Latest news with #WillLeahy
Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
RTÉ broadcaster Carl Mullan said being Rose Escort was ‘hardest work he's ever done'
The presenter, who currently hosts the 2FM Breakfast alongside Roz Purcell and Aisling Bonner, was a Rose Escort in 2016. He accompanied two Roses, Scotland and Donegal, as the contest had 65 Roses that year. Mullan said he applied to be a Rose Escort as a joke when he was a reporter on RTÉ 2FM. "We were thinking we'd send it in, and it's just going to come back as a straight rejection. But I did the online application. I got called for an in-person interview, and then they said: 'Look, you've been accepted as an Escort',' he said. 'Everyone thinks that those lads are down here for a jolly and that they're doing nothing. I did it once, never again. It was way too much work than I was able for, I was exhausted after doing it. 'I swear to God, it was like the hardest work I've ever done. I remember you'd get to bed at two o'clock in the morning, having just been fulfilling your Escort duties, and then you'd be up at seven in the morning. "Everyone thinks we're off having the craic in town. I was like: 'Where's the time for this?' There is none. But it was lovely, just getting to know all of the people, and seeing the inner workings of the Rose of Tralee,' he added. He said being a Rose Escort 'wholeheartedly' changed his perspective on the festival. 'Most people's experience of the Rose of Tralee is just watching the TV show. But when you're down here, you realise it's so much more than that. 'You realise just how far-reaching it is, and just how it plays such an important role in tying people back to not just Tralee, but to Ireland, and tapping into their Irish roots, and being proud of whatever Irish heritage they might have. 'There's an awful lot going on. Anything that brings people a bit of joy, let's do more of it. When you're going through the briefs of the Roses, there's just some incredible women there and what they're doing and the stories they have to tell. 'That's a really important part of the Rose of Tralee as well. It's just telling amazing stories and giving people a platform to tell those stories. So that, for me, is what the Rose of Tralee is,' he added. The Dubliner was recently announced to take over the role of master of ceremonies at both live selection nights after Will Leahy stepped down after 20 years. Speaking to the Irish Independent ahead of the first selection night and his debut as master of ceremonies, he described Leahy as an 'absolute pro' and a 'legend'. 'To follow someone like Will, it's a great honour. It's the biggest thing,' he said. 'Everything you need to know about Will Leahy is the fact that he was the first person on the phone to me, and he was giving me all the tips, all the pointers, all the banana skins.' 'Knowing that you have someone like that on your side and helping you along the way and giving you advice is absolutely amazing. 'I'm just really excited for it now, especially now that I've arrived in Tralee, you can get a sense of the buzz around the place.' RTÉ presenter Will Leahy announced his decision to step down on social media on Friday. In a post on X, he wrote: 'After 20 years as the announcer/social media presenter on the Rose of Tralee, I sadly won't be at the show this year.' 'I am going to miss the annual mad summer camp that I have been honoured to be a part of for all these years. "I want to wish Carl the best of luck in the job – he will be amazing, and I have left post-its all around the desk just in case. Here's looking ahead to his 20 years, and we can compare notes in 2045,' he added. Mullan said he always watched the Rose of Tralee at home with his two sisters when he was younger. 'It was always a big TV moment of the year in our house. Along with the Toy Show, one of those things where if you're ever talking to friends or family from abroad, and you're trying to explain to them, you end up being like: 'Just watch it for yourself. You won't get it unless you see it'. 'I have two sisters, so it was a big thing in the house. So, unfortunately, my mum was disappointed, and she never got a Rose, but she got an Escort at one of the three of us,' he added. The presenter said he 'just wants to do a good job', adding it's 'not about him' but about the Roses. 'That's a very important part of the role. But I think there's definitely got to be points where I'll try and have a little bit of craic,' he added.
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Rose of Tralee is officially dead', fume shocked RTE viewers as fan-favourite presenter replaced for this year's show
RTE fixed something that did not need fixing ' RTE fixed something that did not need fixing ' OFF-AIR 'Rose of Tralee is officially dead', fume shocked RTE viewers as fan-favourite presenter replaced for this year's show ROSE of Tralee viewers were all left with the same question after one of the show's stars was missing from this year's broadcast. The hit show returned tonight with co-hosts Kathryn Thomas and Daithi O Se taking to the stage to welcome each Rose to the competition. 2 Carl Mullan replaced Will Leahy on this year's broadcast Credit: RTE 2 Carl announced he secured the gig just last week Credit: RTE Advertisement A total of 32 hopefuls are on hand at the Dome in Tralee in a bid to be crowned, The Rose of Tralee this week. The first 18 Roses put their best foot forward tonight, with women from places as far as Texas and New Zealand showing off their talents. Tomorrow night, the remaining 14 Roses will take to the same stage in a bid to win over the hearts of the nation and be crowned The Rose of Tralee. Daithi and Kathryn kicked off tonight's proceedings with a dazzling introduction to all 32 Roses tracked to Coldplay's Sky Full of Stars. Advertisement And following their introduction they threw to their MC for the night - a moment which left many viewers confused. In a change for this year's ceremony, there is a new announcer for the first time in twenty years. After more than two decades in the coveted role, RTE veteran Will Leahy stepped down from his Master of Ceremonies role. He made the announcement on his Facebook last week to many fans' disappointment. Advertisement Will's quick wit and iconic voiceovers have been replaced this year by RTE 2FM's Carl Mullan. Many viewers weren't aware of Will's departure and took to social media to share their disappointment at his absence. 2025 Rose of Tralee hopefuls reveal their stories ahead of the contest Aoife said: "Nahhhh the Rose of Tralee is officially dead, they haven't gone and replaced Will Leahy wtf the nostalgia." Christina tweeted: "#JusticeForWillLeahy RTE fixed something that did not need fixing." Lucy questioned: "Where is will Leahy?" Advertisement STAR SHAKE-UP Valerie added: "Hope Will Leahy sees all the messages and knows he is missed. RTE have really messed up." Early last week Carl made the shock announcement about his new role live on-air during his breakfast show. Explaining what his role would entail, he told his co-stars: "I'm absolutely buzzing for it. "On the night, I'm the person who's responsible for introducing all 32 Roses on stage, telling you about them, where they're from." Later, he took to his social media to reveal his surprising link to the annual event. Advertisement The dad-of-three shared a photo of himself looking very dapper in a tuxedo as he walked the carpet of the Rose Of Tralee festival 2016. He revealed that nine years ago he was an escort for two of that year's roses; Donegal and Scotland.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Will Leahy's advice as Carl Mullan takes over Rose of Tralee gig
Will Leahy has given his advice to Carl Mullan after announcing that he will no longer be the MC for the Rose of Tralee. 2FM host Carl announced on Friday that he landed the new gig as the Master of Ceremonies for the pageant, which kicks off on Monday. Following the announcement that Carl was taking over, his predecessor Will Leahy thanked people for their support since he took over back in 2005 — and even joked that in 2045, when Carl keeps on to the job for as long as he has, they can exchange notes. Will Leahy has given his advice to Carl Mullan after announcing that he will no longer be the MC for the Rose of Tralee. Pic: RTE 'All good things etc. After 20 years as the announcer/social media presenter on the Rose of Tralee, I sadly won't be at the show this year,' Will wrote on Facebook. 'This is quite an unusual presenter announcement as I am not leaving to pursue other projects or to start a podcast! I'd keep doing it forever, but I've been in the job for 20 years which is an eternity in the presenting world. 'I am going to miss the annual mad summer camp that I have been honoured to be a part of for all these years. I started with Ray D'Arcy in 2005 – yes, that long ago. Myself and Dáithí have soldiered together for 15 years, and in the past few years Kathryn has added greatly to the team. 'So to the best crew of tv professionals, the Rose team and, of course, the 576 Roses that I have met, thanks for letting me be part of telly history. Plus, I'll still be on the Breakfast Show on RTE Gold everyday which is truly the best craic in radio.' Carl will be taking over as the Master of Ceremonies at the Rose of Tralee this week. Pic: Instagram Turning to his successor in Carl, Will wrote 'I want to wish Carl the best of luck in the job – he will be amazing and I have left post-its all around the desk just in case. Here's looking ahead to his 20 years and we can compare notes in 2045!' Carl announced that he'd be taking over as the new Rose MC, joking that he'd be leaving his duties as 2FM DJ for approximately three days. 'I do have a new gig,' he revealed, 'I am leaving yis… for three days next week.' The Rose of Tralee kicks off on Monday. Pic: Andres Poveda 'Do they need you for four?' co-presenter Roz joked, before Carl announced 'I am absolutely buzzing to let everyone know that I am the new Master of Ceremoies at the Rose of Tralee International Festival!' 'The MC,' Carl confirmed, 'The voiceover guy. I'm just going to keep it to Master of Ceremonies, if ya don't mind. Maybe if you see me on the street go, 'There's the Master of Ceremonies for the Rose of Tralee!'' 'That would be a nice way to address him,' Roz joked. The Rose of Tralee kicks off on Monday at 8pm.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Carl Mullan 'buzzing' over Rose of Tralee role as Will Leahy steps down
RTÉ 2FM presenter Carl Mullan said he's "absolutely buzzing" to take over from veteran broadcaster Will Leahy as the Rose of Tralee's MC. After 20 years in the iconic role, the RTÉ Gold host said he would "do it forever" but believes it's time to say goodbye. Daithí Ó Sé will remain at the helm of the show, while Carl will take over the job of announcing the roses and presenting social media content. A spokesperson for RTÉ said: "After two memorable decades as Master of Ceremonies, Will Leahy is hanging up his microphone. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Will for his long-standing contribution to the Rose of Tralee Festival down through the years. "We are delighted to welcome 2FM Breakfast Show presenter Carl Mullan as the new Master of Ceremonies. Carl is no stranger to the Rose of Tralee, having served as an escort in 2016." Taking to social media, Will said he's not leaving the long-standing show for other projects. Will Leahy is stepping down as the Rose of Tralee MC after 20 years (Image: RTÉ) He added: "I'd keep doing it forever, but I've been in the job 20 years, which is an eternity in the presenting world. I am going to miss the annual mad summer camp that I have been honoured to be a part of for all these years. I started with Ray D'Arcy in 2005 - yes, that long ago. "Myself and Dáithí have soldiered together for 15 years, and in the past few years Kathryn (Thomas) has added greatly to the team. So to the best crew of tv professionals, the Rose team and, of course, the 576 Roses that I have met, thanks for letting me be part of telly history." Speaking alongside his 2FM Breakfast co-hosts Roz Purcell and Aisling Bonner, Carl said he is "absolutely buzzing" with his new job. He added: "On the night, I'm the person who's responsible for introducing all 32 Roses on stage, telling you about them, where they're from." The Rose of Tralee will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on August 18 and 19. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
