Nineteen year-old Maiya McMonagle from Drogheda who represented Louth at the 75th Miss Ireland final in Castlebar at the weekend has won the Miss Eco-Ireland title.
Maiya won the title for her fantastic work in promoting sustainability proving that you can be both chic and climate conscious. She only wore items she bought second-hand, upcycled or made herself for this year’s competition.
A graduate of Drogheda Institute of further education where she studied animal care, Maia is going on to study an integrated masters in Zoology in Bangor University. She also has her own sustainable fashion brand which she created at the age of 10 to promote environmental and economic issues.
The over-riding theme this year for Miss Ireland, proudly sponsored by TanOrganic, was ‘Our World Our Future’ with a focus on the environment and global citizenship. TanOrganic is the world’s first eco-certified, organic self-tan brand, and this year, for the first time, a new Miss Eco-Ireland sash was awarded to Miss Louth Maiya McMonagle for her sustainable Fashion brand and her work on promoting environmental issues. The 36 finalists also carried out nationwide beach clean-ups after the recent heat wave.
“We are so proud and grateful to sponsor this year’s Miss Ireland. This year’s theme ‘Our World Our Future’ completely aligns with our brand” said Noelle O’Connor, Creator and Founder of TanOrganic “Eco, ethical and sustainability are at the core of everything we do. Working with the contestants to make a difference for a better world and future has been a joy.
Established in 1947, Miss Ireland has been the launch pad for many eminent, successful, and inspiring women in Ireland. In recent years the Miss Ireland Franchise has raised over €351,220 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimer’s Ireland, Pieta House, The Cari Foundation and this year are proud to partner with Variety Ireland, an Irish charity helping sick, disadvantaged and children with special needs since 1951.
The winner of the Miss Ireland title, Ivanna McMahon from Ennis in Co Clare, received a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes including jewellery, gowns, professional photo shoots, beauty and hair products and will jet off to represent her country at the Miss World Festival which is televised in over 100 countries around the world.
She will also enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to the Maldives to do a photoshoot later in the autumn. See www.miss-ireland.ie for more details.
