Beard Liberation Front
Press release 17th March
Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
RETAIL BOSS AODHAN CONNOLLY NAMED ST PATRICK’S DAY BEARD OF IRELAND
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that the on-line vote for the Irish Beard of the Year 2022 has concluded with Northern Ireland Retail Consortium Director Aodhan Connolly retaining the title he first won in 2021.
Connolly shaved the opposition with academic Peter Coles and Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann runners up while rugby player Jamison Gibson-Park was fourth.
The 2017 winner was politician Colum Eastwood who bearded broadcaster William Crawley for the annual Award.
In 2018 the DUP’s Lee Reynolds shaved writer Dominic O’Reilly for the honour with Colum Eastwood in a steady third place.
In 2019 Lee Reynolds retained the title
The 2020 winner was Maynooth academic Peter Coles
In 2021 Aodhan Connolly shaved opponents to win the coveted title for the first time
The BLF says that while traditionally a land of predominantly clean-shaven cultures, Ireland has in recent times become something of a centre for stylish and trendy beards.
Contenders for the title in 2022 included a diverse range of the hirsute- a golfer, rugby player, political and trade union activists, a broadcaster, an academic as well as a Health Minister.
The campaigners say the poll is specifically about the impact the beard of an individual has made in Irish public life and no other factor.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, competition for the 2022 Beard of Ireland Award bristled and Aodhan Connolly is to be congratulated on being the first person to win consecutive titles. Clearly his beard is making a positive impact in the public eye.
There were two preliminary Beard Off votes between 5-7th March and 9-11th March. The top two from each round went through to a Best Beard of Ireland vote between 13-15th March
Beard of Ireland 2022 shortlist
William Crawley, broadcaster
Matthew O’Toole, politician
Jamison Gibson-Park, rugby player
Peter Coles, academic, Maynooth University
Shane Lowry, golfer
Aodhán Connolly, Businessman
Robin Swann, Health Minister, Belfast
Owen Reidy, ICTU officer
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