Mr Gay Ireland 2007

Barry Meegan, Mr Gay Ireland 2007

In 2007, St. James's Hospital was fornunate to become a beneficiary of the Mr Gay Ireland organisation. From the fundraising that forms an integral part of the competition, Brian Merriman, the organiser, and Barry Meegan, the winner of Mr Gay Ireland 2007, presented a cheque for €9,500 to St. James's for the benefit of HIV/Aids patients. Brian confirmed at the same time that the proceeds of the Mr Gay Ireland 2008 calendar would also be given to St. James's.

All contestants in Mr Gay Ireland compete in a fundraising effort for one or more causes. Brian decided that in 2007 the facial restoration service offered at St. James's should benefit. The service addresses the muscular collapse caused by the drugs formerly administerd to combat HIV/Aids and is the only such public service provided in the country.

Sandra Delamere, the Nurse Specialist at St. James's responsible for the programme, expresed the hospital's deep gratitude to Mr Gay Ireland 2007: "We spend a lot of time with our HIV/Aids patients and we know how much this programme means to their psychological well-being and to their being able to live normal lives. Unfortunately the programmes receives no public funding - we are so grateful to Brian and to Barry and to all those who fundraised for us. More than 20 of our patients will benefit from their generosity."

Mr Gay Ireland 2007, the thrid annual competition, involved 24 nominated contestants from all over the country. This year's popular winner, Barry Meegan, an IT consultant originally from Monaghan, was nominated by his rugby team 'Emerald Warriors'. 'Mr Sligo' is of special interest to us also: John Lavelle - who features in the Mr Gay Ireland 2008 calendar - is a staff nurse at St. James's.

Contact us

St. James’s Hospital Foundation
St. James’s Hospital
James’s Street
Dublin 8

Telephone 01 428 4086
E-mail foundation@stjames.ie