Tipperary men go head-to-head for Mr Personality pageant

South Tipperary has a derby on its hands for this year’s Macra Mr Personality contest, as Ballingarry’s Patrick Walton will face-off against Aidan O’Loughlin from Golden. The men are representing their various Macra organisations for the 2026 title with Aidan flying the flag for South Tipperary and Patrick doing the deed for Kilkenny as a member of Callan Macra.

The 19th Mr Personality Festival, which is being organised by Kilkenny County Macra, will take place on April 10 and 11 in the city, where it heads to Langton’s Hotel for the very first time.

Aidan O’Loughlin is 28 and an active member of Golden Vale Macra, and says that escorting at 2023 Queen of the Land Festival is one of his most memorable Macra moments. His hobbies and interests include GAA, hiking, soccer; a true man of many talents. Aidan believes he will make a good representative for South Tipperary because the “Mr Personality title would allow me to support worthwhile causes, while having fun and encouraging others to get involved in fundraising.”

26-year-old Patrick, meanwhile, is an active member of Callan Macra and his most memorable ‘Macra moment’ is the first time he went to Mr Personality back in 2024, “as it showed him what Macra was created for”. 

His hobbies and interests include GAA, golf, rugby, F1, and Macra (as it takes up all his free time!) He also enjoys music, and tries to go to as many concerts as possible which has led to many a European jaunt. Patrick is hoping to bring home the crown to Kilkenny because Macra has helped him in to develop as a person. He says that if you told him five years ago, when he joined Macra, that he’d enter a personality competition and stand on stage in front of a crowd and speak, he would have told you that you’re mad. He would love to use the title of Mr Personality to help promote this side of Macra, and encourage more people to join. 

Both men have a busy weekend ahead of them, where they’ll be interviewed on stage by MC Aindriú de Paor from 2FM. Judging the contestants this year will be the 2025 Rose of Tralee, Katelyn Cummins, influencer James Kavanagh and UCD assistant professor, Brian Leonard.

Friday evening’s on-stage interviews will be followed by private interviews the following day, a meeting with the sponsors the Kilkenny, Carlow and District Farm Relief Services, and a banquet on Saturday evening. 

Tickets for the weekend are currently on sale. Full details are available on the Mr Personality Festival socials. Best of luck lads!