Lily’s Special Night
By Sophie Talbot and Fiadh McDonald
THE LATE LATE TOY SHOW!!! The one night a year that kids can stay up late without an argument with their parents.
For Lily O’Hare in 4th class B this was especially true. There was no way her family wasn’t going to be watching it because Lily was going to be ON the LATE LATE TOY SHOW!
We had the pleasure of getting to speak to Lily and her close friend Eve Girvan who had a lot to say. We asked Lily how she felt being on the toy show and she replied with, “I felt very happy, magical and so excited. Now, I’m always gonna be a Toy Show Kid, no matter what.”
We asked her about how she got accepted and what the experience was like. Here is all she had to tell us.
I sent in an audition clip from a musical that I was recently in. I didn’t think much of it seeing as I have sent one in every year since I was 5! My Mam got a call from a Dublin number while she was supposed to be having a relaxing massage in a spa. She missed the phone call twice and when she finally answered she was shocked with the exciting news.
“LILYS GOING TO BE ON THE TOY SHOW!!!” my mum screamed with joy.
On the weekend of my mum’s birthday party my family surprised me with the big news. My Mum and Dad both had printed t-shirts that said, ‘Lily you’re on the Late Late Toy Show 2025.’ I was so excited that I started crying, then my whole family joined in.
On the day of the toy show (5th of December) my teacher sent me on a “job” to another class. She gave me a note which turned out to say “Keep her there as long as you can.” When I eventually got back to my class they surprised me with 2 giant posters that said “GOOD LUCK LILY” and “WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU LILY.” I was so surprised and happy.
Lily is in the front in the Toy Show T shirt, pictured with class teacher Mrs O’Rourke and SET teacher Miss McKiernan
I have been dancing with funky feet since I was 3 and I love it. A week before the toy show, funky feet surprised me with a video of everyone saying “WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU LILY.” I was so surprised and so happy that they did that.
On the weekend of The Toy Show my family got a hotel in Dublin. On The Toy Show day, my mum, Dad, younger sister Molly and younger brother Finn and I all drove up to our hotel. My mum painted my nails pink with sparkles. They looked so pretty. The only bad thing about it is that you are only allowed one parent so my dad, sister and brother stayed at the hotel watching us on the live TV.
Me and my mum had to be there at 8pm an hour and a half before the show to get ready. Before going on stage I was so nervous I was literally shaking but when I went on all my nerves went away and it just felt so unrealistic I couldn’t believe that I was actually there. I enjoyed it so much, I love being on stage and performing. Everyone on the set was super nice and they all signed my book including Cmat, Kingfisher, Roy Keane and Patrick Kielty. Overall I had a great experience that I will never forget.
Eve Girvan, one of Lily’s best friends, said, “It feels so exciting to have a best friend that was on the Toy show. When I was at home watching the show I couldn’t believe that she was actually on live TV all over the world and to see her dream come true. I am so proud of Lily and hope there is a lot more to come in the future.” Everyone in St Francis is so proud of her and we can’t wait to see her future success. Well done, Lily.
