"Thank you so much to my beautiful mother for raising me on her own" - Kildare woman is crowned Miss Universe Ireland

The founder of a women's empowerment group has been crowned Miss Universe Ireland. 

Aishah Akorede was crowned at a ceremony yesterday (September 22) and will now go on to represent Ireland at the 72nd Miss Universe competition in El Salvador on November 18 2023. 

The Miss Universe Organisation is an annual international beauty pageant which aims to advocate for a future forged by women. 

A law graduate and model, Aishah - who is reportedly from Co Kildare - competed against nine other girls for the coveted title. 

Aishah spoke on her official Instagram following her win and stated, "Good morning everyone. It is with a grateful heart that I announce that I am now your new Miss Universe Ireland. 

"I would first like to thank God for grace, favour and mercy. Thank you so much to my beautiful mother for raising me on her own to be the woman I am today! You are exactly the type of powerful woman I was talking about on stage and the woman I aim to emulate everyday." 

She continued: "Brendan Mac Scully and Ally Garvey you presented a phenomenal show and to the amazing singers and dancers that performed so beautifully, I wish I could do what you do!" 

She thanked her sponsors, The Princess Parlour and Created by Focus, Miss County Dublin Hannah Kathleen Hawkshaw, her fellow candidates, and the election committee. 

"Thank you for giving me the privilege of representing Ireland on the global stage. It is truly an honour to be your next delegate and I am forever grateful for the support I receive from you, my family, friends, coaches and supporters." 

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Aishah founded Recrowned Ireland, a non-profit women's empowerment and social justice initiative promoting empowerment through awareness and action. 

Her organisation highlights the issue of period poverty and regularly organises "period drives" to collect sanitary products for those without. 

Recrowned also raises awareness about health concerns such as mental illness and cancer, as well as equality and racism. 

Model Katie O'Connor was named as the first runner-up, with criminology student Sofia Labus as second runner-up.