Featured Image Credit: Jedward celebrating Pride Month (Twitter/X)
Topics: Ireland
Paul Farrelly
If you spent the weekend rewatching Celebrity Big Brother while munching on a kebab with questionable ingredients... then you may have missed out on some juicy news. Fear not! Here is a selection of Irish Celebrity news pieces that may have passed you by. Let’s get into it!
In the ancient land of Tayto, where rivers run with cheese & onion and the fields are forever dusted in golden crumbs, a new heir has risen to claim the Crisp Throne. Charles Coyle, son of the late Ray Coyle (the original Lord of the Spuds), is now the trueborn heir to Ireland’s most beloved crisp empire.
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But who is this Prince of Potatoes? Charles isn’t just a man with a mighty appetite for snacks-he’s been steeped in the family business since his early twenties, starting as Tayto Park’s purchasing manager before ascending to Managing Director of what’s now known as Emerald Park. He’s spent years learning the ways of the crisp, the rollercoaster, and the bison (yes, actual bison inspired Hunky Dorys’ Buffalo flavour-take that, House Stark).
Charles now rules over Emerald Park, Ireland’s only theme park and zoo combo, built on the very soil where his father once grew potatoes for Tayto crisps. While the Tayto name has faded from the gates, the legacy-and the pressure to unite the warring clans of Salt & Vinegar and Smoky Bacon-remains. Will Charles prove himself a worthy ruler, or will the Pringle Pretenders storm the gates?
For now, all hail Charles of House Coyle: first of his name, Lord of the Theme Park, Protector of the Multipack, and Keeper of the Bison. May his reign be ever crunchy, and may his enemies forever crumble!
David Gough, one of Ireland’s most respected Gaelic football referees, has opened up about the homophobic abuse he has faced on the pitch and his hopes for greater visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people in Irish sport. Gough, who has officiated two All-Ireland Senior Football Finals, recently reflected on his journey as an openly gay man within the GAA following the release of the TG4 documentary Misneach: Bród sa Spórt.
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Gough says he's only faced homophobic abuse from spectators twice in his career, but stresses the real impact, especially when his family hears it. He added that the GAA has always supported him when he reported it, and he's never experience homophobia from players or managers.
Gough described the challenge of coming out in rural Ireland and feeling the pressure to hide his identity in the dressing room. He believes the GAA should do more to support gay players, such as flying Pride flags at Croke Park, but acknowledges change is slow.
Despite these hurdles, Gough is proud to be recognised for his refereeing and hopes his story encourages greater inclusion in Irish sport.
There’s a new Eurovision hopeful in town, and she’s got the Jedward seal of approval-which, let’s be honest, is right up there with getting a pat on the back from your Dad. EMMY, the 24-year-old Norwegian singer representing Ireland this year with her banger “Laika Party,” has caught the attention of the Lucan legends themselves. The quiffed twins declared she’ll put on a “magical performance” in Basel, and if anyone knows about Eurovision magic, it’s Jedward.
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EMMY, for her part, called Jedward her “Eurovision heroes,” praising their music, their fun, and-of course-their ability to make even the most mundane household safety tips go viral. It’s only fitting, really. After all, Jedward once stormed the Eurovision stage and left us all with whiplash, glitter, and a chart-topping bop or two.
“Laika Party” was born in a songwriting camp with both Norwegian and Irish talent, and EMMY says she’s felt nothing but warmth and support from the Irish public. She’ll take to the Eurovision semi-final stage on May 15th, hoping to keep Ireland’s Eurovision dream alive-and maybe, just maybe, inspire a new generation of wild dance moves.
Jedward have spoken: “Jepic Girl gonna make such a magical performance at Eurovision. We’ll be cheering you on in Basel.” The torch has been passed, the snacks are ready, and the whole country is behind her.
And there you have it! A weekend where the Tayto throne was claimed, tough truths were told on the GAA pitch, and Eurovision dreams got a “jepic” boost. Whether you’re a crisp connoisseur, a sports fan, or just here for the Eurovision drama, Ireland really does have something for everyone.