
Broadcaster Barbara Scully brings one-woman show to Wexford Arts Centre
Her new show Older, Bolder, Wiser is a combination of comedy and story telling. In late 2024 she did two test shows, both of which sold out and received standing ovations. Since then, she has performed at Dalkey Comedy Festival and at the dlr Mill Theatre in Dundrum. She is now taking her show on the road and is coming to Wexford on Friday May 23 to perform at the Wexford Arts Centre.
'I am thrilled to be coming to Wexford with my own show,' Barbara says. 'I am looking forward to the audience how ageing can actually be quite delicious, especially when you realise you no longer give a damn about so many things.'
Older, Bolder, Wiser is a lively, rollercoaster journey of storytelling and stand-up comedy as Barbara muses on some of the absurdities of being a woman along with the joy of getting older. She says that once you stop paying attention to the messages about anti-ageing and other nonsense around how women should be in the world, getting older is great.
'Once you are through the menopause, you arrive at a wonderful time, full of freedoms and the opportunity to do things that you have not been able to in earlier decades. The problem is that no one tells you about it. Possibly because this is the very time when women actually step into their matriarchal power and have the ability to be all kinds of bold,' she says.
'I want everyone to leave the show having had a bellyful of laughs and feeling more positive about getting older than perhaps they were when they arrived.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
4 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Beginner's pluck: Cork-born author Barbara Leahy
As a child, Barbara read anything and everything. 'I read my own books, my brothers' books, and everything in the bookcase at home,' she says. 'I loved English but becoming a writer wasn't on the horizon. It was a distant dream.' Since leaving university, Barbara has worked full-time in admin — fitting writing in during evenings and at weekends. 'That gave me the luxury of a regular income,' she says. Fifteen years ago, Barbara joined a creative writing class in the College of Commerce in Cork, and, receiving encouragement, moved on to the Munster Literature Centre. 'I met other writers there, including Danielle McLaughlin.' We set up our own writing group and have been meeting every two weeks for the past 14 years. She started with short stories, with some success at competitions. 'A couple of stories were broadcast through the Francis McManus Award,' she says, 'but I always wanted to write a novel. During covid, I thought, 'It's now or never.'' Barbara met her agent, Ger Nichol, and publisher, Deirdre Nolan, at the final of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair in 2023. Who is Barbara Leahy? Place of Birth: Cork Education: Regina Mundi College in Douglas; University College Cork, BA in English and Mathematical Studies, and MA in English. Home: Cork — 'I live 10 minutes from my childhood home.' Family: Mother, three brothers. 'Dad died in 2018.' The day job: Insurance admin In another life: 'I'd be a museum curator. I love the power of everyday objects to connect us with the past.' Favourite writers: Danielle McLaughlin; Jean Rhys; Hilary Mantel; Maggie O'Farrell; Daphne Du Maurier. Second book: 'It's with my agent.' Top tip: 'Do it now. The conditions are always impossible. You have to start and keep going.' Instagram: @barbaraleahywriter The debut Rembrandt's Promise Eriu: €16.99 An impoverished widow, Geertje is a nursemaid in Rembrandt's house; and when his wife dies, she becomes his mistress. Will he keep his promise to her? 'I always loved Rembrandt's story,' says Barbara. 'It was in the bookcase at home. 'And later, when I discovered he lived with another woman for seven years, I really wanted to tell her story. 'She was illiterate and had no way of speaking up.' The verdict: Wonderfully researched and beautifully written.


Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
What is the princess treatment trend and why are opinions divided?
Princess Treatment is the latest trend taking social media by storm, but people are divided following claims it's an excuse for control within a relationship. The trend started out as a bit of meaningless fun with women asking their partners if certain aspects of their relationship were 'bare minimum' or 'Princess Treatment.' Is buying flowers randomly for your partner the bare minimum in a relationship or Princess Treatment? What about paying for their monthly beauty appointments? Is buying flowers randomly for your partner the bare minimum in a relationship or Princess Treatment? What about paying for their monthly beauty appointments? Pic: Getty Images American influencer Courtney Palmer has taken to TikTok to share her own views on Princess Treatment, last month revealing she was 'recently promoted' to housewife and stay-at-home mom after previously working a full-time job. Courtney revealed her new role has allowed her to 'level up' with her princess treatment as she 'leaned into the feminine energy' which was unavailable in her work-life. 'Base line is respect in general, general love and adoration,' Courtney said, adding that other basic standards were her partner 'actively providing' for her love language — which she revealed was gifts. @jojoejoelle Replying to @user738305859 basic princess treatment ✨🤍 #princesstreatment #princesstreatmentonly #husbandwife ♬ original sound – courtney_joelle 'Holidays are a very big deal to me,' she confirmed. 'Obviously we have shared bank accounts, but if I'm with him he's paying. He's opening all the car doors — I'm not opening a car door, I'm not opening a door in general,' she stated. 'He talks to the hostess; he checks in for a dinner.' Courtney admitted she could 'see the comments' that would be left on the video, but clarified that while Princess Treatment can feel silly it was all about letting her partner 'take control.' Pic: Getty Images Courtney admitted she could 'see the comments' that would be left on the video, but clarified that while Princess Treatment can feel silly, it was all about letting her partner 'take control.' She said: 'I don't really tie my shoes, he does that for me. If there's any sort of weather predicament, like it's raining, he's going to cover me. Any like minor inconvenience, he's going to take care of. 'I think it's fun to be the Princess and turn my brain off. I'm just here to be pretty. You kinda have to think of it as fun and silly to get yourself into that Princess Treatment mode. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ireland AM (@irelandamvmtv) The topic was discussed on Wednesday's Ireland AM with broadcaster Barbara Scully stating 'that's not right.' 'I came of age in the early 80s when women didn't have all the rights we have now, we still have a way to go, no. I never, ever would have wanted,' Barbara explained. Barbara added that she wanted to be 'cherished but not controlled.'


Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Wexford pop-up ‘Play Day' brings the community together
The pop up event was organised by the Enniscorthy Municipal District, Creative Places Enniscorthy and FDYS and was held to mark National Play Day 2025, The aim of National Play Day is to promote play and recreation opportunities for children and young people across the country. The theme this year is 'The Power of Play', This year's theme highlights the many benefits of play for children's development, including physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. It should raise awareness of the vital role that play does play in a child's life. Each year the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provides funds for Local Authorities to engage in National Play Day. Following the pop-up event, part of the funding from the Department will be used to purchase durable play equipment for community settings. Children heartily engaged with a number of games including tug of war, sack races and had fun with colourful fabric. The peace park was an optimal location to host the festivities as large instruments were installed last year to improve physical activity through playful activities, adding colour and more interest into the park. There is a bench shaped xylophone, flowers that make noise with movement and plenty of bells to keep children entertained. A number of councillors were in attendance including Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy, Cllr Patricia Byrne, and Cllr John O'Rourke who joined in on the games. Before the pop-up event began, funding was also provided for a morning training workshop for people volunteering or working with children and young people that was hosted by play strategist Martin O'Donoghue from Cork.