Ballinacurra House in Kinsale
Kinsale is to host the final of The Ultimate Job in Ireland (and probably the world) on May 7-9. The job at stake is the position of Honeymoon Tester, which involves travelling to 5-star venues across the globe to test out exotic honeymoon locations. Since its online launch in February a staggering 30,000 applications have been received from couples around the globe, all vying to win this job of a lifetime!
The six-month position, which comes with a €20,000 salary, will involve visiting some of the most romantic, exciting and luxurious wedding and honeymoon destinations around the world. The winning couple will visit places such as Zanzibar, Mauritius, Thailand to sample wedding menus, champagne, spa treatments and to put some of the most luxurious honeymoon suites to the test!
The top 10 finalists for the coveted role have been already announced. The majority are from Ireland but also USA, Canada, Australia, UK, South Africa and Brazil. They will head to Kinsale, which is becoming known as Ireland’s Ultimate Wedding Destination, to face the Judging Panel and a range of tough challenges and interviews to decide who gets ‘The Ultimate Job’ of Honeymoon Tester.
They finalists will stay for the final challenge weekend at Ballinacurra House, the Exclusive Use Private Estate in Kinsale, well known as the ‘Irish home’ of Michael Jackson, prior to his death last year.
The couples will enjoy the full Kinsale dining and leisure experience, with challenges and tasks combined with sightseeing and fun time at some of Kinsale’s top class clubs and venues, such as Blue Haven, Hamlets Bar and White Lady Nightclub.
Ciaran Fitzgerald, Chairperson on Kinsale Chamber of Tourism is delighted with the impending influx of “honeymooners”! “Kinsale has everything that a couple would need to plan their ultimate wedding experience… from the romantic surprise engagement to the hen and stag parties right through to the big day and after. We also do great christenings!”
The Ultimate Job in Ireland and Probably the World was launched on 19th February 2010 to promote new wedding and honeymoon site www.runawaybrideandgroom.com. The job description requested that the successful applicant would need to ‘be able to sip champagne while lying in a hammock slung between two palm trees on a white sandy beach with your lover beside you without spilling a drop’
The Ultimate Job in Ireland has sparked international attention: it has been picked up by the world media; generating over 300,000 unique visitors to the website in 6 weeks, while over 30,000 people from 90 different countries applied for the position.
Oprah Winfrey has requested that the successful couple appear on her show, and a well known Hollywood production company want to do a reality TV show for the next Ultimate Job!
“The international response to The Ultimate Job has been phenomenal and has really fired up the imagination,” explains Rosemarie Meleady, managing director of Runaway Bride and Groom.
“Numerous locations in Ireland were vying for the opportunity to host the final but we decided to opt for Kinsale based on its many attractions of wonderful hotels and private estates, stunning harbor, great bars and restaurants, range of activities and ease of access. The Kinsale Chamber of Tourism was also very proactive in providing an equally exotic package of events for the Final Weekend that complement its reputation as a premium Wedding Destination as well the Gourmet Capital.”
The final interviews will take place on Sunday in the stunning surroundings of the Carlton Hotel after a little pampering to calm the nerves at the C Spa.
The chosen couple will be finally revealed on Sunday evening at a Gala Dinner at Ballinacurra House, with special guests and top entertainment.
The successful applicant and their partner will immediately start preparing for their first trip after the announcement and will fly out on 21st May to Zanzibar, Mauritius and private escorted safari in Kenya – a week in each destination – just for starters.