Ava Matthews is representing Galway for Miss Ireland 2022.
The Loughrea model is one of 37 finalists in this year's Miss Ireland which is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Sponsored by the Lough Rea Hotel and Spa, Ava will attend several awards, openings and engagements in Galway and at Lough Rea Hotel and Spa over the next year, as well as working on her personal charity project with the Galway Hospice Foundation.
Ava, who is heading into her final year to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in NUI Galway, is majoring in physiology and has her sights set on carrying out full-time medical research and following in the steps of her mother Imelda Matthews.
As well as being a full-time model with Catwalk Modelling agency, Ava has also represented Ireland at volleyball, having played for Loughrea Volleyball team and her former primary school team at St Raphael’s College.
Involved with the Loughrea community and “proud to be from such a wonderful town”, Ava says she likes to "switch-off, unwind and escape to Shore Island Spa at Lough Rea Hotel and Spa with her mother for a mother-daughter spa day".
Ava’s grandparents, aunties, uncles and extended family also live in Loughrea and its hinterlands, with some of the family having worked with Pat and Una McDonagh in Supermacs and The Plazas over the years.
The Miss Ireland Diamond Jubilee takes place on August 20 at the Royal Theatre Castlebar with some 1500 attendees from across the country.
