Entertainers

Laurita Blewitt

MC, Host, After Dinner Speaker, Panel Discussion Contributor, Motivational Speaker, and Brand Ambassador.

Laurita Blewitt embarked on her media career at the age of 16 at local radio station Mid West Radio. She then went on to host her own show on iRadio for many years as well as producing and being a co-host of the Tommy (Tiernan) and Hector radio show. A proud Mayo woman and avid GAA supporter, she is a cousin of US President Joe Biden and a regular visitor to the White House.

Laurita was instrumental in organising his presidential visit to Ireland in 2023. She has been a regular TV contributor across the US, UK and Ireland during and in the run up to Joe Biden becoming the 46th President of the United States.

Laurita has produced and presented several radio documentaries and has a passion for interviewing. In 2020, she joined forces with Tommy Tiernan and Hector Ó hEochagáin to host the award winning THL podcast which has become a must listen for Irish people all over there world, garnering over 25 million downloads to date. The trio also appeared as the first guests on the inaugural Late Late Show hosted by Patrick Kielty. They have also appeared together on Celebrity Googlebox Ireland.

Laurita is also the major donor manager for Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. She is passionate about the importance of charity in our community and the difference it makes. Laurita is a good humoured, popular and natural personality.

Her Topics Include

Broadcasting & Current Affairs
Community Organisations
Charity Fundraising
Sports & Social
Agricultural and Rural Issues
Wellness
Female empowerment
Women in the work place

To book Laurita Blewitt to host or MC your corporate event or to talk to us about your event requirements, either submit the enquiry form, email us: info@carolandassociates.com or call us on 01 235 2570.

Rebecca Storm

Over the past 30 years Rebecca has established herself as one of the most popular Leading Ladies in Musical Theatre, playing some of the most demanding roles including Eva Peron in ‘Evita’, Fantine in ‘Les Miserables’, Florence in ‘Chess’, Rose in ‘Aspects of Love’, Edith Piaf in ‘Piaf’, Joan of Arc in ‘Jeanne’ and most recently Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’. At 23 she auditioned for her first Musical ‘Blood Brothers’ and although a little young to play Mrs. Johnstone – Liverpudlian Catholic mother of seven children – author Willy Russell was so captivated by her voice that he insisted Wardrobe & Make Up went to work to ‘age’ the young actress. Her portrayal of Mrs. Johnstone has become so popular that she still returns to the role after 27 years.

In 1992 Rebecca devised, co-directed and starred in ‘Hollywood Ladies’ – a tribute to her many influences from the Silver Screen – among them Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Julie Andrews and Gracie Fields. Together with her company of fourteen singers & dancers she was awarded Best Musical Review ’92. She was very proud to be invited to sing for the King of Norway at his Coronation in 1991 and has performed several times for the British Royal Family.

Her recording career began in 1985 with a Top Twenty single ‘Putting On The Show’ which she performed on ‘Top of the Pops’, quickly followed by ‘Mr. Love’ the soundtrack from the David Putnam film of the same name. Rebecca has been presented with awards for her albums ‘Ovation’ – a tribute to the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, ‘Broadway by Storm’ produced by Nigel Warren Green and conducted by the legendary Harry Robinowitz and ‘Ireland by Storm’. In 2000 she released ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’ – recorded with sixty wonderful musicians and produced by Frank McNamara. Her CD ‘Celtic and Broadway” was released by Sony Music in 2003 and continues to sell around the world. Her latest album ‘The Essential Rebecca Storm’ is a double CD consisting of a live recording of her sell out concert at Dublins’ Grand Canal Theatre and a studio album produced by her husband and Musical Director Kenny Shearer.

With numerous concerts, radio and TV appearances around the world, Rebecca enjoys a busy and varied career. After many years in Londons’ West End theatre world, Rebecca has now made Ireland her home and is more than thrilled with the honour of having her handprints set on the famous ‘Gaiety Theatre Walk of Fame’.

To book Rebecca Storm for your event submit the enquiry form, mail: info@carolandassociates.com or call us on 01 235 2570.

Gentleman Jim

Jim Quinn, or as he is professionally known throughout the music circuit in Ireland and Europe as “Gentleman Jim”, plays the acoustic guitar and sings in a style that holds back none of the energy and passion that he feels an audience deserves. Jim spent four years touring Europe and also toured World-Wide with one of the top contemporary folk bands of the nineties, “Boru”. Never stuck for words or a song, Jim always sends the crowd home cheering for more. Not the least of Jim’s talents through is his wonderful ability to put the people at ease and create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for them.

Jim has a wide range of music from Country Heros (Johnny Cash, Randy Travis, Gareth Brooks, Chris Kristoferson etc), Modern Hits (Oasis, Killers, Amy Winehouse, Jack Johnson, Greenday etc), Classics from the 60’s, 70’s right up to today’s charts. Plenty of Rock N’ Roll and not forgetting a good helping of lively Irish Ballads.

Book Jim Here!

Mental Health and Wellness Speakers

Businesses around Ireland are beginning to place greater emphasis on creating a better environment for those around them.

Our Mental Health and Wellness speakers are passionate advocates.

They use their voices to fight stigma, promote better mental healthcare, and inspire well-being. Audiences will leave feeling hopeful, empowered, and ready to ask for support if they need it.

By using meditation, psychology and lifestyle changes to educate companies on how to create a network of mental health support our speakers are leading the battle against stress

Our wide selection of speakers have all experienced the impact of mental health illness, whether first or second-hand. They provide practical tools and strategies and most importantly share their personal experiences so no-one feels alone thus improving the wider mental wellbeing of an entire team.

To Book A Speaker For Your next Event or to talk to us about your event requirements, please submit the enquiry form or call us on 01 235 2570.

Claire Walsh

Claire Walsh is a bestselling author and Tedx speaker known for her honesty, authenticity and vulnerability.

The first woman to represent Ireland in the freediving world championships, Claire’s debut book Under Water was shortlisted for An Post Sports Book of the Year award. More than just an insight into one of the most dangerous sports in the world, It is a captivating and emotional account of how the freediving helped her find freedom.

As a speaker Claire offers a peek behind the curtain of her achievements; the ever present fear, the derailing self-doubt, the gauntlet of emotions…and how she finds a way to do it anyway.

Passionate about saying it like it is and calling out the many ways we get in our own way, Claire’s talks remind audiences that a little bit of bravery (and a lot of vulnerability) can go a long way to making an ordinary life extraordinary.

Topics

Mental Health
Building Resilience
Mindset
Motivation
Sports & Adventure
Body Image
Nurturing Self-esteem
Breathwork
Voice & Performance
Women’s Reproduction Health

Talks & Media

Holding My Breath – TedX Ratoath
Coping Strategies – Brendan O’Connor Show
Long Covid and Breathing – Ready to be Real with Sile Seoige
IVF & The Messy Middle – Stretch Marks with Sinead Moore
Grief, Loss & Subfertility Family Flowers Only with Kathie Stricht
Learning to Breathe Again An Irishman Abroad with Jarleth Regan
Breathe for Life The Real Health Podcast with Karl Henry

Marie Gleeson

Former Irish Navy Ships Captain & Motivational Speaker

Marie Gleeson honed her leadership style over the course of a twenty year military career operating primarily in the harsh and hostile Atlantic Ocean. Her journey from naval cadet to Captain of the LE AOIFE has given her unique insight into people and how to maximise performance even in the most challenging of circumstances. She has experienced the highs of international drug busts to the tragedy of the loss of a colleague overboard at sea.

Marie was one of the first female officers in the Irish navy and this gives her a unique insight into the reality of leading in a “mans” world. Marie is an honest and engaging speaker who brings her experience to life in her keynotes. She discusses the reality of decision making in high pressure an time critical operational environments and translates this into key leadership lessons for the business world.

The cornerstone of a military career is that service comes before self and this was the reality for Marie in her career until life threw a curveball of magnitude in her path. Marie’s personal story highlights the importance of support and resilience in the face of adversity.

Marie is an insightful, humorous and passionate speaker who combines her professional and personal experience to tailor her keynotes to maximum effect for her audience.

Topics

Leadership – A lived Experience, Leadership & Governance
Decision Making – The Leader’s Role
Overcoming Adversity – Stronger Than Before, Board Diversity
Diversity & Inclusion – Lead like a Woman
Teamwork – From Ship to Shore

To book Marie for your event or to talk to us about your event requirements, email us: info@carolandassociates.com or call us on 01 2352570

Gráinne McElwain

Gráinne McElwain is a sports and entertainment broadcaster with over 15 years experience working with Sky Sports, TG4, RTÉ, BBC and Eir Sport.

A native of Monaghan, Gráinne is a fluent Irish speaker and was a 2020 Ambassador for the Seachtain na Gaeilge campaign with Energia. She is the anchor of GAAGO, the GAA’s new live championship streaming service and was the anchor for Sky Sports GAA championship coverage. Gráinne has presented Peil na mBan Beo, Ladies GAA football on TG4. She has presented other popular sports programmes on the channel including The Underdogs, GAA Beo, Sacar Beo, Basketball, Badminton, Athletics and Rugbaí Beo. Gráinne recently presented a programme for RTÉ that looked at the GAA and the Civil War Ré Réabhlóide and has presented two series of the popular Scéalta na gCorn series for TG4, that looks at the history behind the GAA silverware.

Other programmes Gráinne has contributed to are The Sunday Game as a reporter and sideline reporter for RTÉ’s live GAA and Athletics coverage aswell as Sky Sports GAA soccer coverage. She worked as a guest presenter on The Marty Squad for RTÉ Radio 1 and was a contributor to the sports panel on the award winning Today with Seán O’Rourke show. She is also a contributor on Today with Claire Byrne Show, Brendán O’Connor and Drivetime, on RTÉ radio, aswell, as Off the Ball on Newstalk radio and Blas on BBC. She is an Irish language columnist with Seachtain in the Irish Independent and a columnist with the Irish News newspaper.

Outside of sports, Gráinne is steeped in traditional Irish music having participated in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Scór competitions from an early age reaching and winning All-Ireland medals. She presented Gradaim Ceoil TG4 in 2018, the Oscars of Irish traditional music live from Belfast and has also presented a studio- based entertainment series “Imeall Geal” for the BBC.

As an MC, she has worked with the GAA, LGFA, Camógie Association, Federation of Irish Sport, IRFU, Department of Social Protection, ILCU, TG4, Bord Gáis Energy, University of Galway, Medtronic, Conradh na Gaeilge, AIB, Paralympics Ireland, Notre Dame, Special Olympics, Allianz, Pittsburgh Steelers, County Business Awards nights and Red Carpet events including Ladies GAA All-Stars.

To book Gráinne McElwain to host or MC your corporate event or to talk to us about your event requirements, either submit the enquiry form, email us: info@carolandassociates.com or call us on 01 235 2570.

Luke Thomas and The Swing Cats

Luke Thomas and The Swing Cats are a 6-piece swing band consisting of lead vocals, a two piece brass section, piano, drums, and double bass.

Their live set is focused on up tempo hits from the swing dance era of the 1940’s and 50’s, featuring tracks from swing music legends such as Bobby Darin, Louis prima, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack. While immersed in the music of the golden age of swing and the American big band swing era, they have also put a unique, modern and contemporary twist on this music genre, which has given them a brand of high energy swing music making the dance floor very welcoming to people of every age.

The Dublin based band have played in every major venue in Ireland including 3Arena, Olympia Theatre and National Concert Hall with some very high profile corporate events throughout Europe too.

They have also produced 3 TV Concert Specials for Virgin Media One, appeared on every major TV show including Late Late, Ireland Am, The Today Show and have had the honour of being personally invited to perform for President Higgins 7 years in a row. Most recently Luke was a contestant on RTÉ’s Celebrity Hell Week and had a stand-out performance on RTÉ’s Ultimate Irish Playlist where he sang a big band version of the Thin Lizzy classic “The Boys Are Back In Town”

They are the perfect band for any theatre, corporate, gala, festival or wedding event. Over the past 5 years they have performed more than 450 shows and are currently one of the most in demand bands of any genre in Ireland.

To book The Swing Cats submit the enquiry form, mail us: info@carolandassociates.com or call 01 235 2570.

Síle Seoige

TV & Radio Broadcaster, Yoga teacher & Wellness speaker – Síle Seoige is a regular Host at awards events and ceremonies throughout the year.

Síle is a popular choice to speak and MC events and Chair debates and is known as a true professional with a friendly, down to earth style.

Fluent in Irish, Síle has developed a wealth of experience over the past 17 years in the business.

A native of Spiddal in Connemara Co. Galway and the youngest of four children, she has worked on a variety of successful and well-received projects for RTÉ, TV3 and TG4 including Entertainment, Daytime, Lifestyle, Factual, Young Peoples, Sports, Comedy, Weather and News and Current Affairs programming.

Síle was part of RTÉ’s daytime family having joined her sister Gráinne in 2008 on the stations then flagship late-afternoon daytime show, Seoige; and she also presented The Afternoon Show on numerous occasions.

For two years she travelled across the country reporting and presenting Pobal, a weekly regional and community affairs programme on RTÉ.

A natural people person, Síle co-presented RTÉ’s live coverage of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade celebrations for three consecutive years, including fronting the Festival Highlights programme in 2007 and again in 2011.

She was guest presenter on RTÉ One’s travel programme No Frontiers many times.

In January 2015 she presented an hour long primetime show on TV3 called ‘Songs Of Inspiration’ celebrating the best in gospel and spiritual music.

In 2016 Síle presented live TV coverage of the first day of the 32nd Dáil from Leinster House for Oireachtas TV which included interviews with the new members.

Síle has worked on a number of radio shows down through the years, including a stint on RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with Pat Kenny, presenting on pop up radio station ‘Walk in my shoes radio’ dedicated to promoting positive mental health and Sunshine106.8. She also spent over three years fronting her own two hour live talk show on Saturdays from 12-2pm on Newstalk 106-108 called Shenanigans with Sile. The show was a great success and she continued to grow listeners year on year.

Síle is currently working with the HSE on their ‘Little Things’ radio campaign, facilitating conversations to promote good mental health, broadcasting across 15 stations in Ireland at regular intervals. Their campaign has been much talked about and it recently won ‘Most Effective Radio Campaign’ at The Love Radio Awards in the Mansion House in Dublin.

Síle continues to gain respect and praise as a voice over artist as well for her warmth and versatility; narrating the likes of the lifestyle series Feargal Quinn’s Retail Therapy and Design Doctors alongside many documentary strands and commercials.

Recently she’s added another string to her bow by becoming a certified yoga teacher and is now running weekly classes in chant and meditation.

She also supports various charities and is proud to be an Ambassador for Make-A-Wish Ireland and Tour De Force cycle.

Some of Síle’s past clients include Redbull, Microsoft, Construction Industry Federation, Checkout Magazine, Musgraves and ALDI to name a few!

To book Síle Seoige to MC/Host your event, or to talk to us about your corporate event requirements, either submit the enquiry form, email us: info@carolandassociates.com or call us on 01 235 2570.

International Women’s Day Speakers

Looking for an engaging International Women’s Day event speaker?

Marked annually on March 8th, IWD is a global day celebrating the economic, social, cultural and political achievements of women around the world.

IWD speakers are a popular choice for companies who want to celebrate female achievements.

From prominent figures in the fields of business, academia, activism, arts and sports we have a wonderful range of female speakers who can share their experieince, ideas and perspectives for your next IWD event.

Secure an inspiring female speaker who will leave a lasting impact on your audience, making your International Women’s Day celebration truly memorable.

To Book A Female Speaker For Your next Event or to talk to us about your event requirements, please submit the enquiry form or call us on 01 235 2570.