Latest news with #MichaelChester
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
In Pics: Tubs and fiancee among stars who rocked up at Joe's leaving do
Ryan Tubridy and his fiancée, Clare Kambamettu, were among the stars who rocked up to Joe Duffy's farewell do. His Liveline programme was famous for its good-humoured Funny Friday episodes. So it was no surprise some of the musicians and comedians who made the show a hit turned up to raise a toast and bid farewell to Joe Duffy after he presented his last-ever Liveline on Friday. Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shiels. Pic: Michael Chester Among them were Funny Friday stalwarts Brush Shiels, Aonghus McAnally and Sil Fox. They were joined at The Duke pub, just off Grafton Street in Dublin, by Joe's RTÉ colleagues, Miriam O'Callaghan, Marty Morrissey and former broadcaster Mike Murphy. Miriam O'Callaghan and Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy made his first public appearance with his fiancée, Clare Kambamettu, since they announced their engagement. Joe, wearing one of his trademark colourful waist coats, stopped to chat with people on the street as he arrived at his party. Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester Ryan Tubridy and fiancée Clare. Pic: Michael Chester Marty Morrissey. Pic: Michael Chester Aonghus McAnally and Brush Shiels. Pic: Michael Chester Mike Murphy with Gay Byrne's daughter, Suzy, and granddaughter, Sive. Pic: Michael Chester Miriam O'Callaghan and Joe Duffy. Pic: Michael Chester
Extra.ie
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Taoiseach: I don't approve of ‘excessive' US visa vetting
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that he doesn't agree with 'excessive' social media vetting announced by the US Embassy in Dublin as a requirement for Irish students seeking J1 visas to travel and work in the US. Applicants will be asked to list all their social media profiles going back five years and to make their accounts publicly accessible or their visa could be rejected, the embassy said in a statement yesterday. It also announced that the measures were aimed to identify applicants who pose a threat to American national security and that a US visa 'is a privilege, not a right'. The announcement was criticised by the Taoiseach as well as student groups. Micheál Martin. Pic: Michael Chester Mr Martin said: 'I believe those measures by the United States are excessive. I don't approve of them. I don't agree with them. 'One of the great things in the world, in the modern world, has been the capacity for young people to travel and mobility is important.' 'There is an issue around freedom of speech, but it's more the atmosphere that's created by these measures, the fear and the anxiety that young people will now experience travelling.' The changes also apply for other exchange visitor applicants in the F and M non-immigrant classifications. The F visa allows people to enter the US as a full-time student, while the M visa is a US student visa for vocational and non-academic programmes. The US Embassy said appointments for J1 applications will resume soon after they were paused at the end of May. Pic: Shutterstock The president of the University of Galway's student union, Faye Ní Dhomhnaill, called the announcement 'disappointing' and said she's certain J1 applications will fall as a result. She added: 'Most people who would have considered going to America will probably end up inter-railing instead. Already I've seen people that were on the fence about a J1 this year just decide that it wasn't worth the hassle, so they would instead go to Europe. It's incredibly disappointing that this is supposed to be 'the land of the free', and champions of free speech. 'Five years of your social media history is a long time, especially for young people going on J1s, you could be 20. Five years ago you were 15. I wasn't the smartest person in the world at 15.' Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, the representative group for student unions in Ireland, voiced concern over what it called a 'significant and disproportionate intrusion into students' personal lives'. Tánaiste Simon Harris also said he was 'very concerned' by the updated advice.
Extra.ie
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Donal Skehan 'cursed again' days after Bloom kitchen chaos
It seems the days of oven nightmares aren't over for Donal Skehan just yet. The TV chef was in the middle of a cookery demonstration at Bord Bia Bloom last weekend when a glass oven door broke into pieces in his hand. Thankfully, nobody was hurt by the flying shards, and the accident provided the chef with plenty of material for the rest of the demonstration, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the amused audience. It seems the days of oven nightmares aren't over for Donal Skehan just yet. Pic: Michael Chester However, his unlucky streak continued this week, with the star experiencing yet another oven explosion, this time at home. Taking to Instagram on Friday, Donal detailed a mishap that occurred while he was firing pottery in his kiln. 'Now I know we are not even clear of a week of my exploding oven incident, however, I've been cursed again,' he laughed. The TV chef was in the middle of a cookery demonstration at Bord Bia Bloom last weekend when a glass oven door broke into pieces in his hand. Pic: Michael Chester 'I've just fired the kiln for the very first time and look what I woke up to,' he added, showing a number of shattered pottery pieces in the base of the kiln. 'Another explosion in the oven,' he laughed. 'However, despite my little one pot that exploded, I have been left with these beautiful vases.' Finding the humour in the incident, he continued: 'Oven explosions, I think it's just something I live with now.' Speaking to following his original over mishap, Donal explained: 'My biggest fear was that the glass was hot, it went all down my shirt, all down my top.' 'It had rained previously, so we've never had a more packed demo tent – of course – to witness it,' Skehan laughed. 'The thing I learned in all my years on television is that whatever goes wrong, you keep on cracking on. I've had many kitchen disasters, and I think this definitely tops it. There's nothing like something going wrong in front of 400 people.'
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Ex-RTE Home of the Year star pays tribute to ‘glamorous' mum who died of cancer after winning Punchestown Best Dressed
A FORMER winner of RTE's Home of the Year was named overall Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival - and dedicated it to her late mum. Ciara Denvir from Belfast was crowned overall winner on day four of the festival on Friday. Advertisement 2 Ciara Denvir from Belfast the Overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival Credit: Michael Chester 2 The origins of her outfit ranged from Ireland, the UK, Italy, and Romania Credit: Michael Chester Denvir, who won Home of the Year in 2019 alongside husband Peter Boyle , wowed in a polka dot blouse from Coosy Studio in Spain. She added this to a black skirt from ATU Body Couture in Romania and a pair of green shoes from Prada. Her black bag is from Irish designer August Night, while her hat came from Awon Golding which is based in London. As prize for her victory, Denvir won a trip to the Bollinger Estate in France's stunning Champagne region. Advertisement Read More on Punchestown The trip will involve a five-star Paris hotel, Michelin dining experience, flights and more. She dedicated the accolade to her mum who died from cancer 18 months ago and who Ciara described as "always glamorous". The big race on day four of the Festival was the Bollinger Champion Hurdle. Advertisement Most read in Sport It promised a Constitution Hill was looking to gain redemption after a pair of devastating falls at Cheltenham and Aintree. Shocking moment jockey is hit in the head after horse crashes into railings in chaotic race at Punchestown Festival But it was State Man who romped home to a dominant victory to bag a hat-trick of Champion Hurdles. Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace outbattled Kargese to finish second but four and three quarter lengths behind the easy winner. Advertisement And trainer Willie Mullins praised his horse for getting the job done. He told Racing TV: "The Constitution Hill that we all know didn't turn up today. "Our fella did the job and did it well and he beat another Champion Hurdle winner. "The cheekpieces help him concentrate in front and have made a big difference. Advertisement "He doesn't have to make the running – he's versatile and very uncomplicated in that sense. "That will be him for the season and hopefully we can get him back in the same form next season. "Paul [Townend] is his biggest fan and has never wavered in his belief in him."
Extra.ie
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Home of the Year winner wins again as Best Dressed at Punchestown
A former Home of the Year winner is winning once again, this time taking the title of overall Best Dressed at the 2025 Punchestown Festival. Belfast woman Ciara Denvir stole the show in a stunning black and white ensemble. The sun was once again shining as crowds of eager revellers packed into Punchestown for the fourth day of the racing festival. Ciara Denvir, from Belfast, who was the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester And it was a very lucky day for Ciara, who had never been to the races before this week. Ciara Denvir, from Belfast, who was the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester Speaking to EVOKE following her win, she revealed that she picked up her gorgeous hat from Awon Golding, a millinery based in London. Ciara Denvir, from Belfast, who was the overall winner of the Bollinger Best Dressed at the Punchestown Festival. Pic: Michael Chester Her shoes are from Prada, while the stunning polka dot blouse was acquired from Coosy Studio in Spain. Meanwhile, Ciara's black skirt was a purchase from Romania's ATU Body Couture, meaning the outfit is from across the world. This is the second big win for Ciara in the last number of years, as she and husband Peter Boyle were crowned the winners of the popular RTE show Home of the Year in 2019.
