Life & Style

Sun(screen), fun and freckles: Annual Redhead Convention gets ready to take over Cork

The picturesque town of Crosshaven in County Cork will come alive with colour this weekend when it hosts the 7th annual Irish Redhead Convention.

Crosshaven, a hub for sailors, will welcome thousands of redheads from across Ireland and beyond as they flock to the festival which takes place from August 19 to 21.

The festival, which celebrates the extraordinary uniqueness of the ginger gene, will also raise vital funds for the Irish Cancer society.

Redheads are one of the most susceptible groups to melanoma and other skin cancers, and 20 per cent of all ticket sales from the event will go towards supporting the charity. To date the convention has raised over €30,000 (approx. £25,680).

The King and Queen of the Redheads in the Redhead Convention of Ireland procession. (Picture: Redhead Convention of Ireland)

Red is increasingly the rarest hair colour in the world with only 0.6 per cent of the world’s population in possession of naturally ginger locks. Ireland is home to the second largest number of redheads in the world with 10 per cent of the Irish population proud owners of a beautiful head of red hair.

The Redhead Convention features a full line-up of family fun for everyone, ginger or otherwise. This year's live music performances will all be hoping to receive the highly coveted MOGO (Music Of Ginger Origin) award, with acts including Ginger Nutz, Orla Gartland and Miles Graham performing.

There will also be carrot tossing championships, a competition to find the greatest ginger beard and ginger speed dating. Festival organisers are hoping to set a world record for the largest redhead céilí dance.

For those with an interest in the illustrious history of flame-haired Irishmen and women, author Jacky Colliss Harvey will be presenting a seminar on the most influential Irish redheads throughout history.

Only 0.6 per cent of the global population are born with naturally red hair.

Festival organiser and proud redhead Joleen Cronin said, “I’m really excited about this unique Irish gathering of redheads from across the globe. It is a coming together of friends new and old. I love that we all share common experiences as redheads and there is an understanding and camaraderie as we all stand together.

“For once we are the majority in the crowd and to be a part of that is an incredible, fun, empowering and life-changing experience”