Anne Doyle joined Ray D'Arcy in studio to discuss the return of the Westmeath Bachelor Festival this summer and what she and her fellow judges will be looking for. Listen back above.
Move over Love Island, the romantic spectacle of the year might be taking place in none other than Co Westmeath.
The Westmeath Bachelor Festival returns to the Midlands this summer, kicking off on 29 July in Mullingar, bringing with it – hopefully – Ireland's most eligible bachelors.
Pippa O'Connor and Brian Ormond are the competition judging panel's newest additions, taking on the daunting task of finding the country's best bachelor alongside returning judges music maestro Louis Walsh and beloved broadcaster Anne Doyle.
Following a Rose of Tralee-inspired format, it will be time for the men of Ireland to shine, with the lucky winner walking away with an all-inclusive holiday to Ibiza, a new wardrobe that would be the envy of James Bond himself and a cash donation to their chosen charity.
Speaking about the dazzling event, Doyle joined The Ray D'Arcy Show to give us the low down on what's sure to be the hottest event on the national calendar.
The festival has been running in some iteration for years, Doyle said, beginning originally as a "Macra na Feirme venture", where the winner would walk away with a brand new, expertly tailored suit. "Then, I presume like many things in life, it sort of slipped toward oblivion and then a few years ago, a few very energised people in Mullingar decided to revitalise it".
The pandemic put the kibosh on these plans briefly, but last year saw the three-day festival finally take place, with 25-year-old Kerry man, Bryan Murphy, named Westmeath Bachelor of 2022.
That's one way to liven up the aul' dating app profile.
As for Doyle, she said she "wasn't quite sure" what she'd bring to the table. "Those who know me well assured me I would bring my customary gravitas and that I'd be there to keep an eye on the young people and see they got to bed early, that sort of thing."
So in the real, non-Bridgerton world, what makes a bachelor truly impressive these days? "The idea is that you would find a modern man encompassing the very agreeable qualities that many modern men have", Doyle said.
When pushed, she explained: "A man who is open to the world we live in, the modern world, open to change, an all-round good guy of his time but not throwing all the old values out the window either. That would be my little caveat there."
The judging process will, naturally, put the guys to the test, with last year's festival seeing the final 13 of Ireland's most eligible bachelors whittled down from hundreds of entrants who had to undergo rigorous questions from the celeb judging panel as well as perform a talent piece. Talent pieces last year included singing, stand-up comedy, a traditional 'brush dance’, ventriloquism, cocktail making and much more.
Being chivalrous and looking good in a suit won't hurt your chances, either.
For more information on the Westmeath Bachelor Festival, click here.
