Ireland's top child model and her Donegal connections

Miah McGowan along with her niece Allie Farrell who is one of the most sought after child models in the fashion industry PICTURE: MATT BRITTON

placeholder image — Miah McGowan along with her niece Allie Farrell who is one of the most sought after child models in the fashion industry PICTURE: MATT BRITTON

When one thinks of top models the visions of svelte tall ladies gracing catwalks worldwide spring to mind.

However, last weekend I encountered one of Europe's top models in the most unlikely locations - at the first communions in Ballintra.

Noticing this five-year-old Shirley Temple-like young lady I remarked "that young girl could be a model." I was met with the reply “she is”.

Allie Farrell who hails from Dundalk but has a wealth of friends and relations in Mullinasole is now accepted as one of Europe's top child models and has appeared in London, Paris and New York Fashion weeks on a number of occasions already.

Her seven-year-old aunt Miah McGowan, a daughter of Sineád was celebrating her first communion in St. Bridget's Church and Allie and all her family came up for the weekend.

Allie's mother Stacey told the Democrat: “She may have travelled the world already but she just loves coming up here to Mullinasole.

Allie Farrell at work at New York Fashion Week and a regular visitor to Mullinasole