Daughter of the Taoiseach, sister-in-law to a Westlife hunk and now a
millionaire author Cecelia Ahern launched her book last night surrounded by the
rich and famous...
At only 22 Cecelia Ahern has the world at her feet and enough money in the bank
to live a life of luxury after her first book, PS I Love You, has become a hit
across the globe and is now due to be made into a Hollywood movie.
But looking at Cecelia's background it would be hard to imagine her NOT doing
something massive with her life considering she is the daughter of the Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern and her sister Georgina just married Nicky Byrne of Westlife.
Last night she had the launch of her book in the plush surroundings of the
Merrion Hotel surrounded by A-list Pop Stars and politicians.
Last night saw all the Westlife guys (minus Bryan McFadden who was recovering
after Samantha Mumba's 21st), and Ronan Keating rubbing shoulders with Cecelia's
Mum and Dad Celia and Bertie Ahern, and her boyfriend David Keohane.
PS I Love You tells the story of Holly, a 30-year-old Dubliner whose husband,
Gerry, dies unexpectedly of a brain tumor. Holly discovers he has left her 10
sealed envelopes containing monthly tasks Holly must complete or challenges she
must face - each designed to help her come to grips with her grief and embrace
life again.
The novel has been snapped up by publishers in 23 countries, including a $1
million deal with Hyperion in the United States.
Hollywood producer Wendy Finerman, who won an Oscar for Forrest Gump snapped up
the film rights for $100,000.
Cecelia has already finished her second novel and is already making notes on a
third.
RONAN KEATING: £3 million - last year's position 60 - This
year's position 49!
Age
26: His album 'Turn it on' was released in November but sales were poor - it bebuted at number 21 and went no higher. Ronan's single 'Lost for words' reached
number 9, giving him his 25th consecutive top ten hit, including his 16 as a
member of Boyzone. He had a busy year, appearing in the Middle East and Asia,
then playing 11
British dates in April. Over the new year, he performed in Sun City South
Africa, which pays almost as much as Las Vegas. One wealthy couple paid him
£250,000 to sing at their wedding.
Intimate
details of what influenced our top music stars have been revealed in a new book.
From The Cradle To The Stage by Alan Swan is a collection of original interviews
with over 70 leading Irish musicians and singers, the sales of which will also
boost the charity,
Fighting Blindness. Stephanie Bell took a leaf through the pages, and
selected a few of the choice quotes from some of your favourite stars...
Pop icon, RONAN KEATING, recalls how his first
ever gig with Boyzone was "an absolute disaster".
"It was a place called Toughers, in Naas, Co Kildare," he said.
"It was a small gig, with mainly our families making up the audience, as we
hadn't got a huge fan base at the time.
"The single, Working My Way Back To You, had just come out, and was doing well
in the Irish charts at the time.
From the cradle to the stage is available at all good bookshops now. "But
we were so full of s**** at the time, that we climbed out the back window of the
venue after the gig, and ran down the road to get into our taxi, because we
thought we were going to be mobbed.
"And there was only our family and friends at the gig! That's how mad we were."
Of the several notable achievements during his career with Boyzone, as a solo
artist, and as the co-manager of supergroup Westlife, Ronan reveals that his
biggest was having a successful debut solo album.
He said: "That was a huge deal.
"Coming away from such a massively successful band as Boyzone, all the pressure
was on me to perform.
"But it worked, and that success took a huge weight off my shoulders."
From the cradle to the stage is available at
all good bookshops now.
Century FM the North East's No. 1 for
80's, 90's and gave VIP members the chance to win tickets to see Ronan Keating
perform an exclusive set on Monday December 15th, 2003.
This was an exclusive ticket only engagement and 100-102 Century FM had the
tickets so you could see Ronan Keating perform an exclusive set right here in
the North East.
Ronan says, 'This is a great show, I get to play the music I love on a network
that has always supported my music. I can't wait to come up to the North East
and play a live set for the Century FM listeners'.
Ronan was the special guest at the 10th Chinese Music Awards on
January 8th. He sang 'She Believes in Me' during the show and also presented the 'Distinguished
Award' to Chinese pop diva Faye Wong.
Thanks to Fin from the ronankeating.org.uk
message boards for the wonderful photos. Clickhere to see them.
An
Acklam student made sure pop idol Ronan Keating remembered the Boro when she won
the chance to meet him thanks to the Evening Gazette.
Emma Payne, 18, travelled to Newcastle Arena with her mum Linda to meet the
Irish star before he performed an exclusive gig for 200 fans.
The Middlesbrough College student said: "I have been a massive fan of Ronan's
since he was in Boyzone - he has such a great voice and he is so gorgeous.
"The evening was totally unbelievable, it was great to see him perform so close
up and I gave him the Boro flag."
The former Boyzone singer signed copies of his new album 'Turn It On', along
with some photographs before Emma gave him his football club flag for keeps.
Ronan has announced that the 2nd single to be lifted from his
new album 'Turn It On' will be 'She Believes In Me'. It will
be released on February 9th.
Below are some stills from the video which is available to select
on The Box NOW! - Select number 371. The first two photos courtesy of London Features,
the last one
- www.ronankeating.com
Age
26: His album 'Turn it on' was released in November but sales were poor - it bebuted at number 21 and went no higher. Ronan's single 'Lost for words' reached
number 9, giving him his 25th consecutive top ten hit, including his 16 as a
member of Boyzone. He had a busy year, appearing in the Middle East and Asia,
then playing 11
British dates in April. Over the new year, he performed in Sun City South
Africa, which pays almost as much as Las Vegas. One wealthy couple paid him
£250,000 to sing at their wedding.
Intimate
details of what influenced our top music stars have been revealed in a new book.
From The Cradle To The Stage by Alan Swan is a collection of original interviews
with over 70 leading Irish musicians and singers, the sales of which will also
boost the charity, 
An
Acklam student made sure pop idol Ronan Keating remembered the Boro when she won
the chance to meet him thanks to the Evening Gazette.
Ronan has announced that the 2nd single to be lifted from his
new album 'Turn It On' will be 'She Believes In Me'. It will
be released on February 9th.
