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RTÉ News
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
On This Week: Greg O'Shea wins fifth series of Love Island
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (28th July - 3rd August) Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 28th July to 3rd August. This Week In Irish News The Transocean Airways DC8 Jet became the first chartered transatlantic flight to fly directly to Cork Airport from New York City. The landing came following a recent extension of a thousand feet to the Cork Airport runway. When the plane landed, The St. Finbar's Pipe Band, along with crowds of people, were there to greet them. The then Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Chrissie Aherne, and Minister of State for Tourism and Transport, Denis Lyons, were also present to welcome its passengers to Cork. 2014: When the Jedi came to the great Skellig Skellig Michael became a part of the Star Wars universe when filming of The Force Awakens took place there. Local boatmen ferried crew members from Portmagee to the World Heritage Site for filming while the cast was brought by helicopter from a helipad on Valentia Island. The island, located off the coast of County Kerry, featured in two Star Wars movies: The Force Awakens in 2015 and again in the following instalment, The Last Jedi, released in 2017. This Week In Irish Sports 2015: Team Ireland finish on a high in Special Olympics Team Ireland finished the Special Olympics in Los Angeles with an incredible 86 medals. On the final day of the competition alone, Irish athletes won six gold, five silver, and five bronze medals. The final medal tally of 26 gold, 29 silver, 31 bronze, 31 personal bests and 43 placement ribbons. The team obtained medals in disciplines such as basketball, soccer, athletics, badminton, equestrian, gymnastics and bowling, 2024: Paris Olympics bring medals for Ireland in multiple disciplines Ireland had an Olympics to remember, with gold medals and more obtained in multiple disciplines. Overall, the final tally was four golds, three bronzes, and 26 top-10 finishes. In swimming, Daniel Wiffen took gold in the men's 800m freestyle and bronze in the men's 1500m freestyle, while Mona McSharry took the bronze in the women's 100m breaststroke. In rowing, Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan took gold in the men's lightweight double sculls, while Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle took bronze in the men's double sculls. Kellie Harrington took gold in the women's lightweight boxing, and Rhys McClenaghan took gold in the men's pommel horse. This Week In Irish Entertainment 2001: Brian Dowling crowned winner of Big Brother 2 The reality TV game show Big Brother saw Brian Dowling crowned the winner of its second series. Over four and a quarter million people cast telephone votes, making Dowling, from Rathangan in Co. Kildare, the winner. The series was the most-watched Big Brother ever, with the final watched by 13.7 million viewers, making it Channel 4's second most-watched show. 2019: Greg O'Shea wins fifth series of Love Island Limerick rugby player Greg O'Shea and his partner Amber Gill, who is from Newcastle in the UK, were announced as the winners of Love Island 2019. They were competing against Longford model Maura Higgins and her partner Curtis Pritchard, Tommy Fury and Molly-Mae Hague, and Ovie Soko and India Reynolds. O'Shea entered the villa on day 43 before coupling up with Gill on day 46 This Week In Irish Culture 1965: The first Grand Canal Festival in Co Kildare The first Grand Canal Festival opened in Robertstown, Co. Kildare in 1965. Created as part of an effort to maintain the canals for boating, the festival evolved into an annual event featuring people dressed in 18th-century costumes, entertainment, archaeological and art exhibitions, and more. The festival centre was the Grand Canal Hotel, which operated as a museum showcasing weapons, Georgian maps and rare books relating to the canal. Funds raised from the festival were used to cover additional repairs to the building. What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week? 1976: 'The Boys Are Back in Town' by Thin Lizzy Considered to be the band's best song, the song was the first single from their album Jailbreak. 2003: 'Crazy in Love' by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z The lead single in Beyoncé's debut solo album Dangerously in Love, her song has been ranked in several best-of lists. 2022: 'Running Up That Hill' by Kate Bush The 1985 hit gained a new lease of life after featuring in the fourth season of Stranger Things, reaching number one in eight countries. Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week Eamon Dunphy (80) Media personality, journalist, broadcaster, author, and sports pundit Frances Fitzgerald (75) Former Fine Gael politician who was Tánaiste from 2016 to 2017 Micheál Martin (65) Taoiseach of Ireland and leader of Fianna Fáil Other Irish Trivia From This Week 1994: Having tea with Daniel O'Donnell Thousands of fans turned out in County Donegal, travelling as far as Australia, to chat and have tea with Daniel O'Donnell. The tea party hosted by the singer in his mother's home in Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, is a highlight of the Mary from Dungloe Festival. Several thousand fans queued up outside his mother's house to have a cup of tea and a chat with the man himself. The tradition began four years previously when he invited some fans to call around. The tradition would continue until 2000 when large numbers made it unfeasible. Looking Ahead Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wiffen wants more world titles and unbeaten run
Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen says he hopes that defending his world titles will mark the start of an unbeaten run during the Los Angeles Olympic cycle. Magheralin swimmer Wiffen enjoyed a memorable 2024, winning 800m freestyle gold for Team Ireland at the Paris Games after his World Championship double in February. He will defend his 1500m and 800m freestyle world titles in Singapore, and will also look to challenge in the 400m. The 24-year-old says the prospect of remaining undefeated until the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 has given him a new focus. "For me, it is about trying to win again and that motivation to stay undefeated going into LA," Wiffen said. Wiffen took some time out of the pool after his Olympic success and returned to competition at the Irish Championships in April, where he set the fastest time of the year in the 800m freestyle. He will first race at the Worlds in Singapore in the 400m freestyle heats on Sunday (03:20 BST). Should he advance, the 400m final is at 19:00 BST. He will also compete in the 800m and 1500m heats on Tuesday and Saturday. Wiffen said it has "been amazing" being the reigning Olympic and World champion, but added his focus shifted to future goals pretty quickly after the Games in Paris. "I looked back at the races in Paris, and looked at what has changed this year and what we are doing differently. "Moving on from that, you look and what is next and that was pretty easy for me." Ellie McCartney and Ellen Walsh are also in action on Sunday in the 200m individual medley, while Shane Ryan goes in the 50m butterfly and Eoin Corby swims in the 50m breastsroke. Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry and Larne's Danielle Hill will be in action later in the championships. 'Back-to-back world titles would top Olympic gold' 'Gold is what we swim for' Wiffen is not the only Olympic champion from Northern Ireland competing in Singapore, with Jack McMillan competing for Great Britain in the 4x200m relay. McMillan helped Team GB win gold in Paris by swimming in the heats of the relay and he is now targeting a world medal to add to his collection. "That's why we go to these competitions, to do that," McMillan told BBC Sport NI. "It's the ultimate goal, but it's about being level headed so we don't get ahead of ourselves. When it comes to that moment we need to be prepared for it, so it's just trying to prepare ourselves for that moment. "That would obviously be great and it's what we swim for. Why we're competitive is for those things." Like Wiffen, McMillan also took some time away from the pool after the Paris Games. The 25-year-old heads to the World Championships set to fulfil a similar role for Team GB as he did at the Olympics. McMillan swam in the heats in the relay as GB set the fastest time, but sat out the final as Matt Richards and Duncan Scott returned to the team. However, his performance in the heats was enough to secure a gold medal along with his team-mates. McMillan says it is important to peak at the right time of year and his return to the pool has been geared towards performing at the Worlds. "It's only really two times you are at your best and it's where you need to peak," he added. "We are putting all this effort and training in for like a minute and 40-odd seconds of racing, twice a year. So it's quite a lot of sacrifice and training for one moment, you could say. "When you do get the result at the end of it, it shows that all the hard work and sacrifice paid off at the end of it."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Wiffen wants more world titles and unbeaten run
Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen says he hopes that defending his world titles will mark the start of an unbeaten run during the Los Angeles Olympic swimmer Wiffen enjoyed a memorable 2024, winning 800m freestyle gold for Team Ireland at the Paris Games after his World Championship double in will defend his 1500m and 800m freestyle world titles in Singapore, and will also look to challenge in the 24-year-old says the prospect of remaining undefeated until the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 has given him a new focus."For me, it is about trying to win again and that motivation to stay undefeated going into LA," Wiffen took some time out of the pool after his Olympic success and returned to competition at the Irish Championships in April, where he set the fastest time of the year in the 800m will first race at the Worlds in Singapore in the 400m freestyle heats on Sunday (03:20 BST). Should he advance, the 400m final is at 19:00 BST. He will also compete in the 800m and 1500m heats on Tuesday and Saturday. Wiffen said it has "been amazing" being the reigning Olympic and World champion, but added his focus shifted to future goals pretty quickly after the Games in Paris."I looked back at the races in Paris, and looked at what has changed this year and what we are doing differently."Moving on from that, you look and what is next and that was pretty easy for me."Ellie McCartney and Ellen Walsh are also in action on Sunday in the 200m individual medley, while Shane Ryan goes in the 50m butterfly and Eoin Corby swims in the 50m bronze medallist Mona McSharry and Larne's Danielle Hill will be in action later in the championships. 'Gold is what we swim for' Wiffen is not the only Olympic champion from Northern Ireland competing in Singapore, with Jack McMillan competing for Great Britain in the 4x200m helped Team GB win gold in Paris by swimming in the heats of the relay and he is now targeting a world medal to add to his collection."That's why we go to these competitions, to do that," McMillan told BBC Sport NI."It's the ultimate goal, but it's about being level headed so we don't get ahead of ourselves. When it comes to that moment we need to be prepared for it, so it's just trying to prepare ourselves for that moment."That would obviously be great and it's what we swim for. Why we're competitive is for those things."Like Wiffen, McMillan also took some time away from the pool after the Paris Games. The 25-year-old heads to the World Championships set to fulfil a similar role for Team GB as he did at the Olympics. McMillan swam in the heats in the relay as GB set the fastest time, but sat out the final as Matt Richards and Duncan Scott returned to the team. However, his performance in the heats was enough to secure a gold medal along with his says it is important to peak at the right time of year and his return to the pool has been geared towards performing at the Worlds."It's only really two times you are at your best and it's where you need to peak," he added. "We are putting all this effort and training in for like a minute and 40-odd seconds of racing, twice a year. So it's quite a lot of sacrifice and training for one moment, you could say. "When you do get the result at the end of it, it shows that all the hard work and sacrifice paid off at the end of it."
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Gearóid McDaid 'stoked' after historic European Surfing Championships gold
Irish surfer Gearóid McDaid described his landmark European Championship-winning triumph as a "dream come true" after claiming gold in the men's shortboard. The Sligo man's triumph in the European Surfing Championships in Santa Cruz, Portugal on Thursday made him the first Irish surfer to win a continental medal. McDaid's efforts, coupled with a bronze medal for Ruby Knox in the women's longboard and Tom Breene's fourth place in the men's longboard, also meant that Team Ireland finished third overall, which marks a historic maiden team podium for the country, with Spain and Portugal finishing first and second respectively. "So stoked to win the European Championships. After coming second last time, it's an absolute dream come true to take the win this year. Having my parents here to share it made it even more special," McDaid said of his victory, having taken silver at the 2023 championships.
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It's a dream come true' – Irish surfer makes sporting history with first EVER European Surfing Championship gold medal
GEAROID MCDAID made sporting history after becoming the first Irishman to win a European Surfing Championship gold medal. He delivered a flawless performance in the final in 2 Gearoid McDaid won a gold medal at the European Surfing Championships 2 Ireland finished third overall Commenting afterwards, McDaid said: 'So stoked to win the European Championships ! "After coming second last time, it's an absolute dream come true to take the win this year. "Having my parents here to share it made it even more special. "Huge thanks to Gavin [McCrea, team manager] and the whole Irish team for their support all week. Read More on Surfing "I couldn't have done it without them. "None of this would have been possible without the backing of my long-term sponsors, who've believed in me from day one and supported me to compete at this level!' His win was the highlight of an unprecedented overall third place finish for Team Ireland . Teammate Ruby Knox earned bronze in the Women 's Longboard, while Tom Breene finished fourth in the Men's Longboard. Most read in Other Sports The combined results saw Ireland earn a first ever team podium at the European Championships. With a European gold and a team podium in the same week, Ireland has announced itself as a serious force on the continental stage and this result is expected to ignite a wave of fresh investment and interest in the sport at home. Teen Scot becomes youngest Brit woman to tackle the world's biggest waves Team manager Gavin McCrea said: "This week has been nothing short of historic for Irish surfing . "Gearóid's gold is a dream moment, but just as important is the way the whole team pulled together. "Ruby taking 3rd place in women's longboard, Tom taking 4th in men's longboard. "Every single athlete has shown what's possible when passion and hard work come first. "We've gone up against the biggest nations in Europe and proved that Ireland belongs on the podium.' Official Homecoming for the Irish Surf Team and European Champion Gearoid McDaid will take place at The National Surf Centre in Strandhill this Sunday, July 27 at 5:30 pm.
