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Christmas
Irish Independent I 2 December 2016
ALL Wrapped UP
CELEBRITY
Christmas Irish stars tell Clodagh Dooley what they’re most looking forward to this Christmas, what their fondest festive memory is, and what’s on this year’s wish list JENNIFER ZAMPARELLI Television personality
“This Christmas I’m most looking forward to watching my toddler pull down every decoration in the house! As for my fondest memory? It would have to be Dublin Airport. Not for getting away, but for collecting all my siblings who had emigrated and were coming home for Christmas. There was huge excitement to see them coming through those arrival doors at Dublin Airport.” Catch Jennifer on Bridget and Eamon every Monday night on RTE 2 at 9.30
Photo credit: Matthew Thompson Photography
CECELIA AHERN Author
“This Christmas, I have my eye on a Chupi heart ring, but I can’t wait to experience the excitement of Santa Claus with my little ones. On Christmas Eve, we’ll place Santa’s milk and cookies, and Rudolph’s carrot, in front of the fireplace, and we’ll also sprinkle glittery oats down the road so that they can find their way to our house. Their excitement on Christmas morning as we tiptoe down the stairs is the greatest feeling.” Cecelia Ahern’s book Lyrebird is available in all good bookstores
JASON BOLAND Bass player in Kodaline
“This year, we are planning on making some new traditions and trying Christmas dinner in a restaurant for the first time ever, which I’m really looking forward to. We’ve also replaced our lovely real tree with a fake one. On my Christmas list is the new Sony A6500 and the DJI Mavic Pro drone camera, as I’ve gone camera mad. Although I’ve crashed two already, they are the best big boys’ toys I’ve ever come across!”
MARK MCCABE DJ
“I’ll always remember spending Christmas with my dad. He passed away a couple of years ago unexpectedly, a week before Christmas, so it’s always been a tough time of the year. I’m sure to make the most of Christmas with my family ever since. You never know what’s around the corner so appreciate the time spent at Christmas with the people you love. As for what’s on my wish list? I have a beautiful, amazing wife, two amazing sons, close friends and I make music for a living. What more could I ask for? But if I had to say… a V2 Boosted Board would be nice!” Mark McCabe’s Maniac themed merchandise t-shirts are available on www. markmccabe.ie
Photo credit: Barry McCall
AL PORTER Comedian
“My mam will never let me forget a time when I was younger and I asked for a rubber duck for some reason. So, I got a rubber duck in the Christmas stocking and when I went to the church for Christmas mass, everyone was asking ‘and what did you get? I’d tell them ‘I got a rubber duck’, and my mam was like ‘I got you a f***ing bike, you ungrateful little…!’ But I was never materialistic. I’m actually one of the worst people to shop for. I’m one of those people who says they don’t want anything. There are very
simple things I like – I love when people write you a nice card and I also like getting records for my record player. If there’s one thing I’m wishing for, it’s for the way things are going right now for me personally, to it keep going this way – because I’m in a really good place right now, with my family and friends, and it’s great.” Catch Al in The Ugly Sisters and Yer One! The Story of Cinderella at the Olympia Theatre from 16th December to 8th January. For more information, visit www.olympia.ie
ROB HEFFERNAN Olympian
“I love Christmas day with my wife, Marian, and the kids – from opening the presents in the morning to pigging out on food all day and playing board games in the evening. It’s a lovely escape from the real world if only for a day.”