign of lower-body strength, coordination and postural stability. A 2022 study found that people who couldn't balance on one leg for ten seconds had an 84% higher risk of death over a median follow-up of seven years compared than those who could. As such, balance is like a superpower for healthy ageing — it reduces falls, supports mobility and can be improved at any age. Grip Grip strength is more than just opening jars. It's a powerful indicator of overall health, predicting heart health, cognitive function and even mortality risk. Research shows that for every 5kg decrease in grip strength, the risk of death from all causes rose by 16%. You can test grip strength using a hand-dynamometer (many gyms or clinics have them), or simply take note of everyday tasks – is opening bottles, carrying groceries or using tools becoming harder? Floor-to-feet feat Can you sit on the floor and stand up without using your hands? This test is a true measure of your lower-body strength and flexibility, which are essential for daily activities and reducing the risk of falls. If you can do it, you're in great shape. From RTÉ Radio 1's Brendan O'Connor Show, Prof Niall Moyna from DCU on how to age-proof your body If it's too tough, try the sit-to-stand test. Using a chair (no arms),see how many sit-to-stand transitions you can do in 30 seconds. This task is a good measure of lower limb function, balance and muscle strength, it can also predict people at risk of falls and cardiovascular issues. Mental sharpness Cognitive function can be measured in all sorts of complex ways, but some basic home tests are surprisingly telling. Try naming as many animals as you can in 30 seconds. Fewer than 12 might indicate concern; more than 18 is a good sign. Try spelling "world" backwards or recalling a short list of three items after a few minutes. This skill is an important strategy to enhance memory in older adults. Challenge yourself with puzzles, Sudoku, Wordle or learning a new skill. These kinds of "verbal fluency" and memory recall tests are simple ways to spot early changes in brain health – but don't panic if you blank occasionally. Everyone forgets where they left their keys sometimes. From RTÉ Radio 1's The Business, Liam Geraghty meets the crossword puzzle makers, the people behind those black and white puzzles that get the grey matter going Lifestyle matters There's no magic bullet to ageing well – but, if one existed, it would probably be a combination of exercise, diet, sleep and social connections. Some of the best-studied strategies include: Daily movement: walking, resistance training, swimming or tai chi keep your muscles and bones strong and support balance and heart health. Healthy eating: a Mediterranean-style diet — rich in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, fish, olive oil and nuts – is linked to better brain and heart health. Sleep: seven to nine hours of quality sleep support memory, immunity and mood. Connection: some research suggests that loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Stay engaged, join a club, volunteer, or just pick up the phone to a friend. Ageing well isn't about staying wrinkle-free – it's about staying independent, mobile, mentally sharp and socially connected If you can balance on one leg while brushing your teeth, carry a bag of spuds up the stairs and name 20 animals under pressure, then you're doing very well. If not (yet), that's OK, these are skills you can build over time. Ageing well means taking a proactive approach to health: making small, consistent choices that lead to better mobility, clearer thinking and richer social connections down the line. So tonight, give the one-leg toothbrush challenge a go. Your future self might thank you - especially if they still have all their teeth.
