Rooting for Cork's hottest vegan

A Ballinlough man is up-beet for the final of PETA’s hottest vegan over 50 competition, he has lettuce know.

Brian O’Sullivan is one of 12 finalists in its inaugural 2019 UK and Ireland's Hottest Vegan Over 50 Competition, and the 54 year old fashion designer and vegan health coach has beaten out numerous other entrants to nab a spot on the list.

Now living in Douglas, Brian had been a vegetarian for 20-plus years before deciding to live a vegan lifestyle nearly three years ago.

He said he was very excited about the competition and never expected to be one of the finalists.

Speaking about his choice live a vegan lifestyle, the father of six told the Cork Independent: “Something just wasn’t sitting right with me. I had thought, to be honest, for a long time that veganism was a little extreme but when I actually looked into and saw what was really happening in the dairy industry, it completely changed my mind about veganism.”

Brian said it isn’t hard to be vegan and hails it as one of the best decisions he’s ever made.

“I have a lot more energy since I became a vegan. I’m a fashion designer by trade and I’m also about to relaunch myself as a vegan fashion designer and, for example, I won’t be incorporating leather into my new lines. I wish to make a statement by doing that within the Irish fashion industry. Fashion is more than viable without the use of any animal products.”

PETA Director Elisa Allen, said: “Brian O'Sullivan is a dedicated, compassionate hero for animals. All the finalists of PETA's Hottest Vegan Over 50 contest are true testaments to the vitality and joy that come from vegan eating.”

This year's winner will be chosen based on several factors, including a vote, and will be announced by 12 August.