Latest news with #RTÉLifestyle
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- Science
- RTÉ News
Dr Patten on preparing to become the first Irish person in space
Hailing from Co Mayo, Dr Norah Patten is set to become one of the country's greatest ambassadors on the world stage (and beyond). An award-winning author, trained aeronautical engineer, education advocate, and former Late Late Toy Show surprise star, Dr Patten will soon add one more incredibly impressive string to her bow: In 2026, she will become the first Irish person in space. Patten will take on the monumental journey as part of an all-female team of researchers alongside Dr Shawna Pandya from Canada and Kellie Gerardi from America. In the lead up to the groundbreaking spaceflight, the trio will be busy with deep preparation, including spacesuit testing and evaluation, microgravity research, and high-G flights to experience gravitational force. Speaking with RTÉ Lifestyle, Norah says that her dream of going to space started at the ripe age of 11 when she first visited the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. "I'm the youngest of five in my family, but I was the only one to have taken the interest in space after going to visit NASA," she muses. "I can still remember walking around the hangar and seeing the aircraft, going to see the wind tunnel, and I think something just sparked." This exposure to the space sector at such a young age, followed by a visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 15, cemented Dr Patten's fate. As soon as she knew a trip to space was possible, nothing else would do. Decades of hard work and many degrees later, the Mayo woman says she still can't believe that her dreams are set to become reality. "The flight was announced in June of last year, which was 12 months ago now, and not one day has gone by where I haven't thought about it and been so thankful to have that opportunity, finally, after all the years." Despite this, she says she struggles to take on the enormity of the situation. Instead, she focuses on the massive amount of work she needs to do in the meantime, whether that be research, education, or outreach. In fact, the Norah Patten Foundation put a huge emphasis on continuing the legacy of space exploration, engaging with teachers who can help inspire younger generations. "It's so special, I don't for a second take it for granted," she says of becoming a role model to children. "I was a grand marshal in Ballina for the parade in March, and there was a space-themed parade and little kids dressed as astronauts - and adults too! It's hard to articulate, but it's something I don't take for granted. "The Toy Show was so special," she continues. "It's a nomination. The kids write in about who they would like to see or meet. To get that pre-flight cemented, to me, just how many little eyes are watching, and how important it is for me to make the most of this opportunity." As she moves closer to making history, Aer Lingus has pledged its support through a two-year partnership, ensuring she can travel between her home in Ireland and North America - the hub of her groundbreaking research preparation. "The micro-gravity research flight that we do in Ottawa at the National Research Council is the fundamental test bed and preparation that we need to set us up for success for the actual space flight," she says, noting that the partnership will be essential over the next year. "It's hard to explain just how different that environment is," she says, explaining the training manoeuvre. "You get about 20 seconds of weightlessness on the free-fall portion. If there's dust on the floor, it lifts off. Your bum lifts out of the seat. Experiments will float. It's a really, really unique environment." As well as adjusting to micro-gravity, Dr Patten says the trips to North America are an opportunity for her to spend time with her crewmates, something that will undoubtedly help to strengthen the team dynamics ahead of their journey. "We're individuals, at the end of the day, so we have our different ways of approaching things," she explains, "but Kelly and Shawna are two of the most incredible people I've ever had an opportunity to work with. They have 100 per cent brought out the best in me and my work over the past year."
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Irish designer creates a Taylor Swift-inspired bridal collection
Earlier this week, Rachel Morgan, owner of The White Gallery luxury bridal boutique, introduced her brand new collection of luxury mini-dresses at a dazzling event in the Canal Court Hotel and Spa in Co Down. Hosted by luxury brand consultant and founder of Danu Collective, Aisling McVeigh, the evening was a dream for brides-to-be shopping for their 'bridal era'. Inspired by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour - a global concert tour that saw the singer celebrate the many chapters of her colourful career - The White Era is a collection of mini dresses that aims to carry brides through their year of celebrations. Speaking with RTÉ Lifestyle, Morgan said that the collection was directly inspired by the Cruel Summer singer, having experienced the Eras tour with her daughters. "Taylor had a massive influence on the name," she confirms. "We've seen her twice now, and we just absolutely love her. She's such a powerful, strong woman." "The White Era is all about the bride during her bridal era," she continues. "From the minute that you get engaged - the engagement party, the day two celebration, all of the occasions where she would choose to wear white." With Swift now in a long-term relationship with boyfriend Travis Kelce, and engagement rumours swirling, the Northern Irish designer says she would "actually die of excitement" if the singer wore one of her dresses in the future. Although the collection celebrates the indulgence of celebrating a major life event, the designer says she is mindful of the impact that the fashion industry has on the environment, and has tried to keep the range as sustainable as possible. For example, one of the dresses is designed to be styled in a variety of ways so that it can be worn on multiple occasions by the bride-to-be. "You invest in one key piece, but if you wear it with the bow or the gloves or anything else, it will carry you through your bridal era," she explains. After the big day, it could also be paired with colourful accessories that would make it less bridal and more timeless. Gone are the days of buying something for one wear only. "Each piece is made to order, so we're not over-producing," she explains. It's made in our own atelier, so that everything from the pattern cutting to the finishing details is done by the one seamstress." "It's so lovely for people to support Irish design," she adds, applauding the array of talent that Ireland has to offer. "There's so much choice out there, and it's lovely to have the option of choosing something that has been made here." With over a decade of experience, Morgan says that these recent designs were created as a solution to the problems that many of her clients were facing, particularly in recent years, with multiple celebrations becoming more commonplace. "They want something special for their engagement party, the rehearsal dinner, or a lot of Irish get married abroad but want to have a gorgeous legal ceremony in city hall, and they want something special and elevated to wear to that event. "Then there's day two, or some brides want to change into a mini in the evening because they want to enjoy their wedding party, and sometimes that's hard in a full-length ball gown." RTÉ 2FM presenter Doireann Garrihy was one of the first brides to wear a mini dress from the collection, and Morgan says she was thrilled to have her wear the brand. "She was one of the first to wear it, and she wore it so beautifully," she says. "It's just really special. We're 14 years open in bridal, and we just have so many brides looking for something different that reflects their personality."
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- RTÉ News
Sarah Butler on finding simple dishes that make life easier
As an ambassador for SuperValu's The Difference is Real campaign, Sarah Butler spoke to RTÉ Lifestyle to shine a light on the value of home cooking and finding the right recipes for your family. One of six children, and hailing from a long line of butchers, Sarah Butler says she had a childhood filled with delicious food. "I always loved to cook," she told RTÉ Lifestyle. "My parents were both very good cooks and bakers. Dad was a fourth-generation butcher, so he was very much into his meat, and we had a B&B growing up, so mam was always cooking meals." Not only that, but her grandmother, who lived next door, was a constant feature of the kitchen - baking and cooking on a near-constant basis. Despite this inherited love for food, though, the Mayo woman pursued a career in digital media and only tried her hand at cooking professionally when the COVID-19 pandemic arrived on Irish shores. Working in digital design for over 19 years, Butler specialised in creating bespoke wedding stationery, but when social distancing put a stop to ceremonies, she found her creative spark in the kitchen. "I started to show stuff online and it just blew up," she laughs. "I'm sitting here four years later and thinking, how did this happen?". Now a best-selling author and food influencer, she's built a loyal community of over 240,000 followers by sharing easy, delicious recipes and everyday kitchen tips that help families cook with confidence. The trick, she says, is to keep things simple: "Some people have to learn from scratch, and they're afraid of food, and afraid of cooking, and they just haven't the confidence." Recipes that always go down a treat with her followers are those that are filling, cost-efficient, and have the ability to sneak healthy ingredients into their children's diets. "I do a hidden veggie pasta sauce that can be used as a soup or a pizza base or a sauce," she explains. Homemade chicken goujons and sausage rolls are another hit, and Butler says they're much better than buying the frozen alternative. "They're actually really easy to make," she promises. "It's just stuff that the whole family will eat. When you've got three kids and 20 minutes until the dinner needs to be on the table, you just want to make something that is wholesome and that everyone will eat." Speaking of children, Butler says that although her teenagers remain completely unimpressed that she's on the telly, they do seem to have picked up some of her cooking prowess. "They're picking stuff up unbeknownst to me," she laughs. "They're not racing into the kitchen to make cakes, they just eat them, but they're both well able to cook. That's the most important thing to me, that they're able to go out into the world and make things with simple ingredients." The big winners in Butler's own kitchen are simple additions that deliver an extra kick of flavour to classic dishes: "If you're cooking a ham, throw in an orange and cloves, a spoon of sugar and a Bay leaf," she suggests. As well as being a big believer in meal prep, and planning dinners around what's already in the fridge, Butler's biggest tip is to take an extra few seconds to taste what's in the pot before serving it up. "We're always rushing," she muses. "We don't test our food anymore because we're on our phones or we're eating in the car. Just try and slow down and enjoy the process. Close your eyes and take a taste of that soup as you're making it." If in doubt, try adding a little seasoning to your meals, whether it be a touch of salt and pepper or a dash of paprika and garlic. Most important of all, though, Sarah stresses, is to go easy on yourself. "The bar is so high, everybody is so bloody perfect online now, you know? I do my batch cooking on a Sunday, and then I get an Indian takeaway," she laughs. "I've made a load of food, but I don't have to cook that night - and it's great." "Don't be hard on yourself," she continues. "Start small and grow that confidence."
