Miss Earth Ireland crowned at Mayo grand finale

LEAVING Cert student Alannah Larkin from Co. Galway was crowned Miss Earth Ireland 2022 on Saturday night at a grand finale gala event at Mount Falcon Estate in Ballina.

Mayo featured among the prize-winners, with Claudia Nigowska from Westport chosen as one of three runners-up, and she was crowned Miss Earth Ireland Water.

Miss Earth Ireland, sponsored by Westport’s FlameFit Gym, is the national selection for Miss Earth, one of the biggest beauty pageants in the world. Twenty-two finalists from all over Ireland competed for the coveted crown and a chance to represent Ireland at the international final later this year in Vietnam.

In the end, 18-year-old Alannah from Eyrecourt in Galway wowed the judges and took home the title. As part of her prize, she receives an all-expenses paid trip to Vietnam to compete for the Miss Earth crown against finalists from over 80 countries. She also wins a modelling contract with Catwalk Modelling Agency and a host of ambassadorship opportunities.

Miss Earth Ireland is run by directors Alan Murphy, a native of Ballinrobe, and Cork’s Denis Cronin.

Alan explained: “We took over Miss Earth Ireland because it’s a pageant with a real difference, and that is to raise more environmental awareness. Its whole ethos is, ‘beauty for a cause’.

“I’m an extremely proud Mayo man so when I became a director of the Irish franchise, I was adamant we were holding the national final here in Mayo, and what better location than the stunning Mount Falcon Estate. It was an unforgettable night at their incredible outdoor marquee…even the weather was great!”

He added: “Alannah is such a fabulous winner and will represent us all so, so well in Vietnam later this year. She has a very exciting year ahead.

“All our finalists were truly amazing and I’m so proud of all the girls. We’re already looking forward to next year’s competition.”

Miss Earth Ireland has a large charity element to it and this year’s finalists raised over €3,000 for VOICE Ireland, an environmental charity that empowers individuals and local communities to take positive action to conserve our natural resources.

The Miss Earth Ireland directors also plant a tree for every girl who applies for the competition.