Meet the Westmeath Bachelors

The Westmeath Bachelor Competition, the search for Ireland's most eligible bachelor, returns on Saturday July 29 to Mullingar Arts Centre with judges Louis Walsh, Pippa O'Connor Ormond, Brian Ormond and Anne Doyle.

This year's bachelors took a tour of Mullingar recently, meeting people along the way, and the line-up has been described by organisers "a really exciting and energetic group".

"We have no doubt they are going to bring the house down in a few weeks time! Thank you to all the local businesses who continue to support us. The Westmeath Bachelor Competition is not to be missed," said Westmeath Bachelor spokesperson, Shane Barkey.

Ciaran Clarke

Ciaran Clarke is 29 and from Rosemount, County Westmeath.

"I am currently studying to be a solicitor and I'm hoping to land my training contract soon. In the meantime, I'm working in Dublin in a legal costs firm. I entered The Westmeath Bachelor for the craic, but it's been quite the adventure so far and I've met a truly great bunch of lads in the process. I have many hobbies and talents, but my overall ambition in life is to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, I have achieved amazing things and I fully intend to use this momentum to become 2023's Westmeath Bachelor."

STEVEN COLVERT

Steven Colvert is 32, from Mullingar but based in Dublin and works in finance. A former international athlete and national champion, he says: “I was raised in Mullingar and have strong local roots. A bit of a nerd at heart. An avid gamer and cat dad. I decided to enter the Westmeath Bachelor Competition when I heard that there was an opportunity to raise some money as the winner for a charity of choice and have a bit of fun along the way.”

JOHN CARROLL

John Carroll, 37, is from Tralee and has entered hoping that he can keep the title of Westmeath Bachelor in the kingdom!

"I am involved in a lot of fundraising for local charities and organising fun events, such as the annual 5k fun run for Kerry Cancer Support Group, and climbing Carrantuohill for Pieta house. I'm also registered with Volunteer Ireland helping Ballyheigue Inshore Sea Rescue, as well as organising the annual speed dating event for Bru Columbanus charity, and dressing up as Santa for the childcare Centre/Senior Citizens of Causeway.

"I organise soccer every Friday night for young and old and I'm a member of Macra also. I was a COVID19 community coordinator for the Rural Link and Wheel Program and got a letter of appreciation from the President of Ireland.

I'm into cheesy pop music (don't know if this is a good or a bad thing) and I'm a lover of animals and have three dogs, an insane cat, chickens and a rooster!"

As well as his extensive work for different charities John is also into exercise, park runs and has a black belt in taekwondo!

FABU D aka BLACKPADDY

Fabio David, 35, better known as Blackpaddy, is a comedian, MC, entertainer and actor and is based in Dublin. Born in Nigeria, Blackpaddy channels the African man in Europe and embraces the Irish culture throughout his live sets. He quickly made a name for himself while performing on the streets of Dublin and creating viral videos which have amassed over 150 millions views online. He decided to follow his passion as a comedian and has been performing throughout Ireland.

JOHN COADY

John Coady, 31, is from North Kilkenny, near a town called Castlecomer. "I am the youngest in my family, my parents had five children under five at one stage! I have an Ag Science degree from Waterford IT, I work on a farm, for a funeral director and as a bookkeeper as well! Recently, I joined a modelling agency as a commercial model and I am looking forward to that role also. I applied to the Westmeath Bachelor Competition to meet new people, gain more confidence in myself and to have the craic also. I like helping people and I have done a lot of charity work in Kilkenny.

"My great grandmother was originally from Mullingar. Her name was Margaret Lestrange and she used to work as a cook in Wilson's Hospital School before she came to Three Castles in Kilkenny and married a Michael Doheny. I would love to find out more about her and to see if there are any more of my relatives still living around Mullingar.

“I am looking forward to the competition and getting to know more about the other bachelors and having a good time. "

JAMES DOYLE

James Doyle, 21, is originally from Killucan, but has since relocated to Leitrim. James is a social media star with over fifty million likes on TikTok thanks to his now viral and famous ‘protein bor’ catchphrase. “I just graduated from communications in DCU and have a brother (13) and a sister (10). I grew up playing football and eventually started at the rugby, which I was fairly deadly at but battled with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) in my teens which killed my passion for sports. I then found the gym which saved me and got me to where I am today.

“My dream job is just how I’m living life at the moment doing social media, but my major plan is to become a household name as a presenter on telly! Some random facts about me; after pints of Guinness, Tequila is my go to drink.

“Two years ago I wasn’t in the best shape playing Call of Duty till 6am.

“ I’m now a MyProtein athlete and have a massive social media following founded on the basis of the gym.

“I said I’d do the competition because I had nothing planned for the date and said the session after it would be worth making a laugh of myself singing on stage. I’m really looking forward to the night and plan to take the crown!"