2010 Bachelor of the Year

Tyrone man Paddy takes home gold at the Sydney St Patrick’s Day’s Irish Bachelor of the Year Awards this weekend

On Saturday 20th February, 11 of Sydney’s hottest Irish bachelors competed in the Sydney St Patrick’s Day Irish Bachelor of the Year Awards competition, a key fundraising event for the annual Sydney St Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Day. The winner was Tyrone man from Derrylaughan Paddy Coary.

Pictured here: Paddy announced winner of Sydney Irish Bachelor of the Year 2010 by judge Deirdre Prendergast. Photo by Shane O'Neill, at the ball at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney.

 The shocked 23 year old quantity surveyor was announced overall winner of the Irish Bachelor of the Year 2010 in a unanimous vote by all four judges. The audience stood to ovation at his performance piece, a swing dance with a female partner to Michael Buble's 'Haven't Met You Yet' after he told the audience about his love of the the Aussie lifestyle of BBQs and Bondi Beach, but still gets to enjoy GAA by playing with Sydney team Penrith Gaels.  He misses his family most and told guests that he can't wait to go home to attend two weddings later this year.
 
As well as being interviewed by Judges before the event, on the night all were interviewed on stage and performed a party piece. Bachelors also had one more challenge this year. Over the past two months special guest judge Deirdre Prendergast has been the voice for the single, female Irishwoman in Australia. Each bachelor was charged with taking Deirdre on a fun, thoughtful date costing no more than AUD$50.  Paddy's date was taking Deirdre on a kayaking trip in Sydney Harbour.
 
An audience of 400 guests were treated to an evening at the grand ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel. The panel of judges includes veteran Sydney St Patrick’s Day Bachelor of the Year judge Home and Away actor Lynn McGranger, Irish radio personality Michael Lyons and Dubliner Deirdre Prendergast.

Paddy was sponsored by Taste Ireland, the online Irish grocery store for Australia and New Zealand, owned by Eamon Eastwood, who is originally from Cookstown. Eamon said: "We were delighted when Paddy agreed with a little persuasion to take part in the competition on behalf of Taste Ireland. He's so modest and such an affable guy, he really stood out as a natural winner on the night and we're thrilled he won!"
 
Paddy receives a prize of return flights to Ireland.  

The Sydney St Patrick’s Day Irish Bachelor of the Year is the signature fundraising event for the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Family Day. It is currently in its eighth year.