Advertisement
Dublin: 9 °C Tuesday 19 March, 2024
an examination

From Frostbit Boy to Pint Baby: 10 people who could only be famous in Ireland

Assorted Late Late Toy Show Children, too.

Pint Baby

pintbaby2 RTE RTE

If Ireland’s unique one hit wonder celebrity landscape could be summed up by any recent phenomenon, it would surely be the Clare baby spotted supping a pint in the archives of Nationwide from 1997.

It had it all, really. The perfect mix of alcohol, a cute baba, nostalgia for a “better” Ireland of the ’90s and a certain intangible Irish quality that made Pint Baby an overnight sensation.

Where have we seen that before, though?

Well, you can start with Frostbit Boy

Conor Winchcombe / YouTube

Back at the beginning of 2015, Derry student Ruairi McSorley’s heavily-accented interview blew up around the world.

We’re so close to the epicentre of Pint Baby that the true spin off opportunities have yet to be realised – but Frostbit Boy might give us an insight into the potential.

Remember his charity single?

NI Stars / YouTube

It was a little cottage industry there for a while:

1620935_876890102362876_958057279306210896_n Eye Candy Tattoo Studio Eye Candy Tattoo Studio

And one that we won’t soon forget, haigh.

But the Irish internet is a fascinating place – and it can make a legend of anyone, which brings us neatly along to…

Pintman

Back in 2015, Paddy Losty – aka Pintman – was disovered by Publin.ie deep in the pages of a book called ‘Dublin pub life and lore’ by Kevin C Kearn.

He “put away thirty pints or more in a day”:

pintman Publin / Kevin C Kearn Publin / Kevin C Kearn / Kevin C Kearn

He’s a posthumous meme sensation at this stage – there’s barely a corner of the internet where you won’t find reference to one of Dublin’s greatest Pintmen:

pintmen Ireland Simpsons Fans Facebook Ireland Simpsons Fans Facebook

And DublinInquirer have even been on the hunt to find out more about him.

Irish celebrity status confirmed.

Mattress Mick

unnamed

On the face of it, there’s no reason why Mick would be such a well known figure. Sure, some other countries hold their bedding royalty in high esteem – like the US’s love of a good Mattress King – but Mick is on an objectively higher level here in Ireland.

He has not only featured in an internationally-acclaimed documentary, but he pops up all the time in places he has no right to be in.

Headline appearances at festivals:

djing the Beatyard Facebook the Beatyard Facebook

Celebrity shoutouts:

And, eh… music videos:

ShootAudition / YouTube

All in a day’s work for your run of the mill nationally-famous mattress salesman.

Teresa Mannion

News reporters – and especially RTÉ news reporters – are well-known to many with their telly appearances bringing us fresh batches of horror on a daily basis.

But they don’t have the nationwide fame that only a storm can bring:

teresatweet @edsongsofpraise @edsongsofpraise

Remixes, memes, an appearance on Dancing With The Stars; it’s all happened since that momentous December day in 2015 when Teresa Mannion roared her way into the hearts of the country.

And, unlike others, she has a catchphrase too.

teresa-meme-752x501

The Man Who Slipped On The Ice

Comical falling in public is a staple of questionable comedy around the world – so people laughing at somebody slipping is hardly unique to Ireland.

But on a fateful December day in 2010, The Man Who Slipped On The Ice became something more than just a quick laugh – he became a glamorous mystery.

Picture-345

And the whole country now wonders – more than six years later – what became of him.

If he came forward, he would be guaranteed a slot on the Late Late and definitely star in a TV ad for some sort of reliable winter boot.

Step forward and claim your prize, young man.

7. Ireland’s kit man Dick Redmond

bagman FAI FAI

Because dressing up as Superman at a time of national glory is a winner. Always.

The girl that lost it when the real Daniel O’Donnell didn’t come on the Late Late

Never forget:

Dtf128 / YouTube

The audience member quickly realised it was not in fact Daniel O’Donnell coming on the Late Late stage, but Mario Rosenstock dressed up as Daniel O’Donnell.

Molly Kate Sloyan’s reaction went viral – but the story was only going to get more interesting from there.

First Daniel made a video for her:

DailyEdge.ie / YouTube

Then thanks to that shoutout they actually met in real life:

daniel o'donnell killarney001 Don MacMonagle Don MacMonagle

And a photographer was there to document it all:

daniel o'donnell killarney008 Don MacMonagle Don MacMonagle

Surely Molly Kate destined to be the “Daniel O’Donnell Fan” contributor to many a documentary moving forward.

Dermot Bannon

Celebrity architects are ten a penny, but not many reach the national consciousness like Dermot and his nice jumpers:

nice

If Room to Improve ever ends (but let’s hope he’s still going over budget and installing unnecessary windows in 2027 and beyond), he’s guaranteed a life as Celebrity Architect To The People – with the odd appearance on the chat shows.

FullSizeRender-e1480771568754 ArcKit / RTE ArcKit / RTE / RTE

Which brings us to:

Assorted Late Late Toy Show Children

This performance gives you a good idea of this phenomenon:

The Late Late Show / YouTube

Every year, a miniature star is born on the Late Late stage – and it’s often a window into our very souls.

There was the rapping farmer kid:

fion YouTube YouTube

There was John Joe and his clocks:

johnjoe YouTube YouTube

STOP <3

And the cup song that’s been watched nearly 10 million times on YouTube.

thecupsong RTE RTE

Tune, in fairness.

What a curious crop of mini celebs we have on our hands – with plenty more to come.

DailyEdge is on Snapchat! Tap the button below to add!

Your Voice
Readers Comments
4
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.