Barry Egan

Róisín O on her mother, Mary Black: ‘I must’ve been three or four. I remember watching her speak and thinking, all these kids think my mam is so cool’

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How We Made This original photo of Mary Black and daughter Róisín O became the cover art for the single ‘Magic’ She was born Róisín O’Reilly in September 1988, and became the singer Róisín O. Her mother is the first lady of Irish folk music, Mary Black. Róisín O’s new single, Magic, is a moving … Read more

‘Darkness always comes out when you drink too much. It starts off as fun. Then it’s fun and problems. Then it’s problems and fun. Then it’s just problems:’ Foy Vance

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The singer-songwriter on grief, love, and Ed Sheeran Foy Vance has a new record out, as has his partner, Bonnie Bishop. Photo: Frank McGrath Last year, the Daily Telegraph wrote that Elton John “idolises” Foy Vance. The global superstar executive-produced Vance’s 2016 album, The Wild Swan. But the singer-songwriter, who hails from Co Down, has … Read more

‘He didn’t realise. It was too late by the time he caught it’: Risteárd Cooper on the death of his brother from prostate cancer

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The Apres Match comic is taking on his first live solo show Risteárd Cooper photographed near where he grew up in Ranelagh, Dublin. Photo: Frank McGrath The image of Risteárd Cooper in a crazy wig making the nation heave with laughter on RTÉ’s Apres Match in the late 1990s is so deeply ingrained in my … Read more

Mary Berry on the death of her son: ‘He drove too fast and he died with his sister in the car. That had a great effect on Annabel’

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Meeting Barry Egan in Oxfordshire, she talks about grief, marriage, and gardening Mary Berry. Photo: Britt Willoughby Dyer There’s a framed portrait of the late Elizabeth II hanging on the wall of a private-members club in posh Henley-on-Thames. On the other side of the Georgian-style room sits the other queen, Mary Berry. Source link

Tommy Bowe: ‘Being bored is my biggest fear since I quit rugby… I won’t get that buzz back’

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Ireland legend, presenter, dad and businessman on the thrill of his day job and the pressure to be perfect Rugby legend and Ireland AM presenter Tommy Bowe ‘We all make a tit of ourselves. Who doesn’t?” laughs Tommy Bowe, referring to his infamous faux pas about author Séamus O’Reilly and his 10 siblings, made live … Read more

Barry Egan talks to Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Cian Ducrot

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Cian Ducrot shares how music and the love of his mother got him through a turbulent childhood and set him on the path to winning a Grammy Award Grammy award-winning Cian Ducrot is bringing his Dream Ship tour to Ireland in July. Photo: Ruth Medjber Five years ago, The Mind Map website asked Cork singer … Read more

‘Do you know any poor people who moved to Monaco?’ — Michael Flatley on cash, court cases and his ‘Lord of the Dance’ comeback

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Dancer tackles ‘blatant lies’ and ‘smear campaign’ surrounding recent legal battle as he regains control of his show Michael Flatley said the truth will come out over allegations heard in court case Michael Flatley wants to set the record straight. “Do you know any poor people who moved to Monaco?” he asked me. “How many … Read more

Barry Egan’s honest guide to a cruise ship holiday with the kids: ‘I am very Irish, very pale-skinned and, already, very sunburned’

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He visited Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina and Valletta The MSC World Europa is a colossal vessel There is a pool party in the sweltering heat. The DJ pumps out loud club music. Everyone is dancing in chic swimwear and sunglasses. I am very Irish, very pale-skinned and, already, very sunburned. I am also wearing “togs”. … Read more

‘I don’t see there is any point retrospectively criticising people for the way that they behaved’ – ‘Butcher Boy’ novelist Patrick McCabe

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The ‘Butcher Boy’ novelist remains true to his Irish counter-culture roots Playwright and novelist Patrick McCabe. Photo: Mark Condren The King of Bog Gothic – as he was affectionately crowned in 2003 – was at a funeral last week in Monaghan. Patrick McCabe gave a reading from the prayers of the faithful at the mass … Read more