Today we celebrate fathers the length and breadth of the country and thank them for everything they do for us.
Here Siobhan O'Connor talks to six people in the public eye who share their own special stories about their dads.
ROSANNA DAVISON
The 39-year-old paid tribute to her famous dad, singer Chris De Burgh, revealing she feels “lucky” the pair are so close.
Mum-of-three Rosanna is planning a family this Sunday to celebrate her dad who is a “hands on” grandad to Sofia, Hugo and Oscar who fondly call him “Bambam”.
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Lady in Red singer Chris toured a lot in the 80s and 90s but Rosanna recalls: “He was a really fun dad growing up, he was always thinking of different games and fun outings for us.
“I remember once he surprised us with a trip to Disneyland Paris.”
Former model Rosanna, who won Miss World in 2003, said her dad gave her brilliant career advice and helped with media interviews.
She added: “His management helped me out a lot at the beginning too.”
“Whether it was dinners or events or parties, I learnt a lot from watching him.”
ANNA DALY
Anna Daly said she’s grateful to have her dad Noel, 79, with her this Father’s Day after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020.
TV star Anna, 46, told us: “We’re lucky to have dad here.
“He’s come through prostate cancer recently, so I will definitely be spending a portion of the day spoiling him.
“He loves The Ivy, pure notions, so we might try and get into town for a bite to eat.”
Opening up on Noel’s cancer battle, the Hospital Live presenter said: “He’s gone through the treatment for it.
“Now it’s just about managing the levels so he lives with it. The treatment has blasted the cancer away.
“Once you keep the levels to a very minimum it’s about just building up your strength after radiotherapy and trying to get strong and fit again.”
ARTHUR GOUROUNLIAN
The Dancing with the Stars judge owes his “strength” to his father Hakob who died aged 45 from a brain haemorrhage.
Armenian pro dancer Arthur fled his home country when he was 12, during the conflict with Azerbaijan, and said his father was the family’s “protector”.
Arthur, 43, told us: “When my dad passed away, I got that powerful strength because my life completely changed.
“I lost that male figure in my life. He was a workaholic. He was gentle and humble.”
Arthur said when his dad died he was “lost”.
He revealed: “My dad had dreams and I wanted to carry on that legacy to have those dreams that he never accomplished.”
Arthur is married to Big Brother star Brian Dowling and the pair are parents to nine-month-old daughter Blake.
Opening up on his first Father’s Day, Arthur said: “There are no words to describe how I feel.
“For Brian and I to celebrate our first Father’s Day as a family is magical, a very special moment.”
He said after surviving the turmoil of living as a refugee he hopes he can pass on his knowledge and strength to his tiny tot.
He concluded: “I hope the fearless and positive attitude I have in me will pass to Blake.”
TEENA GATES
Newscaster Teena, 55, is the primary carer for her dad Terry Martin who has dementia.
The pair will spend the evening on the deck in their beloved garden to celebrate Father’s Day.
She revealed the sage advice she got from her dad after her mum died age 82, and she felt guilty about leaving him to go and climb Everest.
Teena said: “He told me to go ahead, saying he would rather see me die living, than live dying. It filled me full of confidence.”
After years fighting for home care for her dad Teena said the 57-hour support package from the HSE is “life changing”.
She added: “I love the bones of my dad who has just celebrated his 98th birthday at home with me and friends and family this month.
“He’s happy, healthy, loves cake and Guinness and sunshine and #GoogleDog and me... even when he doesn’t really remember me.”
JENNY DIXON
Former Fair City star Jenny grew up horse riding with her dad Tony who she says instilled her love of aniwmals and nature.
Now her dad regularly pops up on her Instagram stories because, she quipped, he’s a “bit of an entertainer”.
She reckons the best bit of advice she got from her dad is to be her true self.
She said: “Firstly, really protect your authenticity and be the real you. That’s integral to Tony Dixon.
“Secondly, family, friends and people around you being a true measure of your wealth.”
CLAIRE BROCK
The Virgin Media Tonight Show host credits her dad Michael with being a constant and “reassuring” presence in her wlife.
Claire, 43, told us: ““His advice wasn’t put in words as such, or hammered into us growing up.”
But she revealed her dad Michael, wo turns 77 next week, did everything he could to make his daughter happy.
The current affairs broadcaster also reckons former architect Michael encouraged a “quiet confidence” in her.
His job inspired her artistic side and his love of news informed her career.
She said: “We share a love of TV and current affairs, I blame him for an early indoctrination into the world of nightly news bulletins.”
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