2000 redheads are at a convention celebrating all things ginger

IRISHMAN Alan Reidy’s fiery mane earned him the title of King of the Redheads yesterday – at a party to celebrate all things ginger.

Cork is hosting this year’s Irish Redhead Convention, an annual celebration of the world’s ever-thinning ginger population.

Saturday’s events included the crowning of the Redhead King and Queen, a parade, carrot-tossing, freckle-counting, best red beard, best red dog, and a redhead parade.

Two thousand proud gingers went to the Irish Redhead Convention has been home over the weekend to at least 2,000 auburn, strawberry-blonde and downright orange visitors in a bid to raise awareness off the oft-lambasted hair colour.

During the convention, there’s a number of events including the red head darts competition, red head pub crawl oh and lest we forget, the music stage featuring red headed performers.

And although the royal titles stayed in Ireland – with Kerry man Alan being joined by queen Grainne Keena, from Cork – the Scots were out in force.

Set up by redhead brother and sister Joleen and Denis Cronin, the festival passes on a serious message to youngsters to ignore the taunts – with hashtag #foxyfest trending on Twitter.

“It started six years ago; we were thinking of novel ways to celebrate my brother’s birthday”, said Cronin.

“It’s awesome to be surrounded by so many redheads again”.

“It’s a small town so we wouldn’t want it getting much bigger”.