News

Earlier this year Specsavers staff from all across Ireland launched a search to discover the nation’s most fabulous specs wearer. From the thousands of entries received, Carmel Redmond from Donaghmeade, Dublin 13 and Ellen Croke from Dublin 2, were selected as the two finalists in the overs 60 category.

2014 Spectacle Wearer of the Year

The 2014 Spectacle Wearer of the Year competition saw a total of eight finalists across four age categories make it all the way to the final.  On Thursday 21 August Carmel and Ellen, along with the six other finalists, attended the Royal Hibernian Gallery on Dublin’s Ely Place to battle it out at the Irish final to become Ireland’s Spectacle Wearer of the Year!

Over 60s category 

Avid specs wearer Carmel – a proud grandmother to her 13 grandchildren – won in the over 60s category while fitness fanatic and glasses lover Ellen, came runner up.

Red carpet ready

Having enjoyed a day of pampering ahead of the event – all eight finalists got to take part in a photo shoot with top Irish model Holly Carpenter and were red carpet ready ahead of meeting MC on the night – TV presenter, stylist and blogger extraordinaire Darren Kennedy.

Over the moon

Speaking at the national final, Specsavers Henry Street customer Carmel said: ‘I am over the moon to have reached the Irish final. I never imagined I would make it all this way when I entered the competition. I am very proud to be representing Specsavers Dublin in this year’s competition’.

Ellen continued 'It's been a really enjoyable day for all and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to partake.'

Overall winner

The overall winner on the night was Jenny Keane, from Dublin – the finalist in the 25-39 category.

Judges

MC Darren Kennedy was on hand to introduce each of the finalists to the panel of judges as they took to the stage. Judges making the all-important decision included TV personality and model agent Celia Holman Lee, beauty editor of INSIDER Magazine Nadia El Ferdaoussi, Cathy Donoghue, fashion writer with Her.ie and Specsavers Ireland chairperson, Sinead Clohessy.

Prizes

Runners up Carmel and Ellen, each received a €215 Specsavers eyecare voucher, a framed Spectacle Wearer of the Year certificate, a bottle of champagne and a fabulous goodie bag.

Star-studded event

Jenny Keane, the winner of the Irish Spectacle Wearer of the Year, will travel to London in September for a star-studded event with Gok Wan, Darren Kennedy and many other specs-wearing celebrities.

All Henry Street store information