Lorraine gets universal approval

All roads led to The Palace in Navan last Friday night, 13th May, for for final of Miss Meath 2011 as part of this year's Miss Universe Ireland 2011. The competition on the night was presented by TV3 and 3e weatherman Deric Hartigan while the celebrity judges on the night included Breffni Morgan of the television programme 'The Apprentice', model Pippa O'Connor, who will marry RTÉ's Brian Ormond next month, as well as Meath Rose of Tralee, Dearbhla Toal. The girls were professionally made up on the evening and enjoyed champagne prior to taking to the catwalk to strut their stuff and be interviewed in front of the judges, friends and family. The overall winner on the night was six-foot blonde Lorraine O'Reilly from Athlumney, Navan, who was congradulated by her mother, Catherine. The first runner-up was Claire Reilly while second runner-up was Aisling Diamond. Pippa O'Connor reminded the girls who did not make the final three to follow their dream; that she, too, had entered the competition some years ago and had not made the final three, but had still gone on to become one of Ireland's top models. The night was a huge success and The Palace manager Darren Kavanagh added: "Lorraine will do us proud when she goes forward to the final" of The Miss Universe Ireland 2011 at The Burlington Hotel, Dublin, on Friday 10th June.