LIVE BLOG LATE LATE TOY SHOW 2024
LIVE BLOG LATE LATE TOY SHOW 2024
00.10
That's the end of our blog folks. Hope you enjoyed it. I think we can start saying Happy Christmas now, can't we?
00.07
Finally, special mention to Mullingar's Anna Keenaghan who was one of the contributors on the books section. Anna is a third year student at Loreto College.
00.06
Final Marks:
Senan 10/10
Donnacha 10/10
Grace 8/10
As I mentioned a few minutes ago, I don't think it will go down as one of the great Late Late Toy Shows, but judging by the marks of my three assistants, perhaps its main target audience would disagree.
However, no matter where the 2024 instalment ranks in the pantheon, there is no denying that the Toy Show is an Irish institution and one that we should cherish. In an increasingly fragmented world, there are very few events, particularly of the wholesome variety, that manage to capture a country's attention the way the Toy Show does. Long may it continue.
23.54
Toy Show Appeal latest: Over €4m and counting.
23.47
Part Four Marks: Donnacha 10/10
Senan 10/10
Grace 9/10
Me: As great as all the children have been and Patrick Kielty is doing his best. For me, it won't go down as one of the great Toy Shows, unless something major happens in the final part. There have been very few what pre-social media would have been called 'water-cooler moments'. I am showing my age with that reference.
23.45
Olympians Phil Healy and Charlene Mawdsley help Kirsty make hay in Smyth's. Who is the Queen of Christmas?
23.40
Johnny Sexton gave Liam a pair of his boots and admits it took him a good few years to "learn how to listen". His book is well worth a read.
23.33
Audience giveaway number four: A €200 voucher from Fáilte Ireland. Inflation or not, the audience haven't done too badly this year.
23.27
Toy Show Appeal latest €3.66m. Wow
23.25
Mullingar's Johnny Joyce, does his home town and Westmeath proud with his rendition of The Irish Rover. Well done Johnny, you're a star.
23.15
Audience giveaway number 3: A hamper from An Post. The consensus here is that the giveaways are not as good as previous years. Grace suggests it might be due to "inflation". She might be right.
Part 3 Marks:
Donnacha 10/10
Senan 10/10
Grace 9/10 (Her marks are going up)
23.12
Kevin from Leitrim is good craic with his 'Leitrim half dozen'. Pure country.
23.09
You could do a lot worse than have Phil Healy and Charlene Mawdsley helping you for a 60 second toy grab in Smyth's.
22.55
Holly and Phoebe, real BFFs. So cute, and thoroughly deserving of a trip to Orlando together.
22.45
Part two marks: Grace 7/10
Donnacha 10/10
Senan 10/10 (I think the amount of sugar the boys systems may be affecting their critical faculties)
Me: The second half was definitely more entertaining, although all the children have been fantastic. Brian Óg and Leo from Leitrim were particularly good.
22.43
Leo from Leitrim is a natural story teller.
22.36
First toy not to work. Well done to the floor manager for having a second one there as back up.
22.34
Great performance.
22.26
Nathan Carter fan Brian Óg from Tyrone is our favourite so far.
22.21
2nd audience giveaway: This time a hamper from Arnotts.
22.19
'They don't even stand up!' Disney might not be too happy, but fair play to Georgia-Mai for telling it like it is.
22.14
€1.225m already raised, Irish people are incredibly generous.
22.07
First part marks:
Grace 6/10 (A Toy Show veteran compared to her brothers, she reckons it will get better as it goes along)
Donnacha 10/10 (very kind IMO)
Senan 8/10
In my view, to paraphrase Eamon Dunphy, it was " a good, not a great" start.
22.04
First freebie of the night, a €150 Tesco voucher. Not too shabby
21.54
Ollie from Meath launched the Toy Show Appeal. What a rock star!
21.52
Dory's a natural.
21.42
That was a "brilliant" intro according to my assistants. And what a great job done by Isobel.
21.39
My three assistants are ready for action.
9.25
I have three assistants here with me tonight. My seven year old twins boys, Donnacha and Senan, and my daughter Grace (11). I will be asking them for their views on the show during each break. It will be interesting to see if they become more or less insightful as the blood sugar levels rise.
20.15
There a number of talented young people who will be flying the flag for Westmeath at the Toy Show.
Mullingar's Johnny Joyce, who topped the iTunes charts a few weeks ago with his first single, Santa Grant a Wish, is taking part in the All Ireland Parade, a first on The Toy Show. Also taking part in the show .is Madee Daly Khruacha from Cappagh, Ballinalack and Athlone's Elsie Farrell Rooney. Best of luck to everyone.
21.00
Good evening folks and welcome to our Live Blog on the televisual event of the year, at least in our house, The Late Late Toy Show.
To get you in the mood, I have picked some of my favourite moments from previous Toy Shows of the Ryan Tubridy era. He won't usurp Gaybo as the King of the The Late Late Show, but for my mind, Tubs really came into his own on the Toy Show.
King Adam charmed the country in 2020.
It may have been that the country was in the midst of the pandemic and really needed a boost, but for me, at least, the 2020 Toy Show is one of the best ever.
One of the stars of the show and one of the most memorable ever contributors in the history of the Toy Show was Adam King from Cork.
The then six year old produced a virtual hug sign for the country just when we needed it most and in the process worked his way into the hearts of every single viewer.
Michael meets Davy Fitz (2018)
GAA mad Michael O' Brien from Kerry met one of his heroes hurling legend Davy Fitzgerald on the 2018 Toy Show. The two formed a fast friendship and when it came to banter, Michael gave as good as he got.
Domhnall forgets how to talk when he meets Robbie Keane (2013)
To say football mad Domhnall Ó Confhaol was delighted when he met his hero Robbie Keane on the Toy Show in 2013 is an understatement of epic proportions.
John Joe the horologist (2009)
Precocious John Joe Brennan from Roscommon was the star of the Toy Show in 2009. With his tweed jacket, in-depth literary critiques and his interest in horology (making and repairing watches), John Joe ensured that his appearance would live long in people's memories.