Return of Miss Northern Ireland, and Heat at Galgorm Bar and Barn!

‘Miss Northern Ireland’ is back - and invites locals wishing to take part to attend the Heat at Castle Bar and Barn, Galgorm, on Saturday, April 8.

Young women aged between 17 and 26 years old are invited to compete for the crown in May.

The prizes for Miss Northern Ireland 2023 include an all-expenses trip to the Miss World final, a modelling contract from ACA Models, their very own car courtesy of Sell Your Car to Jax.com, and dental treatments by New Life Teeth, among many other exciting rewards.

Anyone interested in this opportunity can enter by emailing missniofficial@gmail.com and can find more information on the Miss Northern Ireland Instagram page @missworldnorthernireland.

For further information, please contact Victoria Withers at ACA Models on 028 90 809809 / 07385758638.

Victoria Withers, managing director of ACA models and Miss World license holder for Miss Northern Ireland, is thrilled to announce the return of the Miss Northern Ireland 2023 contest.

She announced that for the first time in its four-decade history, it will not include a swimwear catwalk as part of the grand finale at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.

“I’ve felt the focus has been on the swimwear segment for far too long and it’s detracting from the real message and meaning of the contest. The contest celebrates these young women’s strengths, achievements and aspirations and encourages them to embrace their individuality and confidence, so by removing the swimwear section from the show it marks a new chapter that ensures the images the contest projects are not just beautiful, but also empowering and inclusive," outlined Victoria.

The Sunday World has been with the contest from the very beginning and is back again as media sponsor for 2023.

Roisin Gorman, feature editor of The Sunday World said the search has begun for Daria Gapska's successor and it's an exciting time for anyone interested in claiming the coveted title.

“Each week you can keep track of the heats in the Sunday World, which is proud to have been associated with Miss Northern Ireland from the start. We have come a long way together and our

commitment to the life-changing title is as strong as ever," said Roisin.

The gala final will be held on Monday, May 22, at the Europa Hotel which will be hosted by former Miss World Europe and Miss UK 2022, Anna Leitch alongside fashionista and Cool FM radio presenter Rebecca McKinnney.

Local Women is the magazine partner for the competition will be covering all the excitement leading up to and during the contest. Maureen Coleman, Managing Editor of Local Women, official magazine partner of Miss Northern Ireland, said they are proud to continue their association with the Miss Northern Ireland competition. “As a magazine, we strive to empower and promote women from all walks of life and give them a platform to share their inspirational, real-life stories. We regard the Miss Northern Ireland competition as a platform for many young women to showcase their beauty with a purpose and to go on to be ambassadors for Northern Ireland, so this is a perfect fit for the magazine,” said Maureen.

“We are particularly excited to be on board this year as the competition makes history by cancelling the swimwear section; a positive and progressive move which will help focus attention on what qualities each contestant can bring to the table."

Heats will be held all over the country starting this Sunday, February 19, at the associate sponsors venue, Nu Delhi Belfast and finishing on in April 2023, in the hometown of ACA models, Saintfield.

There is also a Heat at Spice in Templepatrick on March 5. The Heats are - 4. Gasworks Dungannon 10th March; 5. Hinch Distillery 14th March; 6. LJ’s Tavern Magherafelt 16th March; 7. Anchor Portstewart 24th March; 8. Betty Blacks Bangor 31st March; 9. Horatio Todds 5th April; 10. Castle Bar and Barn Galgorm 6th April; 11. The Pheonix Bar Newry 12th April