Cleo represented Offaly In the national competition, which took place in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry last Saturday.

For the contest Cleo launched her own campaign “Further Than You Think” which encourages people to reconsider what success can look like when their education does not go according to plan.

After receiving 65 points in her Leaving Certificate, Cleo was left questioning her own abilities and uncertain about her future. Cleo spent many years feeling ashamed by here Leaving Cert a time she found very difficult but she ultimately made the decision to not let it defy her future.

Cleo returned to education for over seven years of further and higher education, including undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Today, Cleo works in further education in Ballyfermot, Dublin, as a business and media lecturer and a coordinator of a business and psychology degree programme. Her experience now informs her work with learners facing their own doubts about education.

Cleo is very passionate about the next generation and her campaign Further Than You Think highlights alternative paths to success, encouraging young people and adult learners not to let setbacks define their future.

Being crowned Ms Ireland did come as a shock for the Offaly woman but she can’t wait to represent the county and the country.

She's been sharing her story on Shine A Light, which is Funded by the News reporting Scheme.

The comedian and actuary, who grew up in Offaly with an Irish mother and Nigerian father, is among the performers featured in the new series, which follows comedian Martin Angolo as he sets out to create Ireland’s biggest multicultural stand-up comedy showcase.

Ciara admits the title of the programme immediately grabs attention, describing it as "shocking" but saying that is exactly why Ciara loves it. 

With racism continuing to be such a prominent topic of conversation, she believes comedy can provide a way of exploring it from a different perspective.

"The title is shocking, but I love it."

The series asks how conversations around racism can be approached in a more light-hearted and less serious way. 

Ciara was asked to take part in Stand Up If You’re Racist after her second stand-up gig, something she says made the opportunity even more exciting. 

Despite being relatively new to the comedy circuit, she is looking forward to seeing the finished series on television.

Born in London to an Irish mother and Nigerian father, Ciara moved to Ireland when she was 11 and settled in Offaly. She says her own experiences of arriving in Ireland have naturally influenced the material she brings to the stage.

"When I came over at 11 years old going into school, I was black, but I was also English."

While conversations around race can often focus on what divides people, Ciara believes comedy can highlight the experiences people have in common.

"We all hate our bosses, don’t like our in-laws" she joked, pointing to the everyday experiences people can draw from regardless of their background.

 Ciara’s move into stand-up came after she returned to Ireland and found herself looking for a new hobby. Comedy felt like a natural fit for someone who admits she was never exactly shy growing up.

"I was always a yapper in school and I loved the attention," she said.

Getting on stage for the first time was still a terrifying experience, but those nerves quickly disappeared once she began performing. 

Ciara says she absolutely loved it, describing stand-up as addictive and even a form of self-therapy.

For now, her career as an actuary remains her full-time job, but comedy is not going anywhere. 

Ciara says she plans to continue performing stand-up alongside her professional career discussed in full on Shine A Light.

Promo:

Shine a Light is Funded by the News reporting Scheme. 

Midlands North West MEP Maria Walsh decided it was something she needed to do.

Around 6,000 IVF cycles took place in Ireland. 

The former Rose of Tralee says she thought she would be doing this journey without a wife.

Speaking to Midlands 103, Maria believes it is important to have open conversations about women who choose to pursue motherhood alone and the different paths people can take towards starting a family.

She came out as a gay woman in her mid-20s, but says that never changed her belief that she would one day have children.

“I just knew it would be a little bit different.”

However, becoming a mother on her own was not how Maria had originally pictured her future.

“I think it’s super important to stress that I thought I would have a wife or a partner with my white picket fence and 2.5 kids and a dog.”

But life didn’t quite work out that way. Before deciding to pursue IVF alone, Maria asked herself a number of difficult questions about whether she was ready to become a single parent and what that would mean for both her and her child. Ultimately, she decided to take the step towards motherhood.

However, the IVF journey itself was far from easy. Maria went through the process privately, choosing not to tell anyone what she was doing including her own family. Without those closest to her knowing what she was going through, she found herself dealing with the physical and emotional pressures of IVF largely by herself.

“You are so alone in your thoughts, which are often not healthy. My head and my body disconnected to protect me.”

The experience brought periods of uncertainty and isolation as Maria navigated the treatment and its emotional impact without the support network she would normally turn to.

Now, however, the mum to be is looking forward to an exciting new chapter, with her baby due in October. After the challenges of IVF and making the decision to pursue motherhood on her own, she says things are now going great as she prepares to welcome her first child. By sharing her experience, Maria hopes to encourage more open conversations around women choosing to become mothers on their own and the many different ways a family can be created. Maria Walsh shares her story of IVF and her journey towards motherhood on Shine A Light.

FROM SOUTH INDIA TO WESTMEATH

On Shine a Light, supported by Coimisiún na Meán, we welcomed Deepa Gandhi as part of our International Cuisine slot. 🍽️

Originally from Vellore in Tamil Nadu, Deepa lived in Dublin for 20 years before making the move to Collinstown, Co. Westmeath two years ago.

Deepa is a Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner and former Nurse Endoscopist, and currently works as Endoscopy Lead at CMPH Mullingar.

She joined us to share a taste of her South Indian heritage and the food and flavours that remind her of home.

Promo:

Shine A Light is funded by the News Reporting Scheme. 

She says "the second I picked up a basketball, I just really enjoyed it and I wanted to keep playing."

Basketball quickly became much more than a hobby. Alyssa’s dedication and hard work saw her catch the attention of scouts, eventually opening the door to a college basketball scholarship in the United States. 

Alyssa went on to attend Saint Peter’s College in New Jersey. Located just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Saint Peter’s offered Alyssa the opportunity to compete at a high level while studying Business Management and experiencing life in a major American city. 

After building her life around basketball in the US, Alyssa took the opportunity to make a new start in Ireland, joining the Portlaoise Panthers. 

Now preparing for her fifth season with the club, Alyssa has become firmly established within the Panthers community. She says she "absolutely loves it" and has developed friendships and connections that she believes will last a lifetime. While men’s basketball continues to receive greater levels of attention and support overall, Alyssa believes the women’s game is making significant strides, particularly on the international stage, with an increasingly passionate fanbase following the sport. 

For Alyssa, that growth also brings a sense of responsibility. She sees herself as a pioneer for women in sport and hopes to see female athletes continue to receive greater recognition, opportunities and support not only in basketball, but across sport as a whole. 

Her life in Ireland has also developed beyond basketball. Having settled in Portlaoise, Alyssa has launched her own training business and put down strong roots in the local community.

"My college was once across the river from Manhattan, New York, so I did enjoy city life, but Portlaoise offers a community that I love."

For now, however, Alyssa’s focus has returned firmly to the basketball court. With a new season on the horizon, she is eager to get back into action and help the Portlaoise Panthers push for a successful campaign, discussed in full on Shine A Light.

Promo:

Shine a Light is Funded by the News reporting Scheme.  

“Burlesque is a dance art form that is hundreds of years old,”

Memphis explains that its roots stretch back centuries, beginning as a form of theatrical parody and skit before evolving over the years. As burlesque moved underground, it experienced different ebbs and flows in popularity before developing into the performance style audiences recognise today.

Memphis began her own burlesque journey in her 30s, after spending years wanting to give it a try. She says that once she finally took the plunge, she threw herself into it developing her own performance style and becoming part of the burlesque scene in Athlone.

“It’s become a huge passion in my life”.

Through her show Only After Dark, Memphis brings together performers from across Ireland. Memphis says she has watched the country’s burlesque community grow significantly over the past decade. However, the scene is still feeling some of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to venues and how audiences buy tickets.

“Covid changed things with venues and ticket sales. Pre-Covid, tickets sold out fast, so you were in a good place before the show. Now it’s last-minute sales, so that can be stressful.”

While the industry has faced challenges, Memphis believes burlesque itself can have a hugely positive impact on the people who take part.

Memphis says stepping into a character and creating an alter ego can give performers an opportunity to explore a different side of themselves and build confidence.

“Burlesque is therapy.”

That belief in the power of performance also feeds into one of Memphis’s biggest projects. Four years ago, Memphis launched the Heart of Ireland Burlesque Festival, a pageant-style celebration of the art form which brings performers together to compete for the title of Heart of Ireland. The festival also gives newcomers their moment in the spotlight through its beginners’ title, the Shannon Spirit Award. Now returning to Athlone, the Heart of Ireland Burlesque Festival takes place Friday 11^th and Saturday the 12^th at the Dean Crowe Theatre, with a packed programme of performances and events planned across the weekend. For Memphis, it marks another chapter in a journey that began simply with wanting to try something new in her 30s and grew into a passion that now sees her helping create a stage for burlesque performers from across Ireland discussed in full on Shine A Light.

Also on this week's Shine A Light, An Ukrainian man living in Laois says he loves Irish Culture.

Nazariy Buryak moved to Portlaoise when he was 12.

Speaking on Shine A Light, he says he was very easy to settle in:

Shine a Light is Funded by the News reporting Scheme.

Promo:

A huge fan of the format before entering the castle, Mark describes it as one of the best shows Ireland has taken on and was delighted to be selected from thousands of applicants. Despite originally hoping to become a Traitor, Mark ultimately entered the game as a Faithful.

“I convinced myself I’d be a Traitor. I planned on it, so when I wasn’t, I thought, ‘What do I do now?’ So I just went with the flow.” Mark says the mind games continue even when the cameras stop rolling, with contestants constantly questioning who they can trust. While some days on set are long, he says he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Mark has a cochlear ear implant which left his fellow contestants worried about his lip-reading skills. However, Mark says his talent for spotting traitors was more based on body language “Eamon went red a lot so I just knew”

Life after The Traitors also took some getting used to, with Mark admitting he is surprised by just how popular the show became.

The attention following the series caught him off guard, particularly when viewers begin recognising him in public.

“I was at the Ploughing Match and a kid asked me for a photo. I could not believe it.”

While the initial months following the show are busy, Mark says things have since settled down, with life largely returning to normal. Mark remains in touch with his fellow cast members and says the friendships formed during the show have continued long after filming ended. For those taking part in this year’s series, his advice is simple: enjoy the experience and try not to get caught up in the reaction online.

“You can’t do anything about it, so block it out.”

Mark says contestants should make the most of their time on the show and avoid letting social media commentary take away from the experience. Discussed in full on Shine a Light.

Also on this week's Shine A Light, the chairperson of Mullingar Pride says he went back into the closet because of the reaction he got.

David Reinheart says moving to the midlands has helped him grow as a person.

He has been speaking on Shine A Light about his experience of coming out:

Week 4 promo:

 Shine a Light is Funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

The organisation provides a range of services across Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Kildare, with a focus on providing safe and welcoming spaces for members of the LGBTQ+ community and helping to combat social isolation. Lucas says creating visibility and building connections within both the LGBTQ+ community and the wider community are an important part of tackling that isolation:

“Creating visibility and creating connections within the community. If you are not having the conversation with the wider community, the isolation does not get solved.”

Midlands LGBT Project developed in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, which exposed a lack of dedicated resources and supports across the Midlands. The organisation now works to bridge that gap by providing spaces where people can meet others, build connections and access support closer to home.

Lucas says younger LGBTQ+ people can find it particularly difficult to access both LGBT-specific services and wider personal supports in their local communities. However, the challenges surrounding isolation and connection are not limited to younger generations.

Midlands LGBT Project also runs a dedicated over-50s group, providing an opportunity for older LGBTQ+ people to meet and connect with others in the community. Lucas says the experiences of older members can be very different to those of younger generations, particularly for people who grow up at a time when LGBTQ+ identities are less visible and dedicated community spaces are far less accessible. For some members of the group, it provides an opportunity they have never previously had

Speaking on Shine A Light, Lucas says “They are a cohort of people who never had that space.”

Through its work across the Midlands, the project continues to create spaces for LGBTQ+ people of different ages to connect with others, access support and build a stronger sense of community from an organisational perspective, Lucas says there are still a number of challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, with particular concerns around the experiences of trans people.

Public bathroom legislation recently brought into the UK is a worry and an area he highlights, saying fear and misunderstanding surrounding the trans community can have a significant impact

“The fear the trans community has now is very valid.”  Lucas says open conversations around these issues are important in helping people to better understand the experiences of the trans community and challenge misconceptions.

Midlands LGBT Project is working to address this through its dedicated trans group, which is currently its largest across the organisation.

The organisation also provides a number of other social groups and activities, including a sports group, creating further opportunities for LGBTQ+ people across the region to meet and build connections, discussed in full on Shine A Light.

On this episode we also cover the survey that shows one in four women often miss work because of menstrual symptoms.

The study by The Menopause Hub also found more than one in three women had not disclosed a menstrual health issue at work.

Speaking on Shine A Light, Paula Byrne from the Mindful Cycle in Abbeyleix believes there needs to be more education so women can better understand their cycles:

Week 3 promo: 

Shine A Light is funded by the News Reporting Scheme. 

The figure highlights the significant gender gap that remains across trades traditionally dominated by men, despite ongoing efforts to encourage more women to consider careers in the sector.

Sandra Doyle, Apprenticeship Operations Manager with Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), and Caitlyn Maguire from Mullingar, an apprentice in heavy vehicle mechanics, discuss the challenges facing women entering the trades and the importance of encouraging more women to consider an apprenticeship.

Sandra Doyle says supports are available for women considering a career in the trades, and attitudes within the industry are continuing to change. She says employers and training organisations are playing an important role in opening up traditionally male-dominated apprenticeships to more women.

“Over the last 10 years, things have changed. Training organisations and employers have worked together to encourage women to enter traditional trade apprenticeships.”  Sandra also points to the financial benefits of choosing an apprenticeship, with apprentices earning while they learn and avoiding many of the costs associated with going to college or university.

Apprentices also gain a recognised qualification and employment opportunities in industries where skilled workers remain in high demand, both in Ireland and internationally.

She says women are just as capable as men of succeeding in the trades, with more women now challenging the traditional perception of who these careers are for.

Mullingar’s Caitlyn Maguire, who now lives in Cork, is completing an apprenticeship in heavy vehicle mechanics, working with her hands has always appealed to her.

“Growing up, I just wanted to work with my hands. I was always fixing things in the house and trying to understand electricity.”

While Caitlyn says she initially felt intimidated walking into an environment dominated by men, she says her experience quickly puts those concerns to rest, with her colleagues welcoming her and strong friendships developing throughout her apprenticeship.

Her advice to other young women considering following the same path is simple:

“Just go for it. You will have no regrets, particularly if you’re not into the books. I wasn’t — I like to be out doing things. I was never a sit-down-and-learn person.

“I have to say, I do like the theory with this, but I would just say go for it. Go for it.”

For Sandra, raising awareness of the opportunities available to women in traditional trades is an important part of breaking down the barriers that remain.

“It can be such a fulfilling career, and breaking stigmas is vital.”

Caitlyn’s experience of entering a traditionally male-dominated trade, and Sandra’s work encouraging more women to consider apprenticeships, are discussed in full on Shine a Light.

Meanwhile, the new Rose of Tralee says she's really embraced her hair loss in last nine months.

Caoilfhinn Ní Choiligh took the title of 2026 Rose of Tralee on Tuesday night.

The Mullingar woman has been living with alopecia since the age of 15 and is passionate about supporting others experiencing hair loss.

She says removing her wig on stage is a moment she is incredibly proud of:

Week 2 Promo:

Shine A Light is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.

Christine O'Mahony was born in London and adopted by Irish parents and is now living in Athlone.

Speaking on Midlands 103's Shine A Light, she says she was aware from a young age that she looked different to others in her class.

“It was strange to me that they would point out these sorts of differences, because you would expect senior infants to be innocent.”

She remembers children asking questions about her lips, her afro hair and why her hair was braided. While the questions came from other children, Christine felt some of what was being said reflected conversations and attitudes they had encountered elsewhere. Being singled out in this way made her increasingly aware of her appearance and left her feeling uncomfortable at an age when she was still trying to understand why others viewed her as different. Growing up as a mixed-race child in an Irish family also presented challenges at home that neither Christine nor her adoptive parents had necessarily been prepared for.  Her parents, who are white, had little knowledge or experience of caring for afro-textured hair, and there were few people around them at the time who could offer advice or guidance.

For Christine, this was not a reflection of the love or care she received from her family, but rather of how little information was available to adoptive parents raising a child from a different racial or cultural background.

Today, she believes families have access to far more information and education, allowing parents in similar circumstances to better understand and care for the different needs of their children there is even classes for Father’s in Athlone to learn to care for their children’s hair.

Christine says her experiences growing up did have a lasting impact on her, particularly at an age when she was already very sensitive to feeling different.

At school, she was simply trying to get on with her education, but having ADHD meant concentrating in class could also be difficult. Christine says she was fortunate to have an adoptive mother with an academic background who could support her, while having an SNA in school helped her to manage her ADHD. However, that additional support could sometimes make her stand out even more.

“It was a shocker for people as I was the class clown and different.”

Christine also remembers how isolating her school years could be, often spending time alone in the playground. She says her experiences could affect her friendships from time to time.

Now an adult, Christine feels that things have changed somewhat, but says she still encounters assumptions about her identity. At a recent Dublin Pride event, Christine was wearing a “Black & Irish” T-shirt when she was stopped on the street by passers-by who told her she was not Irish.

“It was the fact they stopped me in the street to tell me what I am not. I did not like that feeling.”

Christine believes there has been a rise in racism in Ireland and points to recent incidents where the actions of one person of colour have led to entire communities being targeted. She says individual wrongdoing should be criticised, but believes blaming an entire race for the actions of one person is wrong.

Christine says the rise of the far right has been “very challenging for minorities”, but hopes Ireland can move away from prejudiced attitudes. For Irish people who may not understand how to refer to someone from a different racial background, Christine acknowledges there can sometimes be confusion around language. She says terms such as mixed-race or person of colour can be used, but ultimately believes understanding comes through learning and conversation.

Christine is proud to describe herself as “Black and Irish” and has channeled her own experiences into trying to make things better for other minority communities. She is the founder of Mullingar4All and chairperson of Heartlands Pride, using her own experiences to advocate for greater inclusion and understanding. Her journey from growing up feeling different and isolated to becoming an advocate for others is something Christine discusses in full on Shine a Light.

A midlands woman has climbed Ireland's Stairway to Heaven in aid of an autism charity.

Athlone's Maureen Ward tackled the famous Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail in Fermanagh, covering more than seven miles to reach the summit in her bare feet.

The fundraiser is in aid of autism charity As I Am.

Speaking on Midlands 103's Shine A Light Show, Maureen says she felt she had to suffer a little bit.

This is what you can expect from Shine A Light:

Week 1 promo:

Shine A Light is funded by the News Reporting Scheme.