Latest news with #Holohan
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Health
- Extra.ie
Exclusive: Tony Holohan preparing bid for Presidency
Professor Tony Holohan is preparing to launch a bid to become the next President of Ireland, can exclusively reveal. Sources close to the former chief medical officer told that 'plans are in progress' for him to announce his candidacy. Contacted this weekend, Dr Holohan was coy about a potential run for Áras an Uachtaráin. 'I can neither confirm nor deny if your information is correct or incorrect,' he said in response to reports of his preparing a bid. Pressed further, Dr Holohan said: 'I won't be saying anything at the minute,' adding that he was currently attending meetings in the UN buildings in Brussels. Tony Holohan. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/ Dr Holohan became chief medical officer in 2008 and came to prominence during the pandemic. He stepped down in 2022. A lifelong civil servant, he appears to be acquainting himself with the inner workings of political life, with sources saying he is in 'diplomatic training'. 'If you look at his Instagram he has been posting some images outside the UN with the Irish flag, very strategically, fluttering in the background,' said one source. 'He is laying the groundwork at the minute,' they continued. 'He is familiarising himself with international diplomatic relations in places like the UN parliament and he is also upping his socialmedia game considerably.' Tony Holohan. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos Asked about his presence at the UN and the strategically posed social-media image, Dr Holohan laughed, saying, 'I'm just over here for meetings.' Since stepping down as CMO, he has taken up several other posts, most recently in April last year when he was awarded an adjunct professorship at Trinity College. He also became adjunct professor at UCD in 2022, and in February last year he became director of UCD's Centre for One Health, aimed at advancing research into global health challenges. The news comes two years after he was embroiled in a scandal over a plan to appoint him to Trinity on secondment, at the expense of the taxpayer. In June of this year, Dr Holohan married Ciara Cronin, a mindfulness-based psychotherapist. Tony Holohan and Ciara Cronin on their wedding day. Pic: Mike Mulcaire They began a relationship in 2023 – two-and-a-half years after the death of his first wife, Dr Emer Feely. The couple had been married for more than 20 years, until Emer died of multiple myeloma in 2021. It is not clear who will back him in his bid for the Presidency but he has a cordial relationship with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Fianna Fail has not clarified if it will run a candidate and is to make a decision in the early autumn. As of yet there are only two declared candidates for the election later this year. This week MEP and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness was announced as Fine Gael's official nominee, after former GAA president Seán Kelly dropped out. She is expected to be ratified by the party in September. Mairead McGuinness. Pic: Isopix/REX/Shutterstock This week she said: 'I'm conscious of the opportunity and challenge ahead, given the very important constitutional role of the President, and the esteem in which the office is held by the people. Subject to my candidacy being ratified by the party in early September, I very much look forward to setting out my vision.' Independent TD Catherine Connolly also announced her bid for the Presidency this week, with the backing of the Social Democrats and People Before Profit. Catherine Connolly. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos The Labour Party is also expected to come on board with its support. Ms Connolly said she does not regret backing conspiracy theorist Gemma O'Doherty's Presidential bid in 2018, saying her 'judgment call was right at the time'. Ms Doherty's campaign was beset by controversy when she suggested the State had colluded in Veronica Guerin's murder. Asked if she regretted the nomination, Ms Connolly said: 'My judgment call was right at the time. Do I regret what's happened in relation to her? Absolutely.' Meanwhile Sinn Féin has still to decide if it will put forward its own nominee or support an umbrella left-wing candidate. Since party leader Mary Lou McDonald refused last week to rule herself out of the contest, speculation about her possible candidacy has grown.
Dublin Live
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Tony Holohan set to marry Ciara Cronin, finding love again after wife's passing
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Ex-Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan is set for wedding bells in just a week's time. The familiar face from the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Holohan, has announced his upcoming nuptials with partner Ciara Cronin. The lovebirds started their romance back in 2023, two and a half years following the death of Dr Holohan's wife, Emer, who tragically lost her battle to blood cancer amidst the pandemic in 2012. Dr Holohan took to Instagram to spread the happy news, posting an endearing snap alongside his soon-to-be wife at Dun Laoghaire, captioning it: "One week to go to our big day -I'm so happy that Ciara and I will spend the rest of our lives together." The post was met with a deluge of congratulations from well-wishers. One wrote: "How wonderful, congratulations to you both, wishing you many happy adventures together, good health and happiness." While another added: "Wishing you both every happiness you both deserve this". A third shared: "Wonderful news congratulations to you both. Wishing you both lots of happiness." The dad-of-two, Ronan and Clodagh, has previously opened up about how seamlessly Ciara fitted into their family dynamic. Revealing their relationship to the public in September 2023, Dr Holohan expressed gratitude for what feels like a fresh shot at life ever since they crossed paths, reports the Irish Mirror. He previously opened up about their tight-knit relationship, saying: "She has been very well accepted not just into my own nuclear family if you like, the children, but also the wider families, both Emer's and mine, it has been lovely." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Extra.ie
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Inside Dr Tony Holohan's 'second chance' at love with Ciara Cronin
Dr Tony Holohan and partner Ciara Cronin are headed for the chapel in the next few days, but what do we know about the former Chief Medical Officer's 'second chance' at love? Dr Holohan and yoga teacher Ciara Cronin have been together since 2023, some two and a half years following the passing of his wife, Emer Feely. As the pair prepare to head down the aisle, here's everything we know about Dr Holohan's 'second chance' at love. Ciara Cronin and Tony Holohan as seen on The Meaning of Life. Pic: RTÉ Both Dr Holohan and Ms Cronin were previously married, with the former CMO's first wife, Emer, passing away from multiple myeloma, a form of cancer, in February 2021. The pair met when they were both in medical school, with Tony just 19 years old at the time. Emer went on to become a specialist in public health medicine. The couple had two children together, Clodagh and Ronan. Ciara had also been married before, meeting her ex-husband, Michael Ryan, when he attended one of her yoga classes. For years, they ran the Yoga Room in Ballsbridge together. Opening up about the relationship in 2013, Ciara told the Irish Independent: 'We see a lot of each other on a daily basis but have a flexible schedule, so we can share childcare and spend more time together with Soilse [Michael's son], which is really important. 'But flexibility at work also means that it spills over into our home, and we often have to really try to create clear boundaries in order to give our relationship and family time more attention and space.' She added: 'So, no talking shop at the dinner table or late at night — of course, yoga is a way of life and it is important to us both to work on staying mindful and compassionate with each other.' Dr Holohan and Ms Cronin have been dating for two years now, with the happy couple now set for the aisle in the next few days. Dr Holohan first revealed his new relationship when he spoke to Joe Duffy on an episode of The Meaning of Life, which aired on RTÉ 1 in October 2023. 'I have met somebody new,' he revealed, 'I have a new partner for the last number of months in my life, which is wonderful.' Dr Tony Holohan and Ciara Cronin at the St James's Hospital Foundation Gala Ball. Pic: Justin Farrelly Asked if he was nervous about the new relationship, he responded: 'Nervous isn't quite the word, but it was a significant thing to find the basis for moving on and Ciara, Ciara Cronin is her name, has made that easier and it has been lovely, very enjoyable and we have had enjoyable new times together.' He added that meeting another family for just the second time in his life was 'kind of strange and lovely all at the same time.' Fortunately, it was smooth sailing with Dr Holohan confirming that Ciara had been 'very well accepted' into his immediate family as well as the wider family. It comes as Dr Holohan shared a selfie alongside Ciara at Dun Laoghaire as he revealed they were just days away from their nuptials. 'One week to go to our big day — I'm so happy that Ciara and I will spend the rest of our lives together,' the author wrote. Friends and followers took to the comments, with one writing: 'Huge congratulations,' and another adding: 'Wishing you both every happiness you both deserve this.' A third commented: 'Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together. Congratulations Dr Holohan and your new bride Ciara.'
Sunday World
03-06-2025
- Health
- Sunday World
Dr Tony Holohan getting married to girlfriend Ciara Cronin next week
Dr Holohan, who chaired the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nepht) during the Covid-19 pandemic, shared the news on his social media Former chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan has announced he is getting married in one week to girlfriend Ciara Cronin. Dr Holohan, who chaired the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nepht) during the Covid-19 pandemic, shared the news on his social media. Dr Holohan shared a photo of the pair walking in Dun Laoghaire, with the caption: 'One week to go to our big day. I'm so happy that Ciara and I will spend the rest of our lives together.' We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content In his memoir, We Need To Talk, released in 2023, Dr Holohan opened up about the death of his first wife Dr Emer Holohan, who died in 2021 following a diagnosis of multiple myeloma nine years prior. She was a specialist in public health medicine and a medical graduate of UCD. In the memoir, Dr Holohan had revealed he is now in a 'lovely' relationship with psychotherapist Ciara Cronin. He also criticised the Government's decision to reopen hospitality in late 2020 for a 'meaningful Christmas'. During the pandemic, the National Public Health Emergency Team exercised major control over recommendations around lockdowns, freedoms such as how far people could exercise outside their home, as well as the closure of schools and hospitality. Dr Tony Holohan and Ciara Cronin. News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025
Irish Independent
02-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Dr Tony Holohan getting married to girlfriend Ciara Cronin next week
Dr Holohan, who chaired the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nepht) during the Covid-19 pandemic, shared the news on his social media. Dr Holohan shared a photo of the pair walking in Dun Laoghaire, with the caption: 'One week to go to our big day. I'm so happy that Ciara and I will spend the rest of our lives together.' We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content In his memoir, We Need To Talk, released in 2023, Dr Holohan opened up about the death of his first wife Dr Emer Holohan, who died in 2021 following a diagnosis of multiple myeloma nine years prior. She was a specialist in public health medicine and a medical graduate of UCD. In the memoir, Dr Holohan had revealed he is now in a 'lovely' relationship with psychotherapist Ciara Cronin. He also criticised the Government's decision to reopen hospitality in late 2020 for a 'meaningful Christmas'. During the pandemic, the National Public Health Emergency Team exercised major control over recommendations around lockdowns, freedoms such as how far people could exercise outside their home, as well as the closure of schools and hospitality.
