IRISH BREAKFAST

Miss University Holly Carpenter, 19 and 1m77, enjoyed a hearty Irish breakfast on Sunday morning, after winning the Miss Ireland 2011 title on Saturday, August 13. The stunning Holly will represent Ireland in Miss World 2011 in London, England on November 6.

THE UNIVERSE OF THE DONALD

Donald Trump poses with Miss Universe winners and former finalists Flaviana Matata, Angela Martini, Rosanna Purcell, Susie Castillo, Shandi Finnessey, Amelia Vega, Dayanna Mendoza, Justine Pasek, Riyo Mori, Crystle Stewart, Zana Krasniqi, Marigona Dragusha, and Chloe Mortaud during a photoshoot in New York today. Many of these women have gone on successful modeling and entertainment careers. (Photos: Reuters)

MISS UNIVERSE IRELAND 2011

Herald.ie, 11-jun-2011: Meet the ladies’ footballer crowned the new Miss Universe Ireland. Aoife Hannon (19) celebrated her big win last night in style by joining her nearest and dearest at a VIP afterparty at Bucks Townhouse.The Kerry-born beauty was joined by her boyfriend of three years, Jason Brown, who had cheered her onto victory at the Burlington Hotel earlier in the evening. Miss Naas Court Hotel, Hannah Devane, came in second place, while Miss Irish Sun Kate McDaid was crowned third. Last year's stunning Miss Universe Ireland Rozanna Purcell wowed in a full-length black dress as she handed over the crown to her successor. Former Miss World Rosanna Davison judged the beauty pageant alongside bride-to-be Pippa O'Connor, model Georgia Salpa and her Celebrity Salon co-star Aisleyne Horgan Wallace. Newly single Xpose presenter Lisa Cannon dazzled in a striking red dress as she co-hosted the bash with Ireland Am presenter Alan Hughes.

MISS WHIZZER WHITENING STRIPS 2011

Last night Dervla Louli won the Miss Whizzer Whitening Strips 2011 pageant at a nightclub in Dublin, Ireland. Attending the pageant was Ireland's Mister World 2010, the hunky Kamal Ibrahim, who was recently informed he will continue his duties until 2012, when the next Mister World contest is set to be held. Miss Whizzer Whitening Strips is an official preliminary for Miss Universe Ireland, so we'll see Dervla dazzling smile again soon!

MISS UNIVERSITY 2011

Holly Carpenter won the Miss University 2011 competition the other night, giving her a ticket to Miss Ireland 2011.

Here is Holly with the reigning Miss Ireland and top five finisher at Miss World 2011, the lovely and talented Emma Waldron.

Miss University 2011 marks the 4th anniversary for this competition!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

Miss New York USA 2011 Amber Collins marches in the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 2011 in New York City. (Photo: Getty Images)

Miss World 2003, Ireland's Rosanna Davison in her St. Paddy's Day outfit. Note to all Beauty School students: Follow Rosanna's lead. Turn over a new leaf this St. Patrick's Day! No green beer and no corned beef with your cabbage. If you did not wear green today, then we are sure that you have already been pinched (on your behind) by Beauty School Security Officer Boris!

WORK IT, WALDRON

Emma Waldron

Miss World Ireland 2010 and top five finisher at Miss World 2010

"MY BOYFRIEND IS A FILTHY SLOB"

In between appearances as the Queen of the Nile, among other things, Miss World 2003 Rosanna Davison writes a weekly advice column for Irish newspaper The Herald.

In this week's Dear Rosanna column, she answers questions about house training a boyfriend, sexy texts, a needy ex, and teenage allowances. Check out Rosanna's advice to the reader who says "my boyfriend is a filthy slob."

QUEEN OF THE NILE

Ireland's Rosanna Davison, Miss World 2003, appears as Cleopatra at the recent 2011 Schoko & Fashion party in Cologne, Germany. A highlight of the German social calendar, the Schoko & Fashion party is sponsored by chocolate company Lambertz. The managing director of the company is a friend of Rosanna's family, and Rosanna's dad, singer Chris de Burgh, also attended the party.

THE BLACK SWAN

Miss Universe Ireland 2010 Rozanna Purcell is having her sweet revenge for not making top five at Miss Universe 2010. She just finished her hottest photo shoot yet and is determined to strut down the Victoria's Secret runway. We are sure Roz will get to that runway, but when she does, will she be an angel or swan? (Photo: Herald.ie)

PICK FIVE

Today's Pick of the Day is, well, impossible. With the presentation show last night, today is a Pick Five day, sort of like the lottery! We'll do pick five from A-L today; we'll pick five from M-Z tomorrow. Today's Pick Five from A-L are: Miss Albania; Miss Angola; Miss Ireland; Miss Jamaica; and Miss Kosovo. The Universe shimmered and shined last night, thanks to them! Dean Harris could even see this year's universal battle coming down to Ireland and Jamaica - he has declared that there may be no real need to Pick Five M-Z, because it will come down to I and J!

MISS WORLD IRELAND 2009

Irish Independent, 28-sep-2009: A 19-year-old choir singer from Co Derry beat off stiff competition to be crowned the new Miss Ireland. Laura Patterson, a law and accountancy student, succeeds the current title-holder Sinead Noonan after impressing judges with her strong presentation and "shiny" personality. Ms Patterson said she was stunned by her win at the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, and couldn't wait to get started. "My normal Sunday is so different -- I sing in the choir and give Sunday school lessons, but now a whole new world has opened up for me." The student said she was particularly looking forward to the charity work she will be undertaking as Miss Ireland. Ms Patterson, who was crowned Miss Derry last month, will travel to the Miss World Final in South Africa this December.

MADGE AND PENNY WEIGH IN

As a prelude to posting the results of the student body's picks for the top 15, which will begin later today as soon as the votes are counted. We've asked Madge, our cafeteria matron, and Professor Scribner (Penny) to give us their non-binding votes as to whom they would like to see in the top 15. The reasons for their choices are somewhat dubious, but since we don't pay them very well, we give their moment in the sun to compensate. Madge, cast her ballot for Miss Turkey saying, "Turkey is a huge favorite in the cafeteria whenever I make it so I'm voting for the hometown girl." Professor Scribner based her vote on the fact that the beautifully illuminated "Book of Kells" is housed in Dublin, Ireland and also green is her favorite color. Whatever.

LOOK AT ME NOW

(Photo: Contactmusic)

Bullies taunted me over my weight -- but look at me now
BEAUTY: Late bloomer Sinead stole the show at Miss Ireland finals

Meath drama student Sinead Noonan (21) stole the show at the Miss Ireland finals last night.

The rank outsider beat off competition from some 37 other beauties to claim the crown as the next national beauty queen.

And the petite Dunboyne brunette, who looked stunning in an electric blue Elliot Chambers gown, revealed how she was something of a late bloomer.

Asked about why her motto was 'there's always light at the end of the tunnel', she said she didn't always steal the limelight.

"As a child, I used to be a little bit chubby. I got picked on a little bit and my mum used to say to me 'you will have your moment some day' -- and I just feel like tonight, here's my moment," she said.

Her previous acting experience obviously stood to her on the night as she claimed that she didn't feel any nerves at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry.

"It's different when you are an actor playing a part but tonight, I had to play myself so it was a little bit different."

Cheering her to victory were her delighted parents Peter and Stephanie, while her long-term boyfriend had yet to hear the good news.

It was a night of glitz and glamour at the northside hotel as a host of well-known faces flocked to to see who would claim the Miss Ireland 2008 crown.

Judges included Amanda Byram, Pamela Flood, Matt di Angelo and Louis Walsh.

Also there were joint hosts, Big Brother star Brian Dowling and musician Myleene Klass, who looked stunning in a white, full-length Kiri dress.

Organised for the first time by nightclub owner Krish Naidoo, proceedings kicked off with a performance by all 38 contestants on stage.

UK popstar Shayne Ward then entertained the 350 guests with two of his best-known songs before the main business of the night got underway.

However, there were some grumblings from some of the VIP attendees, who complained how there was no complimentary wine at the black-tie dinner.

This was despite the tickets selling for a pricey €175 each, with sellers flogging brochures of all the contests for €10 a pop.

By Melanie Finn
Saturday June 21 2008
Herald.ie

LUCKY CHARMS

Lucky Charms from Ireland - Miss Universe Ireland 2008, Lynn Kelly, and Ireland's Miss World 2003, Rosanna Davison.

More photos at ShowBiz Ireland.

BEAUTY SELLS

Nothing sells like beauty, and here are some beauty delegates selling and promoting all kinds of things - from department stores to watches to cosmetics and hair products and from coffee to liquor to bread!

Miss Universe 2007, Japan's Riyo Mori, promotes the U.S. department store Target

Miss India 1995 Manpreet Brar and India's Miss World 1997, Diana Hayden, marking time with their Omega watches and supermodel Cindy Crawford

Miss Universe 1990, Norway's Mona Grudt, enjoys a nice cup of coffee

Miss World 2003, Ireland's Rosanna Davison gets a touch-up at the Clarins' cosmetic counter

Miss Namibia 2003, Ndapwea Alfons, extols the virtues of Captain Morgan rum

Miss Switzerland 2006, Lauriane Gilliéron, enjoys a hearty loaf of bread

Miss World 1994, the goddess herself, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, sporting a Longines watch

Miss Philippines 1994, Charlene Gonzalez, and Miss Philippines 1999, Miriam Quiambao, shine thanks to CreamSilk shampoo and conditioner

Sushmita Sen, Miss Universe 1994, waves the Olay flag

Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta, practices her barista skills at the grand opening of a Gloria Jean's coffee bar in Mumbai