URGENT UPDATE: London Rose Shauna Sammon hosted a successful fundraiser on July 5, 2023, at The Claddagh Ring, raising vital funds for the Southwark Irish Pensioners, a cause that holds deep personal significance for her. The race night, emceed by Joe O’Neill, attracted a vibrant crowd eager to support the older Irish community in London.

The event featured entertainment from singer-songwriter Niall McNamee and showcased the strength of the Irish community in London. Shauna, who is a 28-year-old teacher from Erriff, Co. Mayo, expressed her gratitude to everyone involved, stating, “I’m so grateful to everyone that contributed to the night to make it such a success.”

Shauna chose to support the Southwark Irish Pensioners following the passing of her grandfather on April 1. She emphasized the importance of the charity’s work, saying, “They do a lot of work supporting the older Irish community in London who may not have family to visit them.”

With the Rose of Tralee Festival fast approaching on August 15-19, Shauna is preparing to represent London as she competes among the 32 Roses. “It’s exciting,” she said, highlighting her anticipation for the festival. “My family are so looking forward to it, and it is another time for us all to get together.”

During the fundraising event, Shauna reflected on her journey, admitting, “I think it will continue to sink in for the year.” Having grown up watching the Rose of Tralee on television, she is thrilled to be part of it. “To think that I’ll be one of those 32 Roses up on the stage this August is still quite surreal but it’s exciting.”

The night was a testament to the strong Irish community in north London, with Shauna praising the contributions of Joe O’Neill and the support from local sponsors. “Finbar Holian had everything organized so it was great,” she added.

As Shauna gears up for the Rose of Tralee, she is looking forward to the journey across Ireland leading up to the festival. “We start off in Meath and we do a little tour around Ireland before we reach Tralee,” she shared. The excitement is palpable, as this represents not just a personal achievement, but also a celebration of her heritage.

Stay tuned for further updates as Shauna prepares for this prestigious event, a momentous occasion for both her and the London Irish community.

UPDATE: Paul Mescal’s entertainment firm, Castle Dawson Pictures Ltd, has just reported a remarkable post-tax profit of €1.023 million for the 11 months ending September 30, 2023, driven primarily by his leading role in Ridley Scott’s blockbuster, Gladiator. This profit marks an astonishing increase of 231% compared to the previous year’s profit of €309,051.

The surge in profits translates to an impressive €21,326 weekly profit over the reporting period, demonstrating the financial impact of Mescal’s rising star power. The actor, who recently attracted attention as one of the 82,300 fans at Croke Park watching Tipperary clinch their 29th All-Ireland hurling title against Cork, has seen his company’s cash funds nearly double from €646,596 to €1.24 million.

In a significant financial move, Mescal’s company distributed dividends totaling €333,333 to him, the sole owner. However, no pay was allocated to directors last year, following a hefty €641,185 payout in 2023. As of late September, Castle Dawson Pictures holds accumulated profits of €1.16 million.

The release of Gladiator in November 2022 has proven to be a game-changer, with the film grossing a staggering $462.2 million worldwide. Mescal’s portrayal of Lucius Verus was so impactful that director Ridley Scott remarked, “He was a special find. He was absolutely perfect.” This financial boon comes on the heels of the film’s successful run, which saw it achieving the 5th highest box office in Ireland for the year at €3.67 million.

The momentum of Mescal’s career continues to rise, especially following his breakout role in the critically acclaimed series Normal People in 2020. This year, he signed off on accounts for Castle Dawson Pictures on June 30, solidifying his status as an influential figure in the entertainment industry.

In a strategic move to further capitalize on his success, the company agreed to a loan facility of €1.05 million for Mescal in November 2022, just days after the release of Gladiator II on November 15, 2022. Mescal is not just a talented actor but also a savvy businessman, having incorporated Castle Dawson Pictures Ltd on November 23, 2020, after his meteoric rise to fame.

This latest financial report confirms that Mescal’s trajectory is not just a trend but a testament to his hard work and talent, with his firm positioned for continued success in the competitive film industry. With his acting career flourishing and his company thriving, fans and industry watchers alike are eager to see what’s next for this rising star.

Stay tuned for further updates on Paul Mescal’s impressive journey in Hollywood and the continuing success of Castle Dawson Pictures.

URGENT UPDATE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has just announced that new peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for Wednesday, following two previous rounds that yielded minimal progress in ending the ongoing war. In a statement during his daily address on Monday, Zelensky revealed that he discussed preparations for the upcoming meeting with Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine’s Security and Defence Council.

The latest discussions will take place in Turkey, where previous talks on May 16 and June 2 resulted in the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war. However, significant breakthroughs toward a ceasefire or a comprehensive settlement remain elusive after nearly three and a half years of conflict.

Zelensky emphasized the need for renewed negotiations, stating, “The agenda from our side is clear: the return of prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, and the preparation of a leaders’ meeting.” He urged for greater momentum in discussions to bring an end to the war, highlighting the critical human toll the conflict has taken on both nations.

The situation has intensified, with the Kremlin releasing a memorandum detailing stringent conditions for a ceasefire, including the annexation of four additional Ukrainian regions and disarmament of Ukraine’s military. Analysts believe these terms are unlikely to be accepted by Kyiv, given that they also seek to control Ukraine’s elections and policies.

As tensions rise, Russian President Vladimir Putin faces mounting pressure, particularly from US President Donald Trump, to demonstrate progress toward resolving the conflict. Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia and its trade partners within the next 50 days if a deal is not reached.

Despite the Kremlin’s assertion that both sides hold “diametrically opposed” views on the conflict’s resolution, Zelensky remains committed to pursuing dialogue. The urgency surrounding these upcoming talks cannot be understated, as the humanitarian crisis continues to escalate, affecting millions of civilians.

Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops and details from the peace talks emerge. The world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes peace and stability in the region.

UPDATE: Pippa O’Connor has revealed that her husband, Irish TV presenter Brian Ormond, is recovering after a “tough weekend” in the hospital following urgent back surgery. The couple, who share three sons—Ollie (12), Louis (9), and Billie (3)—shared updates on social media, keeping fans informed of Brian’s condition.

Pippa took to her Instagram stories to address the health scare, stating, “It’s been a week. Poor Brian is in hospital. He will be fine but unfortunately he had to have back surgery, of all things.” She emphasized that Brian’s situation escalated quickly, making the surgery unavoidable. “Things just kind of went from bad to worse, and he needed to get it done. It was done on Friday, and he will be home later on today,” she added, expressing relief as a new week begins.

In a heartfelt post, Brian thanked the staff at Matter Private Hospital for their exceptional care. He shared a touching photo of a card from their son, Billy, which read, “To Dad, I love you. Love always, Billy xxx.” Alongside the image, Brian expressed his gratitude, writing, “Tough weekend but a massive thank you to all the staff for looking after me so well with my back surgery. Looking forward to heading home to the best nurse now @pipsy_pie.”

The past few days have been challenging for the family, filled with hospital visits and the normal chaos of family life, as Pippa noted her weekend included juggling football matches and hospital trips. The emotional toll of the situation was palpable as she reflected on the events.

Pippa, an influential figure on social media, regularly shares glimpses of her life with her children. Just last month, the couple celebrated their son Louis’s communion in a lavish event attended by family and friends, which showcased their tight-knit family dynamic. The communion featured stunning outfits and a beautiful celebration at their home, demonstrating the couple’s commitment to their family traditions even amidst personal challenges.

As Brian recovers, fans and well-wishers are eagerly awaiting further updates on his health. The family’s resilience shines through in these tough times, reminding many of the importance of support and love during difficult moments.

Stay tuned for more updates as Brian Ormond heads home to continue his recovery with Pippa and their children by his side.