So far Cork has two representatives for this year’s Mr Gay Ireland Final. We caught up with another of them, Chris O’Reilly who won the overall title of Mr Gay Cork.

Where and when were you born?
Tralee in Kerry 12 of Feb, 1990.

So far Cork has two representatives for this year’s Mr Gay Ireland Final. We caught up with one of them, Gary Cantwell who won the new title of Mr Chambers.

Where and when were you born?
I was born on the 10th of December 1984 in Cork City.

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
I live with my Partner Clifford Hayes in St Lukes. We have a lovely 3 bed house where we live with our 3 dogs, Marilyn, Bubble and April  Cliff is an amazing guy who really supports me and is great with everything I am doing at the moment in regards to fundraising and all the preparation for the Mr Gay Ireland competition.

What is your occupation?
I have worked in many different areas of healthcare for the last 12 years but presently I am the client relationship manager for a healthcare recruitment agency.

What do you have in your pockets?
At the moment I have my Iphone, my wallet, a packet of chewing gum and my electronic cigarette (trying to give up)

What was the last song you sang when no one else was around?
Steps – deeper shade of blue! Was stuck in my head all day.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a vet until I realised what they actually had to do as I got older.

When and with whom was your first kiss?
My first real kiss with a guy was with a guy called Kevin and it was about ten years ago.

Who has had the most influence on you?
Living – my partner and my family and friends are always there to guide me in the right direction and are always there when I need them.
Deceased – Marilyn Monroe is my idol and I love her to bits!

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I dont think Ive had a greatest achievement yet other than winning Mr Gay Chambers, Mr Popular and Prom King.

What things are most important to you now? Why?
My Partner, My Family and My Friends because they will always be my first priority

Who do you trust and depend on?
I trust and depend on my partner Clifford Hayes more than I can explain. He’s been a great support to me and is such an amazing guy and I love him so much! Also my family and my close group of friends who are amazing to me too.

Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
I try to be as optimistic as I can but I wouldnt say I’m either really.

Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I definitaly believe that when you meet the one you are ment for you just know… and you will do whatever it takes to make it work with that person as its forever!

What do you believe makes a successful life?
Not being ashamed of being yourself, falling in love and sharing special moments with that person. Never being scared to say I Love You.
And living life as you want to and not by anyone elses plans.

What is your favorite kind of music?
I love chart music but my favourate music has to be Love songs! Im a total romantic and am totally soppy.

What scares you?
I am terrified of clowns and tunnels!

Hugs or Kisses?
I love both. I am a affectionate guy and think that a hug from someone who loves you and you love is the best feeling ever.

Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
Cliff my boyfriend, because he means the world to me!

How close are you to your family?
I am very close to my family. My mother lives about ten mins away and speak to her every day if I dont see her, My brother, his wife and kids live on the other side of the city but we chat most days and I try and go spend time with my nephews as much as possible. And my sister lives in Galway with her husband and two boys one of which is my Godson Adam who is my pride and joy I speak to my sister at least once a day.

Do you care what others think of you?
I used to be very concious about it and really lacked confidence but myself and my partner Cliff entered ourselves for prom kings at Corks first LGBT prom and won which gave me a huge confidence boost as it was all on public votes on the night. Then after entering The Cork Mr Gay heat and winning the first ever Mr Gay Chambers Title it really gave me a huge boost in confidence which makes me not worry too much about what people think of me anymore as they voted for myself and Chris O Reilly to be their Mr Gay ambassadors and representatives of Cork to go to Mr Gay Ireland.

What is/are your favourite hobbies and pastimes?
I love to sing, to paint and spend as much time with my partner, our dogs and family and friends.

What is your most treasured possession?
My Dad died in 1998 and he left me his ring so I cherish that and photographs I have with him more than anything.

How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Usually I would meet up with some friends and have a few drinks and maybe a bit of singstar before heading out to Chambers Bar of Washington Street.

What makes you laugh?
At the moment there are a few clips from youtube that crack me up, also a scene from the movie ”the help”

What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
I think it would take a lot to shock me/ I get offended if people think I am not approachable or think I am full of myself because I am a really down to earth guy that loves socialising with everyone. on any night out I am guaranteed to meet and chat with loads of new people and I love that.

Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
I like planning things and having an idea of what I want to do but because I am very spontaneous my plans very rarely come to anything

Do you like to dance?
I never likes to dance because I was always very concious that I couldnt dance but for the last few months Ive lost those inhibitions and normally dance the night away every night I go out.

Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
A normal day for me is waking up showering getting ready for work and having breakfast with Cliff, Get the dogs sorted before we go to work. Work my usual 9 to 5 and head home, walk and feed the dogs and have dinner with Cliff and either watch a movie or tv before bed together or meet up with friends for an hour or two. Boring I know

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d like to keep gaining confidence in myself, and I’d like to motivate myself to go to the gym more.

Are you generally organized or messy?
In work I am very organized but at home I am messy even though I try not to be.

Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

Good:

• I’m a great friend to have because I am very loyal and would never leave you down.
• Good at massages
• Good with animals

Bad:

• Terrible with money.
• Keeping the house tidy
• Keeping my mouth shut when annoyed.

What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
I would love to eventually open my own night club or Nursing home. Two very different things I know but thats what Ive always wanted.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully in our own house, in a job I love, after doing a lot of travelling, and after learning how to drive and passing the test.

What three words best describe your personality?

• Fun
• Cheeky
• Stubborn

What three words would others probably use to describe you?

• Loyal
• Fun
• Trustworthy

If you were to choose a new name for yourself, what would it be?
 I have always loved the names Jack ,Ben and Sam and seeing as Im Mr Gay Chambers Id use Chambers as a surname

What do you do for fun?
I spend time with my family and friends and love to go out and socialise.

What do you do most often when you are bored?
Go on Facebook or watch TV

What is something that you are really proud of and why?
Im actually really proud of myself and Chris O’Reilly because we have really bonded and have a friendship now that I know will last the test of time! Really proud of what we have achieved so far and also of all the ideas we have in the pipeline.

Why did you enter Mr Gay Cork 2012?
I entered Mr Gay Cork because I had my partner Cliff and a good friend of ours Dermot Hickey suggest it to me, also my late step brother John Broz who was a well known Cork DJ on the gay scene always wanted me to enter and since he passed away I thought it would be a nice tribute to him to enter in his rememberance. John entered the Mr loafers competition last year before he passed away.

How does it feel to be Mr Chambers Bar 2012? It feels amazing! I was so shocked when my name was called that I was bawling my eyes out! It is such an honour to be able to Represent Chambers Bar and The gay Community of Cork. We have had so much support from everyone and have made some great friends out of the competition already.

Any ideas / plans to make you stand out in the upcoming Mr Gay Ireland final in Dublin?
I just want to do Cork proud and raise as much money as possible for the newfill project in St James hospital in Dublin. They do amazing work and although I didn’t know that much about the cause before the competition I have researched a lot and really feel strongly about the cause now. Both myself and Mr Gay Cork have said we are going to keep fundraising after the competition ends.

Finally is there anything else you like to say?
Besides raising awareness and fundraising for the Newfill Project we want to create awareness about bullying in schools, isolation in rural areas, suicide, protection and also sti’s and clinics in Cork.

The only other thing I would like to say is a huge thank you to everyone for all the support I have recieved so far and that I hope I can do you all proud at the Mr Gay Ireland Competition.

Mr Gay Cork & Mr Chambers Bar is being held in Chambers on July 29th 2012.

The is the first year of  Mr Chambers Bar, as it is only fair that Chambers get’s their own representative with all the hard work they do in promoting the event.

For anyone who may be interested in entering, please email dermothickey@gmail.com for more information

Cork has three representatives in this years’ Mr Gay Ireland Final, and on behalf of everyone on GayCork.com, we’d like to wish them all the best.

We ran a few features on each of the contestants and you read read them by clicking  on the links below:

Damien Fitzgerald, Mr GayCork.com
 

Adrian Kiely, Mr Loafers

James Shelley, Mr Gay Cork 2011

Cork will have three representatives in this year’s Mr Gay Ireland. We caught up with the last of them, Damien Fitzgerald who won Mr GayCork.com and Mr Chambers Popular.

Where and when were you born?
Born the third of march 1980, in Waterford city.

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
I live in Carrigaline in a big house all on my own, all good because my mam and sister are only around the corner.

What is your occupation?
I am restaurant manager and a duty manager in the Montenotte hotel in Cork city, love my job ;-p

What do you have in your pockets?
Master key, card till, card deck,  phone , money mobile and a lighter need to buy some fags lol

What was the last song you sang when no one else was around?
I was singing Katie Perry Friday night worst thing it was in front of people in work ,

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Can I let you know when I grow up lol ;-p

When and with whom was your first kiss?
It was in the local teenage disco/youth club with whom I cant remember, it is the age thing [old age me ]

Who has had the most influence on you?
My mother, sister and brother we have a small family but I look up to every one of them, they have always been there for me, especially my Mam.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Haven’t had my greatest achievement yet but I have had a lot good ones,

What things are most important to you now? Why?
Always gonna be my family and friends. I love my family, and I have some of the best friends in the world, [emma, cliff ]

Who do you trust and depend on?
My true friends and always my mam sister and brother I would trust them with my life

Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Depends on what mood and day off the week it is lol ;-p

Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I will let you know if I fall in love or find a soulmate!

What do you believe makes a successful life?
A can do good attitude, hard work and respect for yourself and anybody who you have the pleasure to meet on lifes journey

What is your favorite kind of music?
I listen to anything but depressing music

What scares you?
The abilty of not been scared lol

Hugs or Kisses?
Hugs with the odd kiss

Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
I cant pick one they are all as equally important to me

How close are you to your family?
Close love em to bits

Do you care what others think of you?
No not at all,

What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
Don’t get to have much time off in work but going out with my best friends etc

What is your most treasured possession?
My health

How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
1 out of 4 in work lol

What makes you laugh?
These questions ;-p

What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
Disrespecting people, hate it

Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
A bit of both whatever goes really

Do you like to dance?
Hell no hate it

Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
Get up shower shave , clean eat get ready for work go to work finish work go to bed, if I was disrupet it would make a good change to my day ;-p

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My ignorant streak that pops its ugly head out from time to time

Are you generally organized or messy?
Organized chaos

What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
Manager of a four/five star hotel in the states

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
If I could see that I would be able to see next weeks lotto numbers lol

What three words best describe your personality?
Scary, funny, moody

What three words would others probably use to describe you?
I asked other people they wont tell me ;-p

If you were to choose a new name for yourself, what would it be?
Jayden don’t ask

What do you do for fun?
Emmmm let me think lol xx

What do you do most often when you are bored?
Chill out and meet up with my friends

What is something that you are really proud of and why?
How I am getting on in my job , and how the upper management have noticed it and rewarded it

Why did you enter Mr Gay Cork 2011?
Was asked to and it is a great night and what a buzz and of course a great cause

How does it feel to be Mr GayCork.com 2011 & Mr Chambers Popular?
Em it was a great feeling to win chambers mr popular I was delighted as I am not out that long, then to win mr gaycork.com was just the icing on the cake so many of the lads deserved it that night , we all won

Any ideas / plans to make you stand out in the upcoming Mr Gay Ireland final in Dublin?
I have a few things in my brain just have to find time now to put into action

Finally is there anything else you like to say?
I would just like to thank everybody for there support, Dermot Hickey for nominating me, Rosin for all he hard work on the night Bryan O’Connell for been a great help as well, the fellow contests and bring on Dublin and best of luck to all the lads in the final xxxx

Cork will have three representatives in this year’s Mr Gay Ireland. We caught up with one of them, Adrian Kiely who won the first ever Mr Gay Loafers.

Where and when were you born?
I was born in cork on the 10th of Jan 1982.

Where do you live now, and with whom? Describe the place and the person/people.
I live in a two bed appartment on popes quay with my friend eanna murphy.

What is your occupation?
I am a retail sales consultant at meteor.

What do you have in your pockets?
My fags and my phone

What was the last song you sang when no one else was around?
Leona Lewis, Collide.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Superhero.

When and with whom was your first kiss?
I was about 7 and with one of my best friends, Tracy.

Who has had the most influence on you?
My Mother, she is my rock and has always kept me grounded.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
That would have to be coming an uncle and god father to my beautiful niece Laila and of course winning Mr Gay Loafers.

What things are most important to you now? Why?
being healthy living life and not just letting it pass me by as I reach 30 I have decided to try things I would never have dreamed of doing before.

Who do you trust and depend on?
My family and my friends – they keep me grounded but alos put up with my bad moods and cheer me up when I’m feeling down but they are also there with good advice when needed.

Are you basically optimistic or pessimistic?
Think I’m a bit of both I have my days where I think the glass is half empty but also have my days where I think it’s half full.

Do you believe in the existence of soul mates and/or true love?
I believe that there is someone out there for everyone but also think because I have been single for so long I’m wondering where he is! lol

What do you believe makes a successful life?
Good health good friends and definately a good social life – you need to have a good balnce of everything.

What is your favorite kind of music?
I love pop music especially 90′s pop and am also a big Leona Lewis fan.

What scares you?
Have a big fear of death or losing a loved one, also spiders!

Hugs or Kisses?
Hugs, nothing like a hug when your feeling low.

Who is the most important person in your life, and why?
That would have to be my mother again. Would be lost without her. I came out at 13 and she has supported me all the way through and when I was bullied bad at school she was always there for me.My dad is also amazing but I’m defo a Mammy’s boy. lol

How close are you to your family?
Very close.

Do you care what others think of you?
I think everyone does. I used to be very bad about it when I was younger, its when you get older you realise it’s not what people think of you that matters, it’s what you think of yourself that counts,

What is/are your favorite hobbies and pastimes?
I love to cook – I make a mean curry, I also love to socialise and a big telly buff.

What is your most treasured possession?
My wax for my hair never leave home without it.

How do you spend a typical Saturday night?
Usually drinks at mine or a friends then clubbing, or we head to Loafers then Chambers – depends how broke we all are. lol

What makes you laugh?
A few of my friends are ditzy, some of the things they come out with make me laugh.

What, if anything, shocks or offends you?
Prejudice ….people who think being gay is a sin and the haters out there.

Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?
I always need a plan but I also find by planning it never turns out the way I think it is.

Do you like to dance?
When I’m drunk, I’m very self concious when sober.

Describe the routine of a normal day for you. How do you feel when this routine is disrupted?
I get up, shower and go for the bus and head to work. Once I finished it’s pretty much going home to walk the dog and catch up on a bit of telly depending if I’m going out, then bed. I’m pretty boring really.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
My nose, have always hated it. lol

Are you generally organized or messy?
I like to be organised. I hate mess and being anywhere thats messy.

Name three things you consider yourself to be very good at, and three things you consider yourself to be very bad at.
Being a good friend, being a good godfather and my job. 3 things I’m bad at, sometimes I have a big mouth, being confident and sticking up for myself.

What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?
To be happy, settled and maybe meet the right person have a family.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A lot older! lol. Hopefully still in a good job and settled.

What three words best describe your personality?
Bubbly, fun and sarcastic.

What three words would others probably use to describe you?
Vain, generous and dependable.

If you were to choose a new name for yourself, what would it be?
I like Blaine.

What do you do for fun?
Going to friends for dinner or movies and heading out at weekends.

What do you do most often when you are bored?
I can’t let myself be bored. I always have to find something to keep me occupied.

What is something that you are really proud of and why?
Winning mr gay loafers I’m really shy and not confident so to stand up in front of people and speak and walk around in my underwear took alot of guts

Why did you enter Mr Loafers 2011?
I have been on the gay scene for 12 years and have never once entered any kind of event. I really wanted to do something before I turn 30.

How does it feel to be Mr Loafers 2011?
Absolutely amazing it was such a rush and I’m still on a high from it.

Any ideas / plans to make you stand out in the upcoming Mr Gay Ireland final in Dublin?
Nothing at the moment I need to get my thinking cap on

Finally is there anything else you like to say?
I would like to thank everyone at Loafers for putting on such an amazing event and the guys that entered were really some of the nicest people I have ever met. Last of all I would like to thank everyone who came out to support and vote for me.