28/5/2003 - ronan's halfway there...

It is now the point of the walk that Ronan has accomplished so far!  He is now halfway of his walk having covered almost 200 miles in 11 days!  He said that he is doing very well and is on schedule to complete the walk by 8th June 2003!  He is currently visiting the county of Kildare and will have visited the towns of Kill, Naas, Newbridge, Kildare Town and Monasterevin completely by the end of tomorrow entering county Laois by the end of the week!  Keep it here for more news!

Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  To see how much Ronan has covered so far, click on areas 1 - 4 on the interactive map!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

For more information about the charities click the links below:

- The Marie Keating Foundation
- Action Cancer

Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  To see how much Ronan has covered so far, click on areas 1 - 4 on the interactive map!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

27/5/2003 - strolling down from dundalk to dublin!

It has taken time to get to Dublin.  But Ronan took a rest yesterday after travelling some 160 miles!  He was in Dublin yesterday to take a break as his wife, Yvonne did a mini-marathon.  But the weekend saw him walk through many towns.  It started off on Friday when in Dundalk where the Fire Service joined Ronan with his walkers through the town - passing through Clanbrassil Street, Crowe Street, Francis Street, Imperial Hotel, Dublin Street and ending at the Dundalk Shopping Centre.  One of the fire-fighters gave their support and the reason for being on the road: "This is an illness [Cancer] that has affected a number of the members of the Fire Service, who having contracted the disease, survived and have since come back to work.  So it is a cause very close to our hearts and we're delighted to support Ronan Keating in his efforts to raise awareness and funds for cancer research and treatment."

On Saturday, Ronan moved on and headed down towards Drogheda marking about halfway into the county of Louth.  Continuing on to Sunday, Ronan visited the last towns in county Louth passing through Julianstown and Gormanston and by the end of the day reached his birth place of Swords going into the capital city of Dublin where he took rest yesterday.  An estimated £100,000 was raised since he began his journey on Saturday 17th May.

With that all in plan Ronan will have left Dublin today to move on towards towns in county Kildare for the next two days (28th and 29th May).  He'll be covering the entire county for two days passing through Kill, Naas, Newbridge, Kildare Town and Monasterevin.  He should be entering county Laois just before the end of May.  Keep it here at RKW for more coverage!

Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  To see how much Ronan has covered so far, click on areas 1 - 4 on the interactive map!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

For more information about the charities click the links below:

- The Marie Keating Foundation
- Action Cancer

23/5/2003 - reaching for dundalk

Seven days and over 110 miles of walking and Ronan today was accompanied with politician and SDLP leader Mark Durkan on the last part of Northern Ireland before entering the mainland of Ireland.  This morning, Ronan and the volunteer collectors who have been collecting money to the Marie Keating Foundation and Action Cancer met Mr Durkan in Newry in County Down.  They continued down a couple of miles towards the Carrickdale Hotel just on the border of Northern Ireland.  From this point, Irish TD Dermot Ahern continued with Ronan on towards Dundalk in county Louth.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Ronan described the excellent support and encouragement he received from the people in Northern Ireland: "The people I met in Northern Ireland were just amazing and have really helped me to go on.  The response from the public has been phenomenal and I've enjoyed every minute of it.  I hope I get as good a reaction now in the south."

Ronan's brother Gary described how fit Ronan has been for this walk: "I've never seen him as fit.  He's feeling on top of the world and has no pains at all."

The SDLP party leader has met Ronan before last year and were discussing the idea of the charity walk.  Mr Durkan was contacted by the Marie Keating Foundation to offer his support.

The money collected in Northern Ireland will go to Action Cancer - the rest of the walk will be donated to the Marie Keating Foundation.

From this point, the expected schedule will be as follows: tomorrow Ronan will walk from Dundalk to Drogheda and on Sunday, from Drogheda to Swords, Ronan birth place just outside from Dublin.  Keep coming back to RKW for all the latest and current news coverage of Walk Ireland 2003!  And don't forget... 

Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  To see how much Ronan has covered so far, click on areas 1, 2 and 3 on the interactive map!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

For more information about the charities click the links below:

- The Marie Keating Foundation
- Action Cancer

21/5/2003 - from belfast onwards!

Ronan left Belfast this early morning to continue his walk towards Kinsale, County Cork.  He is to covered about 18 miles today from where he left the Europa Hotel in Belfast.  Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Ronan described the people he met and what they said to him: "One guy pulled up alongside me in a car and told me he had only four weeks to live but he was in good spirits and thanked us for what we were doing.  We also met a little kid with cancer on crutches who had come out to support us.  It made me realise that what we're doing could make a big difference and it's given me incentive to keep going."  Ronan continues to get generous support and met some kids who donated to the cause: "I was coming through Ardoyne the other day when schoolchildren came up to me, opened their lunch-boxes and handed me their money.  It was amazing."  Ronan finally described how a woman was thankful for the team to visit an area not well visited: "One woman also thanked us for coming down the Crumlin Road.  She said nobody ever came down there."

Ronan is with a team of 10 which include his father as well as his sister, Linda and wife, Yvonne.  Ronan will have covered almost 80 miles by the end of today.  Keep coming back for more updates!  Also check out the following sources -

Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  To see how much Ronan has covered so far, click on area 1 on the interactive map!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

For more information about the charities click the links below:

- The Marie Keating Foundation
- Action Cancer

20/5/2003 - witnessing stories along the road

Ronan taking some rest from the charity walk in Belfast described what people he met along the way, the stories came flooding in and how Ronan was touched by it all.  Speaking to the media, Ronan described his experiences so far from the 60 or so miles he covered: "That is happening all the way. People are telling me stories of their children or parents or relatives who have been diagnosed with cancer or who have died and it's heartbreaking. It's such an awful illness. This morning, we had children who came out to see us and some of them had been diagnosed with cancer and it just hits you.  It's terrible but inspiring at the same time because it makes you realise walking 420 miles is a doddle in comparison and this is something which can make a difference.  The support has been unbelievable - from people on the street, people passing in cars and stopping to give money out of their pockets. It gives you a lift."

Ronan described what the Marie Keating Foundation was all about: "It basically raises cancer awareness and we have three mobile units where people can go if they are worried about a lump or something.  'We have had 1,000 referrals to specialists from around 10,000 people who have visited the units which is quite a scary statistic.''

Ronan looks back at times when his mum was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1998: ''There isn't a day goes past that I don't think of my mum - she meant the world to me and my family and we understand what families go through when one of them has cancer.''  The truth of why the walk idea came about was when Ronan had a few drinks late one night, he added: "It was a very good idea at the time."

20/5/2003 - from antrim to belfast

Yesterday morning, Ronan left Antrim to walk to Belfast on his Walk Ireland 2003.  Today, Ronan is in Belfast having a rest from the 420 mile walk.  Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph yesterday in Antrim he described the progress made so far: "The feet are doing okay but the joints are a bit sore.  I've walked around 44 miles since Saturday and I am having a bit of a problem with my right knee but my physio, Brian McCrystal, is doing a great job".

Ronan also mentioned that he would really like Westlife to join him on the walk in which they played at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast yesterday: "I'm taking tomorrow [Tuesday 20th] off to rest so I might go along to watch Westlife tonight.  But I'll definitely be seeing them later to ask them to walk with me when I leave Belfast city centre on Wednesday."

Ronan was overwhelmed by the support he had been getting during the walk: "From early this morning [yesterday] people have been coming out to support us and drivers have been honking their horns as they go past.  I just hope we didn't keep anybody late for work or cause too many hold-ups".  They were collecting money along the way but Ronan doesn't know how much as yet: "At this stage I don't know how much money we've collected, but things are going very well".

Ronan did sign autographs and posed for pictures for fans yesterday morning in Antrim.  Sister Linda and wife Yvonne have been accompanying Ronan along the route and have taken turns to walk.  Linda spoke about how fantastic Ronan has been on this walk: "Ronan's in great shape and doing really well and the public response is really spurring him on".

Ronan will be continuing his walk tomorrow as he leaves Belfast to enter county Down. At this stage, Ronan will have walked over 60 miles - well done!

Don't forget to check out these resources:

Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  To see how much Ronan has covered so far, click on area 1 on the interactive map!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

For more information about the charities click the links below:

- The Marie Keating Foundation
- Action Cancer

19/5/2003 - enduring the rain

Ronan has been walking for a while now and has covered well over 40 miles on his Walk Ireland 2003.  Ronan had to endure wet conditions and even though was having sore feet, was making progress along the way.  Speaking recently to media, Ronan described the progress made so far and the original idea: "We're in great form, we're in very high spirits and feeling good.  I thought it was something that people would not expect you to do, that would make people dig deep.  That's why I came up with the idea for the walk."  In addition, Ronan has been touched by stories by people who have joined him along the walk: "The stories that I hear on the road, people walking with me, telling me about their parents, about their children, it breaks your heart.  It's nice to think we're out trying to make a difference."  Ronan had left Antrim this morning to walk down to Belfast.  We'll keep you posted on the progress so come back soon!  Also check out these resources:

Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

And for those who are going to see Ronan along the way - please show your support and also visit the following websites:

- The Marie Keating Foundation
- Action Cancer

19/5/2003 - boyzone to find ronan replacement?

There have been some rumours that Boyzone are going to reform but without Ronan.  Instead, the four members, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch are rumoured to be doing a 'Pop Idol' style audition to find a member to replace Ronan!  A source speaking to The People newspaper said: "They know the business inside out and are very confident they'll be successful again.  A search for a replacement on live TV is just one of their ideas but the lads think it has huge potential."  Will Boyzone ever be the same again without lead man Ronan?  We will keep you posted.

18/5/2003 - ronan goes trekking...

Ronan is currently doing his sponsored walk down Ireland at the moment.  But before he begun yesterday, Ronan was signing autographs from supporting fans to wish him all the best as he started off his journey at Giant's Causeway in county Antrim.  Ronan was overwhelmed about the support about the walk: "We’ve had a great response so far, so I’m really hoping we get the support we need as we pass through each town.  Volunteers will be out shaking their collecting tins, so I would urge everyone to come out and donate for this worthy cause."  Ronan also explained that he trained for this walk well before and trained himself up for a month: "I feel fitter than ever, but it’s a very tough challenge and I hope I make it.  I’ll be walking up to 20 miles a day but it’s important to me to do this."  The support has extended to hotels and guesthouses who have volunteered to put their sites up for free during the 420 mile walk.

It is hoped that €150,000 will be raised for the Marie Keating Foundation in Ireland and Action Cancer in Northern Ireland.  Ronan's sister, Linda explained the journey was going to be challenging and how important this charity walk meant: "It’s going really well. Morale is great and the weather isn’t putting them back. The response is phenomenal.  The money will go towards maintaining our units.  We aren’t Government-funded so we depend on public donations and sponsorship."

We wish Ronan all the best for the walk and hope he along with his supporters raise loads of money for the Marie Keating Foundation and Action Cancer.  We shall be keeping an eye out of the progress, so make sure you keep visiting RKW for all the latest progress!!!

New to Ronan Keating World!  Check out our exclusive Walk Ireland 2003 mini-site which shows all the towns Ronan will visit during his walk - and it's completely interactive!  Click here now to access our mini-site!!!

And for those who are going to see Ronan along the way - please show your support and also visit the following websites:

- The Marie Keating Foundation
- Action Cancer

17/5/2003 - walk ireland 2003 begins!

6:40pm BST

Ronan has begun his walk today!  Walk Ireland 2003 will see Ronan cover 420 miles across Ireland to raise money for the Marie Keating Foundation and Action Cancer.  Starting at Giant's Causeway Ronan will walk 420 miles in total and cover a number of towns going south to Kinsale, Cork which he shall arrive by 9th June 2003 (that's about 23 days).  Ronan will be walking on average of 20 miles a day.  The full schedule of where Ronan will be visiting is listed below and are approximate dates and may not be the exact time Ronan will arrive, so if you happen to be around the area at that time, show your support to everyone who is taking part and of course Ronan himself!!!

Note - the dates are approximate and may not be exactly when Ronan will arrive at the town - use this as a guideline.

With all the details listed, we'll try to keep up to date of where Ronan is and what will happen next - so keep coming back for all the progress!!!  To give your support, please visit the Marie Keating Foundation site by clicking here and also Action Cancer by clicking here.  Support Ronan wherever you are!!!

14/5/2003 - about the walk...

It is a little quiet at the moment, but Ronan will be preparing his charity walk in Ireland which begins on 17th May 2003.  The walk is expected to cover 420 miles in length and take approximately 23 days to do.  We will have full details of the walk including where Ronan will be visiting in our next news bulletin...don't walk away!

8/5/2003 - the talk of the town

6:01pm BST

Wanted to know what happened on RI:SE last Monday (5th May 2003)?  Well here's a brief summary of what happened along with some exclusive shots!  Mel & Sue introduced the show with Ronan's latest promo video of 'The Long Goodbye'.  Then the interview was really general talking virtually about everything Ronan had done!  Mel & Sue asked questions about Miss World and the Eurovision Song Contest - by the way, Ronan will not be watching because he's on a sponsored walk during then! 

Mel & Sue were looking at several rumoured things, such as Ronan having his teeth straighten for £20,000 which Ronan called ridiculous!  And having his chest hair being airbrushed in the US cover of 'Lovin' Each Day' which Ronan was not too happy about and wasn't aware at that time!  An interesting question raised by Mel & Sue was "Would you sing the Lithuanian's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest?".  Ronan responded by saying "I'll have to hear what it sounds like first!".  Mel & Sue even asked Ronan about his shoe size asking if he was a size 5 and a half - "Nah!  I'm a size 6!" was his answer!  Ronan did work in a shoe shop when he was young! 

A couple of e-mails were sent in and one was about the sponsored walk and how he'll keep in shape, Ronan said that walking helps to lose weight.  Another was if he visits message boards and was asked what name he calls himself when online.  Ronan said that he doesn't visit his website much and not in a while!  Apparently, Mel got really excited because she admitted she was a big fan of Ronan! 

Finally, Mel & Sue looked at some funny pictures of what Ronan would look like two included one as a sumo wrestler and the other as a big muscled Barbarian (just look at the picture!!!).  Ronan personally thought that it would be nice to be muscular built!

5/5/2003 - four-boyz not five?

Could it be true?  Are Boyzone going to reform?  According to reports, four of the five Boyzone members were getting together for a drink a couple of days ago at the Zuma Night Club in London, UK.  The four, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch were reported to be on a night out together without the presence of Ronan.  This has sparked rumours that the other four lads might reunite and do a tour without the lead, Ronan!  Is it just coincidence that the other members were together for just a drink or was it that they were discussing a tour without Ronan?  Only time will tell!!!

4/5/2003 - the long goodbye is a number 3 hit!

THE LONG GOODBYE - REACHES NUMBER 3 IN THE UK CHARTS!
It was tough, but Ronan has managed to enter number 3 in the UK charts for the single, 'The Long Goodbye'!  It was real battle in the charts, but the dance tune 'Loneliness' by Tomcraft reached the number 1 spot.  However, Ronan managed to beat off competition from the other new entry in the top 5, Kelly Rowland's 'Can't Nobody' which reached number 5.  Speaking to Dr. Fox on Hit 40 UK, Ronan described what he had been doing recently: "We had a bit of a night, last night.  Yeah, we did a bit of a gig.  And we're celebrating too.  We're totally chuffed in getting number 3 which is a total result".  Dr. Fox asked Ronan about this chart position single and what Ronan thought about it: "Good.  It's really good.  This is the fourth single off the album.  A total result with another top 5 with this single".  Ronan was then asked about how the new album was going and hinted what fans are to expect in this new album: "We started writing last September, some of the band and myself.  I've been working with some new people as well.  To be honest it's going to be...well it's kind of a little away from the Gregg Alexander sound.  It's more guitar orientated, still the ballads in there with a little bit of Bryan Adamsy rock & roll feel to it as well - so good!".  Ronan thanked everyone who bought 'The Long Goodbye': "Nice one.  Thanks a million.  It's number 3, thanks for buying it.  Thanks guys for listening.  See you soon and good luck".  And thanks to you, the fans for getting Ronan yet another top 5 hit!!!  If you haven't bought the single yet, where have you been?  It's out now!!!  Check out the Singles Discography for all the details... and for those who did - thank you once again!!!  Here's the final top 10 UK singles chart:

3/5/2003 - make sure you have it!

THE LONG GOODBYE - THE NEW SINGLE OUT NOW!
You probably know by now, but as a reminder that 'The Long Goodbye' is out now!  It is set to get a very good position it this week's UK charts!  For those who haven't any idea of what this single has, here's a final reminder!

- CD 1 contains the title track plus the uplifting 'Love Won't Work (If We Don't try)', a brand new track and the video of 'The Long Goodbye'.
- CD 2 is a limited edition single and contains the German version of 'We've Got Tonight' plus the previously unreleased video for 'Love Won't Work (If We Don't Try)'.
- The cassette features an exclusive remix of 'The Long Goodbye'.

So, with all that in mind, if you haven't bought the single yet, you better act quick!!!

Also, check out these resources!

- Check out our updated Singles Discography for full details of the new single!
- New!  We now have the complete lyrics to the B-side track, 'This Is It', check it out on our updated Lyrics page!!!
- Why not buy the single online?  Visit Amazon.co.uk now to order a copy right away! 

2/5/2003 - chit-chat with mel & sue

Ronan will be interviewed comedy duo Mel & Sue (pictured), on Channel 4's breakfast show, RI:SE on Monday (5th May 2003) (UK).  The show RI:SE plays between 6:55-9:00am weekday mornings.  Make sure you don't miss out on this interview...and make sure you get up early to see it!!!

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