Pippa O'Connor and Brian Ormond join Bachelor panel

Influencer and businesswoman Pippa O'Connor and husband Brian Ormond have been announced as judges for this year's Westmeath Bachelor Competition.

The competition which will take place on Saturday, July 29 in Mullingar, will also see returning judges Louis Walsh and Anne Doyle to the panel.

Hosts, Shane Barkey and Sarah Jane Foster, also return to that role.

Tickets (€40) are on sale now at Mullingar Arts Centre.

Last year the bachelor competition and the accompanying concerts were on the same weekend – this year, the Westmeath Bachelor Music Festival is on September 8 and 9, the weekend after Electric Picnic.

Anyone who was at last year’s festival will remember the poor weather, so the organisers are getting prepared for 2023, and have a heated big top that can accommodate up to 3000 people.

‘The Good Times Are Here Again’ is the official slogan for the festival, and as well as the music, there is a range of events throughout the weekend, and more to be announced.

They include: Friday, September 8 – “We can reassure you that this is not your ordinary game of bingo!” said Shane Barkey. “Expect world class entertainment from the best musicians, hosts and performers. Expect jaw dropping prizes to be won from exclusive experiences including helicopter rides for you and your friends and once in a lifetime trips abroad.”

Tickets on sale at thebiggestbingo.com.

Saturday, September 9 – Biggest 90s Disco: “The 3000 music fans in the big top at Blackhall will party to a host of 90s disco favourites, including two Unlimited, Marc McCabe, Rozalla, Capella, Urban Cookie Collective, Dario G and more yet to be announced! Eight hours of disco mania – what’s not to love!” Tickets on sale at biggestdisco.com.

Tickets for all Westmeath Bachelor Festival events are on sale now. See mullingarartscentre.ie or call 044 93 47777. A limited number of tickets bachelor competition tickets are being released to the public, so book early.