See photos as rain fails to dampen Wicklow community's school fair
The weather wasn't on their side, but in between some showers, everyone took part in games and all the activities on offer. There was a brilliant atmosphere and buzz around the school as they welcomed back some familiar faces, with past and present pupils and their families all in attendance.
There were plenty of stalls to visit as guests sampled tasty burgers and treats, while there were also opportunities to showcase your competitive side with a number of target games on offer. There was huge excitement for the 'Gerbil' game devised by Thomas and the children, as adults ad children alike took great joy as they waited to see which door the friendly gerbils would walk through.
An obstacle bouncy caste proved a welcome addition to the fair, while everyone was also keen to try their hand at the new '5:0' game. Nevan Griffith also made an appearance with his 1944 Dodge WC51.
The day would not have been possible if it wasn't for the volunteers led by the parents council, along with al the staff and community members who all pitched in and gave their time and energy. A huge amount of preparation went into the day and thanks are passed onto all the parents representatives who gave up so much of their personal time in order to ensure the event was such a resounding success.
Local businesses and sponsors are also thanked for their generosity in donating prizes for the raffle, and always step up to the plate each year in support of the fair.
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Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
See photos as rain fails to dampen Wicklow community's school fair
The weather wasn't on their side, but in between some showers, everyone took part in games and all the activities on offer. There was a brilliant atmosphere and buzz around the school as they welcomed back some familiar faces, with past and present pupils and their families all in attendance. There were plenty of stalls to visit as guests sampled tasty burgers and treats, while there were also opportunities to showcase your competitive side with a number of target games on offer. There was huge excitement for the 'Gerbil' game devised by Thomas and the children, as adults ad children alike took great joy as they waited to see which door the friendly gerbils would walk through. An obstacle bouncy caste proved a welcome addition to the fair, while everyone was also keen to try their hand at the new '5:0' game. Nevan Griffith also made an appearance with his 1944 Dodge WC51. The day would not have been possible if it wasn't for the volunteers led by the parents council, along with al the staff and community members who all pitched in and gave their time and energy. A huge amount of preparation went into the day and thanks are passed onto all the parents representatives who gave up so much of their personal time in order to ensure the event was such a resounding success. Local businesses and sponsors are also thanked for their generosity in donating prizes for the raffle, and always step up to the plate each year in support of the fair.
Extra.ie
7 days ago
- Extra.ie
Ian Bailey's partner reveals his ashes 'weren't even scattered where he wanted'
The former partner of Ian Bailey has revealed the late murder suspect's ashes 'weren't even scattered where he wanted' during a much-publicised memorial ceremony on Friday. Bailey's ashes were spread on the waters off west Cork during a memorial event organised by his sister, Kay Reynolds, at Skeaghanore pier near Ballydehob, overlooking Roaringwater Bay. But Jules Thomas – the Welsh-born artist who was in a relationship with Bailey for decades before ordering him to move out of her house two and a half years before he died – told 'Ian always said that after his death he wanted his ashes scattered into Dunmanus Bay, but I heard they put them into Roaringwater [Bay] – that's on the other side instead. Jules Thomas and Ian Bailey. Pic: Collins Courts 'He always said he wanted them to be scattered into Dunmanus – that's between Mizen and Sheep's Head with Durrus in the corner. He was very specific. Instead, he apparently ended up someplace different.' She added: 'Poor b***er; he wasn't even scattered where he wanted to be in the end.' Ms Thomas was not invited to the private final farewell for her former partner, which was attended by around 30 family members, friends and supporters on Friday, which included filmmaker Jim Sheridan and Bailey's long-time solicitor Frank Buttimer. Jules Thomas. Pic: Collins Courts But she said she probably would not have attended the ceremony even if she had been invited. Ms Thomas explained: 'I was in Dublin seeing my legal team about my High Court case against Netflix and on other business and only got back to Cork late on Thursday night. I was exhausted and probably couldn't have made it even if I had planned to be there.' She described her non-invitation as a way of 'airbrushing me out'. The artist said: 'I supported him through thick and thin for 27 years of emotional hell for both of us. The worst thing that can happen to anyone is to be accused of something like murder, and that is what happened. 'I wasn't going to go anyway; when I threw him out, I finished with Ian and that was that.' Ian Bailey. Pic: Ian Bailey's sister said she did not invite Ms Thomas to Friday's ceremony because she didn't think she would want to attend the event. Ms Reynolds told 'She [Ms Thomas] said he just wasn't in her thoughts, that's what she said, so I didn't think she'd want to come'. However, she paid a warm tribute to her brother's former partner, adding: 'She stuck by him… he wasn't easy, was he? She had been incredible; we know he wasn't easy. And to stand by him all that time was incredible. She certainly had it tough with him.' Meanwhile, Ms Thomas has also revealed she was diagnosed with leukaemia around the time that the controversial Netflix three-part documentary series, Sophie: A Murder in West Cork, came out in 2021. Sophie Toscan du Plantier. Pic: REX/Shutterstock In her ongoing action against the streaming giant, she said the widely seen series turned her into a 'social pariah' and included 'glaring inaccuracies, fabrications and falsehoods'. She also alleges filming was carried out on her property without her permission. Ms Thomas is suing Netflix and its production company, Lightbox Media, for injurious falsehood, infliction of emotional suffering and negligence. The artist also revealed she had known she had leukaemia for more than two years before she told her daughters. Jules Thomas. Pic: Hell's Kitchen/Barbara McCarthy via Sky Studios She said: 'I knew they would be devastated, so I wrote each of them letters I posted at the same time to tell them. I waited over two years because I couldn't bring myself to tell them. I knew they would be so upset. 'I just couldn't give my three beautiful girls that worry and upset, I kept it to myself for as long as I could. Eventually, I decided they should know, so I wrote letters at the same time to each of my daughters to tell them.' Around 250 people in Ireland are diagnosed with the same form of incurable, slow-growing blood cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, every year. Earlier this week, Ms Thomas travelled to Dublin to discuss the next phase of her High Court case with her legal team, which includes the high-profile solicitor Gerald Kean and leading senior counsel Michael O'Higgins. Ms Thomas said: 'I went utterly downhill watching the Netflix documentary., my brain was in total turmoil, I couldn't sleep, all my energy sapped away. What it showed, watched by millions of viewers around the world, was a shoddy home, nothing like mine, a rundown, shabby place, not clean.' She said this followed 'all the worry and isolation' following the murder of French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier, and the emergence of her former partner as the chief suspect in the unsolved killing. Ms Thomas said that, on top of 'the court cases with constant media attention for decades', she also had to endure 'the emotional burnout of living with a man like Ian Bailey. No wonder I was getting shingles due to exhaustion with all my defences constantly down.' She went to her GP in the summer of 2021, who prescribed anti-viral medication for shingles. Ms Thomas added: 'I was utterly exhausted all the time. My doctor referred me to a consultant in Cork who carried out tests, and the results came back confirming I had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. 'It took a while for that to register the news. The specialist asked if I had been under a lot of stress, and I said: 'Oh yes, unbelievable stress and for years and years.' To be honest, it didn't surprise me that my body was caving in from it all.' Ms Thomas said she has not had blood transfusions and is treating her illness mainly with homoeopathy, which stimulates healing responses in affected parts of her body. 'It's slowly creeping up, but I am feeling okay at the moment,' she added. 'There's no place for stop in my character; I have to keep cracking on, and I hardly ever sit down. But when my immune system is down and I get the signal I am doing too much, I try to take it easy.' She also believes the stress of the unsolved murder contributed to her former partner's death. Ian Bailey died in January 2024 at the age of 66 after suffering several heart attacks that Ms Thomas says were brought on by his 'chronically unhealthy lifestyle'. She told 'He drank himself to death and took drugs to block out the hell he was living after denying all those years that he committed the murder and was not believed.' Ms Thomas has always protested that her partner of 30 years was innocent of the country's most notorious unsolved murder. This is despite the fact that Bailey had been violent to her on several occasions; Ms Thomas was hospitalised on two occasions after drink-fuelled beatings, which she described as 'lashing out, which he deeply regretted afterwards'. She said Bailey was consumed by the need to prove his innocence in the unsolved murder, which she says she knew 'he had nothing to do with'. Ms Thomas said: 'They had not a shred of evidence that we had anything to do with that terrible murder.' Whilst the private get-together to say goodbye to Ian Bailey 18 months after his death, involving poetry, music and some prayers, took place on Friday, Ms Thomas returned to her remote cottage and extensive gardens outside Schull here she busily potted plants to sell along with her evocative west Cork oils and prints at Schull market today. Despite her leukaemia diagnosis, the artist says she feels well and is full of hope her name will eventually be cleared 'once and for all'. She added: 'I just want the truth, and nothing more, after so many falsehoods to come out at last. I want that above all. 'I am not thinking much about my illness; something has to get you in the end. Our luck runs out at some time, and our bodies give up, and I think it's best not to dwell on that and keep going.'
The Irish Sun
21-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Why has Thomas Markle NEVER met Prince Harry? There can only be 3 reasons and the third is bad news for Meghan, says pro
FATHER'S Day has just been and gone, but one dad who was not given a royal shout out was Thomas Markle. The Sussex , 43, and hasn't even met her husband Prince Harry or his grandkids, Archie and Lilibet. 9 Meghan Markle's dad Thomas Markle has not seen his daughter for years Credit: Phil Penman - The Sun 9 Royal experts have said there may be three reasons why Meghan has never introduced Prince Harry to Thomas Credit: Getty 9 Thomas pictured with Meghan growing up Credit: Thomas Marlke 9 Thomas was not able to walk Meghan down the aisle at her wedding - and King Charles did it instead Credit: Getty Royal experts have queried why an introduction has never been made, and royal author and broadcaster Hugo Vickers claimed there could be three key reasons. Speaking on The Sun's Royal Exclusive show, he said: 'Why did Mr Markle never meet Prince Harry? 'There can only be three reasons for that. 'One that she was ashamed of him, which I think is a bit unattractive. More on Meghan Markle 'Two, possibly that she thought he'd done something, but when Prince Harry rang Mr Markle up and asked if he could marry his daughter, he said 'you can marry her as long as you never raise your hand against her'. 'Of course we don't talk like that, so maybe he lives in a world where people have done that sort of thing. 'I dispute that as well. I don't think that's the case. 'The third reason is that I think she was worried that he might actually have warned Prince Harry - this is not what you're getting, this girl.' Most read in Royals Thomas famously didn't attend his daughter's globally-televised royal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 due to suffering two heart attacks - although her mum He Meghan shares videos of Archie and Lilibet to wish Harry a Happy Father's Day After the pensioner - who divorced Doria in 1987 - was unable to walk his daughter down the aisle, they've not been in contact since. Hugo continued: 'Mr Markle should have been at the wedding and they should have flown him over and stuck him in a health farm in the Shetlands or somewhere. 'Prince Harry should have gone up to see him and if he couldn't have walked the aisle he should have been sitting there, because, as you rightly say, he did a lot for that girl and she even admitted it in the early days before she distanced herself from him.' Due to their estrangement, Thomas previously confessed he has resigned himself to the fact he will most likely never meet 9 The Sun's royal editor Matt Wilkinson talking to Hugo Vickers and Samara Gill on our royal exclusive show Credit: The Sun 9 Thomas has not yet met his grandkids, Lilibet and Archie Credit: Instagram 9 Meghan's mum Doria has met the royal family and is active in her grandkids' lives Credit: PA This is despite him living just 250 miles away from Meghan for years, in a home filled with pictures and accolades of his daughter - who he affectionately dubs "Megsy". Now Thomas has The Duchess' estranged father also admitted that while he doesn't like some of Meghan's behaviour, his "door is always open". MARKLE FEUD 9 Meghan reportedly has not spoken to Thomas in years Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 9 Thomas has done numerous TV interviews about their relationship Credit: ITV Turmoil between the pair erupted after Thomas However, Meghan has previously shared the hurt and "betrayal she felt" by her father. She opened up about her In her sensational interview with Oprah in 2021, Meghan said: "I'm trying to decide if I'm comfortable even talking about that. 'It was... if we were going to use the word betrayal.' Meghan Markle on how dad Thomas Markle 'betrayed' her IN her candid interview with Oprah, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about her relationship with her dad and said she was left feeling crushed when he lied to her before the wedding. Meghan said she tried to 'protect' her parents from the 'media frenzy' sparked due to an 'obsession about anything in my world'. It was the first time Meghan has publicly discussed her dad, who she has not spoken to since before her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018. Thomas, an ex-Hollywood lighting director, has spoken about her daughter's relationship publicly and described their decision to walk away from the royals as embarrassing. Their relationship soured in the run-up to their 2018 Windsor Castle wedding, when he admitted agreeing to stage pictures of himself. Meghan was asked if it felt like a 'betrayal' when she found out her dad was working with the Press, and replied: 'I'm trying to decide if I'm comfortable even talking about that. 'It was… if we were going to use the word betrayal.' Meghan added: 'Because when I asked him, when we were told by the comms team, this is a story that was going to be coming out, which, by the way, the tabloids had apparently known for a month or so and decided to hold until the Sunday before our wedding because they wanted to create drama, which is also a really key point in all this. 'We called my dad and I asked him and he said, no, absolutely not." Oprah then said: 'He said no, absolutely not. He hadn't been talking to them. So he basically lied to you.' The MEGHAN'S FATHER'S DAY SNUB This follows Meghan sharing a The heartwarming footage was posted on Instagram with Jason Mraz's hit 'Have It All' playing in the background. "The best," she captioned her post. "Happy Father's Day to our favorite guy." The compilation showed photos and videos of Harry laughing, dancing and spending quality time with his children through the years. While Thomas - and also King Charles - was omitted from the post, Meghan did post a tribute to Doria on Mother's Day. The Duchess has been more open with posting business ventures, including her Netflix cooking show, Meghan Markle's ventures after stepping down as a working royal THE Duchess of Sussex has kept busy since stepping down as a senior working royal in 2020 and relocating to California. Here are some of her business ventures... Archewell Foundation – A nonprofit supporting charitable initiatives. Netflix Deal – Producing content like Harry & Meghan and With Love, Meghan . Archetypes Podcast – Former Spotify show on female stereotypes. Clevr Blends – Investment in a women-owned wellness latte brand. Cesta Collective – Minority stake in a handbag brand supporting Rwandan artisans. As Ever – Previously known as American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand selling jam. ShopMy Page – Online store featuring her curated fashion and beauty items. New Podcast – Confessions of a Female Founder focusing on entrepreneurship.
