{{short description|Irish television personality}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2013}} {{Infobox person |name = Breffny Morgan |image = |alt = |caption = |birth_name = |birth_date = |birth_place = Cork, Ireland |death_date = |death_place = |other_names = |known_for = ''The Apprentice'', <br /> ''Celebrity Salon'', <br /> ''Celebrity Bainisteoir'' |occupation = |employer = |awards = }} '''Breffny Morgan''' is an Irish socialite and television personality, known for his appearances on reality shows such as ''The Apprentice'', ''Celebrity Salon'' and ''Celebrity Bainisteoir''.
==Life and work== ===Early life=== He was born in Cork,<ref>[http://www.irishpressreleases.ie/2010/01/07/the-breffmyster-corkman-breffni-morgan-from-the-apprentice-to-speak-at-confidence-in-action-on-jan-14th-2010/ ''"Confidence In Action" website''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727115555/http://www.irishpressreleases.ie/2010/01/07/the-breffmyster-corkman-breffni-morgan-from-the-apprentice-to-speak-at-confidence-in-action-on-jan-14th-2010/ |date=27 July 2010 }} Retrieved 29 January 2010</ref> was raised by single mother, Geraldine Morgan, which he has spoken publicly with his pride.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/parenting/breffny-morgan-my-amazing-single-mum-2606591.html|title=My amazing single mum: On the eve of Mother's Day, Breffny Morgan pays tribute to his beloved mother Geraldine|accessdate=2 April 2011|date=2 April 2011|first=Breffny|last=Morgan|work=Irish Independent}}</ref> He is an experienced rower, having won an Irish Rowing Championship in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.corklife.ie/PDFs/CorklifeAprilMay2010.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-01-07 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905040819/http://www.corklife.ie/PDFs/CorklifeAprilMay2010.pdf |archivedate=5 September 2012 }}</ref> ===Rowing=== Morgan moved to America to study and row crew at Harvard University, graduating in 2008 with a degree in biology.<ref>''[http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2009/10/8/morgan-show-apprentice-friends/ The Harvard Crimson]'' 8 October 2009</ref> Morgan was a member of the Irish and British crew that attempted a crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in 2009, aboard the fourteen-man vessel 'La Mondiale'.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/ocean-oarsmen-race-for-record-1591079.html | work=Irish Independent | title=Ocean oarsmen race for record | date=26 November 2012}}</ref> Teammates here included Peter Williams, Leven Brown, and Ian McKeever<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oceanrowing.com/statistics/Rows_from_Gran_Canaria.htm |title=Oceanrowing records |accessdate=2013-01-28 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728121454/http://www.oceanrowing.com/statistics/Rows_from_Gran_Canaria.htm |archivedate=28 July 2013 }}</ref> Eleven days into this crossing, La Mondiale was rowing three days ahead of world record pace<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfausnaukfey/rss2/ |title=Rower to repeat ocean crossing attempt | Irish Examiner |access-date=28 January 2013 |archive-date=21 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121021508/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/kfausnaukfey/rss2/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> when the rudder was sheared off by a submerged object,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oceanrowevents.com/expeditions/hall-of-fame |title=Ocean Row Events – Hall of Fame |accessdate=2013-01-28 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114051951/http://www.oceanrowevents.com/expeditions/hall-of-fame |archivedate=14 January 2013 }}</ref> possibly a whale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ROWERS+HIT+BY+A+WHALE+AND+LEFT+STRANDED+AT+SEA%3b+Atlantic+record...-a0192152111|title = ROWERS HIT BY a WHALE AND LEFT STRANDED AT SEA; Atlantic record charity bid wrecked by giant mammal. – Free Online Library}}</ref> Rudderless, the crew was stranded in a prolonged sea gale, and after a time they were safely rescued by the 24,000 ton bulk carrier 'Island Ranger'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/HOME+AND+DRY%3b+EXCLUSIVE+Stranded+Irish+rowers+arrive+home+..and+start...-a0192878843|title = HOME AND DRY; EXCLUSIVE Stranded Irish rowers arrive home ..and start planning fresh record bid. – Free Online Library}}</ref> La Mondiale, however, was destroyed in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oceanrowevents.com/news/8/23/Trade-Winds-Row-2009/d,Expeditions |title=Ocean Row Events – Expedition Details |accessdate=2013-01-28 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130119035520/http://www.oceanrowevents.com/news/8/23/Trade-Winds-Row-2009/d%2CExpeditions |archivedate=19 January 2013 }}</ref>
===Television appearances=== Morgan was a candidate in the 2009 series of ''The Apprentice''. This season featured the on-screen romance of Breffny and a fellow cast member.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2009/1117/theapprentice.html|title=Breffny 'over Ger and makes up with Aoiffe'|date=17 November 2009|accessdate=17 November 2009|work=RTÉ Ten|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}</ref> In 2010, he was a contestant on ''Celebrity Salon'' on TV3,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/herald/celia-59-is-cream-of-the-celebrity-salon-crop-as-she-brushes-off-younger-rivals/27955113.html|title=Celia (59) is cream of the Celebrity Salon crop as she brushes off younger rivals|access-date=31 July 2010|date=24 June 2010|first=Melanie|last=Finn|work=Evening Herald|quote=...they worked very hard and the likes of Breffny [Morgan] trying to put on false eyelashes with hands like shovels...}}</ref> and on ''Celebrity Bainisteoir'' for RTÉ One.<ref name=style_bible/>
===Other work=== Morgan is a fashion model, signed with Celia Holman Lee. Campaign work has included Remus Uomo and Jacamo.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%27I+thought+I+might+not+be+asked+to+do+a+show+like+this+again..so+I...-a0229689352 ‘’The Mirror (London, England)’’] 24 June 2010</ref><ref>[http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/22990 ''Galway Advertiser''] 4 March 2010</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110208150939/http://www.corklife.ie/PDFs/CL-no44.pdf Cork Life Magazine no.44] (2010)</ref> He has modelled for Paddy Power, sometimes partnering Georgia Salpa,<ref>[https://www.flickr.com/photos/paddypower/4910493848/ ''"Paddy Power Launch Sweepstakes Kits"''] Retrieved 29 January 2013</ref> who parties with Morgan on the Dublin social scene.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130217193051/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/georgia-parties-alone-as-calum-misses-his-plane-2812351.html ''The Evening Herald''] 4 July 2011</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20130217200500/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/georgia-and-pals-hit-the-town-for-big-birthday-bash-2648060.html ''The Evening Herald''] 16 May 2011</ref>
==Public image== Morgan was the recipient of a Best Dressed Newcomer Award from the Kerry Fashion Awards.<ref name=style_bible>{{cite news|url=http://www.stylebible.ie/Stylebible+Interviews/_Breffny%20Morgan.htm|title=Our Interview with Breffny Morgan|work=Style Bible|access-date=12 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426050249/http://www.stylebible.ie/Stylebible+Interviews/_Breffny%20Morgan.htm|archive-date=26 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ''Irish Independent'' and the ''Irish Examiner'' both labelled him a sex symbol.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130217205150/http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/love-sex/jolly-green-sex-symbols-2579287.html ''Irish Independent''] 15 March 2011</ref><ref>''[http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/taking-fans-breff-away-as-fired-apprentice-becomes-sex-symbol-105872.html]''</ref> However, not all media portrayals are as positive, indeed Morgan reported to the ''Evening Herald'' that an online search cost Morgan his American girlfriend, claiming that her parents googled him and advised their daughter to end the relationship.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100529181735/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/breffny-is-fired-after-longdistance-loves-parents-google-him-2196522.html ‘’The Evening Herald’’] 27 May 2010</ref> A separate ''Herald'' article summarised Morgan's tendency to polarise audiences by stating "If TV entertainment was edible, then Breffny Morgan is a large jar of marmite".<ref>[https://archive.today/20130217204610/http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around-town/harvards-jedward-bamboozled-us-all-1945667.html ''The Evening Herald''] 17 November 2009</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20111201180418/http://www.breffnymorgan.com/ https://web.archive.org/web/20111201180418/http://www.breffnymorgan.com/]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Breffny}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:Harvard University alumni Category:Irish socialites Category:Broadcasters from County Cork Category:The Apprentice (Irish TV series) candidates Category:Irish male rowers Category:Harvard Crimson rowers