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07 Sept 2025
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07 Sept 2025
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Fiachra Dooley from Rathdowney
Laois will be proudly represented on RTÉ's Late Late Toy Show this Friday night, November 24.
Young teenager Fiachra Dooley has made it through auditions to star in the legendary Irish television show.
Fiachra, 13, plays several musical instruments but he will be singing on the toy show.
His mother Lisa Dooley had sent in an audition video of Fiachra singing his heart out to two of his favourite songs, Caledonia, and Dreams by The Cranberries.
"He is largely self taught. He has been singing since the time he was able to talk," she said.
He is one of 50 children chosen out of 4,000 who applied to be part of the show, which will be hosted for the first time by new Late Late Show presenter Patrick Kielty.
The producers then rang to invite Fiachra for an audition at the RTÉ studios, and the family got the good news some weeks ago.
Since then Fiachra has travelled up for several auditions, to perform as part of a medley trad group for the show.
Fiachra outside RTÉ studios for a rehearsal.
"I'm proud of myself, very excited and a tiny bit nervous," he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
Fiachra who plays tin whistle and guiltar is in a trad group at St Fergal's College, Rathdowney, and hopes to be a professional singer when he grows up.
His school wished him the best of luck, sharing this photo of a delighted Fiachra.
"Best of luck to 1st Year student, Fiachra Dooley, in his performance on the Late Late Toy Show this Friday! A great experience! We are delighted to have St. Fergal’s represented on the show," the school said.
Fiachra will be accompanied on Friday by his dad Derek, as only one parent is allowed in with each performer.
The rest of his family, mum Lisa and sister Cora, will be watching eagerly from home to see how Fiachra gets on.
The Late Late Toy Show is on this Friday night, at 9.35 pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. At the same time The Late Late Toy Show ISL will be LIVE on RTÉ News and RTÉ Player.
Audio Description (AD) will also be available for the repeat on Sunday at 3.15pm and on Monday night at 12.40, and afterwards on RTÉ Player.
A fully accessible version (with subtitles, ISL and AD) will be broadcast on Wednesday, 29 November, which will also be available to stream.
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