Miss Ireland finals to take place at Killua Castle in September

This year’s Miss Westmeath, who will represent the county in the Miss Ireland final at Killua Castle on September 5, is Hannah Tumulty.

Hannah is 20 years old, from Athlone, and is studying psychiatric nursing at Athlone Institute of Technology.

Established in 1947, Miss Ireland in recent years has raised some €250,000 for charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimer’s Ireland, Pieta House, and The Cari Foundation.

This year its partner is Variety Ireland, an Irish charity helping sick, disadvantaged and children with special needs since 1951.

Killua Castle in north Westmeath is the venue for Miss Ireland 2021. The privately owned castle dates from 1740 and has been restored to its former glory.

This year the final of Miss Ireland will be an outdoor show against the magical backdrop of the castle, on September 5.

Current Miss World Toni-Ann Singh has been invited to jet in from Jamaica for the choreographed show, which will feature a light display and a mix of music and entertainment as the 30 finalists descend an outdoor stone staircase to the castle gardens.

Brendan Marc Scully, director of Miss Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring back Miss Ireland with a kaleidoscope of colour after such dark times.

“The event in September will also be live streamed and all preparations are and will continue to be fully compliant with government Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for entertainment production.”

The winner of Miss Ireland 2021 will receive an agency contract and prizes including jewellry, gowns, a professional photoshoot, beauty and hair products, and then go on to represent her country in the 70th Miss World festival, on the Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico in December this year.

Virtual heats have been running across the country to find contestants from each county with beauty, poise and personality to take part in the Miss Ireland 2021 competition.

Full details on Miss Ireland 2021 are available on the new Miss Ireland App or from www.miss-ireland.ie or follow @missirelandorg on social media.