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I transformed into mermaid for a day at Ireland’s only live experience – here’s how little ones can too
WITH childhood memories of seeing mermaids in Orlando, I never pictured myself putting on a tail.
Here is how I transformed into a mermaid for the day at Ireland’s first and only live mermaid experience.
Walking into the undersea world at MerMazing Mermaids in Puddenhill, Meath really was mesmerising.
My eyes were drawn to the custom-built aquarium style pool with viewing windows.
I was whisked into a changing room where I squeezed myself into the tightest tail.
Next, it was time to add the heavy, rubber-like mermaid fin.
After a quick transformation, I wobbled my way to the pool’s edge.
I was thrown right into the deep end and learned how to swim with a tail.
I got used to having the tail very fast but swimming down low was my biggest challenge.
I pushed myself down as low as I could go, kept arms by my sides and focused on exaggerated movements.
After countless attempts, I finally got down deep and felt the tail gliding through the water.
Instructor and owner Lynn Harvey admitted becoming a “mermaid is harder than it looks” – and I certainly agree.
She said: “A girl could be the most fantastic swimmer but if she cannot perform in the window and you cannot connect through the glass it’s not going to work here. So she might be work on that.
“Some of them are fantastic in the window but they haven’t got the body movements.
“But there’s not many people that I couldn’t train. I’d know in 10 minutes whether they could be trained or not.
“Some of them I could nearly have them ready in two weeks. Others it just might take a few weeks. It honestly depends on the girl.”
AUDITIONS
Last month, 20 hopeful mermaids-to-be applied to audition to be part of the MerMazing show.
Lynn said: “About 20 people applied and about eight of them just decided ‘oh god I can’t do it’ and backed out of it there and then.
“I think I called in six or eight of them who I thought maybe had some potential. So that was out of 20.”
Some of the auditionees admitted the “reality” of being a mermaid “was a bit too much”.
Lyn continued: “So it’s really not for everyone because it’s so daunting. They’re doing this thing that looks great in a video but it’s harder.
“I’ve had girls that come in and they pick it up straight away and I know on session one that they’re going to get it.
“There’s other girls take a little bit longer. There’s other girls that have the movement but they’re not good in the window and their face can’t settle.”
ALL IN
The facility welcomes 60 guests per show while mermaids greet the audience with balloons and slushies.
Dubliner Lynn decided to create her own live mermaid experience in Ireland after being inspired on social media.
She said: “I was scrolling on Instagram and a video came up of a mermaid in a window, very like my pool. And I said that’s it and I started researching the next morning.”
The former professional boxer explained that once she has an idea, she goes all in.
Lynn began swim training so she could train how to swim as a mermaid.
She said: “I started training I’d say within three months, my actual swim training.
“Then becoming qualified as a mermaid instructor was probably three months.
“Then I started business courses and marketing courses. I did so many courses back to back.”
Lynn added: “I just wanted something new to sink my teeth into, something outside the box.”
THE EXPERIENCE
After keeping her new biz on the down low for two years, MerMazing Mermaids was finally launched.
As well as the mermaid live shows, pop-in visits and birthdays, Lynn and the team recently hosted a free show for senior citizens from local nursing homes.
The Ballybrack woman said: “This was a massive success; they had a ball watching our mermaids.
“They met them, sang and danced with them and got photos with them. It was a very moving and an emotional experience for the elderly residents and all of our staff.
“So much so that we had a meeting and decided to volunteer our time and services to host the next event free of charge.
“We aim to do some of these complimentary gigs a few times a year.”
Little ones can also try out the mermaid swim lessons on Sunday mornings with a qualified swim coach and lifeguard.
Or for those who prefer land, enjoy mermaid chats while getting pampered in the glam zone.
- To find out more see mermazingmermaids.ie.
У них блискучий розум і залізна логіка: найрозумніші чоловіки за знаком Зодіаку
Розум — це не просто знання або вміння швидко рахувати. Це здатність мислити глибоко, аналізувати ситуації, бачити невидимі для інших зв’язки та приймати виважені рішення. Астрологія вважає, що інтелект часто проявляється у кожного знака по-різному. Проте саме серед чоловіків трьох зодіакальних знаків — Водолія, Діви та Козорога — найчастіше народжуються ті, кого сміливо можна назвати […]Inside Holly Willoughby’s future plans as she’s left without telly show for first time in years
IT has been an incredibly testing few years for former ITV treasure Holly Willoughby, with her work life as she knew it crumbling around her.
For the first time in years the 44-year-old has been left without a TV show – and she’s now at a serious crossroads and is poised to start a new chapter in her career.
Once the princess of ITV, she is currently ‘showless’ with her beloved ITV for the first time in 21 years.
With her time on ITV’s This Morning now a distant memory, Holly was looking likely to land a series of lucrative deals with the streamers.
But in a further blow – her new Netflix show, Bear Hunt, with Bear Grylls, has been axed.
The news comes just weeks after Dancing On Ice was axed and on top of that, she has made the decision to step down from You Bet!, leaving Stephen Mulhern to present alone.
She is set to appear briefly in the next series, but will no longer be hosting it.
It marks a huge shift in her work with ITV.
One option for the star could be a reboot of Record Breakers, which Holly’s husband Dan Baldwin is already working on.
There is currently no channel attached to the show, which is in its very early stages but sources say it would be a “perfect fit”.
A telly insider said: “Record Breakers is likely to be a prime time hit and it would make perfect sense for Holly to take the reins.
“She has worked alongside Dan before and the pair know what it takes to make great telly.”
She has also been linked to a reboot of Cilla Black’s best-known show, Blind Date.
The Sun told this week how the ITV classic is being revived – and in a surprise twist will go to global streaming service Disney+.
Producers want to keep the tradition of a top British female host, with a shortlist including Claudia Winkleman, Holly Willoughby and Davina McCall.
Sources say Holly is also being looked at for a new Channel 4 talent show, currently dubbed Secret Singers, which is searching for raw, undiscovered singing talent.
Love Productions – the creators of The Great British Bake Off and The Piano – have already put out a casting call.
An insider said: “This is likely to be a heartwarming and hugely popular show for all the family.
“They are looking for a the perfect host to make sure it’s a huge success and it could be perfect timing with Holly’s break in TV.”
Holly returned to TV last year after 18 months – she had stepped down from presenting work entirely after discovering a plot to kidnap and murder her.
Evil Gavin Plumb was given three life sentences for planning to break into her home, then sedate, abduct and kill her and her husband.
It came just months after a very public falling out with her co-host Phillip Schofield, which ended with him leaving the show in May 2023.
Changes are happening behind the scenes, too.
Holly has a big decision to make with her media company Roxy after it was revealed she owes a huge amount to the tax man.
Roxy was set up in 2008 by Holly with husband Dan Baldwin.
But it wasn’t until 2022 that Holly filed the first annual accounts for her all-female ran company after she made the decision to leave former talent agency YMU in 2020.
Roxy Media deals with TV show “production activities”, according to its listing on Companies House.
But just three years on, Roxy has now been slapped with a winding up order.
Action against the company was launched in January and the court was told Holly’s company has already settled a bill of £377,000 with the taxman, with an unknown amount still owed.
In recent weeks Holly has turned to close friend Christine Lampard for support.
Like Holly she has enjoyed long stints with ITV, but has also stepped away from them at times.
Sources have said that Holly is inspired by Christine’s career and her work-life balance and is hoping to emulate that herself.
They said: “Holly is ready for a rebrand and has definitely been looking at those around her for inspiration.”
Addressing her incredibly difficult time, Holly recently told The Sunday Times Style Magazine: “It’s been tough. There’s no way of sugar-coating it.”
Discussing why she felt moving forward was her only option, Holly said: “Sometimes things go wrong, but you have to keep going for it because that’s all you can do.”
And it looks like Holly is moving forward – but not before making some serious changes.
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Mohammed Abacha, sBenidorm star reveals she is ‘homeless’ and ‘close to living in a cardboard box’ seven years after end of hit ITV sitcom
THIS Benidorm star has revealed that she now basically lives “like a nomad” sleeping on peoples’ couches, despite being a praised actress.
The star was a long-standing member of the Hotel Solana gang, with the ITV series becoming a fan favourite until it ended seven years ago.
However, fast forward to today, and Crissy Rock has revealed that, due to her career, she could end up living “out of a cardboard box”.
Crissy, who played hotel manager Janey York in the sitcom, said that her job means that she’s always on the go, and can’t become “complacent” as her work sends her all over the place.
She told The Express: “Me, I’m like a nomad. I live from place to place to place. My wardrobe is just the boot of my car. If it wasn’t for my friend, I would be living in a hostel or a cardboard box.”
Crissy adds that she “moves around from couch to couch” when back at home in Liverpool, flitting between her friends and family members.
However, the star noted it was her choice to do it, leaving her open for opportunities – including a possible Benidorm reboot.
The Sun exclusively revealed in April that the cast were in early talks to make a comeback for another run.
A source said: “Benidorm was adored by millions when it was suddenly cancelled. Fans will be thrilled to hear ITV wants to bring it back.
“An 11th series hasn’t been commissioned yet, but there’s major excitement building as early talks begin.
“Producers have started to reach out to the show’s stars and are hopeful a decision can be made later this year.”
While she said it would be “brilliant” to bring the show back, Crissy remained tight-lipped about whether she would be a part of it.
Benidorm, which followed a gang of unique British holidaymakers and the quirky staff at the Solana all-inclusive resort in Spain, ran from 2007 to 2018.
The actress appeared as a regular face during the first four series of the show, before becoming less frequent and leaving at the end of series seven.
Sherrie Hewson later replaced her as the Solana’s manager, while Crissy went on to appear on Celebrity Masterchef and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
Even though the show was axed in 2018, it went on to win Best Comedy at the TV Choice Awards that year – prompting creator Derren Litten to take a swipe at the channel over the decision.
As he picked up the gong, he told the crowd: “This is a bit awkward, the show’s just been cancelled.”
“I’ve huge respect for ITV — a show that’s getting five and a half million viewers and still picking up awards, but they’ve cancelled it,” he added.
“That takes balls.”
Despite the end of the show being seven years ago, fans continue to flock to ITVX to watch the series.
The all-star cast included Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham, Johnny Vegas, Tim Healy, Steve Pemberton and Siobhan Finneran.
