Search
17 Oct 2025
Search
17 Oct 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
Grainne Gallanagh was crowned the winner of Miss Universe Ireland 2018 in the Round Room of the Mansion House tonight (Thursday).
A Donegal nurse Grainne Gallanagh was crowned the winner of Miss Universe Ireland 2018 in the Round Room of the Mansion House tonight.
The Donegal native, wowed with her poise, passion and intelligence and was named unanimously as the winner by the esteemed panel of judges.
As well as the title, Grainne has won over €40,000 in prizes.
Previously Grainne, from Buncrana, was crowned Miss Donegal 2016, and she was also a Miss Earth NI runner-up.
Grainne, who works in London, has been raising awareness about women’s health during her Miss Universe Ireland journey, and has raised funds for her local women’s centre in Donegal.
Grainne was one of three Donegal women competing tonight for the title, the others were Niamh Frain from Letterkenny, and Emma Roarty from Dunlewey. Miss Universe Ireland 2017 winner, Cailín Áine Ní Toibín presented her 2018 successor with the coveted Miss Universe Ireland crown alongside Managing Director, Brittany Mason.
Model Alannah Beirne, leading fashion designer Umit Kutluk, editor of EVOKE.ie Sybil Mulcahy, award winning actress Amy Joyce Hastings, IFTA nominated Irish director Graham Hastings and Director of the Actavo Group Margaret Clandillon had their work cut out for them as 28 confidently beautiful women took to the stage in the hopes of being named Miss Universe Ireland 2018.
Attendees at the event also enjoyed a performance by musician Meg LaGrande who provided some light entertainment whilst the judges deliberated.
Sponsors of Miss Universe Ireland, Flormar, Dundrum Cosmetic Clinic, Great Lengths, Shoes by Chavez, SMAK make up brushes and Liliana Montoya swimwear were also present on the night to show their support.
Grainne will now go on to represent Ireland in the International competition and compete against women from all over the world in the hope of becoming Miss Universe.
Paul Newman, DNG Chairman and accepting their award is Rory Dorrian, Managing Director, DNG Dorrian and sponsor Fergal Kennedy, Michael Kennedy Insurance Group
Pauline Smyth, Cllr Paul Canning, Paul Hannigan. Back L-R: Marie Mulhern, Martina McGinty, Padraic Fingleton, Christina Perry, Martin McDevitt, Margaret Larkin, Roseann Ní Ghallachóir
Walkers on the march from Banba’s Crown to Buncrana pictured at Lagg Photo: Bettina Linke
Senator Boyle has consistently raised the issue at the Oireachtas Health Committee
Donal Gallagher, brother of Rory Gallagher, whose iconic Fender Stratocaster (1961, pictured) is one of over 250 objects on display. Photos: Julien Behal Photography
Children from first, second and third class at Drumfries NS pictured with Tom and Shelly O’Neill (RISE), Julie and David McCourt (RISE), Deputy Principal Aine Doherty and Tara Collins (NBI)
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
