Latest news with #RoseofTralee
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rose of Tralee star says people 'shocked' after discovering she's an electrician
A Rose of Tralee contestant has said people are 'shocked' when they discover she is an electrician. Katelyn Cummins, 21, will represent Laois at this year's Rose of Tralee festival, which takes place on August 18 and 19. The 21-year-old is a second-year apprentice electrician from Ballyouskill, working with Alpha Drives in Portlaoise, while also helping her dad and her siblings on their dairy farm. Opening up about taking a trade as her career path, she said: 'Yes, they would be shocked in a good way. People are very enthusiastic in a good way about it. They're very supportive and ask me if I know any more female electricians. 'I love doing it and I am so happy that there are more women getting into it now. It's so empowering for women to be able to see that there are other women doing it. I think that pushes other women to do that I am delighted about.' Although she is unsure about mentioning it on stage to hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas, she said she wants to highlight to people not to be afraid taking a different career path as a woman. 'I'm not sure I'll mention it on stage, but I do want to highlight it as part of my journey, like women shouldn't be afraid to take difficult paths or take different routes that is not traditional. It is becoming more common.' Laois Rose 20254, Katelyn Cummins She said it was her dad who introduced her to being an electrician, adding: 'Growing up on a dairy farm, I'm so used to working with my hands… the hard work was always built into me from such a young age. School was never really for me. I didn't enjoy it that much. The Leaving Cert didn't stress me out. After I did work experience in TY, I knew I wanted to do something different. 'My dad dropped me in with the local electrician for the week and I absolutely loved it.' Opening up about her decision to enter the Kerry festival, she said she was looking forward to making new friends. She said: 'I originally took part in the Laois selection because I didn't have that many friends in Laois and I wanted to make more friends and have a better social life in Laois with lots of new girls. 'With my job, I just work with a lot of lads all the time so it would be nice to meet a lot of new girls. 'After school, girls drift apart, and it was just wanting to make more friends in the area.' She said her parents were 'absolutely delighted' when they heard she wanted to take part of he Rose of Tralee. Laois Rose 2025, Kaitlyn Cummins She added: 'My parents are over the absolute Moon. They are so happy and proud. It's something I've always dreamed of as a little girl. I've never missed it. 'To be crowned the Laois Rose in April was amazing. They were so proud.' Kateyln added that last year's Rose of Tralee winner Keeley O'Grady encouraged her to enter the competition. She said: 'I'm 20 and I was approached by the coordinator back two years ago when I was working part-time in a hotel. She was going around scouting for girls and she asked. 'But I had just turned 18 and I felt I was too young for it. I was doing my Leaving Cert year as well. Then when I saw Keeley O'Grady was 21 and crowned the Rose of Tralee it just showed that anything is possible, and you didn't have to have a certain background or be a certain age. 'That's probably what pushed me. I think it's so empowering for girls this year because there was such a wide age group.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Extra.ie
15 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Extra.ie
Inside broadcasting legend Terry Wogan's stunning period home
Featuring five reception rooms, seven bedrooms, a swimming pool, tennis court and croquet lawn, Terry Wogan sure knew how to live large. The renowned broadcaster, who was born in Limerick, called this house a home with his wife Helen Joyce before his passing in 2016. Helen passed away just last year, with their home in Buckinghamshire now hitting the market for an astonishing £3.75million (€4.3million). Spanning a massive 6,500 square feet, the home was immaculately kept, and is beautiful both inside and out as a stunning Edwardian home that boasts stunningly manicured gardens, a tennis court, swimming pool, and croquet lawn — and has views that are just as breathtaking as the home itself. Terry Wogan's house in Buckinghamshire is on the market for over €4million. Pic: Savills The ground floor entrance hall is exceptionally spacious, with a large staircase, feature fireplace and double height hallway, while the main reception room — one of five, we might add — offers the versatility of being converted into a home office or downstairs bedroom. Pic: Savills The remaining four reception rooms are a formal dining room, formal living room and family room, while the kitchen comes fully loaded with a large range of storage units, gas hob, dual cooker and breakfast island for work and food. Pic: Savills Heading up the stairs to the first floor are the first four bedrooms, all of which are incredibly large with the master boasting built in wardrobes and a large en-suite with a bath and shower, as well as a balcony. The remaining three bedrooms on this floor are served by two family bathrooms. Pic: Savills The second floor is a self-contained apartment/guest accommodation, and is impressive in and of itself — boasting two double bedrooms and a separate guest kitchen. Pic: Savills As for the grounds, the home's gardens are incredibly well kept with mature hedge and shrub borders, as well as a tennis court, swimming pool and croquet lawn. The home also boasts incredible views of its surrounds, including Windsor Castle. Pic: Savills As for its previous owners, Terry Wogan needs no introduction (but we're going to give one anyway). Born in Limerick, the presenter is best known for his time with the BBC, where his radio tenure saw him become one of the most well known and beloved broadcasters ever. He also presented the Rose of Tralee on these shores, and was the voice of the Eurovision for the UK for decades. Pic: Savills Terry passed away in 2016 after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, while his wife of 50 years Helen Joyce passed away last year. The couple had four children together. Pic: Savills Hitcham Lane, Taplow, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire is available via Savills, with an asking price of £3,750,000 (€4,325,250).
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
‘He never fails to turn heads': Co Armagh golden retriever makes final of Nose of Tralee
A therapy dog with an 'infectious personality' is sniffing out glory as he represents Co Armagh in this year's Nose of Tralee. Three-year-old golden retriever Binx has been selected from over 1,550 entries as one of 32 finalists in the competition, run by Pet Sitters Ireland. Now in its 12th year, the annual contest is a play on the Rose of Tralee international festival. People are invited to submit pictures and stories of their dogs, with the end goal of being crowned the Nose of Tralee. Binx's owner, Ruth Parkes, said the duo are 'ecstatic' to be representing their home county. 'We entered it for a bit of fun and never thought we would get so far,' she said. "Armagh has never won it. It would be great to bring it home.' In 2022, Sadie the Labrador, rescued from Serbia by a Co Tyrone charity, won the competition. Ruth said Binx, who recently qualified as a therapy dog with the charity Therapy Dogs Nationwide (TDN), 'never fails to turn heads' when out and about. He is also training in gundog classes. She added: 'He has an infectious personality and is always smiling and wanting cuddles. He never fails to get attention when we are out for our walks, so he has plenty of dog and human friends. Now trained to offer emotional support and companionship, Binx and Ruth are looking forward to giving back to their community. 'This is something that has been on my heart for a while,' she added. "Seeing the love Binx has for people, and them for him, I thought it would be a great opportunity to give something back to the people of Co Armagh and help people who may be feeling lonely and struggling with their mental health. "It would be great to make someone's day with our visit.' The Open at Royal Portrush: What happened in 2019 Ruth said they are hoping to get involved in TDN's 'Bark and Read' programme – an initiative funded by the Kennel Club that brings therapy dogs into schools to help children build confidence in reading. Reading to dogs has been proven to help children improve literacy and build confidence, as dogs listen without judgment or criticism. 'As someone who loves reading, this is a big passion of mine to help develop a love of reading among the younger generations and to spend time at their local library. We hope to volunteer in local nursing homes, schools, and hospitals,' said Ruth. 'He is a special boy and hopefully we can make a difference in our community, no matter how small.' The 2025 Nose of Tralee winner will be crowned on August 19, following an island-wide vote to determine who will take home the title. Voting for the final opens on July 24 and closes on August 18 at 5pm. The winner will receive a hotel stay, a photoshoot, pet sitting vouchers and a range of gifts from small Irish pet brands.
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
I thought I'd ingrown hair & tried to cover it with makeup but was shocked by what docs told me, says RTE's Daithi O Se
RTE host Daithi O Se has told how he had a simple ingrown hair on his face - and was later given a shock diagnosis that has changed his daily routine. The 4 Daithi shared details of his frightening cancer scare 4 The RTE host said he was 'absolutely delighted' with his hair transplant Credit: Instagram Speaking while on holiday in Corfu, the dad-of-one told The Irish Sun: 'Three years ago I had a bit of a fright. I had a small lump in my eyebrow. 'I thought it was just an ingrown hair or something and I said, 'What the heck is this now?' It wasn't going away. 'So I went to the doctor and the doctor really got it checked out. 'They removed it and they found out it was 'But I had three inside stitches and five on the outside. 'So even though there was a tiny bit on top, they had to cut into the muscle just above my eyebrow, just to make sure they got it all.' The popular broadcaster said it's easy to see how something so small could easily be missed. He continued: 'It was very very similar to an ingrown hair. I've never had one of them. 'And the fact that I was putting on makeup and taking off makeup every day at work, I just thought it wasn't going away because I kept agitating it.' RTE star says he's 'absolutely delighted' as he shares update on hair transplant operation Daithi says the health scare was a result of 'not wearing sun cream properly throughout the years'. The He said: 'I wear sun cream when it's cloudy, when it's windy, when it's even the middle of winter. A factor 50 for me all day long. 'I put it on in the morning. I put it on in the evening as well during the winter. 'Say if I was out walking during the day I'd put it on every two hours as well. I just need to stay protected.' Daithi, who While he's 'absolutely delighted' with the results of the transplant, he's not considering any other cosmetic boosts for the moment. And having graced our screens for years, Daithi admitted he cannot choose one favourite TV gig. He keeps a busy schedule - presenting RTE's popular afternoon chat show Today alongside Maura Derrane and Sinead Kennedy, as well as his regular Rose of Tralee gig and other RTE programming. He said: 'On 'I get to present the Fleadh Cheoil programme as well on RTE. That's me back to my own roots of music and singing songs and having the craic.' 'YOU NEVER KNOW' But the 49-year-old is not ruling out running for president - on a couple of conditions. He joked: 'I'm a bit young at the moment, apparently, I'm not 50 yet so you never know. 'I'd have to find out if people would vote for me first. I'd have to put the word out there to see if people would vote for me and if they did, then I might think about it.' For now, Daithi is looking forward to 'hanging at home' after his Corfu trip. He said: 'I'm looking forward to Kerry winning the All-Ireland. And I'm looking forward to having a break. 'And then getting stuck into the Rose of Tralee and then the Fleadh Cheoil.' The Rose of Tralee host said the world-renowned festival is constantly changing with the times. He said: 'Over 10 years ago, we had a Rose of Tralee who happened to be gay. 'It is open to everyone. It's an open door for the Rose of Tralee. 'You can be married and be in the Rose of Tralee. You can have children and be in the Rose of Tralee. That wasn't always the case. 'I think the Rose of Tralee is changing with the times and it has always done so. 'It's a place that welcomes everybody. It's a place with arms open. 'Even trans people, they're welcome to come. We haven't had one yet. Will this be the year? I don't know.' 'MORE INCLUSIVE' The Kerry native told how organisers 'want to be more inclusive' with expanding the age range for contestants and broadening the eligibility criteria. He continued: 'I suppose I always said that the Rose of Tralee was just like that yardstick or it was a kind of a measure of what young Irish women are at that point in time. 'For example, if you spoke to somebody from the 70s, when they were talking about jobs and careers, you might have come across a lot of teachers, a lot of nurses, and a lot of what would have been. "I suppose, people would have perceived at that time as female-skewed jobs. 'In 2025, you're going to be having doctors, engineers, physiotherapists. So even that side has changed as well. 'You'll be meeting a bunch who have travelled a lot more than the people did back in the 70s and 80s.' Daithi insisted he sees a change in contestants from when they first sign up to the crowning night. He said: 'There's 32 roses down there. From the first day I meet them and then to get to see the person that comes out on stage and to see how much even they've developed into that role over the few weeks that they're involved in the festival... 'That always gives me a great amount of cheer and happiness just to see them do well on stage.' SKIN CANCER STATS HEALTH chiefs say that about 11,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. And it is the most common cancer in Ireland. However, a recent report published by the National Cancer Registry Ireland shows that the survival rate for most cases is nearly 100 per cent. It says that about 9 out of 10 cases are non- Men are more likely to die from skin cancer than women, and about 270 people die from skin cancer each year in Ireland. Director of the National Cancer Registry, Prof. Deirdre Murray, said: "Understanding the trends in skin cancer is vital for public health awareness and prevention strategies. "Many of these cancers could be prevented with wider adoption of safe sun practices in our population and avoidance of sunbeds." Skin cancer is more common in people over 50 but you can get melanoma skin cancer at any age. 'SCIENCE IS THERE' Daithi has teamed up with He said: 'The science is there. Lidl have a survey that 23 per cent of people rarely or never put on sunscreen. 'When I read it, I just kind of said, 'Oh my God, this is crazy'.' For Daithi, another plus for wearing sun cream, as well as being protected, is it is a 'holiday smell'. He chuckled: 'Even though you might be in Galway, Kerry, Dublin or Donegal or anything, once you put on this you feel like you are away.' Daithi added: 'I think we're great at putting on sun cream on our kids, but a huge amount of us forget to put it on ourselves as well at the same time. So I think we really need to think that one.' Lidl's Cien sun cream range is available in all Lidl stores nationwide now, with prices starting from just €1.99. FOR more information or to see the latest instore promotions please visit 4 Daithi joined Polly Comaskey, 6, and Ruby Harris Pope, 7, to launch new Lidl sun safety research Credit: Andres Poveda 4 Daithi said the Rose of Tralee Festival is changing with the times Credit: Julien Behal/PA Wire
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kathryn Thomas says Liveline gig is "an amazing opportunity"
TV and radio star Kathryn Thomas has said the new Liveline host shouldn't be 'afraid to stir the pot'. RTE bosses are trialling presenters to take over the RTE Radio 1 show after Joe Duffy retired after 37 years at the station and 27 at the helm of Liveline. But the Q102 breakfast presenter, 46, thinks while age shouldn't be a factor in the new host, they should have enough experience and should be able to stir the pot when it comes to national debate. She told us: 'I think it's an incredible opportunity for anyone who gets to sit in that seat that Joe has manned immaculately and amazingly for the last number of years. 'They are huge shoes to fill and whoever goes in there needs to bring their own personality. 'You know people wanted to talk to Joe and now whoever goes in there is going to want to build a connection with the audience. It is going to take time as well. 'I do think it is an amazing opportunity. It's the line to Joe Public. 'I don't think age comes into it. Like you definitely need experience on the mic especially when you are dealing with live calls. I mean that is what the production team are there for as well, but you do need experience in terms of manning those calls from a legal perspective as well.' But the Carlow star said the new presenter needs to be a great communicator. She added: 'But also, it is connection and communication. You have to be a great communicator. You can be a great communicator at 30 or 40 or you can be a great communicator at 70 or 80. 'I really think it boils down to the right person behind the mic who will connect with the audience and trust, empathy and communication. 'That is what people loved about Joe and he was always on their side so it is about that person who has that connection and likability as well. And is not afraid to stir the pot.' Five hosts are taking over the lunchtime slot temporarily until the show announces its permanent host in August. Philip Boucher-Hayes proved to be a hit with audiences when he took over the reins for two weeks. Meanwhile, Kathryn will return to our RTE screens in August for the Rose of Tralee with co-host Daithi O Se. The pair are set to host the Kerry festival on August 18 and 19. It will be a family affair for Kathryn as she is set to present in front of her mum and her husband Padraig, who will be in the audience. She added: 'He's never been and my mam has never been because she's always left minding children so we're giving her a night out so she'll be there on the Tuesday. 'She's from Kerry, born in Kenmare, she left and is now back living there now. The Rose of Tralee would be a big one for her so I'm looking forward to having her there.' Reflecting on her career, the mum-of-two says her mother knew she wasn't 'daft' for dropping out of college, where she was studying accountancy, when she landed the role of main presenter of No Frontiers. Kathryn added: 'I think back in the day it was definitely doing No Frontiers because I dropped out of college and they were up and arms at what I did. 'I kept saying that I could go back after a year and I'll go and become an accountant, which I was never going to become but I'll go and do something with a piece of paper. 'But then when the show took off the way it did and it became the show that it became and I was made the lead presenter, I think mam realised I wasn't as they all thought I was. 'And the fact that I'm still working in what I said was only going to be a temporary job 25 years later.' Kathyrn was speaking at the launch of Uisce Eireann's national appeal which is encouraging the public to protect supplies by adopting simple water-saving practices at home, in the garden, and at work. The aim is to remind the public saving water doesn't have to be difficult. It says by making small adjustments, we can contribute to managing it more efficiently. Kathryn added: 'It is important that we all consider our water usage habits not just during the summer months but all year round. Simple changes can have a real impact and collectively we can all help maintain our water resources. 'Ellie, my seven-year-old, like in the last year or two… they're really teaching kids in school about water conservation, and she'll say things like 'mam turn off the tap' if I'm brushing my teeth. Any water that's running, she is much more aware of it than I would've been at that age.'
