Pageantry: 1. Sarah Morrissey & Michelle McGrath; 2. Emma Cunningham, Brendan Scully and Hannah Cunningham; 3. Mickey Harte and Tiffaney Stanley. (Pix. Brian McEvoy)
The official launch of Miss Ireland 2011 took place at Bucks New Townhouse recently where details of this year’s contest were announced. The heat is on as all over the country the lucky finalists are being chosen and only the best with beauty, poise and personality earn a place in the grand finale on 13 August.
The event, hosted by the calorie burning soft drink Aspire, unveiled the first of the contestants through to the final and this year’s judging panel which includes former Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey, trainer to the stars Paul Byrne, Ireland’s first top model and beauty expert Laura Birmingham, TV3’s Elaine Crowley, Celebrity Salon’s Elaine Butler-Doolin, Aspire drinks MD Neil Blewitt with more names yet to be announced.
The winner of Miss Ireland 2011 will receive a lucrative modeling contract and a host of prizes including jewelry, gowns, a professional photo shoot, beauty and hair products from official partners Karora Tan, Ebano Hair Salon and Easilocks, Isadora Makeup and Debenhams. Miss Ireland 2011 will also get the use of a brand new SEAT car for the year of her reign.
Irish eyes have their sights set on the ultimate prize this year as the celebrated Miss World pageant returns to the United Kingdom (where it was first staged in 1951) to celebrate 60 years of sparkling shows. Ireland has always been a force to be reckoned with on the world stage but this year, as the competition moves back to our nearest neighbor with the biggest show since its inception, the spotlight shines even brighter.
