Latest news with #TheRoseofTralee
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Kathryn Thomas' throwback to school days with Leo Varadkar
Kathryn Thomas has taken a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about her school days. The well-known presenter attended secondary school at King's Hospital in Dublin, which counts former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar among its alumni. Looking back at the young man who would become Taoiseach, Kathryn recalled him as being "ahead of the game" in comparison to his peers. "He was ahead of the game compared with most of us, I would say," she shared with The Irish Independent. "Intellectually he was brilliant and he was into debating. He was quiet," reports RSVP Live. "He wasn't that big into sports and he kind of had a core group of friends whereas we [she and her friends] were sort of messers." Back then, Kathryn harboured dreams of making it big in the acting world. "Entertaining or acting was in the blood. I wanted to go to Hollywood and I ended up in Donnybrook." Now, she's gearing up to co-host The Rose of Tralee once again with Daithi O'Se by her side. Broadcaster Kathryn Thomas (Image: Instagram) Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. (Image: Collins) She's also making waves in her new gig as the host of Dublin's Q102 morning radio show. This career move has been a boon for Kathryn, affording her the flexibility to drop her children off at school and strike a better work-life balance. "It's just made me feel more energised because everything is new and the job is about coming up with creative stuff, so I'm in a great place. All my life I thought I was somebody who thrived on not having routine," she reflected. "Now, at 46, I've realised something many people realise when they're children: that routine is actually a good thing. And really this is a great time of life." The bustling mum-of-two has previously expressed her eagerness for fresh ventures after choosing to leave Operation Transformation, sharing how she's feeling absolutely chuffed during this stage of her life. Chatting with RSVP Magazine, she revealed: "Since I decided to step away from Operation Transformation, then doing my documentary, The Skinny Jab revolution, getting into that documentary space, it's like me digging my teeth into something new. I just needed something new. "I have my two kids, Ellie is seven and Grace is three. I was very much ensconced in 'mum mode' for a few years, a new baby and a young kid and they're still young but I knew I was ready for a new challenge. "I knew my time on Operation Transformation was done, even though RTE wrapped the show, I knew my time had come to an end and I had made that decision. I had been there for thirteen years and I work best when I am engaged and challenged. I like challenges." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Independent
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘He is the reason I'm doing it' – Rose of Tralee hopeful on entering a festival that once barred mothers like her
Clara Gardiner might think this writer is a dinosaur, a relic of the past for asking what it feels like being a mother taking part in a diverse festival such as The Rose of Tralee.
Irish Independent
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Rose of Tralee once barred moms – 2025 entrant opens up about being a mother
Mayo Rose Clara Gardiner talks about being a mother in a competition that once barred single moms Clara Gardiner might think this writer is a dinosaur, a relic of the past for asking what it feels like being a mother taking part in a diverse festival such as The Rose of Tralee. The 24-year-old Mayo Rose is mother to Noah who turns three on August 7 – just days before his mom heads off on her epic Rose of Tralee tour around Ireland enroute to Tralee. The plan is to have Noah in Tralee waving at his mother during the famous parades on the Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
