Eric Roberts’ rise to television has been anything but typical.
Just a few years ago he started creating videos on TikTok during lockdown.
This led to him quickly becoming one of Ireland’s favourite content creators, eventually deciding to make the leap and leave his career as a special needs assistant in Donegal — a job he loved and thought he’d have for life.
Now, he’s a familiar face on Ireland AM, fresh from a stint on Dancing with the Stars, and balancing a fast-growing career across television and social media.
At our family shoot, alongside partner Niamh and their young son Rian, Eric opens up about swapping his old life in Donegal for a new chapter in Dublin and the parts of his former life he misses most — while insisting he wouldn’t change where life has taken him.
Admitting the dramatic shift his life has taken still takes him by surprise, he tells RSVP Magazine he can’t believe how things have changed. “It’s ying and yang. I’m a totally different person and it’s a totally different life — something I never even considered possible.”
“I’m on red carpets around the world, interviewing huge stars, on one of the biggest morning shows, after finishing Dancing with the Stars — a show I used to watch with my family. It’s all happened so quickly that it can be hard to process”, he admitted.
“But I’ve always had that imposter syndrome, those pinch-me moments — and I don’t want to lose that. It keeps me grounded. People can see I’m having fun and I’m grateful. I’m just riding the wave.”
However, despite how incredible his new life looks, the transition hasn’t been without its challenges. While grateful for the opportunities his new career has brought, Eric says there are parts of his old life he still misses.
Those feelings have become even more pronounced since Eric, Niamh and Rian relocated from Donegal to Dublin after he landed the Ireland AM role.
“Towards the end of last year, it really hit home — I didn’t have my normal life. I wasn’t seeing my friends. It can be lonely on the road, being in hotels”, he explained.
“Before we moved to Dublin, I was away from Rian quite a bit. Now, the great thing is I can be home every evening for bedtime and there in the morning.”
“But we are away from family and friends in Donegal, and as new parents you don’t really have time to make new ones. I miss that day-to-day life. I was heavily involved in sports growing up — football and GAA — and I had to step away from that.”
However, he admits he feels constantly grateful for how everything has turned out.
“There are things you miss, but I wouldn’t change my life now for the world. There are sacrifices, but definitely more pros than cons.”
To read the full interview with Eric and see all the stunning photos, pick up a copy of RSVP’s June issue, on shelves now.
Photography by Kate Nolan @kate_nolan_photography
Styling by Laura Mullett, @lauramullettstylist
Hair by Sarah Nugent, IG: @sarahhair.x
Make-up by Jade Mullett, IG: @jademullettmua
Location: St Helens Hotel, Dublin
St. Helen’s is now part of The Scally Hotel Collection, which includes Hayfield Manor in Cork, Great Southern Killarney, and Killarney Royal Townhouse. This is a proud Irish family-owned group of luxury hotels with a deep passion for genuine hospitality and memorable experiences. As part of this transition, the estate will now be known simply as St. Helen’s, a name that reflects both our distinguished history and our renewed vision for the future. This marks the beginning of an exciting new era for St. Helen’s.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.rsvplive.ie ’
