27/2/2002 - the odds of xmas no.1

According to online bookmakers, Blue Square, they place Ronan Keating of 20/1 odds that he will make a Christmas number 1 this year.  But the most significant are the Pop Idol finalists, Will Young and Gareth Gates both at 8/1 with Blue and Westlife also at 8/1.  Other contenders for the race include Robbie Williams at 10/1, S Club 7 at 12/1, Bob The Builder at 14/1 and Kylie Minogue at 16/1.  Surprisingly, Hear'say and Britney Spears are the outsiders with a 50/1 odd of getting a Christmas number 1!

We, at Ronan Keating World would of course like Ronan to release a single in Christmas, but we think that it is very hard to say at this stage since it is still the beginning of this year!  But who knows, he may well do!  We'll tell you more about this when the time comes, so keep visiting!

26/2/2002 - changes to the destination '02 tour

There have been major changes to the Destination '02 Tour. Ronan will not be doing a full scale tour as he will be promoting his new single and album. The Tour & Appearances page now has the final tour dates set in place as well as places you can book tickets to selected shows. We apologise for not updating this earlier. With the tour set in May, there is a possibility that Ronan may release his album and single long before the tour. We'll give you more details as soon as we get it here at Ronan Keating World!

24/2/2002 - question ronan!

The Official Ronan Keating website is giving a chance for Ronan fans to ask a question!  Lucky winners will get their question picked for Ronan to answer and will feature on a CD-ROM Interview on Ronan's forthcoming single!  The interview will be done by the successful pop group, Westlife (pictured left)!  In addition, winners will receive a signed album promo!!!  For a chance to be in it, visit the official website by clicking here!

As for the title of the next single, we still have no indication of what the single may be called.  In addition, according to the HMV website, the album 'Destination' may be released on the 29th April 2002 but we cannot confirm this as yet!!  We will keep you posted about these releases, so come back soon to Ronan Keating World!!!

18/2/2002 - to be at the irish music awards

It has been recently announced the Ronan will be performing at the Irish Music Awards at the Point Theatre, Dublin, Ireland on Monday 4th March.  He will join other performers including the Lighthouse Family (pictured left), Samantha Mumba (pictured top middle), Westlife (pictured top left), Gabrielle and The Cranberries.  The award ceremony will be presented by Irish comedian Patrick Kielty.  Other celebrity presenters to join will include Brian Kennedy and Boyzone's Keith Duffy (pictured top right).

Ronan has been no stranger to the Irish Music Awards, he won four Irish Music Awards with his boy group, Boyzone.  Check the Tour & Appearances page for where Ronan will be appearing as well as the full listings of his 'Destination '02' Tour this coming April plus book tickets to selected events.

15/2/2002 - support for the disabled

Ronan hailed Prince Charles for his support for disabled children.  Ronan invited Prince Charles to the recently opened respite centre in the south of Dublin.  It cost 1.2m Euro to build the centre.  Ronan, who is the patron of the service, described the moment he met the Prince: "He's a great man and you can't buy the exposure he's brought to the place."

The Prince, joined also with Irish Health Minster, Michael Martin, officially opened the Angels Quest Service in Glenagenary.  He praised the people involved in the project and hoped more of these centres will open across Ireland.  Speaking about the project, he said: "I know what an enormous difference is made to parents of children who are able to leave them here in a sense of comfort and belonging and knowledge they will be looked after".  Later, after taking to parents and children, the Prince unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the centre.

14/2/2002 - ronan meets charles

Ronan met Prince Charles as he visited Ireland in 7 years (his last visit was in 1995).  Ronan met the Prince among other guests including singer Daniel O'Donnell, and politicians Bertie Ahern and Mary McAleese.  The event was held in Dublin.

12/2/2002 - extra uk tour dates

Due to popular demand, Ronan's 'Destination '02' Tour has extra UK tour dates!  They are at the Birmingham NEC on 10th June and at the Glasgow SECC on 21st June.  Check the Tour & Appearances page for the full tour listings as well as the UK tour dates for this exciting tour!  In addition, you can book tickets to selected venues - but hurry!  The tickets are selling out fast - book now to avoid any disappointment!!

6/2/2002 - the biggest tour ever yet!

There are even more tour dates announced for Ronan's Destination '02 Tour starting in April!  He will be also touring Bahrain, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore!!  He will also be touring to New Zealand and Australia before moving on to South Africa and then the UK and Europe.

Check the Tour & Appearances page for the full tour listings plus book tickets to selected venues.  The Australia and New Zealand venues are still to be announced.  We'll find out as soon as we receive them, so come back and visit Ronan Keating World soon!

5/2/2002 - keating screening

Another report by Reuters looked at Ronan's screen ambitions.  He told interviewers in Singapore about what his ideal film role would be: "I'd love to play an action movie. What guy wouldn't?" he said. "Bruce Willis flying out of a helicopter - cool."

Ronan auditioned for a part in the film, 'Moulin Rouge' which he unfortunately didn't get.  But he wasn't too disappointed: "I would have loved to be in the movie after seeing it," he said. "It's up for so many awards now - probably not if I were in it."  But despite this ambition, his tour will have to come first!

For the meantime, Ronan is spending a bit more time with his family, especially with his son, Jack and daughter, Marie: "I try to give them a normal upbringing. I'm more interested in going for walks with them and hanging out with them, my children. It's so magical."

4/2/2002 - keating wants to be family man

Ronan wants to spend more time with his family according to Reuters.  He spoke about trying to make music to a more older audience.  In Singapore to co-host the MTV Asia Awards 2002 with Mandy Moore, he said in an interview with reporters: "We get old. It's inevitable".

In addition, he described how difficult it was to do it alone, "It's a very difficult thing to come from a boy band, try and become a solo artist and try and move out of the whole teen pop thing. I've got to convince a lot of people. It's not about one single and one album. This is a long-term thing."

However he isn't prepared to concentrate on providing music to just an older audience but also to his younger fans: "You've got to make the people happy that you've already made happy and you've got to open up to new audiences".

Though Ronan has conquered Europe and Asia, he hasn't at all been put off by the challenge he has got in the US: "It's very healthy for an artist to do it. It brings you right back down to earth again".

According to Reuters, the release of Ronan's second album, 'Destination' is set for March.  We will keep an eye out on the release as there is so far no clear indication of when either the single or album is to be released.  Keep coming back to Ronan Keating World for the latest!

30/1/2002 - he hosting, so get voting!

Just a reminder, that Ronan is in for the nomination for Best International Male for the first ever MTV Asian Awards 2002!  There is not much time left, so if you haven't already done so, vote now by clicking here!

The MTV Asian Awards 2002 is to take place this Saturday (2nd February) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.  Ronan will be co-hosting the event with former MTV VJ, Mandy Moore.  Amongst the international stars performing will be Westlife, S Club 7 and Enrique Iglesias.  Check out all the info about the event by clicking here!  And don't forget to vote for Ronan for the Best International Male award before it's too late!!!

27/1/2002 - boyzone minus ronan? crap says keith

Recently in the tabloids, there were claims that Boyzone members, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy were reforming to do a tour without lead Ronan Keating.  However, Keith Duffy (pictured left) slammed the tabloids saying that it was "a load of crap".

Speaking last Thursday to Showbiz Ireland.com about the news, he said "firstly, if we were to do this we would have to get all four of us together. We would have to record a single, promote the single, make sure it's a hit, make an album, promote them both around the world, then rehearse a tour. Then start planning dates for shows. All in all it would take anything up to 18 months or two years. It's a load of crap. We have no plans like that for the moment."

In addition, he spoke about what he was currently doing giving fierce attacks against the tabloids, "at the moment I am trying to raise money for the ISPCC. We have some great guys like Joe Elliot from Def Leopard, Ken Doherty, a few guys from Eastenders and some of the lads from S Club 7 here to play against the Dream Team for charity and Boyzone is the last thing on my mind."

Keith played a charity match yesterday to raise money for the ISPCC.  Clearly, we at Ronan Keating World can now conclude that the news story we put up on 22nd January (last Tuesday) was simply false rumours!

22/1/2002 - boyzone minus ronan

According to The Sun newspaper, it is claimed that Boyzone are planning to form again to do a tour - but they plan to do the tour without lead, Ronan Keating!  Members, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy have already discussed about tour shows and are urging Shane Lynch to participate in the tour.  The last time Boyzone ever performed was in 1999 where they performed on stage at The Point in Dublin, Ireland.  We, at Ronan Keating
World, will be keeping an eye out about any shows should they occur.

20/1/2002 - what's ronan's next single??

According to some fairly reliable resources, Ronan's next single may be entitled, 'Love Won't Work If We Don't Try'. We have also found out that it could be released sometime this month.  We doubt that the single will be released this month though and we predict it could be perhaps late February to early March (but this could be wrong too!). We still cannot confirm the details of the single, but we'll keep a close eye out about the new single release, so come back soon!

17/1/2002 - ronan in sweden

Ronan will be making his appearance at the NRJ Awards in Sweden on 21st January 2002.  Check out the Tour & Appearances page for details of where Ronan will be appearing plus check out the dates for the 'Destination '02' Tour starting from April.  You can also book tickets to selected shows.  Hurry though!  The tickets are selling fast so make sure you don't miss your chance to see Ronan!!

16/1/2002 - ro's song country-style

'The Long Goodbye' written by Ronan and Paul Brady has been a live favourite in Ronan's tours.  But now there is something about this song that is proving a hit in the US.  A US country duo named Brooks & Dunn have recorded a cover version of the song!  This version can be found on the duo's latest album, 'Steers & Stripes' (pictured left).  It just proves that Ronan is a good songwriter!  We hope to see more of his own material in his second album, 'Destination' which will be released in the UK in June.

11/1/2002 - an extra date to the destination tour!

Ronan has recently announced an extra UK date to his Destination '02 Tour for June!  Ronan will be making his appearance at Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, UK on the 28th June.  The extra date means that Ronan will be doing seven days of the Destination '02 Tour in the UK.  The second album, 'Destination' is said to be released in the UK around June time!

Check out the Tour & Appearances page for the latest tour information plus buy tickets online to selected Ronan Keating shows!

In addition, we are desperately waiting for news about Ronan's next single, we still have no further information as yet, but we'll tell you as soon as the news arrives!

10/1/2002 - at the hero gala

Yesterday, Ronan was invited to a gala to see the Hero Award given to Sir Elton John for his work for HIV and Aids sufferers.  The award was presented by the UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and Aids.  Elton John said in the event, "I accept the Hero Award with gratitude, but more importantly in the acknowledgement of the 30,000 HIV positive people in the UK today."  Other guests included Victoria and David Beckham, Jerry Hall, Patsy Kensit, Boy George and Lesley Joseph.  The event was held at the Dorchester Hotel, London, UK.

7/1/2002 - a secret invitation...

Ronan had been invited to a secret wedding on Saturday 5th January.  He with other guests S Club 7 and Samantha Mumba, were invited to Westlife's Bryan McFadden and ex-Atomic Kitten, Kerry Katona's wedding which was set in Rathfeigh, Co. Meath, Ireland.  In addition, the guests were treated to music provided by former Another Level member, Dane Bowers.  We, at Ronan Keating World, wish Bryan and Kerry all the best for the future and everlasting happiness! 

ronan reference