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Extra.ie
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Watch: Dua Lipa shares emotional moment with fan at Dublin gig
Dua Lipa left one fan visibly emotional during her Dublin show at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night, after she made her way down to the barrier mid-performance. The singer, who brought her Radical Optimism tour to the Emerald Isle, took a moment to interact with fans up closem sparking a wave of excitement in the front rows. As she moved along the barrier, greeting fans and taking a few brief moments to take photos, one fan was seen wiping away tears as he approached her. Dua Lipa left one fan visibly emotional during her Dublin show at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night, after she made her way down to the barrier mid-performance. Pic:The young fan named Jack opened up to the New Rules singer about the impact she's had on his life, revealing he is now an aspiring dancer after seeing the star in concert. Jack went on to thank the singer for her dedication to her fans, admitting he hopes to be on stage dancing with her someday. 'Never forget, you change lives,' he remarked as the pair posed for a selfie, with the young fan visibly emotional. View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@extradotie) It wasn't the only hard hitting moment of the night, with Dua also paying tribute to a late, great, Irish star. Traditionally the singer uses her surprise song slot to pay tribute to each city she plays in, choosing to pay tribute to iconic Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor, who she described as an Irish legend. Dua belted out a touching rendition of the late star's anthem Nothing Compares 2 U, with fans reaching for their torchlights to build the atmosphere. The European leg of Dua Lipa's Radical Optimism tour wrapped on Friday night, with the star taking to the states in September following a brief festival stint in her native Kosova.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Why Meath woman based in Seoul doesn't see herself back in Ireland long-term
An Irish woman based in South Korea has revealed she cannot see herself returning to Ireland long-term as she has gotten used to a more 'efficient' way of things being done abroad. Jessie Shiels made the move to the South Korean capital of Seoul in September 2021, having spent time in Germany for around four years before that. The Meath native revealed that when she felt the need for a 'new experience', she decided to make the move to Seoul, having taken an interest in the Korean language and culture during the pandemic. Pic: Provided 'I always assumed I'd stay in Germany forever,' she told 'Then my desires changed, so who knows where I'll be in a few years' time. I don't see much of a future for myself in Ireland though, so I'll likely be somewhere else abroad if I decide to leave Korea.' Jessie added that as much as she loved her native country, she had gotten used to a 'different, more efficient way of doing things' abroad and wasn't sure if she would settle back into life in Ireland. 'Not to mention I likely wouldn't be able to afford to given what I hear about the cost of living these days!' she added. Speaking of cost of living, Jessie detailed the differing aspects of the expenses of living in Seoul, noting that while rent is a 'lot more affordable' compared to Ireland there is a 'unique deposit system that can be prohibitively expensive.' Pic: Provided She explained: 'If you want to move into an apartment, like a studio or a one-room, you'll be expected to pay about 10 million won (approx. €7,000) upfront. These days in Seoul, that's the minimum deposit if you want to live in something bigger than a shoebox.' While that's the standard deposit, Jessie added that rent varies depending on the size and standard, and shared that her current rent was the equivalent of €475 for a two-room. While groceries are also cheaper compared to Ireland, the exception is fruit and vegetable,s which she said can be 'crazy expensive.' Healthcare is also cheaper in Seoul, with Jessie telling that a doctor's visit would typically cost around €5 and a week of antibiotics would be about €2. Pic: Provided As well as having affordable housing and healthcare, Seoul is a very convenient city to live in with Jessie saying 'absolutely everything you need is at your fingertips.' 'Aside from that, the city (and the rest of the country) is very safe,' she revealed, 'If you lose something on the subway or in a taxi, you'll almost certainly get it back. As a woman, there isn't the same need to constantly check over your shoulder to make sure you're not being followed.' Jessie clarified that while 'nowhere is perfect,' she has felt much freer than in European cities. There are plenty of great things about Seoul, but Jessie admitted there were also things she missed about Ireland, her friends and family, of course, but also the food. 'I miss the variety and the quality on offer in Irish supermarkets,' she admitted, 'Somewhat controversially, I'm actually not mad about Korean food. I prefer to eat a vegan diet and that has been very hard to maintain out here.' Living in Seoul for more than three years now, Jessie boasts a range of friends and says there is a 'thriving Irish community.' The expat gave praise to the Irish Association of Korea, which she joined as a volunteer three years ago for St Patrick's Day festivities. 'We're a mixture of Irish, Koreans, and other nationalities with some connection to Ireland,' she said, 'It's a great starting point if you're new in Seoul (Irish or not!)'
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Everyone saying the same thing as Upfront with Katie Hannon axed
News that RTÉ has axed Upfront with Katie Hannon has left everything thinking the same thing as the public state broadcaster continue to look for a new presenter for Liveline. On Tuesday, exclusively revealed that the current affairs show, which first broadcast in 2023, was axed after three seasons after failing to bring in audience numbers. The cancellation of the show puts presenter Katie Hannon at an odd end, with many thinking it frees her up to become the new presenter of RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline. News that RTÉ has axed Upfront with Katie Hannon has left everything thinking the same thing as the public state broadcaster continue to look for a new presenter for Liveline. Pic: RTÉ This Friday will see Joe Duffy hang up his microphone for the final time as he presents his last Liveline show. The presenter has fronted the current affairs-debate show for 27 years after taking over from Marian Finucane. Kerry woman Katie has long been the frontrunner to take over from Joe, having plenty of experience in filling in for the Dubliner when he is absent. That's confirmed it thanks… Katie Hannon will be the replacement for Joe… — John003 (@john003) June 24, 2025 While RTÉ remains tight-lipped regarding their plans for Liveline, social media users are convinced Katie will be taking over. One person responded to news that Upfront had been cancelled, saying 'Liveline with Katie Hannon so.' Liveline with Katie Hannon so — Ty (@tidalsounds) June 24, 2025 Another echoed: 'That's confirmed it thanks… Katie Hannon will be the replacement for Joe…' A third took to X and shared: 'Upfront with Katie Hannon won't be returning. Surely means she'll be taking over from Joe Duffy. Great news. Katie Hannon is one of the most overpaid, over resourced, yet inept broadcasters the public broadcaster has ever subsidised. — Jack Nolan (@jacknolan__) June 24, 2025 'At least unlike Joe she doesn't interrupt people who don't agree with her.' Not everyone is on board with the idea of the mother-of-two taking over, however, with one person hitting out that she is 'one of the most overpaid, over resourced, yet inept broadcasters.' Joe announced his imminent retirement in early May, admitting it had been a 'privilege' to front Liveline for almost three decades. Confirming his retirement on the show, he said: 'It has been — and I mean this from the bottom of my heart — an incredible honour and a privilege to be part of a programme that relied almost entirely on trust; he trust of our listeners. 'Listeners felt they could pick up the phone, ring Liveline, share their lives, their stores; sad, bad, sometimes mad and funny, their struggles and their victories. 'I never took that for granted. Not for a single minute.'
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Extra.ie
Natasha O'Brien on backlash, broken systems, and speaking her truth
Natasha O'Brien has hit out at the judge who handed down a suspended sentence to her attacker, noting he got 'caught in the crossfire' as she campaigned for justice. The young woman was assaulted by former soldier Cathal Crotty on May 29, 2022 in Limerick city after she intervened when she heard him call someone a 'faggot.' In June 2023, Judge Tom O'Donnell imposed a fully suspended three-year term on Crotty and ordered him to pay €3,000 compensation to Natasha. Natasha O'Brien has hit out at the sentencing judge who handed down a suspended sentence to her attacker, noting he got 'caught in the crossfire' as she campaigned for justice. Pic: Ayesha Ahmad The now-retired Judge O'Donnell praised Crotty for his guilty plea, failing to acknowledge the then 20-year-old only admitted to the attack only when Gardaí confronted him with CCTV footage. Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal overturned the fully suspended sentence, imposing a sentence of three years in prison with the final 12 month suspended. Speaking to ahead of her RTÉ documentary NATASHA, the Limerick woman admitted she 'never expected' the sentence to be overturned and detailed the conflicting feelings to Crotty being jailed. 'I just remember not even knowing what was happening and having all these emotions,' she said, 'The judges were saying all these things that I only dreamed the sentencing judge last year would say. The now-retired Judge O'Donnell praised Crotty for his guilty plea, failing to acknowledge the then 20-year-old only admitted to the attack only when Gardaí confronted him with CCTV footage. Pic: Collins 'That judge that day did us both dirty. It wasn't just me impacted, he [Crotty] was impacted.' Natasha added: 'His actions, and what he did to me was completely wrong and I didn't deserve that. I deserved justice for that. 'He never deserved to be the poster of perpetrators or the poster of violence.' The Limerick woman clarified that her campaigning had never been about Crotty, but was about the unfair justice system she dealt with. Elsewhere, Natasha opened up on the negative comments she is subject to due to not presenting herself as 'this wounded little quiet damsel.' Pic: Ayesha Ahmad 'It was never focused on him but unfortunately he got caught up in it,' she said. Elsewhere, Natasha opened up on the negative comments she is subject to due to not presenting herself as 'this wounded little quiet damsel.' She explained how she had spoken to a journalist with local Limerick newspaper, Limerick Leader, not realising how big the story would become. 'I decided I have an opportunity here to not be invisible anymore and I've an opportunity here to do a lot of good and highlight a lot of problems that people don't have the energy to highlight,' she shared. 'I received so much backlash because apparently I'm not the perfect victim. Someone who is a victim of a crime isn't just a victim. They're a person. There is no one way to be a human being, just like there's no one way to being a victim.' Speaking to Natasha added that it was important to her to do the documentary to 'show there is a human behind the headlines.' 'Just because I can look confident doesn't mean I always feel confident,' she said, 'You cannot judge a book by its cover, just like you cannot judge a victim by a headline. 'Just because I was able to advocate for myself. The reality is not all victims who want to speak out get the platform.' NATASHA airs on RTÉ One at 9.35pm.
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
How mum Peggy persuaded warring Gallagher brothers to settle feud
Warring rock siblings Liam and Noel Gallagher's Irish mother has confirmed she was the 'instigator' in healing the infamous rift between her two sons. Speaking for the first time about her role in the reconciliation that would ultimately result in the long-awaited Oasis reunion, Peggy Gallagher told 'I was the instigator, yes. But sure, wasn't it always going to happen at some time or other?' she added with a twinkle in her soft Co. Mayo accent, clearly relieved her beloved sons have ended their long and much publicised feud. Ms Gallagher's eyes lit up and she broke into a broad smile as she spoke of her rock star sons' reconciliation: 'It's great, because nobody wants their kids falling out, do they?' Liam and Noel Gallagher playing together as youngsters. Pic: Courtesy of Peggy Gallagher But she stressed: 'It was their choice, of course. Look, you can't force them to do things they don't want to do.' Although some reports indicated the Gallagher siblings' Irish mother was instrumental in their reunion, it is the first time she has spoken about it publicly, preferring to live away from the public spotlight in the same council house in a Manchester suburb where she has lived for nearly 50 years. The Oasis split in 2009 marked the break-up of one of rock'n'roll's most successful-ever bands, leaving fans clamouring for a reunion ever since. Peggy Gallagher appearing in documentary Liam Gallagher: As It Was in 2019. Pic: Screen Media Films/Everett/REX/Shutterstock This seemed to be a long way off as Liam and Noel engaged in a series of tit-for-tat exchanges often gleefully played out and amplified in the media. In the end, it took the intervention of their no-nonsense Irish mother – who refereed the brothers' bedroom and playground spats as children and helped to ease major disagreements later in adulthood – to convince her famous sons to finally bury the hatchet. Peggy, 82, is also a big fan of Oasis, whose global fanbase have shelled out a small fortune to see their idols during the band's forthcoming world tour, which kicks off with a series of mammoth UK and Ireland concert dates that includes their double header at Croke Park in August. Ever since Oasis broke up in 2009, Peggy – who is a devoted grandmother to Noel and Liam's six children – has reportedly been urging her sons to end their feud. Liam Gallagher with his mother Peggy. Pic:Like most mothers when it comes to sibling rivalry or feuds, Peggy refused to take sides and remains very close to both her musician sons. She regularly travelled to and from London to visit and help look after Liam and Noel's children when they were young. In a documentary that aired several years ago, Peggy said the brothers' feud dates back to their childhood. She said: 'I think there was that bit of jealously with Liam and Noel. Noel was beautiful as a baby and then Liam comes along – it takes the limelight off you. 'You could tell disagreement was there with them. I was glad they were in a band together. I would not have wanted Liam in a band without Noel. But it all happened too quick.' Noel Gallagher with his mother Peggy. Pic: Julian Makey/REX/Shutterstock She has always urged her sons to stop arguing and 'put the past behind them'. Looking back now, in the wake of her sons' high profile reconciliation, Peggy said from her Manchester home this week: 'You just have to say 'get on with it', and I said that, I had to say, 'get on with it now'… and say 'I've to look after myself too'.' Peggy said she is longing to see her famous sons back on stage together after such a long and often bitter hiatus, delighting Oasis's legions of old fans and the younger generation of 'kids' who will be seeing the band line for the first time. But she admits: 'I'll be glad when it's all just over because it makes me get too stressed.' Peggy Gallagher with sons Noel, Paul and Liam in the 1970s. Pic: Dan Callister/Liaison via Getty Images Peggy was both mother and father to her eldest son Paul, middle child Noel and Liam, her youngest, after she was forced to flee an abusive marriage, finding work in a local Manchester biscuit factory and as a school dinner lady to keep the household afloat. Two months ago she had a knee replacement and – pointing to the healing scar – told 'It's still sore. I'm sick of bloody exercising it, up and down the stairs, they say it takes anything up to nine months to be right again.' But the tough Irish grandmother is already back swimming, where she is joined at her local pool by some of her old friends. 'Oh, the knee hasn't stopped me; I'm back swimming again since the knee replacement, she laughs, adding: 'Nothing ever stops me.' She agreed the swimming should aid her recovery and mobility, but she admitted: 'I am finding it hard going up and down the stairs. Still, we have to get there, we have to get on with it. Noel Gallagher with his mother Peggy in 2005. Pic: Steve Allen/REX/Shutterstock 'That's how I think… get on with it,' adds the stoic peacemaker, sensible voice of reason, and respected matriarch in this family of music superstars. She is determined to travel to Dublin to see Liam and Noel take to the stage in Croke Park, even if it means she has to 'hobble around'. 'I'm hoping to get to the Oasis concert in Dublin in August if I can hobble around. That's my plan anyway… it will be great. I know the Irish fans are thrilled about it. There's great excitement in Ireland about the reunion tour and it will be lovely to see family there, also my sister Kathleen who is in Emly [Co. Tipperary]. 'I am really looking forward to the Dublin one,' adds Peggy, who was often in the audience when Oasis were playing in packed venues back in their heyday, and she hopes to be there for the band's hotly anticipated homecoming concert in Manchester's Heaton Park. Peggy had been a regular visitor back to Co. Mayo until last year when she sold her holiday home in Charlestown. It had been suggested Peggy's decision to sell was prompted by concerns raised by her sons about her being on her own in their house. Liam Gallagher with his mother Peggy in 2006. Pic: Stephen Butler/REX/Shutterstock She told 'I used to be there every few weeks, I loved going back. But it's just as well I sold it now as I wouldn't be able to get back there because of the knee, and as you get older you don't want to be doing these things because it is too much of a hassle, even though I would fly from here into Knock and that was right beside me.' Peggy made the move from Mayo to Manchester to work as a housekeeper and childminder when she was just 18. She met fellow Irishman Tommy Gallagher from Co. Meath, who ran his own concrete business, and the pair married in the 60s, settling in the Longsight area of Manchester. But it was not a happy marriage or peaceful family existence. After enduring her husband's drunkenness and violence for years, Peggy finally left him, fleeing in the dead of night, assisted by her brothers and cousins from Ireland who had also settled locally. Her escape route was the council house she was offered and where she could bring her boys up in relative peace and security. Her multimillionaire sons have repeatedly tried to persuade their mother to move to a new home over the years, but Peggy has always insisted on remaining in the same council house in Manchester alongside neighbours and friends, close to the shops she knew. The only thing she asked them to replace was her old garden gate. The street has become a place of pilgrimage for Oasis fans who still come and pose for selfies in front of the modest house, whose security cameras and lowered blinds are the only things that set it apart from neighbouring homes. As she cheerily waves me off with good wishes for Ireland, Peggy said she has no intention of ever leaving her home of half a century. Looking out at her neat front garden, an easily maintained pebbled frontage, decorated with pot plants, she tells me: 'I am here nearly 50 years in this house, so nothing is going to move me now; I'm too old to be moving.'
