New Miss Earth 2023 takes a stand on mica issue

CONTINUING the success of the past three years, the Miss Earth Ireland finals featuring 20 contestants took place in the G Hotel, Galway, where Layla Doherty was crowned Miss Earth Ireland 2023.

Layla will travel to Vietnam later in the year to represent Ireland in Miss Earth World. She also receives the prize of an all expenses trip to Barcelona courtesy of luxury tour operator Barcelona Welcomes You.

Along with Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss International, this is one of the big four international beauty pageants and is now the most relevant beauty event with nearly 100 countries taking part.

Miss Earth Ireland is sponsored by Flame Fit Gym in Westport. Mayo finalists included Ellen Worth of Belmullet and Amber Conway from Westport.

Winner Layla wowed with her beauty, however her personality and passion for her environment won over the six judges.

Layla’s house is destroyed from mica, and she has decided to use her platform to raise awareness of the situation in Donegal where many houses in her area are crumbling.

“They start to look like settling cracks and over time they deteriorate into massive holes in the walls and the blocks can only be described as Weetabix,” Layla explained.

“At the minute, the mica action group is trying to fight for a 100% redress scheme because this wasn’t our fault and no one can afford the price of a new house. With the current scheme and cost of living, families up here are still left having to pay thousands of euros to fix and slow down their crumbling homes. It’s a very frustrating and upsetting situation to be in.”

Alan Murphy, organiser of Miss Earth Ireland, said: “Miss Earth Ireland aims to build its reputation as the most relevant and worthwhile beauty event in the country, setting a legacy of beauty and responsibility.

“We were overwhelmed with the contestants this year however Layla was definitely a clear winner.

We cannot wait to work with her for the year and see her shine on the international stage in Vietnam.”

Known as Beauties for a Cause, Miss Earth Ireland’s strives to promote environmental awareness, conservation, sustainability and social responsibility as well as to highlight the Irish tourism industry and all it has to offer as well as sustainable Irish fashion brands.