It’s been a huge year of celebrity stories, with everything from extravagant wedding news, to devastating family losses. Some had the highest moments of their career, while others, in their manic celebrity schedule, ended up disappointing their biggest fans. It’s been a varied year to say the least, but here are some of our top stories of 2016:
Daithi O’Sé
Daithi O’Sé opened up to VIP Magazine about the toughest experience of his life: the loss of his father. Not only did Daithi have to deal with his father, Maidhc, passing away in his arms, but he also had to tell his mum the harrowing news afterwards.
Daithi said to us, “It definitely sticks with me. I really tried to shake him, to wake him up, but he was literally drawing his last breath and that was it.
“I remember looking at my mother’s face and telling her he’d gone. The silence was deafening and that was the hardest thing having to tell her that.
Lisa Cannon
Earlier this summer we took you behind the scenes of the biggest Irish celebrity wedding of the year, when Lisa Cannon said ‘I do’ to her long-term partner Richard Keatley in a lavish ceremony at Castello Di Vincigliata in Florence.
The Xposé star wore a stunningly simple white dress with detailing along the sleeves, which her beau opted for a special ‘James Bond’ tux.
Speaking to us at the time, Lisa said, “It was spectacular. We had the best time. Lots of people said to me that it wasn’t traditional, it was just really lots of laughter and fun.”
Saoirse Ronan
Hundreds of fans were left disappointed earlier this year, as Saoirse Ronan was a no show at the Enniscorthy premiere of Brooklyn.
The actress was due to attend the ‘homecoming’ screening, but unfortunately she was forced to ‘change her schedule’ at the last minute, VIP was exclusively told.
300 guests were left disappointed in the Riverside Park Hotel as the guest of honour was a no-show.
Danjella
Daniel and Majella opened up to VIP about the secret behind their 13 years of marriage: writing and hiding love notes for each other.
Daniel told us, “We leave wee notes in places you might not find for three or four days.”
Majella added, “He found one from me in the fridge last night when he went to get his dinner.”
How cute are these two?!
Aoibhín Garrihy
Aoibhín Garrihy opened up to us about her lavish engagement to her businessman beau, John Burke. John whisked her away to her favourite place – the Cliffs of Moher, and popped the question with the help of their dog Rubie.
Speaking to VIP, she said, “It was my birthday so he’d a day of activities organised and he told me to just wear a tracksuit and we’d bring the dog for a walk.
“He packed us a rucksack, and in it, which I wasn’t aware of at the time, was a bottle of Champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries – the whole lot.
“We pulled in off the trail and sat down in the grass, and he asked me to look at Rubie’s dog tag [which had the words, ‘marry me’ etched into it].
“What happened afterwards was a bit of a blur. He had my nana’s ring, which he got off my dad. I was very close to nana so it was very special.”
Andrea Roche
Andrea Roche made modeling history, as for the first time in Ireland, she signed a blogger, Rosie Connolly, to her agency.
Taking to social media at the time, Andrea said, “Bloggers are so powerful these days in the world of fashion and beauty so we have decided to be the first model agency in Ireland to represent some of Irelands leading bloggers.
“Meet the first to be signed by us, the stunningly beautiful Rosie Connolly. Welcome Rosie, we are excited to work with you xx Andrea.”
Now that’s an achievement!