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This January we’re supporting 13 amazing arts and cultural events all over Ireland through the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme, including First Fortnight Mental Health Arts and Culture Festival, which takes place across the country from 4th-18th January, with events across art forms including poetry, music, textile art, and theatre.

There are several music events to enjoy including Music for Galway Midwinter Festival celebrating 150 years since the birth of Maurice Ravel, one of the most original and sophisticated composers of the twentieth century. In Killarney, FOLK iN FUSION will showcase the very best in folk, roots, bluegrass, country, and beyond. While Drogheda Classical Music Concert Series in Louth, will continue to bring some of the world’s most renowned musicians to Ireland’s north-east.

In Dublin, the Royal Irish Academy of Music’s Wigmore Series will host an array of music performances, Glasshouse perform Ryuichi Sakamoto at the National Concert Hall, Brigit 2025: Dublin City Celebrating Women will host an array of events across the city, and TradFest, Ireland’s leading trad and folk festival, celebrating 20 years, will be a joyful celebration of Irish music and culture.

There is also lots of theatre to enjoy with James Joyce’s The Dead continuing at the Museum of Literature Ireland, while The Ark will present The Giggler Treatment, a marvellous, mischievous new musical based on the novel by Roddy Doyle for children and grown-ups alike. The Borrowers is at the Gate Theatre. Based on Mary Norton’s beloved adventure novels, it follows the fortunes of the tiny Clock family.

Events supported by the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme this January:

Dublin Abbey 120 years | www.abbeytheatre.ie

Nationwide Irish National Opera | www.irishnationalopera.ie

Dublin The Dead @ Museum of Literature Ireland | www.anuproductions.ie

Dublin Wigmore Series Dublin | www.riam.ie/whats-on?category=581

Dublin The Giggler Treatment | www.ark.ie/events/view/the-giggler-treatment-2024

Nationwide First Fortnight Mental Health Art and Culture Festival 2025 | www.firstfortnight.ie

Dublin TradFest 2025 | www.tradfest.com

Dublin The Borrowers | www.gatetheatre.ie/production/the-borrowers

Kerry FOLK iN FUSION | www.inec.ie/gigs/folk-in-fusion-yras-live

Louth Drogheda Classical Music 24/25 Series | www.droghedaclassicalmusic.com

Dublin Glasshouse perform Ryuichi Sakamoto | www.nch.ie/all-events-listing/glasshouse-perform-ryuichi-sakamoto#booking-options

Galway Music for Galway Midwinter Festival RAVEL | www.musicforgalway.ie/midwinter-festival-ravel

Dublin Brigit 2025: Dublin City Celebrating Women | www.dublin.ie/brigit

Every year, RTÉ supports 170 arts and cultural events all over Ireland through the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme. Spanning film, music, dance, opera, festivals, literature, theatre and exhibitions, and with dedicated promotion on RTÉ’s television, radio and digital services, and extensive support across RTÉ’s social channels, the RTÉ Supporting the Arts scheme is a lifeline to Ireland’s creative and cultural sectors.

To find out more information about RTÉ Supporting the Arts and to apply visit
About RTÉ Supporting the Arts – About RTÉ (rte.ie)

Find out what’s happening near you on www.rte.ie/culture

Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special on RTÉ One
Christmas Eve | RTÉ One at 5:15PM

Watch Now: ⭐NEW⭐ Kabin Crew | 🎶 Christmas Cipher Music Video 🎶 | Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special | @RTÉKids – YouTube

Today Knocknaheeny’s Kabin Crew release a brand new song for Christmas ahead of their Christmas special on RTÉ One this Christmas Eve. It’s Christmas time at the Kabin and all they want is to have a party and stay up all night, with the music video for Christmas Cipher featuring a cameo from Santa Claus himself!

With 2024 being an amazing year for the Kabin Crew in which their hit song The Spark (feat the Lisdoonvarna Crew) went viral and amassed over 2 BILLION plays on social media, to cap off an amazing year they have made their very own Christmas special for RTÉ Kids which will broadcast on RTÉ One on Christmas Eve.

Celebrate Christmas with Cork City’s young rap collective the Kabin Crew in their first ever Christmas special – Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special featuring brand new songs including Kabin Party & Belter, Hiccup, You’ll be fine and Treat Yourself – which also features the return of the brilliant Lisdoonvarna Crew.

The Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special will give viewers a chance to get to know the members of the crew more. Fans will see where all the magic happens in the Kabin Studio, see how these amazing songs are written and the important messages in the lyrics that have relatable messages for everyone no matter what your age.

Discover more about the community ethos of the Kabin, learn how they started collaborating with the Lisdoonvarna Crew and see the work that happens every day in the Kabin from workshops to songwriting to video making.

This Christmas special will shine a light on Knocknaheeny on the Northside of Cork City, where the Kabin Studio is based, and the amazing people and their stories from the area. Finally, and most importantly the Kabin Crew members will tell us about what they are getting up to at Christmas time from the best Christmas dinner to what time you should wake up on Christmas Day to open presents.

This Christmas special is not to be missed! Tune in and celebrate Christmas with the Kabin Crew with brand new songs and a behind the scenes look at all the work that happens in the Kabin Studio.

ENDS

Photo Credit: SwanIGuess
Front Row: Carleigh, Rio, Martin, Clara
Back Row: Sophia, Lucy, Brooke, Heidi, Zoey
Images: Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special

18 December 2024

RTÉ Press Officer: Jilly McDonough

Notes to Editor:

Repeated on RTÉ 2 on Christmas Day at 8am.
The song is also released today on all streaming platforms through the Kabin Crew’s record label Rubyworks.

About The Kabin Studio: The Kabin Studio is a not-for-profit vibrant music & creative hub, repurposed from a metal container in Knocknaheeny in the Northside of Cork City. Established by GMCBeats in 2012 with the support of Music Generation Cork City, The Kabin has grown out of a love for hip hop, songwriting, performance and creative expression. The Kabin is made up of a crew of songwriters, rappers, musicians, creatives, volunteers and participants of all ages who believe in the power of making music and being creative.

About the Production Company:  Kabin Crew’s Christmas Special is produced by 84/Ochtó4 Productions. The production company founded by Cian Mac Cárthaigh in 2023. The company specialise in music-based content and programming. Cian Mac Cárthaigh is an award-winning film & radio producer. He is a musician and the founder of IMLÉ – an Irish-Language music collective who most recently had their song Peacach used as the theme music to the international Netflix series BODKIN.

Liverpool fan Daire Gorman takes us into his extraordinary world during a whirlwind six months after meeting his hero Jürgen Klopp 

What Daire Did Next captures the extraordinary journey of 13-year-old Daire Gorman. Airing on 29 December at 6:30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, this programme follows Daire during a whirlwind six months of his life. What Daire Did Next is part of the RTÉ Kids My Story documentary strand which gives children with unique stories the opportunity to front their own documentary film and bring that story to a wider audience.

Daire Gorman is no ordinary boy. As one of only seven people in the world with Crommelin Syndrome, a rare condition affecting the growth of his upper limbs and bones, he navigates life as a full-time wheelchair user. Despite enduring numerous painful surgeries and medical procedures, Daire approaches life with humour, resilience, and an unwavering love for football.

In summer 2023, a viral video of Daire’s emotional reaction to Liverpool fans singing You’ll Never Walk Alone at Anfield caught the attention of manager Jürgen Klopp. This led to an unforgettable visit to Anfield last December, where Daire and his family met Klopp and the players. The touching video of their experience, released on Christmas Day by Liverpool FC, garnered over 120 million views, captivating hearts worldwide. Daire’s passion and courage left a lasting impression on Klopp, who even referenced him in his departure speech in January 2024.

From saying goodbye to primary school to competing in an international powerchair football tournament in Paris, receiving a state-of-the-art robotic arm, undergoing challenging surgery, and becoming a teenager, Daire’s resilience and determination shine through. Amidst these life-changing experiences, Daire also faces the emotional news that his lifelong hero, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, is stepping down at the end of the season.

Filmed over six months, What Daire Did Next offers a look into Daire’s home, school, and hospital life. The documentary captures Daire’s incredible spirit and explores his challenging medical journey. This documentary showcases Daire’s humour, resilience, love for his family and unwavering passion for Liverpool FC, and offers viewers an unfiltered look at his remarkable life.

What Daire Did Next airs on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on 29 December at 6:30pm.

-ENDS- 

RTÉ Communications:  Sharon Sorohan

RTÉ has today announced the actor and presenter, Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney as the host of The Traitors Ireland, coming to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in 2025. The hit series has enthralled audiences around the world, including award-winning versions in the UK, US and the Netherlands. The Traitors Ireland will be shot on location in Ireland and will feature contestants from all around the country, following a national casting call for applications earlier this year. 

Siobhán commented: “Like everyone, I am a huge Traitors fan so when I was asked to host the Irish version I jumped at the chance. I’m looking forward to meeting our loyal Faithful and delicious Traitors. The Irish have a charm and ability to deceive while smiling which will make this version rather special, I think. And I’m the luckiest person in the world to watch them close up.” 

Steve Carson, Director of Video, RTÉ commented: “We’re really looking forward to bringing The Traitors Ireland to RTÉ audiences and delighted that Siobhán is going to be at the heart of it. She is an incredibly talented actor with a great comic and dramatic range. We know that she is going to bring something really special to Ireland’s version of this fantastic game of trust and deceit.” 

The series will be produced for RTÉ by Kite Entertainment who have licensed the format from All3Media International.

Darren Smith, MD Kite Entertainment said, “At Kite HQ we’re thrilled Siobhán has come on board to host The Traitors Ireland. We’ve been very big fans ever since we first laid eyes on her mega performance of Sister Michael in Derry Girls and know she’ll be a crucial part in making the Irish version of The Traitors brilliantly entertaining, endlessly dramatic, and best of all, utterly Irish.” 

The nail-biting psychological reality competition sees 22 strangers arrive at a remote castle to play the ultimate game of deception, betrayal and trust… all in the hope of winning up to €50,000. But, hidden amongst them are the Traitors, who will attempt to secretly murder a player every night, without getting caught. It’s up to the others, the Faithfuls, to try to detect who the Traitors are, and banish them from the game, before they become their next victim.

Each day, the group embark on Missions as they work together to add more money to the prize pot. For the lucky ones who survive to the end, they have the chance of winning that life-changing cash, but if a Traitor remains undetected, they’ll steal all the money.

The Traitors Ireland will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in 2025.

ENDS

IMAGES: https://we.tl/t-1YFe3FizZx

Photo credit of Siobhán Mc Sweeney: Phil Sharp

For More Information:

Maureen Catterson, RTÉ Communications Manager, TV, Radio and Online | maureen.catterson@rte.ie

Notes to Editors 

The Traitors (Dutch title: De Verraders) was created and developed by Marc Pos and IDTV Creative Director Jasper Hoogendoorn in cooperation with RTL Creative Unit. Since its launch in the Netherlands on RTL 4 in 2021, the format has proved its international appeal with over 30 versions and numerous returning seasons. Hit international adaptations of the format include the Emmy winning US version for NBC Universal’s streaming service Peacock and BBC One’s BAFTA winning version in the UK, which drew in 8 million viewers for the season 2 finale. The US versions will return for a third, fourth and fifth season and the UK version has been commissioned for a fourth season and celebrity version.

A multi-award-winning ratings hit, The Traitors was recently named as K7’s format of the year in 2024 and the format was awarded C21’s International Format Award for Best Host of a Television Format. Previously the Dutch version De Verraders received the Rose d’Or award “Golden Rose” for Best Reality and Factual Entertainment.

Live broadcasts of popular shows on RTÉ 2FM and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta

Tracy Clifford, Laura Fox,  Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill  and Bláthnaid Treacy

Chubby Cat | Interactive Digital Wall | And more

#BTYSTE #BTYSTE2025

RTÉ is delighted to return to the RDS to support another BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition which will take place from Wednesday 8th – Saturday 11th January 2025.

This year, RTÉ will be bringing some of its popular radio shows from RTÉ 2FM and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta live from our radio studio at BTYSTE 2025, along with some very special guests and cool merchandise. Visitors to the RTÉ set will also get to see how a radio show is broadcast on air and online, and to try your hand at our state-of-the-art interactive digital wall.

• Live opening ceremony performance (Wednesday) from RTÉ 2FM Rising artist Chubby Cat on the main stage
• RTÉ 2FM’s Laura Fox, Tracy Clifford and Bláthnaid Treacy all live from the RTÉ studio in the RDS
• RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta’s light entertainment show, Pé Scéal É, presented by Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill will also be live from the BTYSTE

>>>THE SCHEDULE

WEDNESDAY 8TH JANUARY

• 14.00: Live Opening Ceremony performance from RTÉ 2FM Rising artist, Chubby Cat on the main stage.

THURSDAY 9TH JANUARY

• 12.00 – 15.00: Tracy Clifford live on RTÉ 2FM from the RDS

FRIDAY 10TH JANUARY

• 9.00 – 12.00: Laura Fox live on RTÉ 2FM from the RDS
• 15.00 – 17.00: Pé Scéal É le Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhgaill ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta beo ón RDS

Faoi Pé Scéal É le Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhgaill ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Is clár siamsúil, spraoiúil é Pé Scéal É atá curtha i láthair ag Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhgaill agus a chraoltar gach Aoine idir 3-5 ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. Beidh Pé Scéal É i lár an aonaigh ag comórtas Eolaí Óg na Bliana 2025. Beidh ceol beo againn ar an gclár chomh maith le comhráití le daltaí ó fud fad na tíre faoina dtionscadail éagsúla. Cloisfidh muid ó lucht eagraithe an chomórtais agus tabharfaidh muid cuairt ar Explorium freisin, an t-ionad náisiúnta spórt agus eolaíochta.

Pé Scéal É, the light entertainment show, presented by Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill will broadcast live from this year’s BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Pé Scéal É will be live from 3.00pm – 5.00pm on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta with live music and we’ll be chatting to students from all over the country about their various projects. We’ll also hear from the BT Young Scientist organisers and will also visit Explorium, the National Sport and Science centre.

4 Exceptional Young Artists & Art Collective Awarded Top Prizes Across Ireland

The response to RTÉ’s ‘This is Art!’ competition has been nothing short of extraordinary. This year, young artists from across the island of Ireland have submitted their imaginative works, from painting and sculptures to custom made clothes, photography to digital art, cartoons to performance pieces, showcasing the boundless creativity and talent that is flourishing among the next generation of artists.

With great excitement, ‘This is Art!’ proudly announces the 5 exceptional 1st place category winners, along with 10 runners-up who will also receive prizes, 145 artists whose standout work will receive special commendations, and 492 more whose brilliant entries will be celebrated with certificates. Each of these young people has contributed something unique, vibrant, and deeply inspiring to this year’s theme: This is Imagination!

Supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island Initiative, this annual competition continues its mission to foster imagination and creativity in young people aged 18 and under, giving them a platform to express themselves and connect with others through the arts. This is Art! Celebrates art and artists throughout Ireland through its website with the hope of sparking imagination and bridging the gap between the emerging young artists on the island and the established creatives. The entries are a testament to the diversity and richness of talent that exists across the island.

This year’s winners are as follows:

● Age 7 and under: Jake Grogan (7) Dublin – ‘From The Sea to The Stars’

● Age 8 to 11: Uishe Delahan (10) Kildare – ‘Glitch’

● Age 12 to 15: Isabelle Prime (14) Cork – ‘Wader’

● Age 16 to 18: Sam Jaszemski (18) Louth – ‘Snapshot of My Soul’

● Group category: The Arthouse, Louth – ‘The Friends We Made’

These 5 winners will receive a trophy designed by well known street artist Maser, alongside prizes to develop their talent further (including courses, art supplies & equipment) and to recognise their outstanding contributions.

This year’s judging panel, featuring some of Ireland’s most renowned artists and curators, found themselves deeply moved by the talent and creativity on display. The panel included graffiti and street artist Maser; contemporary abstract artist Leah Hewson; visual artist Aideen Barry; Senior Curator at The Glucksman Cork, Tadhg Crowley; and Sheena Barrett, Head of Research and Learning at IMMA – the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

Commenting on the winner’s announcement RTÉ’s Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content said: “‘As we take this time to celebrate everyone who entered this year’s This Is Art! Competition, I am once again absolutely gob smacked at the incredible artistic talent emerging from the Island of Ireland.  The creativity and ingenuity, originality and flair from all age groups is truly inspiring.  Every year this digital snapshot, that captures a moment in time,  grows and grows, and it really is a privilege that we here at RTÉ can help curate & provide continuous access to this amazing art treasure trove for the entire nation.  Really well done to everyone who took part!!! And don’t forget to check out the online gallery here.” https://thisisart.rte.ie/.”

Reflecting on the experience, the judges shared their thoughts:

● Maser: “Art is, and has always been, an amazing outlet for me. I think it’s an outlet that every young person should try their hand at and get involved in. I’m delighted to see so many entries for ‘This is Art!’ But more than that, it was truly heartening to see the creativity, the passion, and the personality that came across in all the entries.”

● Leah Hewson: “I’m so proud to see such a wealth of young creatives out there, brave enough to share their work with us. It’s a pleasure to be able to award some of the entries with bursaries that will support and develop their careers further. The only shame is that we can’t award everyone – because every entry is absolutely worth celebrating.”

● Aideen Barry: “I’ve been part of ‘This is Art!’ before, and having the opportunity to celebrate the amazing creativity of our young people is the reason I always say yes to doing this. We have so much talent out there – kudos to all the entrants and budding artists. Keep going, keep working, develop your talent – it will be worth it.”

● Tadhg Crowley: “My favourite part of ‘This is Art!’ is reviewing the entries – whether as a judge or scrolling through the digital gallery. It’s reassuring to see that the next generation of artists are bursting with ideas and creativity. I think that’s a core strength of Ireland, our imagination economy. It’s great to see and something I hope continues to blossom. I encourage everyone to have a virtual walk through the digital gallery.”

● Sheena Barrett: “Art is a process that needs to be nurtured so competitions like ‘This is Art!’ are important. We need to fuel the artistic tank of the next generation – because there is so much talent out there, some of it yet to be discovered. It’s a privilege to celebrate and commend some of the amazing entrants. I hope we see even more entries next year.”

Explore the ‘This is Art!’ Digital Gallery here: thisisart.rte.ie/winners-2024 and immerse yourself in the creative visions of these young artists.

Don’t forget to follow @tia.ie on Instagram, @thisisart.ie on TikTok, and @RTEjr on Facebook for more from ‘This is Art!’

Pictured (L-R): Steve Carson, RTÉ’s Director of Video, winner of the age 7 and under category,  Jake Grogan (7) – with his drawing ‘From The Sea to The Stars’ , Artist and This is Art Judge, Maser, & RTÉ’s Suzanne Kelly, Head of Children’s and Young People’s Content,

The Glitterball awaits: Dancing with the Stars unveils dance pairings for 2025!

RTÉ has today revealed the celebrity and dancer pairings of the eleven couples competing on the upcoming series of Dancing with the Stars, which returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday 5th January, 6.30pm.

This year, Dancing with the Stars welcomes four new professional dancers to the DWTS family. They are: Maciej Zieba, Rebecca Scott, Daniela Roze and Alex Vladimirov.

The dazzling duos who will compete for the glitterball trophy on Dancing with the Stars 2025 are:

Joanna Donnelly and Maciej Zieba

Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly prepares to blow the audience away with newcomer Maciej Zieba from Poland. Maciej has been competing in Latin American and Ballroom dancing since the age of five, and is a former student of fellow Dancing with the Stars pro dancer Robert Rowiński.

Rhys McClenaghan and Laura Nolan 

Olympic gold pommel horse medallist Rhys McClenaghan is teaming up with the talented Laura Nolan, who has been a Dancing with the Stars stalwart since 2020. Laura returns for her fifth season and will undoubtedly be going for gold this year with champion gymnast Rhys.

Elaine Crowley and Denys Samson 

Broadcaster Elaine Crowley will be taking to the floor with Ukrainian pro dancer Denys Samson, who is back for his fourth season. Denys will be hoping to shimmy his way to the grand finale for the third time lucky this year, after reaching the final with 2FM presenter Laura Fox earlier this year and with singer Erica Cody in 2022.

Kevin Dundon and Rebecca Scott 

Ready to brew up a storm on the dance floor, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon will be guided by the experienced hand of Dancing with the Stars Ireland newcomer Rebecca Scott. With many national and world titles under her belt, Rebecca has travelled all over the world to represent England at an elite level. Most recently, she featured as a troupe dancer on Strictly Come Dancing’s Blackpool special.

Yasmin Seky and Simone Arena 

Kin actress Yasmin Seky prepares to dazzle on the dancefloor with Italian pro dancer Simone Arena, who is back for his second season. Simone danced with RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK star Blu Hydrangea to the finale last season, so he will be giving it his all with his new partner in the hopes of waltzing away with the glitterball trophy.

Kayleigh Trappe and Ervinas Merfeldas 

TikTok sensation Kayleigh Trappe joins forces with Irish pro dancer Ervinas Merfeldas, who returns for his third spin around the dancefloor. In previous seasons, Ervinas was partnered with Missy Keating, Stephanie Roche, and most recently, with television presenter Katja Mia in 2024.

 

Jack Woolley and Alex Vladimirov 

Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley is teaming up with the seasoned Australian pro dancer Alex Vladimirov, who is making her Irish debut following a five-season stint on Dancing with the Stars Australia. Born in Ukraine before moving to Germany, Alex started her dance career at the age of six in Cologne, where she studied all forms of dance, before pursuing Ballroom and Latin dancing professionally. After moving to Melbourne at the age of 14 she became an Australian Ten Dance Champion and finalist in multiple Asian and European competitions.

Gearóid Farrelly and Stephen Vincent  

Comedian Gearóid Farrelly is joining forces with the talented English pro dancer Stepen Vincent. Stephen is no stranger to the Dancing with the Stars final and will be guiding Gearóid towards the glitterball. Stephen reached the final with Paralympic swimmer Ellen Keane in 2022 and has partnered with celebrities in previous seasons including Yewande Biala, Dr. Marie Cassidy and earlier this year, Rosanna Davison.

Aishah Akorede and Robert Rowiński 

Beauty queen and former Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede will be dancing alongside her Polish pro dancer Robert Rowiński, who has danced on five seasons of the show to date. Robert has reached the final on two occasions, with country music singer, Cliona Hagan in 2019 and with Eurovision star, Brooke Scullion in 2023.  

Danny O’Carroll and Salome Chachua
Mrs. Brown’s Boys star Danny O’Carroll will be put through his paces with Georgian dancing queen Salome Chachua. Salome has made it to the final twice in previous seasons, with Wild Youth singer David Whelan in 2024 and with rugby sevens player, Jordan Conroy in 2022.

Despite some making it to the final in previous years, none of this year’s returning pro dancers have ever lifted the Dancing with the Stars glitterball trophy in Ireland, so all eleven are vying for their first Irish win!

-ENDS-    

Date: Sunday December 15 2024

RTÉ Communications: Rayna Connery and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

Notes to Editor: 

ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS 2025      

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.

Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ. The series is presented by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.

For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:

Instagram: @RTEOne & @DWTSIrl

TikTok: @RTEOne

Facebook: @RTEOne

Twitter: @RTEOne @DWTSIrl

#DWTSIrl

Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly revealed as the final celebrity contestant for Dancing with the Stars 2025

Forecast is fabulous with 100% chance of sparkle as Joanna takes to the dancefloor

Meterologist Joanna Donnelly is the final celebrity contestant for this season’s glittering lineup of Dancing with the Stars. The series returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday January 5th at 6:30pm.

With 25 years as a meteorologist under her belt, Joanna has been keeping audiences calm through even the stormiest of forecasts.

Now, she’s ready to twist her way into a whole new kind of front – on the dance floor! Joanna said: “I’m ready to get my feet moving! I’ve watched the show all these years, and all I want to do is learn how to dance. I had an Irish dancing lesson back in 1979 and my mother spent a year’s savings on an Irish dancing costume, but I did one Feis and then quit. She never let me live it down! But she was a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars, so she’s definitely got my back on this.”

Joanna’s passion for weather doesn’t stop at the green screen. She is also the author of The Great Irish Weather Book, inspiring a new generation of weather enthusiasts.

Joanna is the final celebrity dancer to be announced. The celebrity and pro-dancer pairings will be revealed on Monday December 16th. On Friday night’s Late Late Show, broadcaster and Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, pommel horse Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan, actress Yasmin Seky and social media star Kayleigh Trappe were revealed as five of the 11 hopefuls vying for the glitterball trophy.

Earlier this week, Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five hopefuls who will be vying for the glitterball trophy in early 2025.

The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will all unfold when the new season returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next month. Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season. The two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.

-ENDS-

Date: Saturday December 14th 2024

Photography credit: Barry McCall

RTÉ Communications: Rayna Connery and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS 2025

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.

Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.

For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:

Instagram: @RTEOne & @DWTSIrl

TikTok: @RTEOne

Facebook: @RTEOne

Twitter: @RTEOne @DWTSIrl

#DWTSIrl

Elaine Crowley, Kevin Dundon, Kayleigh Trappe, Rhys McClenaghan and Yasmin Seky announced on tonight’s Late Late Show

The next five celebrity dancers taking part in the new season of Dancing with the Stars have been revealed! Elaine Crowley, Kevin Dundon, Kayleigh Trappe, Rhys McClenaghan and Yasmin Seky shimmied onto tonight’s Late Late Show.

Each of the celebrities spoke to Patrick Kielty about competing for the coveted glitterball trophy when the new series returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next month. The five celebrities were joined by Karen Byrne, who has been announced in recent days as the newest judge to join the Dancing with the Stars panel. Karen, who is a two-time winner across seven seasons, shared her insights on what it takes to bring home the glitterball not once, but twice.

Meet the dancers:

ELAINE CROWLEY

Cork’s Elaine Crowley is ready to cha-cha-cha onto our screens!

Elaine is one of the country’s most popular television presenters. She has been central to Virgin Media’s daytime schedule for over twenty years and currently co-hosts Ireland AM alongside Martin King. Beginning her career in the newsroom, Elaine’s outgoing personality and likeability saw her eventually make the move to entertainment, where she hosted shows such as Midday and her self-titled talk show, Elaine.

Praised for being incredibly honest about the personal struggles she has faced throughout her career, Elaine has spoken frankly about being diagnosed with dysphoria and overcoming dark periods in her life.

Elaine commented: “I’ve never done anything remotely like this before, never mind in front of so many people. But my eldest sister said to me, you haven’t put yourself out of your comfort zone for decades. You can interview the politicians. You can do all the stuff on Ireland AM, but challenge yourself for once. So, class of 2025 bring it on. What’s the worst that can happen?”

KEVIN DUNDON

Chef Kevin Dundon prepares to bring his fiery kitchen skills to the dancefloor!

Celebrity chef, presenter and author Kevin is a household name in Ireland’s culinary circles. Best known for presenting television series such as Guerrilla Gourmet and Heat, Kevin is also an author and has published several cookbooks. Kevin has cooked for Irish and US presidents and the late Queen Elizabeth II. He has appeared on various shows on Irish, British, Canadian and American television. Kevin recently launched his own podcast, Under The Grill, alongside journalist Caoimhe Young.

Kevin commented: “I’m excited. The fact that I’m actually going to learn to dance means that my wife will hopefully now enjoy dancing with me at weddings, and I won’t make a complete fool of myself! I’m a little bit nervous, as it’s quite difficult to learn the moves. It’s tricky. As a chef, I’m coordinated, but not with my feet. My first dance is an American Smooth, so I’m going to treat it like a risotto, nice and slow with a little bit of excitement at the end.”

KAYLEIGH TRAPPE

TikTok sensation Kayleigh Trappe is all set to twist and shout on the dancefloor!

Kayleigh is a social media star from Co. Monaghan. A former primary school teacher, she has amassed a huge following of over 400,000 followers and millions of likes on TikTok and Instagram for her comedy sketch videos, in which she lip syncs along perfectly to pop culture clips and iconic Irish celebrity moments.

Some of her most famous sketches have attracted attention from those she has imitated, including Nadine Coyle, the cast of Derry Girls, Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy among others.

Kayleigh said: “I’m so excited. It feels so surreal, especially because I’m so used to just being behind the camera in the comfort of my own home, and now I’m going full glitz and glam. It’s a big change but I can’t wait to get the glitter ball rolling! This type of glam has never been a part of my life, but I have so much support from my family and friends at home in Monaghan. I can’t wait to be in the midst of it all now.”

RHYS MCCLENAGHAN

Can pommel horse champion Rhys McClenaghan bag another glittering grand slam this year?

Rhys is a gymnast and gold medal Olympian from Co. Down. Widely recognised as one of the best pommel horse specialists of his generation, Rhys made history when he became the first ever gymnast to win an Olympic gold medal in this sport for Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He has celebrated many successes prior to this; he was the first Irish gymnast to compete in a European final and win a European medal, and also to win a world bronze medal in 2019. He then took home a gold medal on the pommel horse at the 2019 European Championships and another gold at the 2023 World Championships. Rhys is also a Commonwealth Games champion on the pommel horse. He was named RTÉ’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2023.

Rhys commented: “I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge and look forward to bringing some gymnastics skills to the dance floor. I am approaching my training for the 2025 competition year differently. I took some time to travel, and as I begin my first training block for the LA Games, I will also have some fun figuring out how to dance! Hopefully, with the guidance of my pro dance partner, I can bring some of my pommel horse flair to the dance floor, too!”
YASMIN SEKY

Kin actress Yasmin Seky prepares to dazzle on the dancefloor!

Yasmin Seky is an actress from Dublin. Best known for her breakout role in the RTÉ drama series Kin, in which she played the role of Nikita. Yasmin’s character was embroiled in the drama of the Kinsella family when she became the love interest of lead character, Viking. In 2022, Yasmin was awarded the RTS Ireland Award for Best Newcomer for her role in Kin. She is currently filming a brand-new Channel 5 crime drama, The Puzzle Lady in Northern Ireland, starring Phylis Logan (Downtown Abbey). Yasmin is playing the role of Becky Baidwan.

Yasmin commented: “I’m a little nervous, as I’ve never really done anything like this before. But I’m really excited too. I suppose nervousness and excitement manifests in the body the same way, so I don’t know which one I am! I think the anxiety that I have from time to time motivated me to take part. With acting on screen, if you mess up you can go again, but with this you get one shot and you just have to make it happen!”

The eleventh and final name will be revealed on Sunday morning to complete the line up for the Dancing with the Stars class of 2025. Earlier this week, Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five hopefuls who will be vying for the glitterball trophy in early 2025.

The glitz, glamour, and nail-biting competition will all unfold when the new season returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player next month. Dancing with the Stars will be hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Doireann Garrihy again this season. The two-time Dancing with the Stars winner and professional dancer Karen Byrne will join the judging panel in 2025 alongside longstanding judges Loraine Barry, Brian Redmond and Arthur Gourounlian.

-ENDS-

Photography credit: Barry McCall

RTÉ Communications: Rayna Connery and Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill

Notes to Editor: 

ABOUT DANCING WITH THE STARS 2025      

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ One series sees 11 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to hip hop, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.

Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.

Dancing with the Stars is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ.

Dancing with the Stars is proudly sponsored by Hyundai.

For all the latest news and backstage gossip on Dancing with the Stars, keep an eye on our social channels:

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