Voice of Ireland Finalist Shane won’t disappoint eager fans

Voice of Ireland finalist Shane McLaughlin kicks off his eagerly awaited EP launch with a tour of Donegal starting on Friday 29^th November at Gallagher’s Hotel Letterkenny and then on the 7^th December at Downings Bay Hotel in his home town. The popular contestant who was mentored on the show by jungle bound Westlife star Kian Egan has been working hard over the last 6 months writing and perfecting his music and is determined not to leave fans disappointed with the new sound. 

Shane with Voice of Ireland mentor Kian Egan

Shane said on his facebook page “Absolutely delighted to announce that I will be kicking of the tour for my Brand New EP in Gallaghers hotel in Letterkenny on The 29th of THIS MONTH. Time has truly flown in since The Voice and this will be the official unveiling of my new music and New Band along with some local bands and special guests on the night. I hope you can come check out the show and thanks for all the amazing support so far”

Tickets are available now from Gallaghers Hotel, Letterkenny, €10.  Doors open 7:30pm

Downings Bay Hotel tickets will go on sale next week €5 children /€10 adults, available from the Hotel & local Downings stores.

Published: Goldenplec.com 

Irish author writing her own success story

Sophie with reality star Jo Jordan

Irish Author Sophie Rose Williamson has just released her second book “GYPSY” which topped US charts practically overnight in recent weeks but now the Kildare based writer is already making plans to pen her third instalment which promises to be a page turner. Titled “WISHLIST”. It will be a deep and dark story about Battling cancer, a bone marrow transplant patient, that covers depression in men, suicide and intervention by social services. Whether or not Sophie chooses to write this under her alias Valerie O’Brien remains to be seen but the book would be more suited to Valerie’s style after writing “In The Shadow of Men” which told her in-depth and no holds barred story of military life as one of the first female combat soldiers in Ireland. 

Irish rap star’s close encounter with a suicide attempt

 Irish rap star’s close encounter with a suicide attempt 

Lucci Minx is one of Ireland's up and coming rap artists and singer song writer, in July this year while out scouting for a location for her new video in Tallaght, Lucci came across a young man sitting on top of the main Tallaght bridge that spans over the duel carriage and the Dodder River, it looked quite obvious the young man was about to jump off and although other people could see this, they just walked by. Lucci  a young woman of 27yrs herself and although frightened by the sight, decided to stop and at least try to talk this young man also in his 20s,her first though on seeing the young man was "oh lord what have I walked into here “but in her heart she felt that there was a reason God had her there that day, a conversion began between the two young strangers.

Lucci's first question to Tom(we will call him here)was, “are you ok", he replied, “no misses, I am sick of life, all my friends are dead, my family hate me and I have had enough". Lucci spoke for a time with Tom, asking him his name and where he was from, he told her he was from Tallaght and that his parents had split up, Lucci then preceded to ask him did he do drugs and drink, he told her he’s had been off Heroine for months but did take a drink on occasions. Lucci took the brave step of telling him how much his drug addiction must have hurt his family and to try understand how hard it must have been for them.

Lucci asked Tom where was he living now, he replied, nowhere, he sleeps in the fields and or anywhere he can find like that, she suggested he try the hostels in the city but he told her they were too dangerous for him and he would find himself back on Heroine very quickly as its rampant in these places plus there are always fights there, he was frightened and the temptation of drugs would be too strong for him. Tom also told Lucci how one time he had a bad turn on the drugs and died but was brought to life, he was not afraid to die.

As Lucci continued chatting to the stranger, he seemed to relax a little and although shaking herself, Lucci could not bear to witness anyone killing themselves in such a horrible manner, jumping off a very high bridge, much to Lucci's relief, Tom preceded to climb down from the bridge, she gave him 10euros, to buy some food, he thanked her and as she watched him walk away she felt a huge sigh of relief come over her, I asked her would she do it again, she said, defiantly, "believe God puts us in places for a reason and if we can help somebody and save them from doing something bad, then we must take the courage to do so. Lucci was also inspired by her own experience of being attacked by a couple outside a club she was working for in town a few years previous, people walked by and did nothing to help her, it left her feeling very shocked as she was an innocent victim in this case.

Lucci is currently working with four other female Irish Rap artists and is currently releasing a solo song called “Love Hate You”, which releases on iTunes September 23^rd, her video won an award for best Video by an independent music fest in Cork, the song can be viewed on YouTube.

Photos: Una Williams Photography

Robyn’s Life Party a great show of support

Alli MacDonnell, Robbie Kane, Jo Jordan

Robyn’s Life Party a great show of support

It’s been 7 weeks in the making but the Robyn’s Life Party is finally upon us, fronted by reality television favourite Jo Jordan to raise awareness and funds for the Robyn’s Life Trust. The event has attracted a significant number of famous faces who have offered their time to help out and includes a Celebrity fashion show, an auction for pop icon Rihanna’s guitar, Live entertainment, Live DJ’s and a VIP meet & greet with UK celebs. If you love fashion, a gig goer, or a die-hard clubber, This party is open for everyone to enjoy.

Robyn Smyth is 9 yrs old.  At the age of 3 Robyn was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.  A tumour was found in her chest and head and tests showed that the cancer had already spread to many parts of Robyn's body.  This meant Robyn's cancer was stage 4, this put her survival rate at 20%-30%. Robyn has since endured Chemotherapy, Surgery, Stem cell transplant, Radiotherapy and 6 months on tablets to try to kill any remaining cancer cells. Robyn stayed in remission for 4 and a half years but on the 9th of July 2013 we got the devastating news that Robyn has relapsed. The treatment available in Ireland for children that relapse is very limited but there are cutting edge trial treatments available in hospitals in America and Europe. We are desperately trying to raise funds for these treatments – the treatments there start at €350000 and can end up costing double this or more.

Jo said “it feels like we have been promoting the event for a long time now and can’t wait to open the doors on the night, everyone involved has been so supportive and I cannot thank them enough for everything they have done. We still have a long way to go over the coming week to promote the event and sell more tickets, we can promise anyone who buys a ticket will have the best night of their life and help us towards saving a life. Robyn needs all the help this country can give her and I’m proud to raise awareness for such a great cause.”

Representative of the Robyn’s Life Trust Cathy Dornan who is also Robyn’s auntie said

“I am really thankful to Jo and her team for raising so much awareness for the trust and bringing much needed exposure at a crucial time for Robyn, I think the Life Party is a great idea and was very happy that she wanted to do this for us. Marie Burrows who is also relative and founder of the trust said

“We were very touched that someone like Jo Jordan who is well known in the media was willing to give up her time, unfortunately there has not been many people of Jo’s status that’s been available to help us, we are very pleased and thankful to Jo and her team for everything they are doing for the trust. We hope Jo continues to support us in the future.

The party will be held at Vanilla Nightclub on Morehampton Rd, Donnybrook Dublin on Saturday 21^st September, Doors open at 7pm with a champagne reception & show starts at 8pm. Ticket information is on the website www.robynslifeparty.com as well as the facebook page (Robyn's Life Party).

Published: RSVP Magazine 20.09.2013
Photos: Una Williams 

Irish author soars the US & UK charts with latest book

Irish best-selling author soars the US & UK charts with latest book

Irish Author Sophie Rose Williamson is on cloud 9 after her latest book “GYPSY” soared to No 16 in the United states charts recently. The book was the eagerly anticipated sequel to Sophie’s best-seller “here come the girls” which also reached dizzy heights internationally.

The Cork based author who has a strong military background  first came to the public’s attention writing under her real name Valerie O’Brien with “In The Shadow of Men” that tells her story of Irish military life.

When asked how she felt about having chart success so early after the book launch, Sophie said “ I'm really happy GYPSY is doing so well at the moment, turning from combat author to chicklit lady was no easy task, I locked myself away for almost 4 years writing this but readers now know there are more sides to me than meets the eye and I hope they enjoy it”.

GYPSY Synopsis:

There are two types of women in life. On the one side you have the luscious prom queen complete with sleek blonde locks. Mommy brings her to the best most professional hair salons in town. On the other side of the mirror you have the fat dumpling, the little girl who looks in the mirror. She isn't the only one who sees ugly. Wild, unruly hair opens her mouth at the wrong time. 

Twenty years later the girls have grown up. Two rivals, two broken hearts. Emma is wildly sophisticated. Amber on the other hand, cannot face the flashbacks. Suddenly she realizes she cannot face the humiliation of her teenage years. 

Sexy raven haired Ashan slinks back into her life. Call girls and a playboy lifestyle have left a trail of heartbreak in his wake. In Paradise Cove, serious demons and dark secrets begin to stir. Sometimes the hurt is too big to be forgotten. For most of her life, Amber has felt the reject. Right up until Katie her mostly suicidal genius of a best friend comes to her rescue. Katie is artistic, devoted, delicate and kind. She weaves her magic in mysterious ways. But can Katie truly weave Ashan from the arms of the sinister golden tanned long limbed Emma. Eccentric mishaps and deep forgotten pain abounds. 

Underneath all the layers of clothes Katie unveils her master plan. Amber finds out she had another family all along.

GYPSY is available for download from Amazon and Waterstones nationwide.

Jo Jordan’s career focused

Jo career focused

Reality Television favourite Jo Jordan is taking up private acting classes at the prestigious Gaiety School of Acting her management can reveal.

Jo who climbed to fame whilst on TV3’s Dublin Wives is focusing on the future after hearing confirmation from TV3 that the hit reality show will not make a return to the changing network.

Not one to be pessimistic,  Jo is said to be relishing the opportunity to take on a new challenge and help further a career on our screens. 

Robyn’s Life Party plans underway

Robyn's Life Party plans underway  

  Reality TV star Jo Jordan held a press call at the Hampton Hotel Dublin to promote the eagerly anticipated Robyn's Life Party on the 21^st September at Vanilla Nightclub to help raise money for Robyn Smyth, the 9 year old girl with Neuroblastoma to undergo breakthrough medical trials in the United States. The event will involve a celebrity fashion show, a charity auction including Rihanna’s guitar, live entertainment, DJ’s  and a VIP meet & greet with well known celebrities from the UK. The team behind the event hopes that providing a night of entertainment will reach out to more people and help generate a bigger donation for the Robyn’s Life Trust. 

Pictured left to right: Orlagh McGee, Jade-martina Lynch, Jo Jordan, Sinead Murphy

Jo said “The whole country is behind Robyn and doing what they can to raise enough money, As ambassador to the trust I am doing my bit in true Jo Jordan style and throwing the biggest party all to help raise enough money so that sending Robyn for trials is possible. I hope the press and public really get behind this event so that we can hand over a big fat cheque to the Robyn’s Life trust”.

Tickets details are available on the website www.robynslifeparty.com or the facebook page (ROBYNS LIFE PARTY) and will be widely available across Dublin from next week. The event team are currently looking for retailers to donate auction prizes for the party, if you can help in any way please send us an email to info@robynslifeparty.com or send a message on the facebook page ROBYNS LIFE PARTY.

 

 

Pictured left to right: Jade-martina Lynch, Jo Jordan, Sinead Murphy, Orlagh McGee

photos: Una Williams