The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
A CLARE doctor who worked in a hospital during the Covid-19 pandemic has been crowned the new Miss Ireland.
Ivanna McMahon, 27, from Barefield told The Champion she is “over the moon” to have taken the title at 75th Miss Ireland competition which was held on Saturday at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar.
Ivanna, who qualified for the competition as Miss Munster, will now go on to represent Ireland in Miss World later this year. Speaking to the Clare Champion Ivanna says she is thrilled with the win, though she admits it came as a surprise.
“I’m absolutely delighted, I’m still a little bit in shock. It was definitely a surprise, absolutely surreal, but I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Ivanna studied medicine at University College Cork and graduated in 2020, going on to do her internship at Cork University Hospital. She then went to University Hospital Tralee to work in surgery, working in the GP Scheme at Tralee General Hospital throughout the pandemic.
She explained that it was working during this difficult time that led her to the decision to enter the competition, saying she wanted to have “no regrets”.
The over-riding theme this year for Miss Ireland, sponsored by TanOrganic, was ‘Our World Our Future’ with a focus on the environment and global citizenship.
“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.
Ivanna 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.
For a full interview with Ivanna, see the Clare Champion in shops on Thursday morning, August 25
