Latest news with #Caoimhe
Irish Independent
17 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Community responds to help daughter (10) of ‘Bray Person of the Year' after cancer diagnosis
There has been an overwhelming response to the appeal so far, which has received over 400 donations, raising just over €26,000. Matt Keenan is the founder of Bray Community Lifeline, a suicide hotline, which he established last year to offer in-person assistance to those in crisis. Following a call-out for volunteers, Matt, who has qualifications in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), delivered suicide prevention and mental health training to the participants to act as first responders offering real-time, face-to-face intervention in the community. On Monday, July 14, 2025, Matt's daughter, Caoimhe, was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive and rare form of childhood cancer, called Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Caoimhe, 'a bright, brave, and beautiful girl with a heart full of life', lives in Bray with her close-knit family – mum Martina, dad Matt, her older sister Cara, and big brother Jonathan. She is currently in Crumlin Hospital, receiving an exceptionally strong combination of chemotherapy drugs and is on a very intensive treatment plan. Instead of a standard 21-day cycle (three days of chemo followed by 18 days off), Caoimhe is now being given chemo daily over her first weekend, followed by weekly treatments for at least the next seven weeks. This approach reflects just how urgently her doctors are trying to slow the cancer down. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare and fast-growing cancer that forms in muscle tissue. It affects approximately only 4.5 in every 1,000,000 children under the age of 10. In Caoimhe's case, the tumour was found in the roof of her mouth, but it had already grown so aggressively that it pushed through the bone and into the space around her brain. Scans also revealed that it had spread to her lungs. Chemotherapy started just five days after the diagnosis. The Keenan family have devoted much of their time to helping the community. Matt was honoured with the 2024 Bray Person Of The Year award for his role in reaching out to those in crisis, one of those life-saving calls even coming on Caoimhe's 10th birthday. Martina is heavily involved in Bray Area Rough Sleepers Support, the voluntary organisation that provides a 'soup run' to Bray's homeless 365 days of the year. The fundraising drive was set up by Matt's colleague, and is about 'giving the Keenan family room to breathe'. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more "To allow Martina and Matt to stop worrying about bills, groceries, or mortgages and focus entirely on Caoimhe's care, recovery, and comfort during this brutal fight ahead,' the appeal said. The support will go directly to the Keenans so they can cover urgent household and medical costs, take time off work without having financial concerns and so they can be present with Caoimhe throughout her treatment. The community has so far responded very generously to the appeal, to date having raised just over €26,400, but there is some way to go to meet the target required. Matt wanted to thank all of those who have reached out to make donations. 'Our focus is Caoimhe's battle and recovery,' he said. 'We are grateful for all the support and love that is allowing us to stay focused on our daughter and family.' As Matt's colleague noted, there are people alive today because of Matt, Martina and their work. You can now support them by donating at:
Irish Examiner
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Caoimhe McGinley: 'I had imposter syndrome when I moved into my house'
It's been some voyage — in every sense. After spending 10 years living in the Middle East, where she'd worked as a teacher, Caoimhe McGinley returned to her hometown of Ballygawley, Co Tyrone, to break ground on a self-build. No sooner had she touched down than the Instagram account she started to chart her 'house journey' took off — @thebighillhouse is now an online community with almost 160,000 followers. But let's reverse the magic carpet a little to hover over that fateful move-in date, Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011 — how did Caoimhe feel as she approached the front door of The Big Hill House? 'I cried my eyes out,' she tells Home. The Big Hill House. 'I was two weeks post-partum, had packed the four kids into the car at my parents', drove out their lane and in our lane. I would say it was an anti-climax, incredibly emotional, and I had imposter syndrome in the house for the first year or so. It didn't feel real.' It's that raw honesty, as well as all Caoimhe's sense of fun and glamour, that appeals to her followers and draws us in whenever she posts online. She tells it like it is. Caoimhe McGinley in her hallway. And, as a mum of young children (and a pet parent of a cocker spaniel), Caoimhe knows only too well that spills and splashes are part of life's Technicolour tapestry. The popular content creator has had many partnerships with top home brands, including designers Sadie Smith, Frances McBain and Jacqueline Rooney. This week, Caoimhe rolled out a vibrant collection in collaboration with leading Irish rug retailer Kukoon, with limited-edition pieces in her signature style incorporating her love for travel. 'Caoimhe's rugs are full of stories,' says Clare Walsh, Kukoon's creative director. 'Some evoke feelings of being in a Middle Eastern souk, while others transport you to the golden beaches of Byron Bay. They simultaneously spark memories of past trips and inspire more adventures to come.' Clare is one of the thousands who followed Caoimhe's online journey, which is how the latest collab came about: 'Caoimhe's house is incredibly stylish and her interior design skills are remarkable, but what always stands out for me is that her house is a home. It's not a collection of rooms where her children aren't allowed to have fun.' Interior design has, adds Caoimhe, always 'been a quiet thread running through my life': 'As a child, I was the one rearranging furniture for fun or collecting home magazines for inspiration but it was the self-build that brought that passion to life in a tangible, meaningful way. Designing a space from the ground up gave me a deeper appreciation for the details: how a room feels, flows, and supports everyday living.' The limited edition of six designs described as 'premium and affordable', are soft, washable and woven from recycled materials and come in several sizes and colours Q&A with Caoimhe Where is your happy space at home? In my kitchen, with the children, sitting at the island. How would you describe your home/interiors? Our home is a reflection of timeless comfort and thoughtful design — where every corner invites connection, and every piece tells a story. It's family-welcoming at its core: cosy seating that draws people together, a kitchen that's the heart of daily life, and spaces designed to grow with us. Who shares your home? My four children, three boys and a girl and a cocker spaniel called Coby. Favourite glow-up? Seasonal accessories — cushions and throws. When did you build? We broke ground July 2018 and moved in December 2011. How did you feel? Blessed. It was a dream come true building our own home. What's the biggest challenge about a self-build? Affording it! What was surprisingly easy, and is there anything you'd do differently? Having good tradesmen made all the difference in a successful self-build. I would [like to] have one room wider, but overall, I'm happy with what we achieved. Any lifestyle inspiration from your time in the Middle East? Yes, for sure. We have the famous 'bum gun' or bum hose — also known as douche shower kit. We have art on our walls and a lot of our rugs that have Middle Eastern design, and that played a large role in my collection with Kukoon. Why do you think interiors and home renovation create such interest in Ireland today? In Ireland, our homes have always been at the heart of who we are — places of welcome, warmth, and storytelling. In recent years, especially during covid, there's been a growing appreciation for the power of interiors and renovation, not just for aesthetics, but for creating spaces that reflect our values, personalities, and way of life. Caoimhe's bedroom. With more people spending time at home, we've become more intentional about how our spaces support us emotionally and practically. There's also a strong tradition in Ireland of making the most of what we have — of bringing character, history, and soul into every room. Renovating a home isn't just about updating it; it's about honouring its story while shaping it to suit modern family life. That balance of old and new, of personal and functional, really resonates with us. Your best bargain ever? My four kitchen island stools from Loaf. I got them at less than half price from a lady in England. Biggest extravagance? Our staircase — but worth it. Favourite colour? Green. Do you paint your own living space? I painted the entire house myself from base coat to finished colours. Do you enjoy cooking, and if so, what's your signature dish? Yes, I love a prawn linguine. Dream dinner guests? My family and friends, all around the same table. What is your key design advice when choosing flooring, rugs or furniture? Ultimately, choose with intention. Ask: Will this last? Will it grow with us? Does it make this space feel like home? Always start with how you want the space to feel, not just how you want it to look. What are you working on right now? My new rug collection with Kukoon; it is incredible, and I am hoping it will lead to more exciting collaborations in the future. Read More How a former Youghal office was turned into a stylish home with sea views and smart storage
Extra.ie
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Styled By Niamh: New Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny on why now it's her time to shine
Newly-crowned Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny, the model daughter of Irish football manager Stephen Kenny, credits her father with her competitive edge. However, the beauty queen says her mother Siobhan is the true rallying force behind the family. 'So my mom spent her life driving me to ballet classes and my brothers to football training,' Caoimhe told Styled. 'She would have spent so much of her time in the car, but I think that has shown me how much she wanted us to succeed and be the best we could be.' Before marrying football-mad Stephen, Caoimhe's mum had been in a highly successful senior managerial role in the corporate sector. 'My mom gave up everything in order to give us the best growing up. 'So I will always credit my mom for being the biggest influence,' said Caoimhe. Now she's forging her own road to success, Caoimhe says she has developed a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices both her parents made during her formative years. Michelle Keegan Denim Jacket – Blue €37.75 'I think when you're a teenager you don't realise the kind of impact that you might have on your parents. 'But now that I'm an adult, and I sort of say to my mom 'Oh my God, I regret any time I ever made a drama about something or didn't appreciate all you did'. V by Very Crochet Hem Denim Shorts – €35 'Now that I'm an adult, I see the sacrifices she made,' said Caoimhe. Caoimhe – who was crowned the 77th Miss Ireland at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath earlier this month – told Styled that her father instilled in her the dedication that it takes to succeed. V by Very Polka Dot Maxi Dress – €66 'I think growing up and seeing what succeeding meant, and, you know, the feeling of success, I would say that definitely contributed to this idea of succeeding in whatever you put your mind to,' Caoimhe told Styled. 'Football is a very competitive sport, so I think growing up in that environment, with my dad definitely would have, you know, developed a bit of a competitive nature. V By Very Revere Collar Denim Jumpsuit – €72 'But at the same time, my dad always would have been extremely level headed. He would have always been really fair minded,' said Caoimhe. And while she says she inherited her ambition from her father, she insists he was by no means a 'pushy parent'. Michelle Keegan Knitted T-shirt – €50 'He would have never pushed me to do something I didn't want to do. 'He would have motivated me to be the best that I could do. But I think there's no denying probably the competitive nature does stem from him and growing up watching what he achieved.' Boohoo Flower Detail Low Heeled Mules – €21 Growing up in Donegal, where her dad was manager of Derry City, Caoimhe has fond recollections of weekends spent in the football stands watching her dad manage his team on the pitch. 'From a very young age, since we moved up to Donegal when he was managing Derry City, they are the earliest games I remember,' said Caoimhe. 'I would have been around six or seven going to the matches. And it became pretty much part of my weekly routine. 'We would all go to all the home games.' Boohoo Double Buckle Footbed Slider – €18.50 But now it's time for Caoimhe to shine in the household, she says her father is more than happy to play a supporting role. 'I really enjoy going to the football matches but now, obviously that I'm doing Miss Ireland, I think it's been the talk of the house for the past couple of months,' admits Caoimhe. 'And me and mom make a joke in the house that, you know, 'oh, like now it's my turn'. Like it's my time to shine.' V by Very Aztec Detal Midi Dress – €45 'But it's only a bit of banter. It's just a bit of light-hearted fun.' Banter aside, Caoimhe was seriously emotional to have her proud dad watch on as she was crowned Miss lreland at the glitzy final. 'But you know, it really meant a lot to me that he was there for the final, because obviously he has a very busy schedule, and you know, he has matches on a Friday, so he's not always available. 'So to be able to be there, that he made the time to be there, and for him to be in the audience, that really meant a lot to me.' CHECK, MATE Gingham, the quintessential chequered classic, has grown up with great sartorial aplomb. No longer the preserve of school girl outfits, prairie pastiche or tablecloths, gingham has been treated to a very stylish makeover. Stepping off the catwalks in adult cuts and polished fashion, for the summer at least, gingham is here to stay. With gingham patterns everywhere we are smitten with everything from pretty gingham dresses, peplum tops, swimwear – and even gingham ballet flats – ensure you are a check-mate in the style stakes this summer. REGALLY STYLISH Actress Michelle Keegan's latest collection at online shop Very is simply stunning. It features an eclectic selection of old-Hollywood style dresses, fun and flirty shorts, and tops that can take you from summer days to nights in a fashionable heartbeat. Looking every inch the beauty queen, Caoimhe models a polka dot dress featuring a delicate sweetheart neckline with a full-skied body which accentuates the figure. The material, cut and design of the Very collection is impressive and the reasonable price point of under €100 for a variety of dresses belies the quality. The pieces are also timeless, so not just a one-wear wonder. PLAYFUL PLAYSUITS If you invest in one piece of clothing this summer, then consider a playsuit as a never-let-you-down outfit. Playsuits are an easy-to-wear choice that can conceal any lumps and bumps if you're having a bad day, but never fail in the fashion stakes. They can be buttoned up or zipped, wide-leg or slimline chic. They are fun, versatile and take the hassle out of fashion. MINTED Whether it's olive, pastel, sea or mint – green is the colour of summer. And unlike its sisters cooler blue or warm red, green is one colour that suits every skin, eye and hair tone so be seen in whatever shade of green takes your fancy this summer season. Pictures by Michael Chester @chesterpicsMakeup by Erin Burke @erinburkemua Shot on location at Fairways Hotel Dundalk
Irish Times
23-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
‘I paid Three and Sky for broadband services but got neither'
Pity the poor reader who ordered and ended up paying for broadband with two different providers and still wound up with no service. First up, Caoimhe ordered from Three given that she was a Three mobile customer and she was happy with a monthly charge of €20. 'I was told on the phone that I had a 30 day cooling off period in which I could cancel my subscription – which I did,' she writes. She cancelled the subscription not because she was unhappy with the service, the customer service or the size of her bills but because her landlord said they would not permit the drilling required for the installation to be completed. READ MORE 'The internet was never even installed,' she writes. But despite that, her account was not cancelled 'and I am now paying for a service that they are not even providing. I just want that to be cancelled as requested,' she writes. After her landlord put the kibosh on her Three plans, Caoimhe ordered Sky Broadband, which was due to be installed in the middle of last month. 'Sky have called me a few times to schedule installation. However, the sky box for broadband which was supposed to be delivered never arrived. Sky told me to track the package with DPD. When I tracked the package it said it was delivered to this address but it never came. None of my neighbours had the package either. I called the DPD helpline but no one picked up and their mailbox is full.' We contacted both Three and Sky to find out if we could get Caoimhe her broadband sorted. Three explained that after our reader made contact to explain that she could not proceed with the service an email was sent to her with some questions surrounding the validation of the account. The details the company was looking for were the name, address and date of birth of the account holder. We were told that the company had not heard back from Caoimhe. [ 'Have I any rights at all?' Virgin leaves one customer without broadband and chases another for two cent Opens in new window ] We put this to our reader, who said she had 'told them it couldn't be installed because my landlord hadn't given the permission, yet it was first put in for a reschedule and then after that I emailed to cancel and then I called them'. It would appear then that there was a breakdown in communication – and such things happen. We went back to Three and, in a statement, a spokeswoman said Caoimhe 'requested a cancellation by email, and as per Three's standard data protection processes, was asked by our customer care team to validate the account by providing additional information, in order to progress the cancellation. 'As the customer did not respond to this request for validation, we were unable to process the cancellation without this. The customer's account has now been cancelled, and all associated charges have been waived.' And as for Sky, a spokeswoman said the company was 'sorry for the inconvenience caused for this customer. We have since confirmed with them that a replacement has been ordered, with installation scheduled in the coming days.'
Irish Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny opens up on relationship with famous dad
Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny has openly expressed her pride in being known as Stephen Kenny's daughter and doesn't shy away from the association with her dad. As a beauty buying assistant hailing from Co. Louth, Caoimhe was announced as Miss Ireland at a glitzy event on Saturday evening, with her renowned football manager father looking on proudly. Stephen Kenny, the former Republic of Ireland manager, watched as his daughter clinched the national title. It doesn't bother Caoimhe when she is referred to as Stephen Kenny's daughter because she knows she is her own person with her own story and is very proud of her dad's accomplishments. Caoimhe told RSVP Live: "The way I look at it is, that's the truth isn't it? I am his daughter at the end of the day. "Of course I'm my own person and of course I have my own story, but it's not something that would annoy me. "It is the fact of the matter and I'm fortunate to have a great relationship with my dad. We get on very well and I'm very proud that he is my dad. "So, to be referred to as his daughter, it wouldn't bother me. It's nice when people ask me how I feel about it, and want to learn a bit more about me as well." Stephen Kenny, currently managing St. Patrick's Athletic, expressed immense joy at his daughter's victory. Caoimhe added her thoughts on her dad's feelings: "He is unbelievably proud of me. He would always encourage me to do my own thing and he was supportive of me the whole way through. "At the end of the night, I could just see in his face how proud he was. "One thing about my dad is he would always be incredibly happy for us when we achieve something we want. He is just happy that I am happy." Caoimhe describes her feeling of being crowned Miss Ireland as "surreal" and anticipates it will take some time to fully sink in. The 24-year-old beauty queen feels a great sense of achievement in winning the title, having previously competed in Miss Universe Ireland last year. She shared: "I'd never entered a pageant before Miss universe Ireland. I entered because I wanted to try something new and challenge myself and do something fun. "When I finished first runner-up I realised I did quite well, and it solidified that this was something I wanted to do. "Miss World is one of the oldest pageants in the world ,so I decided I was going to go for Miss Ireland. "Being in Miss Universe Ireland allowed me to express myself. I'm really outgoing, I love being on stage and meeting new people. "For me, I was able to do all of that through Miss Universe Ireland so to do it again for Miss Ireland and win is just an incredible feeling." Caoimhe plans to utilise her newfound platform to highlight the significance of contributing to local communities and charities. "I volunteer in my local community with Save Our Homeless Dundalk and Hygiene Hub Louth," she revealed. "Save Our Homeless assist individuals facing homelessness and financial difficulties by providing emergency accommodation and food hampers, and general support in the community. "Hygiene Hub is a national charity working to combat hygiene poverty. I was one of the first volunteers in Louth and worked with the charity to establish donation points in Louth. You can find Hygiene Hub donation points across the country. People donate hygiene items and they go to vulnerable people in the community. "Through volunteering I've realised homelessness can happen to anyone. And if it can happen to anyone, help should come from everyone. "Through being Miss Ireland, the message I want to share is everybody has a part to play in society. We all have the resources to create a meaningful impact. "I want other people to look around their community and see what impact they can have on it, and see what support they can provide to those who need it." Caoimhe also opened up about the misconceptions surrounding beauty pageants like Miss Ireland and Miss World, which some critics deem passé. She explained: "People who don't know much about Miss Ireland probably have an outdated view on it. "Miss Ireland and Miss World doesn't even have swimwear categories anymore. It has progressed to the point of eliminating it from the competition because they feel it's completely unnecessary. "Everybody is beautiful. It's about who you are as a person. "If you look at past Miss World winners, they're looking for an ambassador – someone who can inspire and empower people, someone who can speak and their words have great meaning behind them. "They're not looking for this beauty queen that would look great on a magazine cover. It's so much more than that. Every girl who enters has a story they want to tell. "The impact the women that enter Miss Ireland are having on their local communities proves there is still a place for pageantry and it's still relevant."
