26-06-2025
Styled By Niamh: New Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny on why now it's her time to shine
Newly-crowned Miss Ireland Caoimhe Kenny, the model daughter of Irish football manager Stephen Kenny, credits her father with her competitive edge.
However, the beauty queen says her mother Siobhan is the true rallying force behind the family.
'So my mom spent her life driving me to ballet classes and my brothers to football training,' Caoimhe told Styled.
'She would have spent so much of her time in the car, but I think that has shown me how much she wanted us to succeed and be the best we could be.'
Before marrying football-mad Stephen, Caoimhe's mum had been in a highly successful senior managerial role in the corporate sector.
'My mom gave up everything in order to give us the best growing up.
'So I will always credit my mom for being the biggest influence,' said Caoimhe.
Now she's forging her own road to success, Caoimhe says she has developed a deeper appreciation of the sacrifices both her parents made during her formative years. Michelle Keegan Denim Jacket – Blue €37.75
'I think when you're a teenager you don't realise the kind of impact that you might have on your parents.
'But now that I'm an adult, and I sort of say to my mom 'Oh my God, I regret any time I ever made a drama about something or didn't appreciate all you did'. V by Very Crochet Hem Denim Shorts – €35
'Now that I'm an adult, I see the sacrifices she made,' said Caoimhe.
Caoimhe – who was crowned the 77th Miss Ireland at the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath earlier this month – told Styled that her father instilled in her the dedication that it takes to succeed. V by Very Polka Dot Maxi Dress – €66
'I think growing up and seeing what succeeding meant, and, you know, the feeling of success, I would say that definitely contributed to this idea of succeeding in whatever you put your mind to,' Caoimhe told Styled.
'Football is a very competitive sport, so I think growing up in that environment, with my dad definitely would have, you know, developed a bit of a competitive nature. V By Very Revere Collar Denim Jumpsuit – €72
'But at the same time, my dad always would have been extremely level headed. He would have always been really fair minded,' said Caoimhe.
And while she says she inherited her ambition from her father, she insists he was by no means a 'pushy parent'. Michelle Keegan Knitted T-shirt – €50
'He would have never pushed me to do something I didn't want to do.
'He would have motivated me to be the best that I could do. But I think there's no denying probably the competitive nature does stem from him and growing up watching what he achieved.' Boohoo Flower Detail Low Heeled Mules – €21
Growing up in Donegal, where her dad was manager of Derry City, Caoimhe has fond recollections of weekends spent in the football stands watching her dad manage his team on the pitch.
'From a very young age, since we moved up to Donegal when he was managing Derry City, they are the earliest games I remember,' said Caoimhe.
'I would have been around six or seven going to the matches. And it became pretty much part of my weekly routine.
'We would all go to all the home games.' Boohoo Double Buckle Footbed Slider – €18.50
But now it's time for Caoimhe to shine in the household, she says her father is more than happy to play a supporting role.
'I really enjoy going to the football matches but now, obviously that I'm doing Miss Ireland, I think it's been the talk of the house for the past couple of months,' admits Caoimhe. 'And me and mom make a joke in the house that, you know, 'oh, like now it's my turn'. Like it's my time to shine.' V by Very Aztec Detal Midi Dress – €45
'But it's only a bit of banter. It's just a bit of light-hearted fun.'
Banter aside, Caoimhe was seriously emotional to have her proud dad watch on as she was crowned Miss lreland at the glitzy final.
'But you know, it really meant a lot to me that he was there for the final, because obviously he has a very busy schedule, and you know, he has matches on a Friday, so he's not always available.
'So to be able to be there, that he made the time to be there, and for him to be in the audience, that really meant a lot to me.'
CHECK, MATE
Gingham, the quintessential chequered classic, has grown up with great sartorial aplomb.
No longer the preserve of school girl outfits, prairie pastiche or tablecloths, gingham has been treated to a very stylish makeover.
Stepping off the catwalks in adult cuts and polished fashion, for the summer at least, gingham is here to stay.
With gingham patterns everywhere we are smitten with everything from pretty gingham dresses, peplum tops, swimwear – and even gingham ballet flats – ensure you are a check-mate in the style stakes this summer.
REGALLY STYLISH
Actress Michelle Keegan's latest collection at online shop Very is simply stunning. It features an eclectic selection of old-Hollywood style dresses, fun and flirty shorts, and tops that can take you from summer days to nights in a fashionable heartbeat.
Looking every inch the beauty queen, Caoimhe models a polka dot dress featuring a delicate sweetheart neckline with a full-skied body which accentuates the figure.
The material, cut and design of the Very collection is impressive and the reasonable price point of under €100 for a variety of dresses belies the quality.
The pieces are also timeless, so not just a one-wear wonder.
PLAYFUL PLAYSUITS
If you invest in one piece of clothing this summer, then consider a playsuit as a never-let-you-down outfit.
Playsuits are an easy-to-wear choice that can conceal any lumps and bumps if you're having a bad day, but never fail in the fashion stakes.
They can be buttoned up or zipped, wide-leg or slimline chic. They are fun, versatile and take the hassle out of fashion.
MINTED
Whether it's olive, pastel, sea or mint – green is the colour of summer.
And unlike its sisters cooler blue or warm red, green is one colour that suits every skin, eye and hair tone so be seen in whatever shade of green takes your fancy this summer season.
Pictures by Michael Chester @chesterpicsMakeup by Erin Burke @erinburkemua
Shot on location at Fairways Hotel Dundalk
