Any experiences with Irish "celebrities" ?

Met Joe Rooney at Body & Soul one of the years around 3 in the morning. Sound guy having the absolute craic.

My boyhood idol Packie Bonner blanked me and others a few times. Ok, ok we are entitled to nothing. But some of a certain generation worshipped him

We had a Celtic supporters group and would often see Packie on our flight as he was a coach. Never ever would give us the time of day. I know a Clontarf resident who says the same, no point even saying hello as you will be blanked

....on the other hand Mick McCarthy, would slap your back and talk to you like a long lost friend. He regularly took his Ipswich team to Shelbourne and would not leave until everyone had a photo and a kind word. Our supporters group also met him in airports and he would chat all day to us. Legend

Its a bit rough to judge someone on one very brief encounter, Not sure any of the commenters would be a ray of sunshine 24/7? Although I would say though that some people certainly handle fame better than others.

From RTE met Marty Whelan, very sound and likable man and Pat Kenny too was also down to earth.

Pauline McGlynn an absolute angel who showed up to an award ceremony for people with mental health disabilities.

Brian McFadden acted like a total mug to me in a bar were I worked, "Here mate get us a vodka and coke not too much coke now, and I'll give ye one of these" *holds up a crisp fiver*. I sent another lad up to sort him out.

Contrary to others here, Brian O'Drico was apparently very sound to a relative of mine going out of his way to help her out on one occassion.

The Poet Brendan Kennelly held the door for me coming out of Dunnes on George's Street, full of smiles a lovely man no doubt.

id suggest getting that chip removed from your shoulder asap before it causes more problems. O Driscoll is a prick yeah but O Gara is very friendly with fans although he might not have always been. Sexton is a gent

Every single one of these threads mentions Bonner and every single time no one has one good word to say about him. Lots of peoples experiences will differ in these encounters, sometimes they are just having a bad day but Bonner is consistently an arsehole.

I've seen Jerry Flannery a couple of times in Limerick, he's smaller than I expected. I also saw Peter Stringer on the Luas to Heuston Station and met Paul O'Connell at a cancer unit opening at my workplace, he seems a really decent guy. My Dad done some work for Brendan Grace once and said he was a gentleman. My most obscure encounter was seeing Northern Irish chat show host Gerry Kelly sitting in Bewley's Cafe in Cruises Street Limerick about twenty years ago. I sometimes see Aidan Gillen and Brendan O'Connor around Dublin also.

I never approach any celebrities though as I would feel like I was bothering them. If my eye caught theirs I would just give them a friendly hello.

Ryan Turbridy, I’ve mentioned before how I’ve been in his company on a number occasions. Generous, knowledgable and funny.

Brian O’Driscoll, genuinely lovely guy. Great to speak to on any topic, not just rugby.

Miriam O’Callaghan, a real sweetheart and great fun.

Roy Keane, generous with his time even though he doesn’t seem comfortable or relaxed in groups.

Van Morrison, difficult to get too much out of but if you enjoy uncomfortable, and comfortable, silences there’s no better man.

John Creedon, very nice and very interesting.

Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, Colm Meaney, Gabriel Byrne, Liam Cunningham, Cillian Murphy, Michael Fassbender all sound.

Met Bono walking his dogs on a beach in Dalkey, we’d been at a rave that had been broken up by the Gards earlier in the night. He was good craic, when we explained about the rave he laughed and said he wondered why the Garda helicopter had been hovering around for so long, waking him up. Joked that he was glad it wasn’t pirates or smugglers.

Have met countless other “celebs”, most have been pleasant encounters. I’d say it must be awful having all these random ordinary folk trying to be your best friend and feeling like they’re entitled to your time and attention and then having them “rag” on you for wanting no part in it.

Richie doesn't give a focal at all? 😶

Richie has suffered with parkinsons for a few years now, that could have been the reason he didn't want to sign

I don't even know what this Alan Hughes guy looks like and from what I've read so far I don't think I want to know.

I sometimes see him on a Saturday morning sitting outside Olio & Farina in Little Catherine Street Limerick. I find him an odious piece of work.