Ruby Byrne (13) from Clondalkin and currently in 1st year in Louis High School, Rathmines was crowned Miss Ireland Teen Junior at a spectacular ceremony hosted by Brendan Marc Scully at The Hilton Hotel Dublin Airport on May 4th. Ruby also won the coveted Sports sash on the night and the overall People’s Choice Award. She has a passion for Dance and is a Ballroom Dancer and Latin Dancer with Xquisite Dance and judges were most impressed by her charity projects and community involvement already at such a young age.
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.
Ruby loves to help charities and give back to the community. Being part of Xquisite Dance has given her the opportunity to work with lots of charities. “At Christmas we help Barnardo’s with their Christmas Shoebox Appeal and at easter we help Shoulder to Shoulder Outreach with their Easter Egg Drive. Last year my Dance Federation started the Ukraine/Ireland Dance Appeal. I was so happy to be part of this, helping my dance School and Federation raise funds to bring over 100 child dancers to Ireland to attend one of the biggest competitions and give them the chance to have a war free weekend full of fun and dance. My whole family got involved and even my nanny gave up her house so that we could be host to some of these amazing dancers. I also participated in a Dance A Ton to help towards raising funds. I made lots of new lifelong Ukrainian friends that weekend. This charity taught me how lucky I am that I still get to go to school, go to dancing, and go out with my friends without worry. The most heartbreaking thing for me was that most of these children had lost parents and siblings in the war, I could not even begin to imagine the Nightmares they were facing in their home country. This charity really touched my heart. I hope to encourage other teenagers to help charities and get involved in their communities like I do.” she said
Judges on the night were current Miss Universe Ireland Aishah Akorede, singer & 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 for more information.
