Hundreds of Gingers Celebrate the 7th Annual Redhead Convention

Rachel Grumman Bender
Hundreds of redheads gathered at the seventh annual Irish Redhead Convention to celebrate their rare hair color with a series of fun events. (Photo: Stocksy)
Hundreds of redheads gathered at the seventh annual Irish Redhead Convention to celebrate their rare hair color with a series of fun events. (Photo: Stocksy)

More than 1,000 proud redheads descended on the village of Crosshaven in County Cork, Ireland, last weekend to celebrate their vibrant coloring at the seventh annual Irish Redhead Convention.

Described as a “festival of ginger-loving madness” and “a fun-filled weekend of freckles and frolics,” the convention consisted of a jam-packed three days dedicated to celebrating flame-colored hair. The events included several competitions — from the most freckles per square inch to the reddest beard and eyebrows — as well as a carrot-tossing competition, and even ginger speed-dating for redheads and people who love them. There were also Irish redhead seminars, music by ginger band members, and art exhibits featuring portraits of — you guessed it — redheads.

Two freckle-faced redheads having a good time at the Irish Redhead Convention. (Photo courtesy of the Irish Redhead Convention)
Two freckle-faced redheads having a good time at the Irish Redhead Convention. (Photo courtesy of the Irish Redhead Convention)

The grand finale to the weekend was a parade for everyone, which included a chosen redheaded “king” and “queen” donning crowns and capes.

The Irish Redhead Convention was started by a redheaded brother and sister, Joleen and Denis Cronin. According to the convention website: “It started as a joke in the siblings’ family pub” and it went on to become “a gathering of extraordinary uniqueness, attracting hundreds of redheads from all over Ireland and the world.”

Gingers unite! (Photo courtesy of the Irish Redhead Convention)
Gingers unite! (Photo courtesy of the Irish Redhead Convention)

Red hair is the rarest shade in the world, accounting for only 0.6 percent of the global population, according to the convention’s website. The highest percentage of natural redheads is found in Scotland (13 percent of the population), closely followed by Ireland (10 percent of the population).

Since it’s well-known that redheads have a much higher risk of skin cancer — in particular, melanoma — the convention also focuses on raising awareness about sun safety and fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society, which provides cancer care and support throughout the country. Twenty percent of ticket sales were donated to the Irish Cancer Society, showing that redheads not only have beautiful hair, but also big hearts.

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