Gone But Never Forgotten
It’s hard to know if Sinead O’Connor was of her time or ahead of her time, but one thing is for sure, her legacy lives on. Over the years many considered her to be an attention seeking pop artist who would do any radical act in order to get noticed. But Sinead was much more than that.
Having watched the Nothing Compares, a documentary about Sinead O'Connor's rise to fame, fall from grace & life's struggles, it's clear that the turning point in her career occurred in 1990 at a concert in New Jersey when she refused to go on stage after a performance of the American National Anthem. To her, this was a matter of principle as she said “I sincerely harbor no disrespect for America, but I cannot condone patriotic fervor in a time when there’s so much suffering in the world... I will not go on stage after any national anthem.” Prior to this her music career had been on the up and up gaining popularity both stateside and globally with her albums “The Lion and The Cobra” (1987) and “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” (1990). But this backlash against American traditions resulted in many public figures condemning her as an artist, concert organisers banning her performances and some radio stations pulling her songs. (Frank Sinatra allegedly saying that he'd like to 'Kick Her Ass'.)
Most of us know what happened next when Sinead famously tore up a picture of the then Pope, John Paul II, on an episode of Saturday Night Live saying “Fight The Real Enemy” in 1992. This led to further public outrage in the States as the documentary reveals footage of a 30-ton steamroller crushing a mound of her CDs outside Chrysalis Records in New York City the following October. Sinead's public protest against the Catholic Church instantly went viral with worldwide news media broadcasting the SNL clip that became widely regarded as an act of blasphemy, sacrilege and deep disrespect.
Although these public acts caused much controversy at the time, Sinead stood her ground. Fame was not her goal. Protest and change was her passion and for the next thirty years she continued to advocate for women, LBGTQ+ movements, refugee’s rights and anti-racism campaigns, often feeling profoundly alone on her journey.
Her singing voice is uniquely haunting and her songs are one of a kind. Often collaborating with other artists across various musical genres, Sinead’s voice is instantly recognisable as it elevates songs into something more special.
She is renowned for speaking publicly about mental health issues being open about her bi-polar disorder and PTSD. Her honesty is said to be responsible for destigmatizing mental health in Ireland and abroad with other famous artists taking on the baton affirming that it’s okay not to be okay.
How will Sinead O’Connor be most remembered? Aside from her exquisite voice and lifetime of musical success, Sinead will forever be remembered for speaking the truth.
"I’m not a pop star. I’m just a troubled soul who needs to scream into a mic sometimes."
A Woman Of Many Talents
Clodagh McKenna has been on the cooking scene in Ireland for a very long time. Having completed the Ballymaloe Cookery School 12-week course in 2000, she went on to work in the kitchen at Ballymaloe House for three years where she honed her skills under the guidance of Myrtle Allen and Rory O’Connell. Around that time, she also dabbled with Irish Farmers Markets and this was the inspiration for her debut cookbook The Irish Farmers' Market Cookbook (2009).
Since then her popularity has grown from strength to strength. As I have followed Clodagh McKenna through most of her career, I know that she has worked hard and still works hard. From running Clodagh’s Kitchen restaurant in Arnotts for some years, hosting her own cookery show on RTE (Clodagh’s Irish Food Trails), featuring a cookery segment on a US daytime talk show and now on ITV's This Morning, as well as writing food columns for various magazines and newspapers (in her spare time!), it is no wonder that she has become a household name.
And the list of career accolades goes on... with nine published cookery books and another one due for release in October this year (Clodagh’s Happy Cooking), she has without doubt become a prominent presence in the culinary world, both at home and abroad. Along with Rachel Allen and Anna Haugh, I can’t think of any other Irish female chef who has gained such celebrity in the last ten years.
Now living in the UK and married to Harry Herbert, Clodagh never forgets her Irish roots as she frequently mentions her home place Cork in magazine and TV interviews. With over 400K followers on Instagram, Clodagh posts include cooking, gardening and lifestyle tips that are always novel and informative. She promotes a lifestyle that is calm and rosy, filled with happy hens, sunny pastures and blooming flowers. But she is honest when it comes to health, ageing and everyday stresses & struggles, often promoting healthy foods, meditation & calming routines.
You can tell that Clodagh McKenna has always had a passion for food and people. She is a true Irish success story whose legacy will remain in our kitchens for many years to come.
And she is not slowing down any time soon as she is currently hosting cookery classes in her London home and has just launched a new table linen collection Honey by Clodagh.
There's Something About Muireann
Muireann O’Connell has been on our TV screens in the mornings since 2021 as presenter on the long-running Ireland AM daily show. After her gradual climb to becoming a household name, these days we find ourselves tuned into her sharp style, honest opinions and general down-to-earth personality.
I recently started watching Ireland AM after taking a sabbatical from the nine to five routine. Prior to that, I hadn’t tuned in for many years. So as you can imagine, I was pleasantly surprised to be drawn into the light and insightful entertainment while drinking my morning coffee. With good Irish guests, food, movies, books, fashion and topical issues presented each morning, what’s not to like!
Muireann often reminds viewers that she’s a Limerick lady through and through. She is outspoken about motherhood and it is widely known that she has chosen not to go down that road. She has been engaged to Philip Manzor since 2021 and their recent house purchase has been in the limelight as Muireann recounts the long and arduous house-buying process in Ireland.
As for the chemistry between Muireann and her co-presenters Tommy Bowe and Alan Hughes, their organic camaraderie is palpable. You can tell that they really like each other both on and off screen. Muireann herself has a large social media presence on Instagram showing followers how she puts herself together each morning with meticulously coordinated outfits and artfully styled hair & makeup. And she doesn’t hide the fact that her tan is fake and her greys are camouflaged from a can.
As a fearless female TV presenter who is candid & profoundly articulate, it feels like Muireann O'Connell is in the perfect position to ask the questions that most of us are thinking at home. She just gets it!
Staying Out of the Limelight
Ali Hewson (formerly Alison Stewart) comes across as a lady, reminiscent of Jackie O in both her looks and demeanour. Married to one of the biggest rock stars in the world, ironically she has managed to stay out of the limelight keeping her private life private. Despite this, everyone is aware of her stalwartly presence and support of her famous husband throughout his years with Irish band U2.
Ali and Bono (Paul Hewson) met in secondary school when they were just 12 years old and have been together ever since. Following their wedding in August 1982, the marriage has stood the test of time which must not have been easy in the early days when Bono was touring and recording music while Ali was rearing their four children. However, holding down the fort at home allowed Bono to pursue his music career which ultimately led to U2 becoming one of the most famous rock bands of all time.
But we all know that Ali is not just a wife and mother. She is also known for her activism as she became strongly involved with anti-nuclear movements in the 1990s. During this time she worked very closely with anti-nuclear advocate Adi Roche, becoming a patron of Chernobyl Children’s Project International in 1994. She also actively campaigned against the northern England nuclear plant Sellafield in 2002.
To me, she comes across as fearless and someone who isn’t afraid to fail. As well as her activism campaigning, she has also been involved in starting up two ethical fashion (Edun) and beauty (Nude skincare) brands. Although not having long-term financial success with either businesses, she admits to learning from them, finding out how difficult it is to run a large multinational business whilst remaining ethical & sustainable.
We may not know everything that Ali Hewson has been involved in over the last three decades due to her reserved and unassuming nature. However, I think we can guess that her heart is always in the right place, especially when it comes to advocating for women, children and a greener future.
Rosie Going Back To Her Roots
Rosie O’Donnell moved to Dublin at the beginning of this year to escape the wrath of the Trump presidency. This must have been a life changing decision as she is American through and through having lived there all her life. Born outside New York in 1962, she has had a very eventful career starting off as a stand-up comedian in the late seventies and then moving into acting and presenting over the last four decades. We all remember her in A League of Their Own movie in which she starred alongside Madonna and Tom Hanks in 1992. This lighthearted movie directed by Penny Marshall is a fictionalized account of a real-life All American Girls Professional Baseball team that received critical acclaim at the time. Although I don’t remember the exact story, I can guess if it starred Mr. Hanks, there was definitely a fuzzy feel-good ending.
Ten years later, Rosie came out a gay after starring as a lesbian on the sitcom Will & Grace. She announced it at a cancer benefit stating “‘I’m a dyke..I don't know why people make such a big deal about the gay thing. People are confused, they're shocked, like this is a big revelation to somebody." Even though the world was a more conservative place to live in at that time, this revelation did not impact Rosie’s successful career as she went on to star in TV shows & movies, present her own chat shows as well as two stints co-hosting the women' s daytime chat show The View.
If I was to describe Rosie O’Donnell, I would say she comes across as honest, outspoken, down-to-earth and funny. And of course generous as she is well-known for her philanthropy having raised millions of dollars for multiple charities including human rights and child protection. I’ve watched her being interviewed on several talk shows since her arrival to Ireland. She talks about her father who left Co. Donegal when he was young to set up a new life in America, the great land of opportunity as it was known back then. She also tells us about her 12 year-old daughter’s autism diagnosis and admits her move to Ireland has a lot to do with her happiness, education and care.
You can tell she is proud to be living here as she reacquaints herself with her cousins whilst making new friends. As far as I can see, America’s loss is our gain. I hope she enjoys her time living in Dublin. Although it may not be forever, I’m sure it won’t be forgotten.
On the Move with Maggie
When you watch Cheap Irish Homes, it’s not like other house renovation programs on our televisions. It doesn’t have that all too familiar format that goes from shack to castle with the same old headaches and setbacks along the way. Most of us are drooling by the end of these programs asking ourselves how do some people have such great taste or that extension only cost how much?
Standing out on its own, Cheap Irish Homes is a reality show that is reality and more relatable to the majority of viewers. The lovely Maggie Molloy’s quest to find good value properties around the country for people on realistic budgets is both entertaining and informative. The buyers come from all walks of life being single, married, old, young or some who have settled in Ireland from abroad. Maggie comes across as passionate about each house purchase and we can’t help but tune in to her infectious laugh and down to earth approach.
Maggie recently said in an interview that she got the idea for the program when she herself was looking for a home in Ireland in 2003 and realised that there was plenty of good value around if you go looking for it. She began posting her findings on her Instagram page and soon discovered that many followers were as curious as she was to find decent homes with a cheap price tag. And I guess you can say the rest is history. Stay tuned for the new series of Cheap European Homes with Maggie and comedian Kevin McGahern on Sunday 30 March at 7.30pm.
Trinny is One of a Kind
Trinny Woodall is a true force of nature. In the 2000s she was best known for the fashion makeover TV show ‘What Not To Wear’ that paved the way for the reality show explosion that followed suit. Today she continues to inspire women through her books, social media presence and cosmetic range Trinny London that she launched in 2017 and has since become a phenomenal global success. Many women became fans of Trinny London during COVID when those bright yellow boxes filled with beauty products were delivered to their doors to brighten the dark days of lockdown.
Trinny is popular mostly amongst women over 50 as her honesty and candid approach towards aging, life and personal struggles is relatable to many. The energy she exudes on her social media page is contagious as she successfully promotes her brand by telling us stories about her own day to day beauty & wellness experiences. With over 1.4 million followers on Instagram, she is a stalwart amongst women as she tirelessly reminds us just to be ourselves. Trinny London
A Timeless Icon of Talent and Grace
Demi Moore has long been celebrated as one of Hollywood's most versatile and talented actresses. From her breakout roles in the 1980s to her critically acclaimed performances in films like Ghost, A Few Good Men, and G.I. Jane, Demi has consistently showcased her dedication to her craft. Beyond her acting career, she is admired for her resilience, advocacy work, and ability to reinvent herself over the decades. Her influence transcends the big screen, making her not only a cinematic icon but also a symbol of strength and grace in the public eye. Whether through her powerful portrayals on screen or her inspiring presence off it, Demi Moore continues to prove why she’s truly great.