Westport’s Georgia Mellotte has been crowned the new Miss Mayo.
The 20 year-old beat off stiff competition from 29 other contestants to win the prestigious title behind closed doors at The Royal Theatre in Castlebar on Sunday last.
The unique event was organised by Ballinrobe man and popular Galway Bay FM presenter Alan Murphy and Cork’s Denis Finbarr Cronin. The duo was determined to make the event happen this year and thus came up with the innovative idea of letting the contestants double up as the audience and cheer each other on, to keep within the limit of 50 people indoors.
The final was run under strict social distancing guidelines and kept the ladies, judges, organisers and staff a minimum of two metres apart at all times. It was also live streamed so that each contestant’s family and friends could watch online from the safety of their own homes.
Georgia, who is currently studying nutritional sciences at University College Cork, will now go on to represent Mayo at the Miss Ireland Grand Final later this year.
She has also won a modelling contract with Catwalk Modelling Agency, a year’s gym membership with Flame Fit Gym in Westport, her hair and makeup needs covered for a year by Kelly’s Hair & Beauty Salon in Castlebar, Absolute Jewellery from Martin Murphy’s Ballinrobe, as well as a whole host of other prizes, and, of course, the coveted Miss Mayo crown.
Georgia is no stranger to representing her county and also her country - she is a competitive swimmer with several national titles under her belt and was on the Irish winning team at the Celtic Nations in Cardiff last year. Her sister Jess was crowned Miss Westport back in 2013 and has been a huge inspiration to her throughout her journey to becoming this year’s Miss Mayo.
Alan Murphy said of Georgia following her win: "Georgia is an incredible winner and will make such an amazing ambassador for our wonderful county. She is beautiful inside and out and myself and Denis are so, so proud she will be representing us and the whole of Mayo at the Miss Ireland final later this year. She is going to be a superstar, mark my words."
