18-year-old Buncrana woman Lauren McDonagh is the first Miss Ireland from Donegal in almost two decades, and has dedicated her win to her late brother Darren.
Lauren told the Irish Mirror that the news is still sinking in, and that she has dedicated her crown to her late brother Darren who passed away from muscular dystrophy aged 17 when she was just 8.
Her parents presented her with a photograph of Darren just after she was crowned the winner at the lavish ceremony at Dublin’s Crowne Plaza Hotel last night.
“Mammy came up to me with the flowers and she had a wee heart with Darren’s photo in it so it was just so personal,” said student Lauren, who was in tears after her win.
Proud mum Ann says she hopes her daughter will continue to be an ambassador for muscular dystrophy.
“Lauren lost a brother and it’s paramount we discuss muscular dystrophy because it’s rife and anyone with it has a life sentence.
“We so need support for muscular dystrophy and hopefully Lauren will continue to support and be an ambassador for muscular dystrophy and for children with critical illness because we have been there.”
“I am just ecstatic for Donegal. I now have a Miss Ireland in the house but she will stay grounded,” Ann told journalist Jim Gallagher.