18-year-old Lauren McDonagh from Donegal is crowned the new Miss Ireland

September 23 2017 9:44 AM

A teenager from Donegal has been crowned this year's Miss Ireland.

Lauren McDonagh (18) was representing her county at the finals on Friday night at Dublin's Crowne Plaza Hotel. McDonagh, a Health and Social Care student, works part time as a beauty therapist and beat out tough competition from 26 other contestants vying for the crown.

Miss Donegal Lauren McDonagh is crowned Miss Ireland 2017 with runners-up Miss Cork Tara O'Leary and Miss Dublin North Vanessa Boland at Crowne Plaza Hotel15
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Miss Donegal Lauren McDonagh is crowned Miss Ireland 2017 with runners-up Miss Cork Tara O'Leary and Miss Dublin North Vanessa Boland at Crowne Plaza Hotel
She will now represent Ireland at the Miss World pageant in China on November 18. Last night's ceremony was hosted by co-owner Brendan Scully and TV3 star Elaine Crowley, who dazzled in an off the shoulder creme gown.

Runners up Miss Cork Tara O'Leary and Miss Dublin North Vanessa Boland rounded out the top three of the glitzy pageant.

Outgoing Miss Ireland Niamh Kennedy, from Tipperary, handed over the crown, while a number of other former title holders joined in the celebrations including Rebecca Maguire (2012), Aoife Walsh (2013) and former Miss Northern Ireland Alison Campbell.

Last month, the new Miss Universe Ireland was crowned - both competitions have been running simultaneously for a number of years in order to send separate representatives to the Miss Universe and Miss World titles. Rosanna Davison is still the only Irish woman to scoop the Miss World title, back in 2003.

Lauren McDonagh with her boyfriend Glen Myles15

For all the pictures from last night's ceremony, see our gallery:

Online Editors

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