{"id":128238,"date":"2025-10-17T15:05:17","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T15:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/128238\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T15:05:17","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T15:05:17","slug":"standing-ovation-as-annmarie-oconnor-speaks-about-when-life-falls-apart-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/128238\/","title":{"rendered":"Standing ovation as Annmarie O\u2019Connor speaks about when ‘life falls apart’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAll rubble looks the same,\u201d was the key message of Annmarie O\u2019Connor\u2019s empathetic speech during a flagship Irish Examiner event on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n

Speaking to a sold-out ieStyle Live event at Cork City Hall, Ms O\u2019Connor reflected on her diagnosis of early-onset Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/a> when she was in her 40s, or, as she described it, \u201cthe moment my life fell apart\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\" Cork City Hall lit up for the Irish Examiner’s ieStyle Live in association with Clarins along with partners Lidl, Audi Cork, and Malfy. Picture: Larry Cummins<\/p>\n

The Irish Examiner Weekend Fashion Editor had attendees reaching for the tissues during an emotive but inspiring Women of Impact speech.<\/p>\n

Ms O\u2019Connor shared one of the main takeaways of her life-changing news: How to cope and connect through difficult times, whether that\u2019s a devastating diagnosis or the loss of a dear friend.<\/p>\n

\" Aoife O’Connor and Jean Murphy of Audi Cork arriving for the IE Style Live fashion event at City Hall, Cork, presented by The Irish Examiner in association with Clarins. Picture: Larry Cummins<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen something falls apart, whether it\u2019s your health, relationship or career, all rubble looks the same,” she said.<\/p>\n

\n It\u2019s our humanity that connects us, and our stories that help us heal\n <\/p>\n

She described how \u201ca twitch was the moment that changed everything\u201d and said post-diagnosis she felt she had to grieve the loss of the life she thought she would have.<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt ashamed. The fashion editor-turned-spinster with a willful brain disorder was not on my vision board,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"HollyHolly Henderson, Johanna Murphy, and Se\u00e1n Lynch, Johanna Murphy & Sons Estate Agents, at The Irish Examiner IE Style Live 2025 event at Cork City Hall. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan\/OSM\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like my old life was Anna Wintour\u2019s, but it was mine. I created it. And it was falling apart in front of me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ms O\u2019Connor said her \u201ccoming out of the medical closet\u201d story, which was first published in Weekend magazine, saw her life change again.<\/p>\n

\u201cParkinson\u2019s might be the plot twist, but I was the author. What I didn\u2019t anticipate was the impact my words would have.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\" MC Deirdre O\u2019Kane opening the IEStyle live event at Cork City Hall on Thursday evening. Picture: Chani Anderson<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cI went from accidental advocate to advocate by choice.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Her candid speech received a standing ovation from the hundreds of people in attendance and Ms O\u2019Connor, whose memoir Twitch: My Life with Parkinson\u2019s<\/a> was published last month, concluded with a note on rebuilding a life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen something in your life falls apart, it doesn\u2019t owe you an explanation. The moment, however fleeting, has passed. It\u2019s your willingness to meet yourself where you are that counts. To pause and catch your breath before starting to rebuild your world from the rubble.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"IzzyIzzy Showbizzy, 96FM, Eimear Hallahan, Red FM, and Emily O\u2019Donoghue, @Fashionablyfortyish, at The Irish Examiner IE Style Live 2025 event at Cork City Hall. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan\/OSM\u00a0<\/p>\n

ieStyle Live, in association with Clarins along with partners Lidl, Audi Cork, and Malfy, was hosted by comedian and actor Deirdre O\u2019Kane<\/a>, who had the crowd laughing with her trademark cutting humour.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cork Simon Community was represented by chair Christine Moloney, who spoke about the incredible work happening at the charity and how \u201ccompassion and kindness change lives\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"FionaFiona Corcoran and Emily Kenyon, UCC Fashion Society, at The Irish Examiner IE Style Live 2025 event at Cork City Hall. Picture: Michael O’Sullivan\/OSM<\/p>\n

Guests at the event enjoyed a drinks reception followed by a three-course dinner, during which a fashion show curated by stylist Corina Gaffey highlighted some of the latest offerings in Irish stores.<\/p>\n

Cork singer Precious Abimbola performed as the models walked the runway.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"IrishIrish Examiner Head of Features Vickie Maye\u200b, MC Deirdre O’Kane, Clarins Beauty chief \u200bmake \u200bup \u200bartist\u200b Christine Lucignano, and hair stylist Pamela Morrissey of Sobe \u200bBrown at Irish Examiner ieStyle Live 2025 at Cork City Hall. Picture: Alison Miles\/OSM<\/p>\n

Makeup artist Christine Lucignano for Clarins Beauty and hair stylist Pam Morrissey from Sobe Brown also styled the models, who wore brands including Brown Thomas, M&S, Kildare Village, and Opera Lane, as well as local boutiques including Blue Fig, Vanilla Boutique, Silk Peaches, Oh Molly, and Phoenix V.<\/p>\n

\"ModelModel Mary Dunne at the Irish Examiner ieStyle Live 2025 at Cork City Hall. Picture: Alison Miles\/OSM<\/p>\n

Guests were also dressed to impress, and beauty editor Sally Foran chose a Dressed with Personality Winner, who received a \u20ac1,000 Douglas Court gift card. Giveaways on the night included a \u20ac5,000 diamond necklace from DesignWorks.<\/p>\n