Valentine's Poll

Cupid draw back your bow: Gerry Ryan is Ireland's hottest date this Valentine's Day

Giant's Causeway and Cliffs of Moher voted 'Most romantic spots in Ireland'

3 reveals where our hearts lie this Valentine's Day

Gerry Ryan has been voted 'Ireland's most eligible bachelor' for a Valentine's date, favoured over singletons Eoghan Quigg and Bertie Ahern. 3, Ireland's mobile media network, took to the streets with a romantically themed poll to celebrate the mobile network's red hot new '3 Valentine's Gift Pack' -a 'His & Hers' themed Samsung L770 handset and USB mobile-broadband combo for just €149. This loving offer from 3 offers the ultimate connection with loved ones this Valentine's Day.

DREAM MALE DATE

When asked which of Ireland's most eligible bachelors would make a dream Valentine's date, X Factor's Eoghan Quigg was pipped at the dating post by Gerry Ryan with ladies voting 39% to Eoghan Quigg's 32%, despite over half the respondents being aged between 16-25. Recently crowned 'Sexiest Man', Baz Ashmawry, came in with only 10% of the votes behind former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern with 19% of the votes.

DREAM FEMALE DATE

The guys were no less unconventional, voting Twink as the Irish lady they'd most like to take on a date ahead of newly single stunner Sile Seoige by a significant 14%, and Ireland's musical muse Roisin Murphy with 18%. The ever-popular presenter Caroline Morahan was uncharacteristically overlooked with just 10% of votes.

MOST ROMANTIC COUPLE

A little more predictably, 32% of people asked crowned 'Rosanna and Wes' Ireland's most romantic couple for 09, perhaps justifying a new title of 'Wesanna'. Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman came in a close second with 24%, followed closely by Gerald Kean and Lisa Murphy with 23% and Michelle Heaton and Hugh Hanley with 21%.

SPENDING & DATING HABITS in 09

In keeping with the theme of the nation, 'R' being for romance, respondents were asked about their spending habits in 2009 versus 2008. Almost half chose to show 'it's the thought that counts" spending under €20 on their loved one (what were they thinking!), 7% more in this bracket than last year. The number of people spending €60 or more dropped by 5% compared to 2008. When asked about romantic pro quo, 'traditional' is still best with 41% of people favouring asking someone out on a date in person, 30% with a call, 15% on Facebook and 14% via text.

When asked who they'd most like to marry (given the choice), the guys showed it's what's on the inside that counts voting 'girl next door' as wife of preference with 34%, over model, millionaire and popstar. When asked the same question, material girls picked millionaire as first choice with 36%, followed by politician, footballer and popstar respectively.

In joint first place for the most romantic spot to woo a loved one are The Giants Causeway in Antrim and County Clare's Cliffs of Moher. These came in ahead of Dublin's Botanic Gardens and Kissing in Kinsale.

3's 'Valentine's Gift Pack' "his" version contains a white E160G modem with silver trim, a flame coloured modem skin and a black Samsung L770, the "hers" version contains a white pre pay E160 modem with pink trim and a pink Samsung L770 with a Glamrox dangly/Love heart dangly.

The bundle retails at €149 which represents a saving of €29 on the purchase price of these devices separately.

To check out 3's Valentine's Gift Pack call into your local 3Store or log on to three.ie

ENDS

For Further information, high res imagery of 3's Valentine's Gift Pack please contact Thinkhouse on behalf of 3:

Emily Cramp: emilycramp@thinkhousepr.com

0833342077

3 Press Office

David Riley: David.Riley@three.ie

0833341490

About 3

• 3, which launched on the Irish mobile services market in 2005, operates one of Ireland's 3G mobile phone licences under the '3' brand. With over 19 million customers worldwide, 3 is Europe's leading 3G operator and was the first to offer 3G services to European customers.
• 3 is Ireland's fastest growing mobile network with over 350,000 customers.
• 3 is now the leading provider of mobile broadband services in Ireland, with 125,000 high speed mobile broadband subscribers.
• 3 was recently appointed to roll-out the country's National Broadband Scheme connecting rural areas of Ireland with high speed broadband.
• 3 has invested €530 million to date in building the Irish network
• 3 has opened 21 of its own retail stores in Ireland, called 3Stores.
• 3 is the only operator offering a pre-paid mobile broadband service in Ireland.
• 3 is 100 per cent owned by Hutchison Whampoa Group which also holds 3G licenses in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Macau, Norway, Sweden and the UK.