Local kids shine on Late Late Toy Show

Mullingar teenager Anna Keenaghan has been hailed as “a great ambassador for the autism community” following her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show on Friday night.

Anna, a third year student at Loreto College, told host Patrick Kielty that she had always wanted to go on the Toy Show and decided to apply this year. She also spoke briefly of being diagnosed with autism last year.

Comedian Rory O’Connor, who has a child who is autistic, praised Anna on social media. “What a great ambassador for the autism community. She had a dream to be in the Toy Show and made it happen. Well done Anna.”

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Anna’s mother Cathy said that her daughter “loved” being on the show.

“It was brilliant. She was so happy to be picked. We are extremely proud of her. She did it all herself. She is 15 and thought that she was nearly too old, but she wanted to go on it so much that she said she’d try – she will never forget Friday, it was such a memorable day.”

Anna wasn’t the only local youngster to shine on the Toy Show. Singer Johnny Joyce (8) from Mullingar wowed the crowd with a memorable rendition of The Irish Rover during the All Ireland Parade in which he represented Westmeath. His father Christy said that while he was a “bag of nerves” in the hours leading up to the show, Johnny took it all in his stride.

Madee Daly Khruacha, from Ballinalack also appeared on the show and like Anna and Johnny, gave a great account of herself on the biggest TV event of the year.