The Story Behind The Seriously Cool And Fabulously Vintage Women In Sport Calendar That Everyone’s Talking About

We caught up with the brains behind the idea, Jenny Byrne.  There’s a new calendar about to hit the market in Ireland in the coming weeks and it’s all in aid of two fantastic causes, Pieta House and the Ronald McDonald House. The calendar, which is the brainchild of former Irish International soccer player Jenny Byrne, will be launched this coming Saturday night (November 21^st) and here, Jenny explained to us how it all began. Cork's Valerie Mulcahy features in the calendar.  “I got back involved in sport in 2014, and that’s when Seifa Ireland began,” she explained. “Seifa was set up in order to provide sponsorship support for elite Irish female athletes age 16 plus on an individual basis. “The idea is that Seifa will host annual events and initiatives to provide promotion and exposure for our elite female athletes in conjunction with charities, and this will be officially launched in spring of next year." The front cover of the new calendar. “Ahead of that though, I wanted to do something different, so in January of this year, I approached Robert Chambers Hair group and Wella Professionals Ireland with a proposal to seek sponsorship for a charity fashion and beauty calendar produced by many of our top athletes. “I wanted the initiative to give female athletes exposure by occupying a monthly slot on a 2016 calendar, as it is a huge sporting year with it being an Olympic year. On top of that, I wanted it to raise much-needed funds for two charities." Irish captain Niamh Briggs features in the calendar.  “I invited 16 athletes to take part and it wasn’t difficult to get them involved as it was all in support of two charities: Pieta House and the Ronald McDonald House. “The calendar will go on sale at our calendar launch night on November 21st at O’Callahans Davenport Hotel, Dublin and it will be priced at €10,” she added. The calendar can also be bought online here and will be sold at the Ronald Mc Donald House and Robert Chambers Hair Salon on Grafton Street, Dublin2. Gráinne Dwyer in action for Team Montenotte Hotel.  Speaking about the launch, basketball star and Her.ie Sportswomen of the Year 2014 Gráinne Dwyer stated: "I got involved because promoting women in sport and giving them every opportunity possible to perform at the highest level is something close to my heart. “It also gave us, as athletes, a chance to show our more feminine side while supporting two very worthwhile charities that can change the lives of so many people. “Jenny has been inspirational in driving on this whole project and it's been great to be involved." The full list of those featured in the calendar include: Katie Walsh (jockey), Kelly Proper (Athletics), Natalya Coyle (Modern Pentathalon), Niamh Briggs and Jenny Murphy (Rugby), Amy Bowtell (Tennis), Sanita Puspure and Claire Lambe (Rowing), Clare Grace (Boxing), Valerie Mulcahy (Gaelic Football), Katrina Parrock (Camogie), Julie Ann Russell and Rianna Jarrett (Soccer), Gráinne Dwyer and Aoife McDermott (Basketball) and Ellen Keane (Swimming). Ellen Keane in action. Calendar pics: Brendan Duffy, Photography Sporting pics: INPHO/Sportsfile