Kilkenny girl scoops Miss Ireland Teen first runner-up and is named Top Model at Miss Ireland Teen awards

A Kilkenny teenager has scooped Miss Ireland Teen first runner-up and been named Top Model at Miss Ireland Teen.

Isabella Boyle (13) from Freshford, Kilkenny, won the awards at a ceremony hosted by Brendan Marc Scully at The Hilton Hotel Dublin Airport on Saturday.  

A student at Coláiste Mhuire Secondary School in Johnstown, Isabella loves modelling and won the coveted Top Model sash on the night. She is also a ballroom dancer and Latin dancer with Xquisite Dance School.

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 €400,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimer’s Ireland, Pieta House, The Cari Foundation and The Julian Benson CF Foundation. 

This year for the first time, The Miss Ireland Organisation introduced Miss Ireland Teen to bring the values of Miss Ireland to the younger generation.  The finalists were put through their paces in a challenging process testing their skills in debating, public speaking, talent, sports, modelling and each finalist shared details of their charity projects and community involvement as part of the 'Teens for Change' initiative.  

Judges on the night were current Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede, singer and former Miss Ireland finalist Luiza Hogan, former Love Island contestant Shannen Reily McGrath and Jenny Russell of Hairitage.

Miss Ireland Teen finalists will take an active role in the Miss Ireland Organisation, inspired by current Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhart who was thrilled to be crowned the 76th Miss Ireland at the end of last year. The stunning law graduate from Dublin  aspires to work for the United Nations, enabling her to travel to developing nations where women's voices often go unheard.

She has just returned from India where she was working with the Hope Foundation a journey of compassion and advocacy as she takes on the role of Ambassador for The Hope Foundation (HOPE), the Cork-based charity dedicated to supporting street-connected and slum dwelling children in Kolkata, India. 

See www.miss-ireland.ie or find out more about all of this year’s contestants on the new Miss Ireland App, available from Apple App Store or Google Play for more.