‘This has been an absolute experience of a lifetime’: Limerick's Paudie marvels at his DWTS journey

"THIS has been an epic journey, an absolute experience of a lifetime," exclaimed Limerick's Paudie Moloney after he bowed out of the Dancing with the Stars grand final with his series best score.

Paudie and his pro dancer Laura Nolan received their highest score of the series on Sunday with their Showdance performance. 

The couple performed their 'Showdance' routine, a freestyle performance that allows them to combine different dance styles to showcase the creativity, skills and storytelling abilities they’ve learned throughout their journey, to the music of 'Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ by Andy Williams. Paudie and Laura received a total score of 29 out of 40 for the Showdance, Paudie's highest score of the series.

They also performed their dance from Week 4 and Country Week with a Quickstep to ‘Stop the World and Let Me Off’ by Declan Nerney in the grand finale on Sunday. They received a score of 28 out of 40 from the judges. In total, they received 57 points for both dances.

READ MORE: ‘Opinions are like noses’: Limerick's Paudie brushes aside critics ahead of DWTS final

Paudie said he was absolute ecstatic following his performances in the Dancing with the Stars final.

"This has been an epic journey, this has been an absolute experience of a lifetime!"

"I've had some negative comments along the way from the judges, and I want to prove to them that I more than deserve my place in the final, that I am able to dance, and I want to prove that this dance is the dance for me... To be here for the final, it's beyond my wildest dreams."

Paudie continued: "The goodwill that has been coming at me since I took on this show, and since I started on Dancing with the Stars, it's been phenomenal." Paudie and Laura paid a visit to Coláiste Iósaef in Kilmallock on Wednesday as the Traitors star returned home to give supporters a preview of his moves ahead of the final. 

"People came out in their droves to support us," added Paudie.

Judge Brian Redmond commented on Paudie's dance, saying: "Congratulations on making it to the final of Dancing with the Stars... You're hardly going to believe this, at one point tonight, Paudie, I actually had a little sway along with you."

"You might not be the best dancer on this show, but we know, and you've proved that this show is about so much more than just dancing. You've come in each week, you've put your best foot forward, you've had fun, and I've really enjoyed watching you do that."

Judge Arthur Gourounlian added: "You are the definition of age is just a number. You keep going. You keep dancing. You keep entertaining. And most importantly, you keep having fun. That's what dancing is all about."

Paudie said: "This time last year I was looking for tickets... And look at me now. I can't believe it."

Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins was announced as the winner of Dancing with the Stars 2026.

All eight eliminated celebrities returned for the final, including Michael Fry, Brian Kennedy, Amber Wilson, Anne Cassin, Niamh Kavanagh, Stephanie Kelly, Philip Doyle and Jordan Dargan. The contestants and their pro partners returned with a very special one-off comeback performance to Myles Smith’s ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’.

Paudie's proudest achievement? Not prime-time ratings, but his four children and ten grandchildren, five of whom cheered him on from the studio audience during his time on Dancing with the Stars. Paudie's wife Bernadette and his son and fellow Traitors star Andrew were seen cheering him on in the audience at the final.

Paudie was Dancing with the Star's oldest ever competitor to date but the Kilmallock man didn't let that stop him. He previously worked as a prison officer for over 28 years.

Paudie and wife Bernadette have four children; Edwina, Antoinette, Aoife and Andrew and ten grandchildren, Dylan, Shane, Callum, Gavin, Alana, Amelia, Fionn, Scott, Adeline and Oisín. Their grandson Shane O'Brien is a star Limerick and Kilmallock hurler. Shane’s mum Edwina is married to Adrian O’Brien, a performance coach and athletic development specialist who has been involved in several club and county set-ups including the Limerick senior hurlers.

Shane was among the personal tributes seen on Dancing with the Stars during dedicated dance week, as Paudie dedicated his performance to the ten grandchildren who span his life on and off the dancefloor.