Beard Liberation Front
13th March
Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
BEARD OF IRELAND 2023 POLL SEES COMPETITION BRISTLING
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has said that competition for the Irish Beard of the Year 2023 is officially open.
William Crawley won the first Trim Off round with over 50% of the vote with Peter Coles second. Both now go to the Beard Off poll where they will be joined by the winners of the second Trim Off round
The 2017 winner was politician Colum Eastwood who bearded broadcaster William Crawley for the annual Award.
In 2018 the DUP’s Lee Reynolds shaved writer Dominic O’Reilly for the honour with Colum Eastwood in a steady third place.
In 2019 Lee Reynolds retained the title
The 2020 winner was Maynooth academic Peter Coles
In 2021 Aodhan Connolly shaved opponents to win the coveted title and he retained it in 2022
The BLF says that while traditionally a land of predominantly clean-shaven cultures, Ireland has in recent times become something of a centre for stylish and trendy beards.
Contenders for the title in 2023 include a diverse range of the hirsute- a golfer, rugby player, political and trade union activists, a broadcaster, an academic
The campaigners say the poll is specifically about the impact the beard of an individual has made in Irish public life and no other factor.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, competition for the 2023 Beard of Ireland Award will no doubt bristle with the winner announced on 17th March
There will be two preliminary Beard Off votes. The top two from each round will then go on to a Best Beard of Ireland vote
Beard of Ireland 2023
William Crawley, broadcaster
Matthew O’Toole, politician
Jamison Gibson-Park, rugby player
Peter Coles, academic, Maynooth University
Shane Lowry, golfer
Aodhán Connolly, Businessman
Colum Eastwood politician
Owen Reidy, General Secretary ICTU
Kmflett's Blog 
Reblogged this on In the Dark and commented:
It seems the Beard of Ireland poll has begun. If you remember that far back I won this award in 2020. The voting is on Twitter and quite a few people I know have left that platform because of a Musk allergy, so I probably won’t get many votes. Here goes anyway though. If you feel like voting for me in the first qualifying round please follow the instructions here.