Make-A-Wish Ireland helped make a 17-year-old’s wish come true recently when Youghal teenager Barry Clohessy met the four members of Irish pop band Westlife. In granting Barry’s request, the organisation was commemorating World Wish Day (April 29th) and both Barry the band were delighted by the experience.

“I can’t think of a word to thank you enough for such a great wish!!!” Barry said afterwards. “It was 100% my wish come true! Westlife are such role models and are an inspiration to me. Keep up the great work and making kids wishes come true. What you do is so inspiring. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.”

Band member Kian added: “When I heard about Barry, myself and the band decided that it would be perfect to help grant his wish and we are delighted that we have the opportunity while in Ireland to meet Barry as part of the World Wish Day celebrations.”

Barry is a 5th year student at Pobalscoil Na Troinoide, Youghal, and an active member of the local music and drama group ‘Harmony’. He has performed in their productions ‘Guys and Doll’ – ‘From here to Broadway’ and also in the Christmas special.
Barry applied to The Make-A-Wish Foundation for his dream to come true two years ago and was delighted when he got the call that he would meet his favourite band.
His parents Kay and Barry and younger brother Conor, from Gallagher Mews, Youghal, travelled with him to the Citywest Hotel in Dublin where they met another girl, Simone, from Co. Laois, who also was selected to meet the stars.
They spent a half  hour with the boy band who were more than happy to pose for photographs and sign autographs. The event was also filmed and may be seen at a later date on TV.

The boy band will be revealing their 2010 tour dates with two new dates in Croke Park on their minds. They have currently set one date at Croke park to be 5 June. In total the boys plans to play 70 concerts coming towards the end of the year including 8 dates at Dublin’s 02 arena and other huge venues across Ireland, the United Kingdom and other countries.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions every 25 minutes around the world and over 120 wishes will be granted in Ireland this year alone. Donations can be made at www.makeawish.ie or by lodging money into BOI account 81894009, sort code 90-00-84.