Latest news with #MissUniverseIreland
Irish Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny opens up on relationship with famous dad
Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny has openly expressed her pride in being known as Stephen Kenny's daughter and doesn't shy away from the association with her dad. As a beauty buying assistant hailing from Co. Louth, Caoimhe was announced as Miss Ireland at a glitzy event on Saturday evening, with her renowned football manager father looking on proudly. Stephen Kenny, the former Republic of Ireland manager, watched as his daughter clinched the national title. It doesn't bother Caoimhe when she is referred to as Stephen Kenny's daughter because she knows she is her own person with her own story and is very proud of her dad's accomplishments. Caoimhe told RSVP Live: "The way I look at it is, that's the truth isn't it? I am his daughter at the end of the day. "Of course I'm my own person and of course I have my own story, but it's not something that would annoy me. "It is the fact of the matter and I'm fortunate to have a great relationship with my dad. We get on very well and I'm very proud that he is my dad. "So, to be referred to as his daughter, it wouldn't bother me. It's nice when people ask me how I feel about it, and want to learn a bit more about me as well." Stephen Kenny, currently managing St. Patrick's Athletic, expressed immense joy at his daughter's victory. Caoimhe added her thoughts on her dad's feelings: "He is unbelievably proud of me. He would always encourage me to do my own thing and he was supportive of me the whole way through. "At the end of the night, I could just see in his face how proud he was. "One thing about my dad is he would always be incredibly happy for us when we achieve something we want. He is just happy that I am happy." Caoimhe describes her feeling of being crowned Miss Ireland as "surreal" and anticipates it will take some time to fully sink in. The 24-year-old beauty queen feels a great sense of achievement in winning the title, having previously competed in Miss Universe Ireland last year. She shared: "I'd never entered a pageant before Miss universe Ireland. I entered because I wanted to try something new and challenge myself and do something fun. "When I finished first runner-up I realised I did quite well, and it solidified that this was something I wanted to do. "Miss World is one of the oldest pageants in the world ,so I decided I was going to go for Miss Ireland. "Being in Miss Universe Ireland allowed me to express myself. I'm really outgoing, I love being on stage and meeting new people. "For me, I was able to do all of that through Miss Universe Ireland so to do it again for Miss Ireland and win is just an incredible feeling." Caoimhe plans to utilise her newfound platform to highlight the significance of contributing to local communities and charities. "I volunteer in my local community with Save Our Homeless Dundalk and Hygiene Hub Louth," she revealed. "Save Our Homeless assist individuals facing homelessness and financial difficulties by providing emergency accommodation and food hampers, and general support in the community. "Hygiene Hub is a national charity working to combat hygiene poverty. I was one of the first volunteers in Louth and worked with the charity to establish donation points in Louth. You can find Hygiene Hub donation points across the country. People donate hygiene items and they go to vulnerable people in the community. "Through volunteering I've realised homelessness can happen to anyone. And if it can happen to anyone, help should come from everyone. "Through being Miss Ireland, the message I want to share is everybody has a part to play in society. We all have the resources to create a meaningful impact. "I want other people to look around their community and see what impact they can have on it, and see what support they can provide to those who need it." Caoimhe also opened up about the misconceptions surrounding beauty pageants like Miss Ireland and Miss World, which some critics deem passé. She explained: "People who don't know much about Miss Ireland probably have an outdated view on it. "Miss Ireland and Miss World doesn't even have swimwear categories anymore. It has progressed to the point of eliminating it from the competition because they feel it's completely unnecessary. "Everybody is beautiful. It's about who you are as a person. "If you look at past Miss World winners, they're looking for an ambassador – someone who can inspire and empower people, someone who can speak and their words have great meaning behind them. "They're not looking for this beauty queen that would look great on a magazine cover. It's so much more than that. Every girl who enters has a story they want to tell. "The impact the women that enter Miss Ireland are having on their local communities proves there is still a place for pageantry and it's still relevant."
The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I learnt to deal with abuse watching dad handle hate as Ireland boss – I want to follow his footsteps & be a role model
THE daughter of ex-Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has told how he helped her deal with tackling online abuse as she chased her dream of becoming the next Miss Ireland. 6 Stephen Kenny and his daughter Caoimhe Kenny celebrated the Miss Ireland win Credit: Brian McEvoy 6 Caoimhe said there were tears backstage Credit: Instagram @caoimhekenny1 The newly crowned beauty queen, who will be representing The Caoimhe told 'You just need to remind yourself that you're brave to put yourself out there. 'Negative things that people may have to say, they might just not be brave enough to put themselves out there like you are. You just need to own it and embrace the positive. 'Because for every few bad comments, there's hundreds of positive ones and those are the ones that you need to focus on.' She added: 'I think anyone who's in the public eye is going to be subject to scrutiny. Sometimes it's not fair but it's just the way that the world is.' Finalists from across the country put their best foot forward in a bid to grab the crown at the Knightsbrook Hotel on Saturday night. The star-studded audience also included former Miss Irelands Rebecca Maguire, Lauren McDonagh, Aoife Walsh and Anne Marie Gannon. Current Miss Universe Ireland Sofia Labus, Caoimhe told how her dad was 'absolutely' an inspirational role model growing up. Love Island legend Sharon Gaffka stuns in see-through dress at Miss Universe pageant She said: 'He's always taught me to be myself and chase after my dreams. 'That's exactly what he did, and he succeeded at it. I'm very proud to call him a dad. 'In my eyes, and I'm sure so many other people's, he did his country incredibly proud and dedicated his life to football in Ireland. 'So that's what I hope to do now, is to make Ireland proud at Miss World and follow in his footsteps.' EMOTIONAL NIGHT After scooping the title, Caoimhe told how some tears flowed backstage, and that her dad was over-the-moon with her win. She continued: 'He's absolutely delighted. He couldn't have been prouder. 'My family was all there on the night. That moment when I won, I looked down the room and I seen them all from the corner of my eye. 'They were standing up and cheering and it just reminded me why I was there and that support behind me. 'Everybody was chuffed for me. They could see how much it meant to me and the work that I've been putting in. I think they were just delighted for me.' CHILDHOOD CHALLENGES The 24-year-old, who volunteers at Save Our Homeless Dundalk and Hygiene Hub Louth, discussed how everyone faces their own challenges. Caoimhe discussed how she moved 'around a lot as a child' when her dad was working with different teams. She said: 'I went to several different schools. It was just trying to embrace that change. 'But I didn't look at it as a challenge and rather looked at it as an opportunity to meet new people and experience a new place.' PAGEANT GOALS While the beauty queen played football and The talented mover wowed judges with a stunning lyrical dance performance at the final. Caoimhe told how she had started working towards bagging the Miss Ireland title last year. 'In my eyes, and I'm sure so many other people's, he did his country incredibly proud and dedicated his life to football in Ireland." Caoimhe Kenny And after nabbing first runner up in Miss Universe Ireland, Caoimhe set herself a new goal. She said: 'I think that really fuelled something inside me and it made me realise that through this platform and 'I couldn't think of a dream I'd had that was bigger than representing Ireland in Miss World.' 'GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT' Caoimhe gushed that winning Miss Ireland is the 'greatest achievement' of her life. She said: 'Representing Ireland at Miss World is a once-in a lifetime opportunity, and I'm determined to make it count. 'I will use this platform to be a voice for change and a role model for young girls like me, girls who dream to make a difference, showing them that kindness, courage, and purpose can lead to real impact.' The Miss Ireland contest, dating back to 1947, has helped accelerate former queens careers, including Caoimhe added: 'I grew up in a small town in Buncranan, Co 'If you were to say one day I'm going to be Miss Ireland, you might have not believed it. 'But it just goes to show that ordinary girls can become extraordinary women.' 6 Caoimhe said it's a dream to represent Ireland like her dad did 6 Former Miss Ireland Rebeccca Maguire crowned Caoimhe Kenny on Saturday night Credit: Brian McEvoy 6 Rosanna Davison was crowned Miss World 2003 Credit: REUTERS / HO / Miss World Organisation 6 Miss Ireland dates back to 1947 Credit: Brian McEvoy
RTÉ News
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Daughter of Saint Pats' boss Kenny crowned Miss Ireland
Caoimhe Kenny was crowned the 77th Miss Ireland at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim Co Meath on Saturday night. Her father is former Ireland and current St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny. the 24-year-old from Blackrock in Louth is one of football manager Stephen and wife Siobhan's four children - her siblings are Eoin, Neave and Fionn. The finalists vying for the coveted Miss Ireland 2025 crown stepped into the spotlight last night and embraced their journeys of empowerment, leadership, and community impact with a spectacular ceremony and vibrant performances. There was a star-sprinkled audience present, including Fair City 's Jenny Lee Dixon, Miss Universe Ireland 2023 Aishah Akorede and Ireland AM presenter Deric Hartigan. Since 1947, the Miss Ireland pageant has celebrated intelligence, ambition, and cultural pride, evolving into a platform that champions female leadership and philanthropy. Caoimhe is a strong advocate for social equality and is a volunteer at both Save Our Homeless Dundalk and the Hygiene Hub Louth. She joins a legacy of inspiring role models including former Miss World Rosanna Davison and former Miss Irelands such as Pamela Flood, Holly Carpenter, Rebecca Maguire, Lauren McDonagh, Aoife O Sullivan, Amanda Brunker, Michelle Rocca, Olivia Tracy, and succeeds last year's winner Jasmine Gerhardt. In recent years the Miss Ireland Franchise has raised over €350,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street, Alzheimer's Ireland, Pieta House, The Cari Foundation and The Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As Miss Ireland, Caoimhe will receive a lucrative agency contract and a host of prizes and will then have a chance to jet off to represent Ireland next year on an international stage at the Miss World Festival which is televised in over 100 countries around the globe.
Extra.ie
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
In Pics: Stephen Kenny's daughter Caoimhe crowned Miss Ireland 2025
Caoimhe Kenny, the model daughter of Irish football manager Stephen Kenny, has been crowned the 77th Miss Ireland at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath on Saturday night. The finalists vying for the much-coveted crown stepped into the spotlight on the night and embraced their journeys of empowerment, leadership and community impact with a beautiful ceremony. A star-studded audience descended to Meath for the exciting event with Fair City's Jenny Lee Dixon, Miss Universe Ireland 2023 Aishah Akorede and Ireland AM presenter Deric Hartigan among the guests. Caoimhe Kenny who was crowned Miss Ireland 2025 at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim ,Co Meath on Saturday night. Pic: Brian McEvoy Blackrock, County Louth native Caoimhe was victorious on the night, with the 24-year-old Beauty Buying Assistant hugely passionate about creativity, sustainability and empowering her community. Caoimhe is also a strong advocate for social equality and is a volunteer at both Save Our Homeless Dundalk and the Hygiene Hub Louth. She has been dancing since she was five years old and joins a legacy of inspiring role models including former Miss World Rosanna Davison; former Miss Irelands Pamela Flood, Holly Carpenter, Aoife O'Sullivan, Pamela Uba as well as the current Miss Ireland Jasmine Gerhardt and many more. Caoimhe Kenny on Saturday night in a contempary dance display as part of the talent competition. Pic: Brian McEvoy The Miss Ireland pageant has celebrated intelligence, ambition and cultural pride since its inception in 1947 and in recent years has raised more than €250,000 for various charities including Laura Lynn, Temple Street and Pieta House. The Miss Ireland finalists were put through their paces in a challenging, competitive process which tested their skills in debating, public speaking, sports, modelling and social media. Each finalist was tasked with raising much-needed awareness and funds for their chosen charities. Caoimhe Kenny who was crowned Miss Ireland 2025 with finalists. Pic: Brian McEvoy Following her win, Caoimhe Kenny received a lucrative agency contract along with a host of other prizes. She will jet off to represent Ireland next year on the international stage at the Miss World Festival which is televised in more than 100 countries. Caoimhe is one of football manager Stephen Kenny's four children, with the 53-year-old also sharing Eoin, Neave and Fionn with his wife Siobhan. While Caoimhe is sure to have inherited her father's ambition, it's her mum who is the rock of the family. 'My beautiful mum is the backbone of our family and a woman as well that I look up to,' the beauty pageant winner shared. 'She's taught me a lot of things in life, and for her to be here behind me, supporting me and she's always been that support that I can lean on, she's an incredible woman and so intelligent,' she continued. Pic: Brian McEvoy Former Miss Ireland Rebeccca Maguire with Caoimhe Kenny. Pic: Brian McEvoy Former Miss ireland Aoife Walsh with Caoimhe Kenny. Pic: Brian McEvoy Pictured with her grandmothers Marie Kenny and Olive Whelan. Pic: Brian McEvoy
Extra.ie
15-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Roz's plea for new leads to bring justice to victim of serial killers
Presenter Roz Purcell said she hopes potential new leads generated by her podcast on one of the country's most notorious murders will finally bring about justice for the family of Elizabeth Plunkett. It comes as Elizabeth's family have written to the DPP, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan requesting a cold-case review into her death and a renewed public appeal for evidence. Englishmen John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans confessed to abducting, raping and murdering Elizabeth in Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow, and also Mary Duffy in Connemara, Co. Galway, in 1976. Both men were initially charged with murder, rape and false imprisonment of Ms Plunkett and Ms Duffy. But when Shaw began a parole application nearly two years ago, it emerged he had never been convicted for Ms Plunkett's murder, despite previous reports. Roz Purcell said she hopes potential new leads generated by her podcast on one of the country's most notorious murders will finally bring about justice for the family of Elizabeth Plunkett. Pic: Instagram/ Roz Purcell It was also revealed to the Plunkett family that the State never held an inquest into the death of Ms Plunkett, and never issued a death certificate in her name. The Plunkett family are collaborating with the team at RTÉ's Documentary On One on Stolen Sister, a six-part podcast series, to raise awareness of Ms Plunkett's case, which led to an inquest being held into her death earlier this year. And Ms Purcell said the podcast team are hopeful the documentary will help the family's 'search for justice'. The model and presenter told 'We're retelling Elizabeth's life with her family. We want to do it in the right way, with the end goal of getting her family justice, and getting Elizabeth justice that she hasn't had in almost 50 years.' Geoffrey Evans died in 2012, and John Shaw remains in Arbour Hill Prison. Last week Shaw was denied parole. Members of Ms Plunkett's family were initially invited to provide impact statements to the court, but their statements were withdrawn when they were informed – for the first time – that while Shaw had been convicted of Elizabeth's rape and false imprisonment, he was never convicted of her actual murder. Englishmen John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans confessed to abducting, raping and murdering Elizabeth 'They are not recognised as relevant victims,' Ms Purcell said. The former Miss Universe Ireland said the podcast has resulted in an influx of reports from other potential victims and witnesses in the case. 'People are reaching out and getting in touch with new information. We've also had a good few people come forward with information on other attempted abductions,' she said. 'I'm doing this and Elizabeth's sisters are doing this because hopefully there's a conclusion, that we get them something, There's a mission for us, to have this case relooked at.' Documentary producer Nicoline Greer added: 'As a result of the podcast, we're getting people contacting us and saying that they were in Brittas Bay at the time. We're even getting people coming to us and saying that Shaw and Evans attempted to abduct them. Roz Purcell on Tommy Tiernan Show Pic: RTÉ 'They were young women at the time, so we've had quite a few contacts from people who we are in the process of verifying. 'It's unbelievable how predatory these guys seem to have been – way more so than we realised when we started this.' Because Shaw was not prosecuted for Elizabeth's murder, the case can be reopened if new evidence comes to light. 'The podcast is giving Elizabeth's story publicity and people are remembering things that happened back then that they haven't mentioned before,' Ms Greer said. When Evans and Shaw were arrested, the killers admitted their goal was to abduct, rape and murder one woman a week. 'They were always looking for women to abduct. They knew they were going to be caught… they just didn't care. They were doing what they wanted,' said Ms Greer. The producer said another woman in the Brittas area who was 18 at the time of Elizabeth Plunkett's murder approached them about her personal experience with the killers. 'She was walking home one evening… a car came along… she managed to run across fields to get away from them and got to her friend's house and closed the door. She was absolutely petrified. They were trying to get her into the car,' Ms Greer said. Elizabeth Plunkett. Pic: File She said another woman from Galway, also of student age at the time, 'managed to run as well, but they actually chased her'. An inquest was finally held into Elizabeth Plunkett's death in January, when the coroner officially gave the cause of death as 'unlawful killing'. The family were also issued a death certificate for the first time. Former State pathologist John Harbison initially found that Ms Plunkett hadn't died by drowning. 'She was dead before she went into the sea,' Ms Greer said, adding the inquest 'was the first official acknowledgement from the State that Elizabeth died, let alone at the hand of another'. The producer praised the Plunkett family for their bravery in helping to make the podcast. 'It is hard for the Plunketts to hear all this again, but they're being really brave and doing it for Elizabeth. They believe that Elizabeth would do it for them.' Presenter Ms Purcell also revealed she has a personal connection to the case: after the murders, Shaw and Evans hid out in Fethard, Co. Tipperary, close to where she grew up, and stayed there for 10 days. Roz Purcell. Pic: Discover Ireland 'The first thing I thought was, oh my God, my aunties would have been around her age. They would have been living in that area at that time. My Mum had just moved there. 'She became a teacher at the school and she was around the same age as Elizabeth. It makes you think… It's so horrific to think those things happened so close to a place where I call home.' ■ Stolen Sister is available on the RTÉ Radio Player or wherever you get your podcasts. It is continuing on RTÉ Radio 1 at 6.30pm for the next three Fridays.
