‘You have to make sacrifices', says Ireland AM host as he admits his young daughter complains he's ‘not home enough'

The Irish Sun

29-05-2025

IRELAND AM host Tommy Bowe has lifted the lid on his dad guilt as he admits his young daughter claims he's "not home enough"
The Virgin Media star, who is a mainstay presenter on the hit breakfast show, has a lot on his plate when it comes to work.
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Tommy Bowe has opened up about his parent guilt
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Tommy is a doting dad to Emma, eight, and four-year-old Jamie
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Tommy is a mainstay host on Ireland AM
Between hosting
But, with two little ones at home, the
The 41-year-old and his wife Lucy are doting parents to Emma, eight, and four-year-old, Jamie.
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"We keep having to tell the kids, when my daughter is complaining that I'm not home, that you have to work hard to do nice things and to be able to celebrate nice things."
He added: "Being away is difficult at times. People see the players representing Ireland and doing well at World Cups or Olympics, but they've been away from their families for weeks at a time.
"That's not easy for their partners or their kids. But you have to make sacrifices sometimes."
The former Irish rugby star emphasised that his kids understand he works hard to "give them the best life possible".
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He also highlighted the importance of setting an example in terms of work ethic.
The popular presenter added: "It sets a good example for her to see that her mum works hard and I work hard. It's important for her to see that as she grows up."
Tommy Bowe praised for standing up to TD on air
This comes after Ireland AM fans praised Tommy for giving a TD a "hard grilling" on air.
14-year-old
outside Leinster House from 10am last Tuesday to push for urgent action on the growing waiting lists for child disability assessments.
Tommy
and
spoke to Cara and her dad Mark who were still sat outside Leinster House on air yesterday morning before getting the Minister of State for Responsibility for Disability Hildegarde Naughton's opinion on the matter.
Turning to the TD, Muireann said: "Minister, looking at Cara and her dad there, outside your place of work, to try to get people to talk about this…"
HEATED HOST
Tommy added: "In her Winnie the Pooh pyjamas. It's sad."
Naughton replied: "Good morning, Cara. Nobody should have to protest outside the gates of Leinster House."
During their chat, Tommy asked: "So at the end of 2023, it was 8,893 people looking for this. It then is at 15,000, we're expecting to be at 25,000. You're saying we want to reduce this.
"It's going the wrong direction. How many people are currently employed as AON or clinical disability?"
Naughton replied: "Within the sector of therapists, we have about 1,800 across the sector. This is what we need to look at as part of the assessment of need process.
"If legislative reform is needed, we will absolutely consider that. We also need to look at the health system, where there is no wrong door for people."
The former rugby star cut across the
"How long is it going to take to look at these things and put them into place? Because this needs action now."
'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?'
Naughton responded: "As I said, we're looking at the assessment of need process itself and how that can be changed. The draw on assessment of needs, where people are being asked for them, where they shouldn't be asked for them. We're looking at the retention and recruitment of therapists."
Tommy clarified his question saying: "You keep saying looking at. What are you doing?"
A short segment of the interview was posted on Ireland AM's
One viewer wrote: "Good man Tommy, you put her in her place!!"
Kyle said: "It's funny that it's the morning TV show that gives politicians a harder grilling than the nighttime current affairs panel discussions. Fair play lads."
Lynn commented: "Fair play Tommy!"
Another fan added: "Tommy, well done for how you handled this."