Old News >> April/May/June/July 2007
Westlifer Nicky Byrne's twin babies are christened
Between them, they still weigh less than a 10kg bag of spuds — but with family
connections like these, they will never want for anything.
Rocco and Jay Byrne's little christening party in Malahide, north Dublin,
included a top restaurateur, a best-selling author and a multi-platinum
boyband — and, oh yes, their grandad, the Taoiseach.
Proud parents Georgina Ahern and her husband, Westlifer Nicky Byrne, had
beaming smiles across their faces as they showed off their twin boys outside
their local St Sylvester's Church.
And pulling up just behind their silver Bentley was the black Mercedes
containing Bertie and Cecelia Ahern, the girls' mother, Miriam, and her current
partner, restaurateur Terry McCoy.
Westlifers Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan were not far behind, with
their partners, with band manager Louis Walsh following a little later.
The sun shone brightly as Nicky and Georgina brought their precious twins
into the church. Both babies were dressed in little white sailor suits, and
did not seem remotely fazed by the cameras.
Nicky revealed how much the pair had grown – Jay was just 2lbs 13oz at birth
and Rocco an even tinier 2lbs 11, he said, but as of last week they weighed a
healthy bouncing 9lbs 6oz and 8lbs 11oz each.
The boys were born six weeks prematurely by Caesarean section at Holles Street
in April and spent their first month in hospital.
"It's a very special day," said Nicky. "We've had three months off to get them
home and see them thrive. It's just fantastic. They grow so quickly, it's
amazing."
Georgina's father, Bertie, said he hoped his grandsons would go into the
entertainment world rather than politics. "I think entertainment is a safer
game," he joked.
He said he had been out to see the young family every Sunday for the past six
or seven weeks, and had been thoroughly enjoying being a grandad.
And while he admitted that the afternoon timing of the christening had caused
him to miss seeing his beloved Dubs play in Croker, the Taoiseach vowed that
party would go on "around and after the match".
There's only one team the twins will be supporting as they grow up, though –
the front of the special order of service booklet bore a picture of the pair
in tiny Dublin jerseys.
Nicky Byrne Snr said he hoped his grandchildren would follow his and his son's
example, and get into football and music when they grew up.
He said Nicky was a great father, who loved playing with the babies and having
a house full of toys. Around 150 close friends and family packed into the
picturesque stone church.
Opening the service, parish priest Fr Gerard Tanham said Nicky and Georgina
were there in part "to give thanks for the gift of two lovely children".
He said the baptism would give Rocco and Jay "the strength to be able to face
whatever comes their way in life".
Cecelia Ahern was godmother to Rocco, while Nicky's younger brother, Adam,
was his godfather. Jay's godmother was Nicky's sister, Gillian, and her
husband, Mark Gallagher, was godfather.
Louis Walsh, fresh from the previous night's Barbra Streisand concert, said
that having children was all Nicky had ever wanted.
"He's more excited about it than making a record," he added.
"I go to all the weddings and christenings. We're like a family now. It's a
big day for them."
Westlife member Mark Feehily: "Looking back to when we were 18, if we were
told we'd all be having babies now we wouldn't have believed it. It would
have been incomprehensible.
"But I think this is just the stage we are in now. It's great. You have to
take it as it comes, and it's fantastic."
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Added: 24th July 2007, source: The Daily Mail
Bertie's a double winner
Proud grandad keeps his eye on the ball as twins are christened
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern celebrated on the double yesterday with the christening
of his twin grandsons and another victory for the Dubs.
The proud grandad first attended Rocco and Jay's big bash in Malahide, north
Dublin, before later shuttling to Croke Park where his beloved Dubs beat Laois
to make it three Leinster titles in a row.
"There is a clash of events but we're going to organise both. We've the party
arranged for after the match," he joked beforehand.
The twin boys, who are now almost three months old, slept soundly as new
parents Georgina Ahern and Nicky Byrne arrived at St Sylvester's Church in
the seaside village.
"They're keeping us awake at night, but that's what it's all about," said a
beaming Nicky.
And while their names may have raised some eyebrows at first, the Taoiseach
said they are now "well known everywhere".
But after a gruelling few months on the campaign trail, he said he would
prefer to see his grandsons plump for entertainment over politics.
"Entertainment is a safer game," he said.
The twins' Westlife uncles attracted a large following of fans outside the
church as they drew up in a blacked-out van. Kian Egan attended with his
girlfriend Jodie Albert while Shane Filan arrived with his wife Gillian and
their daughter Nicole, who will turn two shortly.
Meanwhile the fourth band member, Mark Feehily, remarked on how their lives
have changed so much over the past few years.
"Looking back, to think when we were 18 it was going to be like this, having
kids and still being together nine years later . . . it's great," he said.
The first Westlife dad, Shane, said he had no advice for Nicky and Georgina on
parenthood but said the band's family tour bus would be well able to
accommodate two new guests.
"Having a baby is fantastic, it's a miracle, you take it when it comes.
It's great that we can take the kids with us (on tour)."
While most of the 150 or so guests arrived promptly for the 2pm ceremony,
Westlife manager and night owl Louis Walsh showed up some 45 minutes late.
"I had a late night, I went to Barbra Streisand," he said by way of an excuse.
"I go to all the weddings and christenings. It's a big day, we're like a
family now. Westlife . . . it's like a soap opera," he quipped before rushing
inside.
Georgina's younger sister and bestselling author Cecelia Ahern and Nicky's
brother Adam were godparents to Rocco, while Nicky's sister and her husband,
Gillian and Mark Gallagher, did the honours for Jay.
Speaking outside the church, Cecelia said both boys were "very well
behaved" during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, grandmother Miriam Ahern, who arrived with her partner restaurateur
Terry McCoy in the same car as Cecelia and the Taoiseach, said that both boys
were "thriving".
"It's an absolutely wonderful celebration, we're all very excited. Today is a
real family day," she added.
The only sour note to the day was when a photographer used a small camcorder
to film in the church.
However, Nicky calmly dealt with the situation, asking for the camcorder and
deleting the footage before turning the tables on the phalanx of press
photographers by recording them.
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Added: 24th July 2007, source: Independent.ie
Recording Starting Soon!
The Westlife boys are currently relaxing on holiday, but will be heading into
the studio in the next few weeks to start work on a brand new album!
More details to follow...
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Added: 24th July 2007, source: Westlife.com
Carlisle welcomes Westlife plus special guests
This is the only major Westlife concert in 2007. Other stars on the day
included Mutya Buena (ex Sugababes), Shayne Ward, appearances from Chico
plus several international acts to be confirmed. The finals of the Stobart
Factor will also be taking place at the event which will culminate with a
spectacular fireworks display.
The Cumbrian entrepreneurs, Andrew Tinkler and brian Scowcroft, have joined
forces with Carlisle City Council, organisers of 'Pop2thePark' to provide a
day of music and entertainment. Profits from the day will be used to provide
extra funding for the Carlisle Academy project.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Additional Information: On sale at Sands Centre from 10am Wed 12 June.
Date Time Notes
August 12, 2007 14:30
Online sales are with TicketWeb and include a booking fee.
Book online
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Added: 11th June 2007, source: The Sands Centre
Proud dad Nicky spills beans on christening...
Their famous granddad gave them a big welcome when they entered this world
over a month ago and soon Rocco and Jay Byrne will be welcomed into the
Catholic Church.
The twins are to be christened in a church in their hometown, Malahide, Co
Dublin, before the end of the summer.
Proud dad Nicky, 28 has revealed he wants the ceremony to take place before
he goes back to studio in August to record a new album with Westlife.
It will be a big day out for the Aherns and Byrnes who have doted over the
two bundles of joy since they were born six weeks premature at the National
Maternity Hospital on Holles Street in April.
Nicky said that being a dad to the eight-week-old twins was like
being 'in seventh heaven'.
"It's the most amazing feeling to wake up in the morning and see not one,
but two sets of eyes looking up," said the first-time father.
"Myself and Georgina have realised it's really all about them from now on.
"Georgina is doing great. She's well into mammyhood now. She's like a
professional at this stage. I think it takes a full 12 weeks for her to be
fully recovered, but she's flying and we can't believe how lucky we are.
"I was just saying to Georgina earlier how it's amazing that we'll never be
able to go back to the life that we once had with just the two of us. At the
end of the year, when Westlife are back in full swing, there are going to be
four of us travelling as a family.
"It has already changed how I look at things. It has made me want to work more.
And I can't wait until they are able to experience Westlife. We might be
doing Croke Park next year and it would be great to get them up on stage."
He said he was also looking forward to bringing them to GAA matches.
For the time being, he is settling for day trips with his young family in
Malahide during the good weather. One of their first ventures was a shopping
session in the north Dublin suburb. Westlife manager Louis Walsh gave Nicky
two months paternity leave so he could get to grips with fatherhood.
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Added: 11th June 2007, source: Irish Independent
Nicky’s Best Life
Exlcusive by Eddie Rowley
Westlife star Nicky Byrne yesterday revealed that becoming a dad has changed
his life.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday World, Nicky (28 ) told how he has
swapped the glitz of showbiz with for nappy changing and bottle feeding during
the night.
Nicky and Bertie Ahern’s eldest daughter, Georgina, became parents on April
20 after their twin boys, Rocco and Jay, were born six weeks early by
Caesarian section at Dublin’s Holles Street Hospital.
Ireland’s most famous twins were only allowed home from hospital a couple
of weeks ago and they are now thriving.
Nicky, who is cradling Rocco in the family photo with Bertie, Georgina and
Jay, says: "Rocco is older by a minute. He was smaller than Jay by a pound.
But they are putting on weight now thick and fast.
They look for food every three to four hours and they’re being bottle fed
now. They had breast milk for the first few weeks, which was important to give
them that start because they were premature. But from Georgina’s point of view,
when you’re expressing milk for two babies it’s not easy, so they’re on
the bottle now."
Having two hungry mouths to feed means disturbed sleep for the young couple.
This reporter got a text from Nicky shortly after 8am one morning during the
week.
Incredible
"That’s not like me to be up at that hour, is it!" he laughs when I mention
it. "But that’s my life at the moment, I’m up at all hours. But I’m not
complaining.
At four in the morning when you hear a cry you’re thinking, ‘Oh God!’ But
when you get up and look into the cot and you see four eyes looking up at you
and helplessly depending on you it just melts you.
You realize that it’s all about them now. You just want the best for them. It
changes you. I look into the cot and I just can’t believe they’re mine. It’s
incredible.
I’ve also become what they now call metrosexual. I’m doing all the things
that men didn’t do years ago. So when we’re out for a walk I’m carrying the
nappy sack and I’m a professional at nappy changing. But I wouldn’t do anybody
else’s child! And I’m very good at waking up wind, the babies’ wind that is."
The Dublin-based young couple have been enjoying a lot of goodwill since
becoming parents.
"On the little walks from our house to Malahide village everybody stops us to
have a look at the twins," Nicky reveals.
"Apart from the attention that these guys have had so far in the media,
a twin buggy is always going to catch the eye and people stop you. But
everybody has been so good.
We are living in cloud nine. It’s a great time in our life. It’s the time of
year as well because we can get out and the weather is fantastic and we can
go for a walk. It happened at the right time."
First time mother Georgina has also recovered and is enjoying the experience.
"Georgina is doing great," Nicky says. "She’s well into mummy-hood now. She’s
like a professional at this stage. I think it takes a full 12 weeks for her
to be fully recovered, but she’s flying and we can’t believe how lucky we are.
I was just saying to Georgina earlier how it’s amazing that we’ll never be
able to go back to the life that we once had with just the two of us. At the
end of the day when Westlife back in full swing there are going to be four of
us traveling as a family.
It has already changed how I look at things. It has made me want to work more.
And I can’t wait until they are able to experience Westlife.
We might be doing Croke Park next year and it would be great to get them up
on stage. And I’m looking forward to bringing them to GAA matches."
Apart from their immediate families, the couple haven’t had huge members of
visitors to their plus home in Malahide where Ronan Keating and his wife,
Yvonne, are neighbours.
"We didn’t want millions of people traipsing in and out until we found our
feet," Nicky says.
"When the babies were in hospital it took a lot out of us, so when we got
them home we were a little bit selfish with them. We needed to get a
breather and we needed to get a routine going."
The grandparents have been regular callers. "Both sets of grandparents are
absolutely besotted," Nicky says. "They’re the first grandchildren. My sister,
Gillian, is pregnant at the moment and that’s fantastic too, so I’m slagging
my mum that she’ll have to get an extension on the home for her grandchildren.
And we are also getting fantastic support from Georgina’s mum, Miriam.
She’s living with us at the moment because she’s in the process of moving to a
new house. Having the support of Miriam and my mum has been fantastic."
Christening
"And, obviously, it’s a great time for Bertie as well, particularly as the
election worked out so well. But either way it didn’t matter because he was
so thrilled to be a grandad. The whole month has been great.
Don’t ask me about politics because when Bertie comes around we don’t
really discuss it. He gets away from all of that. He eats, breaths and
sleeps it in his life, so for family time he gives it a rest. We might
mention it, but I wouldn’t have any more of an inside track than anybody else."
Nicky and Georgina are now turning their attention to organizing the
christening. Rocco’s godparents will be Georgina’s sister, best-selling
writer Cecelia and Nicky’s young brother, Adam; Jay’s are to be Nicky’s
sister, Gillian and her husband Mark.
"We haven’t picked a date yet, but we are looking at a christening before
I go back to work. That’s be nice, to have all the christening in Dublin
somewhere and have all the family get together," he adds.
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Added: 11th June 2007, source: Sunday World
Sleepyheads . . . laid-back Grandad admits he was out for the count
If Grandad can do it, then so can we.
Rocco Bertie Byrne and Jay Nick Byrne were photographed by the media for the
first time yesterday and slept soundly throughout.
Their grandfather, the Taoiseach, was somewhat more energetic. But then he
had earlier claimed he slept soundly through much of his own big day, Friday's
election count, so this could explain his fresh appearance.
"I know I'm an unusual guy in a number of ways but in fact the first report
I had got on the entire election was when my daughter Cecelia contacted me at
5.40 in the afternoon to tell me things were going well," he chuckled. "I
had no contact with the outside world until then."
So - let us get this straight - on the day of the most-anticipated election
count in decades, the leader of Fianna Fail had no idea how destiny was panning
out for his soldiers until tea time? "None whatsoever."
And all because you didn't get out of the scratcher? "I was in bed, I slept
until about twenty past four in the afternoon." Some of Manchester businessman
Michael Wall's money must have been spent on a decent mattress.
Taking into consideration that Bertie revealed last week that he had been
surviving on four hours' sleep a night for five weeks, his claim of an epic
shuteye is a little easier to swallow.
It is still hard, though, to shake the image of him sitting on the couch in
Drumcondra, mobile phone off, glued to the screen and nodding to himself as
his greatest victory unfolds. Now we know that Bertie was so laid back about
it all, he was horizontal.
"Cecelia said, 'Everything is going to be okay, it's going well and it's going
well throughout the country', and I left it at that," he said.
"I think the next person I spoke to was [Fianna Fail press director] Mandy
[Johnston] about an hour later so I didn't watch any tv or radio until the
nine o'clock news."
Come to think of it, he didn't miss much. Nor did his granddad kids yesterday.
The cute pair, in baby blue and white woolly hats, were held by parents Nicky
and Georgina as photographers filed into a small room in the Malahide Grand
Hotel in north Dublin for a quick shot.
Little Rocco made his first trip home last Sunday; his brother had beaten him
to it by a couple of days. They had been cared for at the Maternity Hospital in
Holles Street since their birth there - six weeks premature - on April 20.
Neither boy was answering questions yesterday. Nor, indeed, was their
grandfather who, admittedly, looked well-rested. Billed as a photocall,
journalists hoping for a quick word, a quick look or even offering to change
a nappy were left to sulk in the corner.
Earlier, Bertie had said that there was no problem with the media despite
throwing the toys out of the pram on Friday night.
"I'm not in any way angry and 98pc of media I don't have a problem with
ever..." he told RTE radio.
"I'm not a bitter person, I don't hold grudges, I don't go around saying 'so
and so, so and so said that, I have to get him back'.
"I'm not interested in that, it's not Bertie Ahern, the campaign is over and
other than being fairly wrecked, tired like every other politician I'm not at
all angry at the media or anybody else."
Most likely then he was just a little tetchy on Friday night - despite the
big sleep - when he took a swipe at journalists, their salaries, their expense
accounts and the reasons behind the questions they asked.
It's all a little childish. Yesterday was just about the boys, really.
Mr Ahern revealed that they had been in to see him last week at campaign
headquarters, and if, in 20 years, they asked what he was most proud of,
he had the answer ready.
"The answer for that is easy for me, I have had 30 years in politics, 40
years almost since I left school ... it is to move from the horrors of
Northern Ireland that I went to school with, spent my teenage years with,
spent my 20s playing football with, spent my political years with - to see
that solved, nothing I will do can ever beat that," he said.
Bertie Ahern is a man who has fought some extraordinary battles, and is now on
the brink of leading his party back into power for the third time in succession.
This time, he will be heading back to the Dail as a granddad.
And given that he has just faced down the mother of all election battles, it's
probably no wonder Bertie can, for the moment at least, sleep easy.
He knows he still holds all the cards when he returns to the table later
this week.
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Added: 28th May 2007, source: Irish Independent
Rocco and Jay welcomed home
But no snaps before granda's big day
By Breda Heffernan
After more than a month in hospital, the Taoiseach's grandchildren Rocco and
Jay have finally made their way home.
While little Jay made his first trip home early last week, new parents
Georgina Ahern and Nicky Byrne got an unexpected present yesterday when
doctors gave the go-ahead for Rocco to join them too.
Last night, the twins were said to be "safe and sound" at home with their
parents in Malahide, Co Dublin.
They had been cared for at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street
since their birth there - six weeks premature - on April 20.
Both babies weighed around three pounds when delivered by cesarean section.
However, since then the tots have been "piling on the weight".
Jay was first to be allowed home by doctors last Tuesday and Georgina and
Nicky were not expecting to bring their second son home until later this week.
However, not to be outdone, Rocco ensured he was hot on his brother's heels.
"Rocco went home today. It was completely unexpected. Georgina and Nicky were
expecting to bring him home later in the week. This is the best present they
could have got," said the couple's spokesperson.
And while there is still no set date for the country's most famous babies'
public debut, it will not be before polling day on Thursday.
The couple are going to discuss the release of the babies' first photographs
with their families but have already decided grandfather Bertie Ahern has to
get the election over with first.
Instead, the photograph is expected to be made public in the next two weeks.
In the days following the twins' birth, Nicky and Georgina turned down million
euro offers for the first photographs.
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Added: 21st May 2007, source: Irish Independent
Westlife get a milk moustache
Irish superstars Westlife will be the next faces to front Scotland’s ‘The White
Stuff Milk Moustache’ campaign. They will appear on billboards and bus stops
later this month donning the famous white moustaches to help promote the
benefits of semi-skimmed milk as part of a balanced diet.
The band has been signed up partly to get the message about the benefits of
calcium in milk across to its huge young female audience. Its involvement
coincides with National Osteoporosis Month in June.
This will stress how getting sufficient levels of calcium in childhood and
early adolescence is a key factor in helping to prevent the disease that will
affect one into women.
It is a response to so-called ‘fad diets’ aimed at young girls, which
discourage the use of dairy products and ‘could be doing their body untold
harm in the long run’, according to the Scottish Dairy Marketing Company (SDMC).
The White Stuff campaign is a joint initiative between the SDMC and the Milk
Development Council and co-funded by the EU.
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Added: 19th May 2007, source: Farmers Guardian
Mika to pen song for Westlife?
Mika is apparently planning to pen Irish boy band Westlife a new track.
The flamboyant Grace Kelly singer, whose debut album hit the No 1 spot, is
also secretly working on a number of tracks for other artists, reports the
Daily Star.
A source said: "Mika had given pop a good kick-start again in the fun
department and turned around many opinions that the scene had perhaps gone
a little stale.
"Westlife have been around for nine years now and want to freshen up their
sound so Mika is exactly the man to do that."
Westlife's most recent record The Love Album included several covers and the
group have reportedly admitted they were desperate for new ideas.
Band member Mark Feehily, 26, is quoted as saying: "Our preferred choice
would've been to record a new studio album. Good pop doesn't fall out of
trees. Not many writers are writing for pop now."
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Added: 19th May 2007, source: Metro.co.uk
Milk moustache campaign recruits Westlife
Irish boyband Westlife have sign up to be the next faces of Scotland’s
‘The White Stuff’ campaign.
The group will don the campaign's famous white mustache on billboards and
bus stops later this month to help promote the benefits of semi-skimmed milk
as part of a balanced diet.
The band, who have topped the UK charts 14 times, join other famous faces who
have taken part in the campaign, including Tennis ace Andy Murray, pop group
McFly and model Nell McAndrew.
Launched in 2003, the campaign is a joint initiative between five of
Scotland’s leading dairies and the Milk Development Council. It is also
co-funded by the EU.
The spokesman for the Scottish Dairy Marketing Company, the umbrella group
for the five dairies, said it was "fantastic" to have Westlife involved in
the campaign.
“Scotland’s milk moustache campaign continues to go from strength to strength,
and the addition of Westlife, who are arguably the biggest pop band in the
UK at the moment gives us the opportunity to target a whole new
audience," he said.
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Added: 19th May 2007, source: FWI.co.uk
Westlife to release movie soundtrack
Westlife are reportedly planning to release an album of movie covers.
The Irish boy band have put a collection of tracks together which include
Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On from Titanic, and Whitney Houston's I Will
Always Love You from The Bodyguard.
Other tracks slated to appear on the release include Love Is All Around,
previously covered by Wet Wet Wet for Four Weddings And A Funeral and Bryan
Adams' Number One hit (Everything I Do) I Do It For You from Robin Hood:
Prince Of Thieves.
The album, West Life At The Movies, follows their previous efforts of love
songs and swing classics.
The boy band recently wrapped up their The Love Tour in Dublin last week.
Westlife are planning to celebrate their ten year anniversary by holding a
one off concert at Croke Park next year.
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Added: 19th May 2007, source: China Daily
A Message From The Band
On 3rd May, Westlife played their final concert of what has been an amazing
tour. Over three months the boys performed throughout Australia, South Africa,
the UK and Ireland and won the hearts of fans across the globe.
They've written the following message to thank everybody who managed to come
to one of the shows...
'Wow. The tour has finished and we can't quite believe it. We've had an
absolute blast this year and it's gone so unbelievably quickly. Travelling,
performing and meeting all you guys around the world has been amazing and now
we're all looking forward to a relaxing break and some time with our
friends and family.
We just want to say thank you so, so much for everything. Your support over
this tour has been awesome and we look forward to seeing you all soon.
Westlife xx
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Added: 19th May 2007, source: Westlife.com
Liveline's Joe shows Nicky he's top of pops
TWINS? Sure Joe Duffy has triplets.
So who better to turn to for advice when you have just become a father to two?
Nicky Byrne popped up on 'Liveline' yesterday afternoon to get some tips and
update the nation on how naming the boys is coming along.
He told the radio host they will be called Rocco Bertie Byrne and Jay Nick
Byrne, but pictures of the duo may be hard to come by.
"I think for the little lads, you don't know, these mightn't like the public
eye. They might be completely different to their dad and their Grandad, and my
dad's in a cabaret band as well," Nicky said, simultaneously swatting away
lucrative offers from glossy magazines.
Bertie the Grandad will be willing and able for babysitting duties after the
election, said Nicky.
The twins were born two months early, of course, and the Westlife singer
revealed that the decorators were around yesterday morning to fix up the main
bedroom for their arrival.
This is when Joe's experience came to the fore.
"Make the room totally self-contained if you can - a sink, a fridge, an
armchair," he advised, drawing some nervous laughter from the first-time dad
who didn't think Joe was serious. But Joe was very serious.
"You're going to be spending a lot of time in there in the first few months.
And as I say, get your sleep," he continued, as Nicky tried in vain to get a
word in.
"You'll be tempted to stay up at night with them and Georgina will be very
tempted if she's feeding them herself to spend a lot of time [up] but she has
to get her sleep. Because you have to be with them every day, seven days, 14,
28, six months, the rest of your lives."
"The worry doesn't end," Nicky laughed, wondering what the hell he had
gotten himself into.
"But the joy doesn't end either," Joe hit back.
Nicky said that the two boys are now feeding, and breathing on their own, and
the doctors want them to put on some weight before plans can be made for
bringing them home.
His wife, he added, was back on her feet and doing well.
Bertie - the Grandad - will be willing and able for babysitting duties after
the election, he believes, but might have to brush up on his tunes.
"Would you believe I was actually singing a Westlife song? World of Our Own we
were singing to them and some of the nurses were singing it to them aswell so
that was kinda nice," Nicky revealed.
Joe approved.
"Great atmosphere, great atmosphere," he said.
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Added: 24th April 2007, source: Irish Independent
Babies stay under wraps as Georgina goes home
THE public may have to wait days to catch a glimpse of the new Ahern
grandchildren.
Georgina Ahern is not expected to leave Holles Street Hospital in Dublin
until this evening ) at the earliest, and her two new bundles of joy could be
at least a week later.
At just over three pounds each, premature newly-borns Rocco and Jay are
being monitored in a special unit at the maternity hospital.
Medical staff said they were doing very well in their incubators and did not
need ventilators.
Only family, friends and hospital staff have set eyes on the new arrivals.
Proud grandfather Bertie Ahern has visited, along with Cecelia Ahern and
boyfriend David Keoghan. It is understood that Georgina's mother Miriam is
making plans to return home from a holiday in Chile with her restaurateur
boyfriend Terry McCoy.
Early reports suggest that the identical twins have long legs like Georgina
but any resemblance to An Taoiseach has not yet been detected.
A spokesperson for the new parents said that the couple and their twin boys
will pose for a family shot - but it may not take place for at least a week.
She confirmed that new parents Georgina (27) and Nicky Byrne will not sell the
first pictures of the boys - which have been given a potential price tag over
€1m.
"Georgina could be in for a few more days and the boys could be even longer,"
said spokesperson Joanne Byrne.
"Because they were premature, the staff want to keep an eye on them and they
are in a unit for premature babies. Georgina had to stay in last night ) and
could be there longer. When mothers have caesarians they often have to stay
longer than usual.
"They are not interested in selling the pictures because, unlike their wedding,
they feel this involves not just them, but other lives. They have not had
offers, because they said they would not sell the pictures, but they
had inquiries."
It is likely that 'Hello!' magazine was one of those in touch regarding a
picture deal after it paid over €500,000 for the couple's closely-guarded
wedding snaps in 2003.
Georgina went into labour after she visited the Holles Street hospital for
tests and doctors decided to carry out an emergency caesarean. The twins were
born just before 10am last Friday.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 24th April 2007, source: Irish Independent
Nicky Becomes A Father
Congratulations to Nicky, who became a proud father to twin boys on Friday
morning. Rocco, Jay and Georgina are all doing very well.
Nicky and Georgina would like to pass on their thanks to the Westlife fans for
their wonderful messages.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 24th April 2007, source: Westlife.com
Pictures of Georgina's family and Nicky arriving at the Holles Street Hospital
Go
here
to see them
----------------------------------------------
Added: 22nd April 2007, source: Wenn.com
Pictures of Nicky leaving the Holles Street Hospital
Go
here
to see them.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 22nd April 2007, source: Wenn.com
Articles about Nicky and Georgina becoming parents from different newspapers
----------------------------------------------
Added: 22nd April 2007, source:
Luce
Bertie becomes a grandpa - twice
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was beaming from ear to ear when he went for a first
visit to his new born twin grandsons.
Taking time out from politics he went to the National Maternity Hospital in
Dublin yesterday where Rocco and Jay were born on Friday, a couple of months
premature, to his 27-year-old daughter Georgina and her husband, Westlife
singer Nicky Byrne.
He was accompanied by his other daughter, novelist Cecelia and her boyfriend
David Keoghan, and the proud new father.
They posed happily for photographers on the hospital steps, Mr Keoghan
clutching two blue teddy bears.
The Taoiseach has expressed himself "delighted" with the birth of his first
grandchildren and very happy for his daughter and son-in-law that the babies
are doing so well despite being born prematurely.
The double celebration comes weeks before Mr Ahern sets about trying to secure
a record third term in power.
The Taoiseach said he was delighted with the births.
"Once Georgina is OK then that`s all that matters to me," he said.
Mr Ahern said he spoke to his daughter on the phone after she was brought out
of recovery and said she was in great form.
"Everything`s well and the two were premature but they`re in good form and
everything is fine," he said.
"I`m delighted for them. I think Nicky and Georgina are a great couple.
They are very close to me, no matter where they are, wherever they tour the
world. They spend most of the year away but they always keep in touch so I`m
very close to them."
Mr Ahern said he was worried as any grandparent would be until Georgina came
out of recovery and revealed she was a little under the weather but in
good spirits.
"Naturally enough I`m very delighted and I`m very happy for them."
----------------------------------------------
Added: 22nd April 2007, source: Press Association
Twins are smash hits as Westlife singer on cloud nine
They've been top of the charts more times than the Beatles, but last night
Westlife's Nicky Byrne said nothing could beat the feeling of becoming a father
for the first time.
"We're a happy family, the four of us," he said as he emerged from the
hospital where wife Georgina had just given birth to their first children -
twin boys.
Bouncing babies Rocco and Jay, born at 9.55am yesterday by Cesarean section,
are two months ahead of schedule and although tiny, are healthy.
"It was an anxious time but they're doing well. They're getting special care
because they're not full term. Georgina's doing great - I love her to bits,"
said the ecstatic new dad.
The couple had rushed to Holles Street Hospital in Dublin city centre at 6am
on Thursday. The non-identical boys entered the world more than a day later,
with devoted dad Nicky at Georgina's side.
"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It's the happiest day of my life,"
he said.
He said it was still too early to say who the babies looked like, mum or dad,
but they were "so cute".
The babies were only five hours old when an international bidding war began to
get the first photographs of Ireland's newest celebrities.
Celeb favourite 'Hello!' - the magazine that won exclusive coverage of
Georgina and Nicky's French wedding - has expressed an interest in bagging the
first pictures. Ever the professional, Nicky, who was surely running on
adrenalin at this stage, made sure his legions of Westlife fans were not
disappointed and joined his bandmates on stage in The Point last night.
He left the hospital shortly before 7pm, signed some autographs and posed for
photographs with 16-year-old fan Shannon Sheridan, before jumping into a black
Jeep to be whisked across the city.
Before leaving, he said that new granddad, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, had not
been for a visit yet and Georgina was still recovering. "There has been nobody
(visiting) as yet. She needs a bit of rest," he said.
While Rocco and Jay arrived a little ahead of time, their granddad will
certainly relish the new additions to his election team, particularly when it
comes to baby-kissing on the campaign trail.
It will also bring some good news as he faces down continuing concern about
job losses, rising interest rates and inflation, and our slowing economy.
On the brink of calling a general election, Bertie yesterday opened the new
Department of Agriculture laboratory at Backweston in Co Kildare before heading
on to further engagements in Co Meath. He is expected to visit his first
grandchildren this morning.
For the man who contested the 1997 election with the slogan 'A young leader
for a young country', and is now a granddad, it must seem like a world away.
Meanwhile, new grandmother Miriam Ahern had not expected the twins' arrival
for another few weeks so jetted off on holidays to Chile on Wednesday with
partner Terry McCoy.
She sent a message home from Santiago: "I'm so delighted to welcome my
grandchildren and very sorry not to be there to see them in their first few
hours and most especially my daughter and of course my son-in-law Nicky."
----------------------------------------------
Added: 22nd April 2007, source: Irish Independent
Taoiseach becomes grandad to twin boys
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern expressed his delight yesterday after his daughter
Georgina gave birth to his first two grandchildren at the National Maternity
Hospital in Holles Street, Dublin.
Georgina and her husband Nicky Byrne of Westlife welcomed their twin sons,
Rocco and Jay, who were two months premature, into the world just before 10am.
The couple issued a statement expressing their joy that the baby boys were safe
and thanked "Professor [ Fionnuala] McAuliffe and all the wonderful staff" at
the hospital.
In Dunboyne, Co Meath, yesterday Mr Ahern said he was "delighted" for the new
parents. They were "a great couple" and though they spent "most of the year
away" they made a particular effort to keep in touch with him, he said.
He had been speaking to Georgina who was "in good form, obviously a little bit
under the weather". He hoped to visit her last night or this morning.
Jay is an abbreviation of James while Rocco is the Italian form of the name of
St Roch, born in Montpellier, France, in 1295. He is patron saint of dogs, dog
lovers and invalids, and is venerated as a protector against knee problems,
epidemics, plague /pestilence and all contagious diseases.
A St Rocco procession is featured in The Godfather - Part II. It has been said
that in Poland he is prayed to in order to ward off vampire attacks.
Georgina and Nicky were married at Wicklow Register Office in August 2003.
Their union was blessed four days later at the church of St Pierre et St Paul
in Gallardon, Eure-et-Loir, France.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 22nd April 2007, source: Irish Times Online
Nicky and Georgina welcome twins
Westlife star Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina have announced the birth of
their twin sons.
According to a statement released on behalf of the couple, the boys, who will
be named Rocco and Jay, were born at 9.55am today.
The statement said: "Nicky and Georgina Byrne welcomed with great joy the safe
arrival of their twin sons Rocco and Jay born at 9.55am this morning in the
National Maternity Hospital Holles Street, Dublin 2."
The couple would like to thank Professor Mc Auliffe and all the
wonderful staff at NMH Holles Street."
Georgina's father Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said this afternoon he is delighted
about the news. Mr Ahern said he spoke to Georgina on the phone and hopes to
visit her and the twins either tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Childhood sweethearts Nicky and Georgina have been married since August 2003.
----------------------------------------------
Added: 20th April 2007, source: RTE.ie
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