Islandeady man flown home for Guinness celebrations

Islandeady’s Richard flown home for Guinness celebrations


Edwin McGreal

THERE’S one Mayo man who will be celebrating the 250 years of Guinness this week more than most.
Islandeady’s Richard Moylette was lucky enough to win an all expenses trip from Australia to Ireland to take part in the Arthur Guinness celebrations, courtesy of Diageo.
The 26-year old teacher is based in Sydney since December 2007 and hasn’t been home since October 2007.
So there were emotional scenes yesterday (Monday) in Islandeady when he arrived home unannounced to surprise his parents, John and Mary.
“My mother got some land alright,” Richard told The Mayo News. “There was tears in her eyes and my father was speechless.”
Richard and his Australian girlfriend Karyn Virgin (don’t worry, he reckons he’s heard all the jokes!) flew in on Monday morning and headed west straightaway. They spent last night and will spend tonight catching up with family and friends before returning to Dublin on Wednesday in time for the celebrations of 250 years of Guinness on Thursday.
The prize includes accommodation for two people, VIP tickets to the Arthur’s Day celebrations and free Guinness during their few days in Dublin.
“I’d be a big fan of Guinness and while I was drinking it occasionally in Australia, it was hard to get a nice pint there. It’s true what they say - you’ll only get a proper pint in Ireland. Karyn wouldn’t be a Guinness drinker so she can keep an eye on me!”
Richard lives less than 100 yards from the world famous Bondi Beach, together with his eldest brother Ollie. But home is where the heart is.
“When I got the phonecall to tell me I had won the prize, it was the best news I ever got.”
The competition - entitled the Guinness Hottest Tickets on Earth - was run in the Irish Echo newspaper, the paper for the Irish community in Australia and to be in with a chance of winning, Moylette had to say why he deserved the prize.
“Because Guinness and myself share common traits - honest, pure of heart and true to one’s heritage.”