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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
RTE star Donal Og Cusack steps out with boyfriend as they mark special milestone
Donal Óg Cusack and his partner Nathan celebrated a milestone as they marked their decade together with a romantic evening out. The former Cork hurling star and his businessman partner treated themselves to a sumptuous steak dinner at Hawksmoor to commemorate the special milestone. Nathan shared a peek into their anniversary celebrations on Instagram, posting a cosy selfie of the couple alongside snapshots of their lavish meal. The pair indulged in lobster, steak and sticky toffee pudding at the upmarket steakhouse, reports RSVP Live. In a simple but heartfelt caption, he wrote: "10 years together @donalogc." The post was flooded with warm wishes, with one follower commenting: "How wonderful! Happy anniversary guys. "Congratulations to you both," another person gushed. A third added: "Happy anniversary guys hopefully double celebrations later today when cork lifts the cup have a great weekend guys." This celebration follows their recent romantic getaway to Killarney just weeks ago, where Nathan documented their stay at the Europe Hotel with photos and videos on social media. They savoured an indulgent dinner and enjoyed the hotel's pool facilities, with Nathan sharing glimpses of their mini-break online. "A long overdue night away with @donalogc @theeuropehotelandresort," he captioned the post. Donal Óg's relationship with Nathan, a former Mr Ireland contestant, was first publicly acknowledged in 2015 when he declared: "And yes, we are in love." The duo typically maintain a discreet presence as a couple while they flourish in their respective careers. Nathan, once a model, is now a prominent businessman and PR guru in Cork, juggling various brands, including his swiftly growing confectionery enterprise and a digital marketing firm. In 2021, he even ventured into launching his own teeth whitening brand. Celebrating a year of success with his burgeoning ventures, Nathan took to Instagram to pay homage to his partner, stating: "Started off in the spare room at home building up @rmpragency and we are now working with some very well known businesses who have now became good friends." He continued with a message of gratitude: "To anyone that is reading this, thank you for supporting me and my crazy journey.. and a huge thank you to my better half @donalogc for supporting me in everything I do."
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Inside RTE's Joanne Cantwell's family life with husband Shay and two daughters
Joanne Cantwell is a familiar face in the world of Irish sports broadcasting. She's perhaps most recognised for her coverage of GAA and her work on The Sunday Game, having once played for Dublin during her teenage years. Joanne will host RTE's coverage of Sunday's All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final between Cork and Tipperary, reports RSVP Live. Here's everything you need to know about Joanne's career and life outside of sport: Who is Joanne Cantwell? Joanne is an Irish sports journalist and broadcaster from Dublin. She was part of the Dublin county team that won Dublin's first senior Leinster Ladies Senior Football Championship. She was named Young Dublin Player of the Year in 1997 and was nominated for an All-Star award in 1998. She studied journalism at DCU before joining FM104 to cover weekend sport and later moved to TV3's Sports Tonight show before landing her high-profile role on RTE. Family life Away from work, Joanne spends her time raising her two young daughters, Emmy and Alex, with her husband Shay in Kildare. Joanne has four sisters, none of whom followed her into football. Only she and her father shared a passion for GAA. Now, it seems her two daughters, Emmy and Alex, aren't big GAA fans either. Joanne couldn't help but chuckle over her efforts to get her kids, shared with hubby Shay, into GAA. Chatting with RSVP Live, she quipped: "I am trying to get them to become massive GAA fans, if they want to." Having been raised in a family where sport wasn't exactly the main event, Joanne knows all about rooting for her passions. She reminisced: "I grew up with four sisters and none of them had any interest in sport, so it was my father and I against five others, my sister and my mother, at home. I am used to having to fight the fight." The Sunday Game Taking the reins of The Sunday Game from Michael Lyster in 2019, Joanne previously confided to the RTE Guide about the gig's intensity: "I don't have time to think about it as I'm so busy, it's just another programme." But she swiftly acknowledged: "Of course, it's not just another programme. It's an iconic show and I'm taking over from an icon. But people aren't turning on their tellies to see me. They are turning on to watch the hurling and camogie." She's also full of praise for Ireland's sports commentators, noting: "We have a great line-up of pundits and I was recently thinking that we are really lucky with the pundits we have in sport in Ireland." She added: "Whether it is GAA, soccer or rugby, we are blessed with the numbers and quality we have because lots of countries don't have pundits who can say what they want to say and also be taken to task as well. All of our programmes allow people to say what they want to say."
Irish Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Country music star Lisa McHugh diagnosed with 'incurable' disorder
Lisa McHugh has received a diagnosis of a neurological condition and has lost the use of both her legs. The country music performer has discovered she suffers from Functional Neurological Disorder, an incurable condition, following a "challenging" period of several weeks in hospital. Lisa issued a public statement to inform her supporters and detail her journey towards receiving the diagnosis. The mother-of-two posted on Instagram: "After what has been an incredibly scary and very difficult couple of weeks in hospital having multiple CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood tests, lumbar punctures and every kind of test you could imagine, I have just been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) . "As well as Trigeminal Neuralgia that I was diagnosed with earlier this year. FND is a condition that affects the way the brain and nervous system work, leading to a range of neurological symptoms such as limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, spasms, sensory issues, cognitive problems and more," reports RSVP Live. "The specific cause for FND is unknown but one of the main triggers is stress, trauma and anxiety. "And while there is no cure, it is treatable providing you adapt your life as much as possible to manage it." The Scottish performer, who has children Milo and Hallie with spouse Nathan, revealed she will step back to concentrate on her rehabilitation. Lisa revealed she'd lost the use of both legs and was forced to relearn walking with the aid of a Zimmer frame. Additionally, she's been plagued by severe headaches and excruciating facial pain. Lisa lost function in both of her legs (Image: Instagram/Lisa McHugh) The singer has been learning to walk again with help of a walking frame (Image: Instagram/Lisa McHugh) She went on: "I guess the stress and trauma of this last year and everything we've went through has finally caught up with me and my body and it's now decided to make me physically stop, process and heal from everything properly. "So that's my plan, as you can see I've a good bit to go on the healing front, going from walking in to hospital with a very bad headache and severe facial pain, to losing function in both legs and then trying to walk again using a Zimmer frame. "It's quite a lot to wrap your head around. So I need to drastically adapt things in my life right now and for the future to reduce the severity of the symptoms in any future flare ups. "But rest assured, I will be cared for like a queen every single day until I fully recover from this episode." Lisa proceeded to express gratitude towards all the healthcare professionals who'd supported her recently, before informing supporters she'd be taking a break from public life. "A special mention of thanks must go out to all of the doctors, specialists, nurses and staff of the South West Acute Hospital. The care and first class treatment I've had since I arrived has been absolutely amazing and I am so thankful to all of you. "With all of that said, I'm going to sign off and take time out from everything for a while to concentrate on recovering fully. In the meantime I'd really appreciate all of your prayers and I'll soak up this time with my beautiful family and be grateful for every day." The country sensation received a wave of love and well-wishes from her devoted followers. "Sending so much love Lisa, praying for a speedy recovery," one admirer posted. Another shared: "Oh Lisa my heart goes out to you. Sending you so much love. "Take as much time out as you need," another supporter advised. And yet another fan expressed: "Sending you lots of love Lisa. Look after yourself and speedy recovery." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Dublin Live
09-07-2025
- General
- Dublin Live
Social welfare Ireland: Exact groups eligible for free TV licence and €420 a year before age 70
If you are aged over 70 in Ireland you are entitled to a free TV licence. There are specific social welfare groups that are eligible for a free TV licence before they turn 70 and also receive a payment worth €420 a year. The Household Benefits Package is designed to assist with your electricity or gas bill and the TV licence. All those aged 70 and up automatically qualify for the payment. Some people under 70 can avail of the HBP, though additional conditions apply, reports RSVP Live. Here's how to qualify: How to qualify? If you are under 70 and living with your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner, you can get the HBP if you are getting a qualifying social welfare payment and: You are getting an increase in your qualifying social welfare payment for them, or They are getting their own qualifying social welfare payment listed below, or They are getting a social welfare payment not listed below and they satisfy a means test You can live with other adults (who are not your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner) and get the HBP. You are between 66 and 70: State Pension (Contributory) State Pension (Non-Contributory) Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension Deserted Wife's Benefit Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must be living with the person you are caring for. An ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement If you are aged between 66 and 70 and not getting one of the payments above, you may qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you pass a means test Qualifying social welfare payments if you are under 66: Disability Allowance Invalidity Pension Blind Pension Incapacity Supplement (for at least 12 months) with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months) Carer's Allowance (full or half-rate payment), but you must be living with the person you are caring for. An equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement What is covered by the Household Benefits Package? There are 2 allowances in the Household Benefits Package: Allowance 1 Electricity Allowance of €35 monthly (€1.15 per day) or Natural Gas Allowance of €35 monthly (€1.15 per day) Allowance 2 Free Television Licence Electricity or Gas Allowance If you have an electricity and natural gas supply, you must choose between the Electricity Allowance and Gas Allowance. You can choose only one. The Allowance does not cover the cost of installing an electricity or natural gas supply to your home. Free Television Licence Once you qualify for the Household Benefits Package, you can get a Free Television (TV) Licence from your next TV Licence renewal date. To get your Free TV Licence, you must select the Television Licence option on the HBP form when you apply. You can find out more about it here. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
Shocking reason you should never tie ribbon on your suitcase to help identify it – it may not even make the flight
FLIGHT experts are warning travelers not to use a popular bag-tracking method, as it may cause more harm than good. Experts are urging flyers not to tie a ribbon around the handles of their suitcases. 1 A baggage handler, who goes by the name John, warned that tying a ribbon on the handle may cause issues with the bag being scanned. 'Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall,' he told RSVP Live. 'If the bag can't be scanned automatically, it can end up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn't make it to the flight.' The handler also told flyers to take off old stickers on the bag and place your suitcase wheels up for less damage. As for snacks, John told travelers not to pack marzipan in their bags. 'Don't ever pack Marzipan in your luggage,' he said. 'It has the same density as some explosives, so your bag will be removed and you'll be called from the plane for a bag search.' Another flying expert warned passengers about the type of suitcase they choose to check in. Emilie, a flight attendant of 16 years, told retailer House of Fraiser that travelers should never check a hard-covered suitcase. "Passengers tend to think that hard-shell suitcases are more resistant than fabric ones, but it's actually the opposite. Four countries Americans can fly to without needing a passport – and popular vacation choice where no visa is needed "Hardcovers can get easily broken by the pressure of the other bags once they're all packed together in the hold." The flight attendant added, "To avoid damage to your bag, I always recommend choosing a fabric suitcase as these are actually more durable. "Picking one in a bright colour can help you spot your bag more quickly during baggage delivery. Just avoid white as it won't stay that colour for long!" She also recommends going for a two-wheeled suitcase over a four-wheeled one. What to do if you luggage is lost, delayed, or damaged IT is an awful experience when your baggage does not appear on the carousel. However, travelers can take steps to get their bags back. What if baggage is delayed? If your bag doesn't show up at your destination, make sure to speak to the nearest airline representative. Airlines have a system that tracks where bags are and can see whether luggage has ever left an airport. After getting as much information as possible from the representative, passengers can file a claim. Once the bag is located, airlines will either deliver it straight to a flier's door or send it to the nearest airport. What if baggage is lost? Fliers should stay in close contact with airlines throughout the search for their bags. Sometimes, airlines will tell lucky passengers their bags are gone for good. Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, but this can vary. Airlines are responsible for compensating travelers for lost bags' contents as long as it doesn't surpass maximum liability limits. Airlines must also reimburse any fees that fliers paid out for a bag to be transported if it was found. What if a bag is damaged? Airlines are also required to pay back customers for bags' contents that were damaged during flight. However, the airline won't take responsibility for items that were destroyed because the luggage was improperly packed. Most airlines also won't reimburse cash, electronics, fragile items, and perishables. Anyone who has a bag damaged during flight should file a claim and discuss whether they can get a refund. "[Four-wheeled suitcases] are never as durable or reliable as a two-wheel spinner and I'd always avoid them." One TikToker, who goes by the username @allycase1, warned travelers to be aware of a common luggage tag faux pas. In the video, the flight attendant shows a luggage tag with contact information written on it. 'Always make sure that your luggage tag has the contact information facing the other side,' she said in the video. 'I see so many people with their luggage tag and their information displayed for everyone to see. 'Their name, their address, their phone number, their email. That is way too much information for just anyone to have.' She recommends just flipping personal information to the other side so its not out on display. 'In the event that your bag is ever lost, whoever has your bag is going to take out the tag and flip it to the other side.'
