Several European guys joined GEARED organisers and patrons for a weekend of leather, laughter and lining up on stage (for the competition). We were joined by Daniel Dumont (Secretary of the ECMC), Arnaud (Mr Leather Europe), Max (International Mr Rubber), Nordine (Mr Leather Belgium), Tyrone (German Mr Leather) and Nigel (BLUF webmaster).
The lead-up to competition night at GEARED Ireland was filled with activities for our European visitors in Dublin. There was some drinking in Patnibar, a sightseeing bus tour of Dublin, and some pouring pints of the 'black stuff' at Guinness' Storehouse.
And so the big night arrived! The stage was set and the venue was filling up with loads of fetish guys excited about the night ahead - and eager to find out who the 2015 titleholders will be. By the time of the competition, the place was jammed to the rafters. The club's atmosphere was electric, if a little hot and sweaty with all the guys in gear. Perfect! There was a great buzz backstage between the guys that entered the competition, and I was delighted to be a part of the 'gang' of contestants this year. I have to say, there was great camaraderie between everyone, not only on the night, but in the weeks leading up to the competition.
And the winners were... Let's hear from our new Irish titleholders themselves:
Mr Leather Ireland (Kevin)
"What can I say about the titleholder competition at GEARED Ireland? Phenomenal experience! To see such a diverse community come together and create an electric atmosphere like that was amazing. What I witnessed was the epitome of inclusiveness where no one felt left out, helped I'm sure by there being three different titles held. It reinforced that if you put effort and persistence into something you believe in, it can be achieved. The organisers and volunteers get my full commendations for this, as well as all the contestants, and those that attended. I don't think it was just any one thing that made the night a success, it was the combination of everything, from everyone. As they say, the whole is definitely greater than the sum of it's parts, but at the same time each part is as necessary as the other. If we can keep this momentum going, we can only go from strength to strength."
Mr Rubber Ireland (Collie)
"The 3 Kings event was truly amazing, definitely one for the history books. It was great to see so many people, from home and abroad, turn up and support a momentous event for our fetish community. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and everyone was looking forward to the festivities of the night. When I was waiting backstage listening for the result to be called out for Mr Rubber Ireland, I was looking at the other contestants so I could congratulate them before they walked out on stage. I was in shock when I heard my name being called out, I couldn't believe it! When I walked out to the roar of applause from the crowd who voted for me, I was overwhelmed. I felt, and still do feel, honoured and humble at being selected as Mr Rubber Ireland and being chosen to represent the Irish Fetish Community at home and abroad. I was also delighted at being presented a new rubber hoodie made especially by E7 Gear. It is an awesome rubber hoodie with the Irish flag and shamrock on it. I will wear it proudly with the sash when I am out representing the community wherever I go. I shall endeavour to be the best Mr Rubber Ireland I can be so that people who voted for me know that they made the right choice."
Mr GEARED Ireland (Conor)
"Attempting to fill Brett's (the 2014 Mr. GEAR Ireland's) big boots is daunting to say the least, he made a huge impact in Europe last year. The support I got on the night was absolutely fantastic and I am so proud to stand up and represent our community, and hopefully I will live up to and hopefully exceed what Brett did last year for Ireland. Already I have plans to run the London Marathon in aid of Marriage Equality in April and will definitely get over to Berlin, Vienna and Bristol over the course of the year to meet up with my kinky brothers across Europe."
Our host for the night was Karl, who did an excellent job at introducing the contestants to the audience with his very professional style and cheeky Irish charm. A huge thanks has to go to the GEARED volunteers for holding a very successful night. The Irish titleholders were elected on the basis of both a professional judging panel and the audience vote. Sincere gratitude to everyone for turning up and showing their support for GEARED Ireland.
GEARED Ireland will have a busy few months ahead with a bondage workshop, delivered by Sir Dart and Sir Bart, on 21 March, then their first joint BLUF Ireland / GEARED Ireland night planned for 18 April, followed by their second birthday party in May. GEARED Ireland looks forward to welcoming our international fetish friends to future nights. Please do come along and, of course, enjoy great Irish craic!
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our 3 well-deserved winners. And I look forward to joining them at future fetish events this year at home and abroad to both celebrate the Irish fetish community and promote it on our travels. Next stop, well stops, I should say, will be Amsterdam Bear Pride (including a BLUF Amsterdam Social) and then Berlin at Easter with many of the GEARED and fetish guys from across Ireland.
Photo (left to right): Tyrone (German Mr Leather), Nordine (Mr Leather Belgium), Conor (Mr GEARED Ireland), Kevin (Mr Leather Ireland), Collie (Mr Rubber Ireland), Max (International Mr Rubber) and Arnaud (Mr Leather Europe).
Mr Leather Ireland (Kevin)
"What can I say about the titleholder competition at GEARED Ireland? Phenomenal experience! To see such a diverse community come together and create an electric atmosphere like that was amazing. What I witnessed was the epitome of inclusiveness where no one felt left out, helped I'm sure by there being three different titles held. It reinforced that if you put effort and persistence into something you believe in, it can be achieved. The organisers and volunteers get my full commendations for this, as well as all the contestants, and those that attended. I don't think it was just any one thing that made the night a success, it was the combination of everything, from everyone. As they say, the whole is definitely greater than the sum of it's parts, but at the same time each part is as necessary as the other. If we can keep this momentum going, we can only go from strength to strength."
Mr Rubber Ireland (Collie)
"The 3 Kings event was truly amazing, definitely one for the history books. It was great to see so many people, from home and abroad, turn up and support a momentous event for our fetish community. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement and everyone was looking forward to the festivities of the night. When I was waiting backstage listening for the result to be called out for Mr Rubber Ireland, I was looking at the other contestants so I could congratulate them before they walked out on stage. I was in shock when I heard my name being called out, I couldn't believe it! When I walked out to the roar of applause from the crowd who voted for me, I was overwhelmed. I felt, and still do feel, honoured and humble at being selected as Mr Rubber Ireland and being chosen to represent the Irish Fetish Community at home and abroad. I was also delighted at being presented a new rubber hoodie made especially by E7 Gear. It is an awesome rubber hoodie with the Irish flag and shamrock on it. I will wear it proudly with the sash when I am out representing the community wherever I go. I shall endeavour to be the best Mr Rubber Ireland I can be so that people who voted for me know that they made the right choice."
Mr GEARED Ireland (Conor)
"Attempting to fill Brett's (the 2014 Mr. GEAR Ireland's) big boots is daunting to say the least, he made a huge impact in Europe last year. The support I got on the night was absolutely fantastic and I am so proud to stand up and represent our community, and hopefully I will live up to and hopefully exceed what Brett did last year for Ireland. Already I have plans to run the London Marathon in aid of Marriage Equality in April and will definitely get over to Berlin, Vienna and Bristol over the course of the year to meet up with my kinky brothers across Europe."
Our host for the night was Karl, who did an excellent job at introducing the contestants to the audience with his very professional style and cheeky Irish charm. A huge thanks has to go to the GEARED volunteers for holding a very successful night. The Irish titleholders were elected on the basis of both a professional judging panel and the audience vote. Sincere gratitude to everyone for turning up and showing their support for GEARED Ireland.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our 3 well-deserved winners. And I look forward to joining them at future fetish events this year at home and abroad to both celebrate the Irish fetish community and promote it on our travels. Next stop, well stops, I should say, will be Amsterdam Bear Pride (including a BLUF Amsterdam Social) and then Berlin at Easter with many of the GEARED and fetish guys from across Ireland.
