Drumshanbo woman to represent Leitrim in miss Ireland final

Anne Beirne from Drumshanbo has been crowned Miss Leitrim 2025 and will represent the county in the 77th Miss Ireland Final, taking place on June 14th at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath.

The 19-year-old trainee hairdresser is set to step into the national spotlight, joining finalists from across the country for what promises to be a glittering event packed with performances, celebrity guests, and a celebration of female empowerment and leadership.

Anne, who was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, anxiety and dyscalculia, plans to use her platform to raise awareness and advocate for girls with learning difficulties and autism. “It’s about showing others they’re not alone—and that their differences can be their strengths,” she said.

Since its inception in 1947, the Miss Ireland pageant has evolved into much more than a beauty competition. Today, it focuses on intelligence, ambition, and social impact, creating a national platform for young women to lead, inspire, and give back to their communities.

Over the years, it has launched the careers of many well-known faces including former Miss World Rosanna Davison and past Miss Irelands Pamela Flood, Amanda Brunker, Holly Carpenter, and current titleholder Jasmine Gerhardt.

This year’s finalists will compete across a range of disciplines including debating, public speaking, talent, sport, and social media. Each contestant is also tasked with supporting a charity of their choice, with the Miss Ireland franchise having raised more than €350,000 in recent years for causes such as Temple Street, Pieta House, and the Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The newly crowned Miss Ireland will receive a prestigious agency contract and a package of prizes, as well as the chance to represent Ireland at the Miss World Festival—an internationally televised event viewed in over 100 countries.

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