The judging panel all set for action!
LIFESTYLE AND FASHION WITH MAIRÉAD: Hi everyone, this week’s posts is a little different to my usual posts, but last week I was delighted and honoured to be on the judging panel at the Miss Donegal 2016 contest, this was a fantastic experience for me and I wanted to share that with you.
The competition was organised and hosted by the Walsh family, Dearbhlá Walsh, Current Miss Northern Ireland was involved in the selection and judging process while brother Davitt and sister Aoibheann took to the stage to be our fabulous MC’s for the night.
It was a real family affair!
The stunning Walsh sisters Aoibheann and Dearbhlá.
The fabulous hosts Aoibheann and Davitt who presented us with lots of entertainment and laughs!
The competition took place at the Radission Blu Letterkenny and was sponsored by Aoibheann Walsh’s G& G Main St, Letterkenny.
The setting was spectacular and there was a stunning line up 27 beautiful girls from all over the county.
Myself and my fellow judges, Zara Mc Daid, Tim Jackson, Emma Murray, Jay Doherty and Nicola Mc Laughlin, really hard out work cut out for us!
I must say a massive congrats to all the girls that entered and took part, I can only imagine how nerve wrecking it must have been for them to get up on stage and be judged by everyone in the room but they were so professional and amazing.
The stunning Breda Mc Conalogue on the runway.
The gorgeous Natasha Kelly on stage.
The first stage of selection included casual wear, shorts and white t-shirt round and evening wear.
We then had to begin our judging process and cut the ladies down from 27 to 15 and believe me this was not easy and we most certainly took our time with our selection. (Our hosts were getting a little impatient with us!!).
How stunning was this outfit from the beautiful Niamh Shevlin.
Of course the judges had time to take a selfie in the lift!
After the hard task of cutting down to 15, the girls had to take to the stage again to strut their stuff. We were judging on the basis of their walk, posture, smile and engagement with the audience and believe me Dearbhlá had taught these girls well- they were pros!
We then had to cut the selection of girls again from 15 to 7, each round was getting harder and harder.
You don’t want to disappoint anyone and all these girls had worked and prepared so hard but at the end of the day only one girl can go through to represent Dongeal in the Miss Ireland competition.
Our final 7- I think you’ll agree all these ladies are beautiful.
Our last and final round contained a questions round, this gave us judges and the audience and insight into the contestants personalities which helped us select our Top 3 ladies and of course our overall winner and Miss Donegal 2016.
The absolutely gorgeous Top 3, Jessica Mc Shane, Grainne Gallanagh and Hollie Duddy.
Although the selection wasn’t easy I think all the judges were blown away by Grainne’s beauty and elegance.
Although she had somewhat a shy and bashful smile while walking the runway Grainne also had a subtle confidence behind the bashful smile, which was very endearing!
Our fabulous new Miss Donegal, Grainne Gallanagh being presented with her crown by Miss Donegal 2015, Natasha Mc Fadden also from Buncrana!
However, when the question round came around this is when Grainne excelled and her genuine personality came across so naturally to all.
Grainne is such a deserving winner and myself and the judges have absolutely no doubt that she will be a great representative for the county as do us proud throughout the year.
We wish Grainne the best of luck as she goes through to compete in the Miss Ireland 2016 finals in August.
Grainne with her very proud mammy!
Myself and the stunning Miss Donegal 2016.
Credits to Jay Doherty Photography, Muff, and John Arthur Photography for the pictures.
Outfit details:
My A- Line skirt and white top are from Asos.
Shoes- River Island.
And a big thanks to Rita at Sharron’s Hair and Beauty who had the tough job of trying to make me look a little less rough than normal!!
Tags: