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A new winner has been crowned Miss Universe Ireland: 22-year-old Aideen Howard will represent the country at the international Miss Universe final next year after being chosen at a ceremony in Dublin. The model and student took the title at the Bonnington Hotel on Saturday night, beating a field of contestants from across Ireland.
From Boston to Limerick
Aideen Howard was born in Boston and moved to Ireland at 12. She grew up in Limerick and spent her teenage years in Castletroy, where she began modelling and studying.
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Now 22, Howard is combining her emerging public profile with college studies in Marketing and French. Those close to her, she says, have been central to her decision to compete and her confidence on stage.
What she wants to represent
Accepting the crown, Howard framed the role as more than a title. In her words, Miss Universe is “far more than appearance or a title.” She added that the platform is “an opportunity to represent resilience, kindness, and personal growth while positively using my voice.”
She also spoke about priorities she plans to pursue during her reign. Howard said she hopes to support vulnerable children and young people, stressing the importance of “kindness, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.” She mentioned a lifelong love of animals and thanked family and friends for their support.
Next stop: Miss Universe 2025
Howard will go on to represent Ireland at the 75th Miss Universe final, where contestants from more than 100 countries will compete. The event will see the reigning Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, pass the crown to her successor.
The title was presented to Howard by outgoing Miss Universe Ireland, Aadya Srivastava, closing a night of glitz and competition in the capital and setting the stage for Ireland’s entry on the global stage next year.
