Miss Universe Ireland 2026 is Aideen Howard from Limerick


Aideen Howard beat over 20 other contestants to win Miss Universe Ireland 2026 on Saturday, June 20 at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin.

The 22-year-old model and student from Castletroy, Limerick, was crowned by her predecessor Aadya Srivastava from Galway. She will now prepare to represent Ireland at Miss Universe 2026 in Puerto Rico this November.

Leah Sheehan, also from Limerick, and Eileen Coyle from Derry were named the first and second runners-up, respectively.

Originally from Boston, the new Miss Universe Ireland moved to Limerick at age 12. In her bio for the pageant, she said, "Moving countries at a young age taught me the importance of kindness, empathy, and making others feel included."

"Having experienced major life changes throughout my childhood, I understand how overwhelming and lonely life can feel, which is why I value creating a positive, welcoming environment for others," she added.

Aideen also said: "I aspire to be someone young girls and boys can look up to as proof that confidence can be built over time. I believe even the smallest acts of compassion can make a lasting difference, and I hope to always be someone who uplifts and empowers others."

Road to the 75th Miss Universe:

Photos: Brian McEvoy, Miss Universe Ireland / Instagram

Popular posts from this blog

Miss Norway 2025 is Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland from Oslo

Image
Leonora Lysglimt-Rødland was crowned Miss Norway 2025 (Miss Universe Norway 2025) in a national competition held on Saturday, August 30 at Gateway Studios in Fornebu. The 19-year-old beauty from Oslo will represent Norway at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. She succeeds last year's winner Lilly Sødal. Julie Celin Eide was named first runner-up while Sofie Rasmussen, Abelone Smedsrud, and Chelsea Victoria Sand were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. "I am endlessly grateful for every single person who has believed in me, supported me, and lifted me higher with your love and encouragement," shared the new Miss Norway. She also wrote on social media: "I promise to give my whole heart, to perform with grace, and to shine with the strength of every woman who dares to dream. The crown is more than just a symbol—it is a responsibility. And I am ready." Leonora is a passionate advocate for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectas...
Read more

Miss World Italy 2026 is Mia Zottoli Montanaro from Puglia

Image
Mia Zottoli Montanaro was proclaimed the winner of Miss Mondo Italia 2026 (Miss World Italy) last Sunday, June 14 at the Ecoresort Le Sirenè in Gallipoli. The 21-year-old model and former volleyball player of Argentine descent from Taranto, Puglia was crowned by her predecessor Sofia Viola. Basma Zaid of Basilicata and Azzura Sandrini of Lombardia were announced the first and second runners-up, respectively. Caterina Noghera of Veneto, Lara Boemio of Toscana, and Ginevra Pagano of Campania rounded out the Top 6 finalists. The new Miss World Italy is expected to represent her country at the 75th Miss World (Miss World 2028) competition. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Mondo Italia (@missmondoitalia) Photos: Miss Mondo Italia / Instagram
Read more

California's Athenna Crosby crowned Miss World America 2024

Image
Athenna Crosby of California bested over 40 other contestants to win the Miss World America 2024 pageant on Sunday, November 17 in Seattle, Washington. The 26-year-old American-Venezuelan model and actress succeeds last year's winner Victoria DiSorbo and will now prepare to represent the United States of America at the 72nd Miss World. Kimberly Nwankolo of Oregon was named first runner-up while Anne Li of the District of Columbia, Aishwarya Kumar of Central Washington, and Heather Alexia Santos of Washington were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The new Miss World America is a devoted advocate for people with disabilities. Aside from modeling and acting, she is also a journalist, singer, and a TV presenter. No stranger to pageantry, Athenna is a former Miss California Teen USA who went on to compete at Miss Teen USA 2016 and made the Top 15. She also joined last year's Miss World America while representing Utah and placed first runner-up. The Miss World ...
Read more

Miss Universe Norway 2024 is Lilly Sødal from Kristiansand

Image
Lilly Sødal was crowned Miss Norway 2024 (Miss Universe Norway 2024) during the national competition held last Saturday, August 10 at Rebel in Oslo. The 21-year-old sustainability advocate from Kristiansand received her crown from her predecessor, last year's winner Julie Tollefsen. She will now prepare to represent Norway at the Miss Universe 2024 pageant in Mexico this November. No stranger to pageantry, Lilly is a former Miss Earth Norway who competed in Miss Earth 2022 in the Philippines where she made the Top 20. She also went to The Miss Globe 2023 pageant in Durrës, Albania, and placed in the Top 15. "Words can’t describe how grateful I feel right now. My big “unrealistic” dream since I was 17 became true this weekend, and I don’t know how I could ever express in words what this means to me, and how thankful I am," said the new Miss Universe Norway. "I am beyond excited to start this new chapter as Miss Universe Norway 2024, and to travel to Miss Universe in M...
Read more

Miss Ukraine 2023 is Sofia Shamia, meet the winners

Image
The three winners of Miss Ukraine 2023 who will represent Ukraine in international pageants were officially announced on Monday, September 25 through social media. Sofia Shamia, an 18-year-old student from the Kyiv region was named Miss Ukraine 2023 (Miss World Ukraine 2023) and will compete in Miss World 2023 in India on December 16. The title of Miss International Ukraine 2023 went to Sofia Zgoba, 18, from Lviv region, and she will go to Japan for Miss International 2023 on October 26. Anastasia Feyer, 21, from Zakarpattia, was proclaimed Miss Earth Ukraine 2023 and will be sent to Vietnam for Miss Earth 2023 on December 22. This year's Miss Ukraine pageant was held entirely online due to the ongoing armed conflicts in Ukraine. The winners were selected by public votes. From left to right — Miss Earth Ukraine 2023 Anastasia Feyer, Miss Ukraine 2023 Sofia Shamia, and Miss International Ukraine 2023 Sofia Zgoba Photos: Miss Ukraine RELATED POST: Miss Ukraine 2023: Meet the contesta...
Read more

Miss Exclusive 2023: Meet the 15 finalists

Image
The Miss Exclusive 2023 (Miss Earth Belgium 2023) grand final will be held tonight in Zottegem with a live broadcast from 9 p.m. local time on MENT TV . A total of 15 selected contestants will battle it out for the national title currently held by reigning Miss Exclusive and Miss Earth 2022 Top 8 finalist Daphne Nivelles. In addition to Miss Earth, the Miss Exclusive organization has recently announced its acquisition of the license for another major pageant — Miss International. The winners of the national competition are expected to represent Belgium at Miss Earth 2023 in Vietnam and Miss International 2023 in Japan later this year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Exclusive (@missexclusiveofficial) Tonight's magical event themed "1001 Exclusive Nights" will also feature reigning Miss Earth from Korea Mina Sue Choi who has been invited as a special guest. The current Miss International Jasmin Selberg of Germany was also announced la...
Read more

Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 is Isabela Fernandez from Brazil

Image
Isabela Fernandez was proclaimed Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 on Wednesday, October 8 at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City, Philippines. The 28-year-old model from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais beat over 40 other contestants to win the international beauty title. She became the second Brazilian woman to win Miss Asia Pacific International next to Francielly Ouriques (2017). Anita Rose Gomez of the Philippines was named first runner-up while Bowonrat Maneerat of Thailand, Jana Janssens of Belgium and Elmira Wildeboer of the Netherlands were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. Beauties from Nepal, Prapti Ranabhat, Mongolia, Budsuren Baasansuren, Mexico, Mariana Garcia Trejo, New Zealand, Hannah Cross, and Peru, Michella Whillar Lazarte were the rest of the Top 10. The new Miss Asia Pacific International received her crown from former winner Sharifa Akeel (2018) of the Philippines. Her predecessor Janelis Leyba of the USA skipped the coronation n...
Read more

FAVORITES: Miss USA 2022 final Top 16 favorites

Image
Today someone's life is about to change as the Miss USA 2022 pageant culminates tonight at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada. Fifty-one contestants from across the country have worked diligently to get to the Miss USA final stage but only one of them will become the successor of Elle Smith of Kentucky and represent the USA at the 71st Miss Universe 2022 this January in New Orleans, Louisiana. An esteemed panel of judges determines who enters the Top 16. Fifteen will be selected based on their interviews, preliminary swimsuit and evening gown competition, and one spot is reserved for a contestant with the highest fan votes on missusa.com . Who will be the next Miss USA? As we did not have access to their interviews, our list of favorites is based entirely on the contestants' preliminary swimsuit and evening gown performances. Meet our final favorites (in alphabetical order): Top 16 California - Tiffany Johnson District of Columbia - Faith Porter Florida -...
Read more

Miss Universe Uruguay 2025 is Valeria Baladan Liste

Image
Valeria Baladan Liste was crowned Miss Universe Uruguay 2025 in a national competition held on Wednesday, September 10 at  Hotel Esplendor Cervantes in Montevideo. The 24-year-old model and student representing Montevideo succeeds last year's winner Yanina Lucas. She will now prepare to represent Uruguay at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Carolina Moreira of Cerro Largo and Perla Barrera of Maldonado were announced the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Universe Uruguay is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in communication, advertising and marketing. She is no stranger to pageantry, having joined last year's competition and also held the title of Miss Latinoamérica Uruguay 2024. "I do not have enough words to thank what I feel towards those who accompanied me in this process: my family, my friends and every person who with their messages gifted me support and affection along this way," Valeria shared onlin...
Read more

Miss England 2024 is Milla Magee from Newquay

Image
Milla Magee was crowned Miss England 2024 (Miss World England) on Friday, May 17 at The Grand Station in Wolverhampton. The 23-year-old qualified beach lifeguard from Newquay, Cornwall bested 39 other contestants to win the national title. She received the crown from her predecessor, the 71st Miss World Top 8 finalist who was awarded the titles Miss World Europe and Miss United Kingdom  Jessica Ashley Gagen . Charlotte Grant from Liverpool was named first runner-up while Melissa Butcher from Lancaster finished as the second runner-up. According to her bio, the first-ever "plus-sized" Miss England is passionate about conservation and lifesaving. She went to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) where she finished with a distinction, has a diploma in Greek Mythology, and can speak Latin. Milla has founded #GoFarWithCPR to advocate for basic life-saving and CPR training skills in local schools and workplaces, and eventually nationwide. Milla will no...
Read more