Emily to represent Laois at the Miss Ireland Grand Final
Miss Laois Emily O Shea pictured at the launch of Miss Ireland 2026 at Twenty Two Dublin Photo by Brian McEvoy
LOCAL pride will shine centre stage this November as Emily O Shea (19) from Crettyard prepares to fly the flag at the glittering Miss Ireland 2026 Grand Final.
Emily will put her best foot forward in the competition, which takes place on Saturday, 21 November, at The Fairways Hotel, Dundalk.
Emily rides and train horses professionally and her love for animals grows everyday. "I am a junk kouture alumni of four years creating and designing four outfits to date alongside some incredible organisations like Breast cancer research institute, Eurospar and DHL. I love attending events using my voice and creating awareness on disease and sustainability with my love for fashion and our planet. I love to attend and be there for my local community preforming in my local pantomime for the last few years. My aims in life is to live life to fullest and never say no to an opportunity making life surrounded by the people and hobbies I love and adore. My mam past away over a year ago and I couldn’t be on this journey without my drive to make her proud and carry on her as an inspiration. Something I hold very close to my heart." she said Emily is among an inspiring line-up of young women from across the country competing for one of Ireland’s most prestigious titles, with the chance to wear the coveted Miss Ireland crown and represent her country on the world stage in a competition that celebrates confidence, ambition, individuality and achievement.
Now celebrating its 78th year, Miss Ireland will bring together this year's finalists, former titleholders, celebrities and special guests for a spectacular evening of glamour, entertainment and celebration as the next generation of Irish ambassadors steps into the spotlight. Miss Ireland 2026 is proudly sponsored by EMS Copiers, Kore Beauty, FX Makeup Academy, Simply Divine, mesoskinline, Dolan Padel Courts Ireland, LovePadel.ie, Robert Chambers and Choicley App.
The Miss Ireland 2026 Grand Final on Saturday, 21 November, at The Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, promises a dazzling evening of performances, excitement and anticipation, culminating in the crowning of Miss Ireland 2026 by reigning titleholder Caoimhe Kenny, who represented Ireland for five weeks in Vietnam earlier this year.
The winner of Miss Ireland 2026 will receive an exciting range of prizes, including an agency contract, alongside the extraordinary opportunity to represent Ireland at the Miss World Festival in Tanzania in 2027, an international event televised in more than 100 countries worldwide.
With the countdown officially underway, the stage is set for another exciting chapter in the Miss Ireland story as a new generation of talented, ambitious and inspiring young women prepares to make its mark.
