Hot stuff as firefighter Ros sets temperatures rising

By Bernie Ní Fhlatharta

Two Galway firemen have bared their torsos for a charity calendar which is expected to raise up to €100,000 this year.

This is the fourth charity calendar produced by the Dublin Fire Brigade and their second one involving firefighters from outside of Dublin.

Claddagh native, Ros Fegan (26) makes his second appearance in the charity calendar. This year he is Mr October and his pose is more demure than most as he holds an axe against a backdrop of a fire, which makes the photograph quite dramatic.

Firefighters from Carlow, Drogheda and Cork, as well as Dublin, also posed for this year’s calendar. In 2009, three Galwaymen posed but this year it’s down to Ros to represent the city.

Retired Dublin fireman, Tom Kelly, is one of the organisers of this year’s publication and he is thrilled with the end result but a bit peeved that another calendar involving Irish firemen will be competing with them.

Another Galway fireman, Paul Ryan from Clifden, features in the rival calendar.

“We had given our one a rest last year and, of course, it’s great that the two calendars will raise money for charity, much needed funds, but we mightn’t raise as much as we hoped now with our one,” said Tom.

The Irish Fire Fighters 2011 calendar was for sale two years ago for €10 each, but this year, you can buy two for €10 though Tom adds that all donations are welcomed.

The monies raised this year will go to the National Council for the Blind, CF Ireland and ARC Ireland, which provides counselling for cancer sufferers.

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.