With emigration currently hurting Irish families, it is good to learn this week that some of Mayo’s fine young people are turning heads in Australia, with three young men from the county having been selected as finalists in the St Patrick’s Day Parade 2012 in Sydney.
A total of 11 of Sydney’s Irish bachelors will compete in the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Bachelor of the Year Awards competition, taking place in Sydney tomorrow, Saturday February 18, marking a key fundraising event for the annual Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Day. The event, which has already sold out, will see a live audience of more than 300 guests entertained by the bachelor hopefuls as they are interviewed by a panel of high profile judges that includes Sydney Swans star, Irish footballer, Tommy Walsh.
The three Mayo bachelor finalists are Gerry Smyth, Simon McHale, and Eamon McEntee, whose profiles in the competition are featured as follows:
Gerry Smyth
Twenty-four-year old Gerry moved from Mayo to Australia 18 months ago for a life in the sun. He is a sports fanatic and enjoys motor sports, swimming, and Gaelic football. Gerry played football for his local team in Ardnaree for many years.
Gerry is described deep down as a bit of a softy and a ‘spontaneous type’. Once, he surprised an ex-girlfriend with a relaxing weekend away when she was suffering from exam stress.
His ideal woman would be easy to get along with, funny, and good looking! He believes the best way to approach a woman is with confidence. Gerry is sponsored by Sydney’s Irish pub Durty Nelly's.
Simon McHale
Simon, a 28 year old carpenter, moved to Australia three months ago because he heard it was the “land of milk and honey”.
His aspiration as a child was to be a fighter pilot, though these days, he will settle for being a maverick.
Simon once picked up a date from Enniscrone pier in a power boat for a romantic barbecue on a secluded island. All went well until the tide turned and the boat got banked!
Simon is sponsored by his employer, Millennium Carpentry.
Eamon McEntee
The youngest bachelor, 19-year-old Eamon is also the only Australian born bachelor; he started life in Wollongong, moved to Kiltimagh when he was just a few months old, and moved back to Australia six years ago.
He enjoys going to folk festivals, dancing, and spending time outdoors.
Eamon misses everything about Irish food and admits he would consider moving back to Ireland for the Guinness alone.
Eamon says that he takes an old fashioned approach to romance and admits people are always surprised to learn how chivalrous he is.
Eamon is sponsored by Taste Ireland, a local Sydney company that imports Irish food.
The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade is organised by a group of volunteers from the Irish-Australian community.
