Ballybofey teen to represent Donegal at the 78th Miss Ireland Grand Final

Holli Quigley (18), from Ballybofey, will fly the flag for County Donegal at the glittering Miss Ireland 2026 Grand Final.

Holli is a Sports and Exercise student at ATU Donegal Letterkenny, with a love for fitness, dance, modelling, and saying yes to opportunities that push her outside of her comfort zone.

"I believe one of the most meaningful things you can do is leave someone feeling better than when you met them,” she said. “I want people to remember how they felt around me, not just what I said, but how I made them feel. If I can make even one person smile, feel included, or feel a little less alone, then I’ve made a difference, and that’s something pretty special to me," she said.

Behind her bubbly personality is a real passion for youth mental health and women’s health. Having faced her own challenges, she understands how important it is to feel heard, supported, and understood. She hopes to use her voice to encourage honest conversations and help others feel comfortable being themselves.

She added: “For me, Miss Ireland is about so much more than a crown. It’s about the people you meet, the confidence you build, and the impact you leave behind. I’d love to bring a fresh perspective, plenty of personality, and a little fun to the journey, while staying true to who I am. Ultimately, I want to leave a positive mark along the way, and if I can make someone’s day a little brighter in the process, even better!”

Holli is among an inspiring line-up of young women from across the country competing for one of Ireland’s most prestigious titles, with the chance to wear the coveted Miss Ireland crown and represent her country on the world stage in a competition that celebrates confidence, ambition, individuality and achievement.

Now celebrating its 78th year, Miss Ireland will bring together this year's finalists, former titleholders, celebrities and special guests for a spectacular evening of glamour, entertainment and celebration as the next generation of Irish ambassadors steps into the spotlight. Miss Ireland 2026 is proudly sponsored by EMS Copiers, Kore Beauty, FX Makeup Academy, Simply Divine, mesoskinline, Dolan Padel Courts Ireland, LovePadel.ie, Robert Chambers and Choicley App.

The Miss Ireland 2026 Grand Final on Saturday, 21 November, at The Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, promises a dazzling evening of performances, excitement and anticipation, culminating in the crowning of Miss Ireland 2026 by reigning titleholder Caoimhe Kenny, who represented Ireland for five weeks in Vietnam earlier this year.

But behind the glamour, Miss Ireland is about so much more than a crown. The competition celebrates ambition, confidence, leadership and community spirit, challenging finalists to showcase their talents and abilities across debating, public speaking, sport, modelling, social media and performance. Each finalist will also raise vital awareness and funds for charity while developing valuable life skills, confidence and lasting friendships. This year, Miss Ireland is proud to support Ronald McDonald House, helping families stay close to their seriously ill children during hospital treatment.

Since its beginnings in 1947, Miss Ireland has helped launch the careers of some of the country's most recognisable personalities and inspiring women, including former Miss World Rosanna Davison and former Miss Ireland's Pamela Flood, Holly Carpenter, Rebecca Maguire, Lauren McDonagh, Aoife O'Sullivan, Amanda Brunker, Pamela Uba, Aoife Walsh, Michelle Rocca and Olivia Tracy, among many others.

Philanthropy remains at the heart of the Miss Ireland ethos. In recent years, the organisation has raised more than €400,000 for charitable causes, supporting organisations including LauraLynn, Temple Street Children's Hospital, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Pieta, The CARI Foundation and The Julian Benson Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and in 2026 Ronald McDonald House is the chosen charity partner.

Miss Ireland's official app is powered by Choicely, the international technology company behind fan engagement and voting platforms for some of the world's biggest entertainment brands, including Love Island, the Eurovision Song Contest, Miss Universe and The Grammys. The innovative platform brings fans closer to the action, offering an exciting and interactive way to support their favourite contestants.

The winner of Miss Ireland 2026 will receive an exciting range of prizes, including an agency contract, alongside the extraordinary opportunity to represent Ireland at the Miss World Festival in Tanzania in 2027, an international event televised in more than 100 countries worldwide. With the countdown officially underway, the stage is set for another exciting chapter in the Miss Ireland story as a new generation of talented, ambitious and inspiring young women prepares to make its mark.