APRIL
Newest celebrity arrivals have 'strong personalities'
THEY are not even a week old but Ireland's newest celebrities Rocco and Jay are
already displaying their "strong personalities". Their mother Georgina Ahern is
not expected to be discharged from the National Maternity Hospital at Holles
Street until later in the week. Georgina and new dad Nicky Byrne, pictured with
fans outside Holles Street yesterday, have been glued to the premature twins'
bedside since their arrival last Friday. A spokesperson for the proud parents,
Joanne Byrne, said yesterday the babies were doing well.
"Everybody's very happy with their progress. Nicky and Georgina are spending
every spare moment with them. The doctors are happy with their progress and they
already have very strong personalities," Ms Byrne said. She added that Georgina
would have to spend a few days in hospital but was expected to go home towards
the end of this week.
source - Irish Independent
posted - 25th April
Ahern gets some baby kissing practice
The sign at the entrance to the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin makes it
clear. "No visiting. Please respect patients' need for rest," it says with a big
red line between a little Mama and Papa sign. The visiting hours, the sign
explains in small print, are between 3pm and 4pm and 6pm and 8.30pm, but there
are exceptions, and the most important exception in the country arrived just
after 2.15pm on Saturday to see his grandchildren for the first time.
There to greet the Taoiseach was an expectant crowd. One half, the media, were
there for him, the other half, a crowd of teenage girls, were there for his
son-in-law, Nicky Byrne.
Nicky came bounding down the steps of the hospital entrance as Mr Ahern got out
of the car and the two hugged each other as grandfather and son-in-law would
expect to do after the birth of a first child, or children as in this
case."Georgina loves flowers, so we kept it simple," the Taoiseach said in
response to a question as to what he had brought his daughter.
"Nicky described it as the happiest day of his life. How does it feel for you?"
he was asked. "I'm delighted. When we heard they were seven weeks premature, I
was bit worried, but everything is fine."
"Taoiseach, they arrived two months early. Will you call the election now and go
right ahead?" elicited only laughter from the new grandfather. "Will this be the
first time you ever kissed babies before the election?" "I'm afraid not," he
replied.
source -
posted - 25th April
No chore to kiss babies
THE election may not have been called yet, but Bertie Ahern was more than ready
yesterday to start kissing babies. And where better to pucker up than with his
day-old grandsons Rocco and Jay? Arriving at the National Maternity
Hospital in Holles Street with his daughter Cecelia and her boyfriend David
Keoghan, the Taoiseach was greeted by his son-in-law and proud father of the
twins, Westlife star Nicky Byrne.
"I'm very happy for them," said Bertie. "They're a great couple. I think
Georgina will be a great mam, and Nicky will be a great dad, so I'm happy."
And asked what he made of the interesting choice of names, Mr Ahern smiled and
quipped: "Well . . . they're different anyway!"
source - Irish Independent
posted 22nd April
Westlife Nicky fathers twins
WESTLIFE star Nicky Byrne became the father of twin sons yesterday. Wife
Georgina — the daughter of Irish Premier Bertie Ahern — gave birth by caesarian
to Rocco and Jay at 9.55am — nearly two months early. Nicky, 28, rushed from the
band’s sell-out concert in Dublin to nearby Holles Street hospital.
He said: “My Westlife hat is coming off and my daddy hat is going on.” Singer
Nicky was back on stage last night.
source - Sun Newspaper
posted 21st April
Nicky and Georgina welcome twins
Westlife star Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina have announced the birth of
their twin sons.
According to a statement released on behalf of the couple, the boys, who will be
named Rocco and Jay, were born at 9.55am today. The statement said: "Nicky and
Georgina Byrne welcomed with great joy the safe arrival of their twin sons Rocco
and Jay born at 9.55am this morning in the National Maternity Hospital Holles
Street, Dublin 2. The couple would like to thank Professor Mc Auliffe and all
the wonderful staff at NMH Holles Street."
source - RTE
posted 20th April
Bertie becomes a grandpa - twice
Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern became a grandfather twice over today when his
daughter Georgina gave birth to twins.
A couple of months premature, the boys named Rocco and Jay were born this
morning in Dublin to the 27-year-old and her husband, Westlife singer Nicky
Byrne.
She had been due to give birth in June or July.
The double celebration comes weeks before Mr Ahern sets about trying to secure a
record third term in power.
The birth was announced by the couple`s publicist, who said: "Nicky and Georgina
Byrne welcomed with great joy the safe arrival of their twin sons Rocco and Jay,
born at 9.55am this morning in the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street. The couple would like to thank Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe and all the
wonderful staff at NMH Holles St."
The Taoiseach spent today touring key constituencies of Meath East and West and
Kildare North.
Childhood sweethearts Mr and Mrs Byrne have been married since August 2003 when
their wedding in France sparked controversy because they sold the pictures of
their marriage to Hello! magazine.
Mr Ahern separated from Georgina`s mother Miriam in 1992.
A spokesman for the Mr Ahern said today: "The Taoiseach is delighted at the news
and also happy that the mother and babies are doing well.He also thanked the medical team at the National Maternity Hospital for their
care and skill they have shown."
source - UTV
posted 20th April
Win tickets to see Westlife at
the Odyssey
WE'VE teamed up with Aiken Promotions to offer THREE lucky readers
the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Westlife on their Love
Tour, live at Belfast's Odyssey Arena on Sunday, April 15.
From their first single, Flying Without Wings, Westlife have been a
regular chart-topping act and have released several highly
successful albums. Their latest release, The Love Album, contains 11
of the most memorable and romantic love songs ever written.
For your chance to sing along to classic love tracks like The Rose,
along with your favourite Westlife hits, simply answer the question
below and call or text us with your answer, name and contact
details.
Lines close at midnight, Sunday April 8.
Q. What is Westlife's latest album called?
A. The Love Album B. Coast to Coast C. Unbreakable
Tel: 0905 652 0078 TEXT SING followed by a space and then your
answer to 84080
If you are not a winner, tickets are still available from the
Odyssey Box Office (Tel 028 9073 9074) and usual Ticketmaster
outlets. For credit card bookings telephone 870 243 4455. Book
on-line at www.ticketmaster.ie.
source - Mirror Newspaper
posted - 6th April
Spotted
A happy looking Louis Walsh saying earnestly, " He's good, really
good" to Andrew Lloyd Webber as they loitered together with various
members of Boyzone and Westlife plus Graham Norton and Jason
Donavan, outside the Abbymill Theatre in Ferhard, County Tipperary
source - heat magazine
posted - 6th April
The best advice
Louis Walsh ever gave Kian - The Answer
In our last exclusive
video clip, we asked Nicky what he thought the best advice was that
Louis had ever given Kian. Find out if he was right or not by
watching Kian's answer
source - westlife.com
posted - 6th April
Aiken Dedication
Superstar Lionel Ritchie (below left) paid tribute to the late music
promoter Jim Aiken (right) this week during one of his concerts in
Belfast.
The legendary soul singer told thousands of fans packed into the
Odyssey Arena on Tuesday night that Mr Aiken had predicted a great
future for him while still a member of The Commodores and sporting
an Afro hairdo.
He said that the well-respected Belfast promoter had shown belief in
him and told him he would go on to be a huge star.
"Tonight, I'm dedicating this show to Jim Aiken," he said.
Ritchie's tribute came exactly a month to the day that Mr Aiken
passed away after losing a brief battle with cancer.
Other stars who have since paid homage to him include Sir Elton
John, Garth Brooks and Westlife.
source - belfast telegraph
posted - 6th April