Orlagh McGee, Gortahork, Miss Donegal 2013. Photo: Donna McBride
BY SEÁN P. FEENY
THIS weekend a young Gortahork woman will represent her native county as Miss Donegal at the 66th Miss Ireland Competition in Dublin. Life has been hectic for Orlagh McGee as she makes her final preparations for the big weekend at the Ballsbridge Hotel.
“There has been a lot of running around, getting my last fittings done with Pure Boutique in Letterkenny and treatments with Mary Ferry at Genesis Skin Care & Laser Clinic in Dobhar who have both kindly sponsored me,” she said.
The third level Retail Management and Marketing student at Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) who recently signed with the renowned Dublin model agency Assets checked into the hotel with the other contestants yesterday morning (Thursday).
Between the many photo calls, rehearsals and promotional events Orlagh and her fellow contestants are also appearing on TV3’s Ireland AM this morning.
“We have a lot of activities going on ahead of Saturday to build up the hype, but also to give us a chance to settle in and get to know each other,” she said, “I am not sure what to expect, so I am just going to enjoy the experience.”
“I am so delighted to have the support from such great sponsors, which also include Greene’s Shoes (Letterkenny/Falcarragh) and McCullagh’s Jewellers in Letterkenny. That was a real load of my mind getting everything picked out early for the various events.”
Last week the Miss Ireland contestants were taken to Adventure Island in Westport, Co Mayo, for a boot camp and bonding session before this weekend’s final.
“There were definitely some girls who were a lot more used to sporting activities than some of us,” Orlagh laughed.
The daughter of Máire McGee said she is looking forward to having a lot of members of her family supporting her on the night, but the nerves haven’t kicked in yet. “I am just going to try and enjoy it and make the most of it and regardless of what happens I still have the Miss Donegal title which I am very proud of.”