Pamela Uba (25 ) from Galway City was crowned Miss Ireland 2021 on Sunday September night at a spectacular outdoor show and sparkling ceremony at Lakeside Manor, Co Cavan.
Ms Uba was wreathed in smiles as she accepted her Miss Ireland crown. The medical acientist was crowned Miss Galway just three days before the country went into lockdown in 2020 and then spent the majority of her reign as Miss Galway working on the front line at Galway University Hospital.
"Our radiant new Miss Ireland’s eloquent parlance, gentle demeanour and kind nature belies her towering strength and determination," said the judges.
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A more diverse Ireland
"Pamela grew up in direct provision after moving to Ireland with her family from South Africa when she was just eight years old. Today, she is a very proud Irish citizen and a graduate of Trinity College with a master’s degree in clinical chemistry.
"Pamela hopes to use her Miss Ireland title to represent a more diverse Island on the world stage and believes education is a superpower. Pamela was crowned by three former Miss Ireland’s; Lauren McDonagh, Aoife O Sullivan and Rebecca Maguire.
“Pamela was a joy from the very start and put her heart and soul into her Miss Ireland journey” said Brendan Marc Scully, Director of Miss Ireland.
“She won the most amount of Miss Ireland challenges and came first in the debating challenge as well as the sports challenge. She was also outstanding in the talent challenge, and the charity challenge. I am so delighted she will represent Ireland this year and I think she has a very bright future ahead," he said.
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Heading to Puerto Rico
Established in 1947, Miss Ireland has been the launch pad for many eminent, successful, and inspiring women in Ireland. In recent years the Miss Ireland Franchise has raised over €250,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimer’s Ireland, Pieta House, The Cari Foundation and this year are proud to partner with Variety Ireland, an Irish charity helping sick, disadvantaged and children with special needs since 1951.
Pamela will receive a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes including jewellery, gowns, a professional photo shoot, beauty and hair products and then go on to represent Ireland and take part in the 70th Miss World festival which will take place in the stunning Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico in December this year.
Diversity was very apparent at Miss Ireland this year with an eclectic mix of finalists from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds - perhaps a reflection of a new generation and a new Ireland.
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The finalists vying for the coveted crown this year were already a highly educated and accomplished group with an eclectic mix of professions and aspirations in fields such as medical science, criminal justice, chartered accountancy, international business, performance arts, medicine, psychiatric nursing, biotechnology, nutrition, physiotherapy, HR, digital marketing, biomedical science, veterinary, law and international show jumping.
The 30 finalists this year went through a challenging competitive process over the last three months testing their skills in debating, public speaking, talent, sports, modelling, social media and each finalist was tasked with raising much-needed awareness and funds for their chosen charities.
