The Aisling Irish Community Center in Yonkers is excited to re-launch the Bachelor of The Year 2013 Fundraiser, taking place on February 16, 2013 at Gaelic Park in the Bronx. In previous years this event has been one of the most successful and entertaining nights for the Irish community in New York and the Aisling Center hope to revive the event and strengthen the Irish connections across all boroughs.

The Bachelors hail from all boroughs and are widely connected with various branches of the Irish American community in New York. This is clearly evident from their range of sponsors and supporters. At the moment, each Bachelor is busy leading PR campaigns, mustering up support for the event and the response to date has been tremendous. In addition to a private interview held by a panel of judges at the Aisling Irish Center, each bachelor will entertain their supporters with an interview and party piece on stage at Gaelic Park. The judging panel is furnished with the task of choosing the winner and will be looking for certain criteria, such as authenticity and general rapport. The winner will receive a monetary prize and hotel stay, along with the much coveted title, Aisling Irish Center’s Bachelor of the Year 2013.

Dáithí O’Sé, Irish RTE television personality and host of the International Rose of Tralee competition, is confirmed as MC for the event. The center is delighted he has taken time from his busy schedule to support this fundraiser.

The Narrowbacks will provide musical entertainment to add to the night’s amusement. Heineken have come on board to support the event, along with IrishCentral and the New York GAA.

This is an extremely important fundraiser for the Aisling Irish Center and since establishment in 1996 the center strives to deliver a high standard of vital social, educational, cultural and recreational programs to the local and neighboring communities of New York. The center is the main provider of services for the elderly community in the McLean Avenue and Woodlawn neighborhoods providing outreach services to those in need.

The center provides confidential and professional counseling; employment & accommodation referrals; legal & immigration services; classes in Irish dance, music and language; computer classes; fitness classes for all ages; karate for kids; moms & tots group; weekly AA meeting, and TAIW defensive driving classes. The center also coordinates the Irish Volunteers for the Homeless program whereby, volunteers prepare food and beverages each Monday and these are later transported to Manhattan and distributed at various locations to help feed the homeless.

In addition to current programs, the center is in the process of expanding our services next year and aim to extend the center to develop more dynamic programs, benefiting all age groups in the Tri State area. This is an ambitious and expensive project to take on board however our community is in need of this expansion and will benefit greatly from it. The center is also very involved in the relief efforts of Hurricane Sandy and are working directly with community groups and fellow New Yorkers who have had their lives destroyed by the storm. Hence this fundraiser is more important than ever for the Aisling Center to be a leader in the community and continue to develop in the necessary areas.

The main event starts at 8pm in Gaelic Park and tickets are only $30 and now on sale. Tickets can be purchased via the Bachelors, the Aisling Irish Center or alternatively, online at www.aislingcenter.org. Follow the event on Facebook and for more information on the event and our services, contact us on 914 237 5121.

And here are these years contestants for the Bachelor of the Year

1. Name: Clive Anderson

From: Ballinhassig, Co. Cork

Sponsor: McLean Avenue Merchants Association

Hobbies & Interests: Flying, singing, playing piano, cooking, boxing and bird watching

Person you most Admire: My Mother and Richard Branson

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2. Name: Wayne Allister

From: Monaghan

Sponsor: Moriarty’s Bar & Restaurant

Hobbies & Interests: Darts

Person you most Admire: Gordon Ramsey

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3. Name: John Delaney

From: Claremorris. Co. Mayo

Sponsor: The Crooked Knife

Hobbies & Interests: Motor Cycles, Socializing and Dining Out

Person you most Admire: Joey Dunlop (R.I.P)

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4. Name: Brian Downey

From: Bronx, New York

Sponsor: Kelly Ryan’s Bar & Grill

Hobbies & Interests: Coaching and Playing Sports

Person you most Admire: My Dad

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5. Name: Eamon Gibbons

From: Maspeth, Queens

Sponsor: The Gibbons’ Home, Maspeth, Queens

Hobbies & Interests: Travel, Golf, Darts, Pool and attending Mets, Jets, and Rangers Games

Person you most admire: My sister, Siobhan

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6. Name: Ryan Logue

From: Maghera, Co. Derry

Sponsor: New York Celtics & Ned Devines

Hobbies & Interests: Boxing and Gaelic

Person you most admire: John Duddy

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7. Name: Cathal Maguire

From: Dublin

Sponsor: Eileen’s Country Kitchen

Hobbies & Interests: Golf and Fitness

Person you most Admire: My Mother

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8. Name: Brian McCarthy

From: Bronx, New York

Sponsor: The Rambling House

Hobbies & Interests: Music, Deep Space Exploration

Person you most Admire: Sir Arthur Guinness and Val ‘The Chef’ from The Chipper Van

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9. Name: Fergus Murphy

From: Mallow, Co. Cork

Sponsor: The Heritage Bar & Restaurant

Hobbies & Interests: Horse Riding

Person you most Admire: My Father

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10. Name: Pa Ryan

From: Ardfinnan, Co. Tipperary

Sponsor: The Playwrights

Hobbies & Interests: Women and Sports

Person you most Admire: Pat Shortt

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