A construction worker from Leitrim has won Ireland its first international beauty pageant in over two decades.
It’s been nearly 23 years since Rosanna Davison became the first Irish woman ever to win Miss World, becoming a household name in the years since.
While, of course, we still have the Rose of Tralee, now we can also add that Leitrim health and safety officer Rachel Foley has taken a new crown: becoming the first Irish woman to win Miss Galaxy International.
The huge honour is, Rachel says, a counterweight to her working in a stereotypically male pursuit, telling RTÉ: ‘A huge part of my platform has focused on representing and encouraging women working in traditionally male-dominated industries.’
‘I can wear my hard hat and my high-vis to work and then put on a gown and compete in pageants on an international stage. I want to continue using my voice and my platform to encourage women as young girls not to limit themselves because of the stereotypes,’ she continued.
As for her momentous win, Rachel said that she is ‘so proud’ of being crowned Miss Galaxy International — a title she will share with Ms Galaxy, Saffron Corcoran; Miss Teen Galaxy, Alexis Dorgerville; and Mrs Galaxy Joelle Krinickas.
‘To travel all the way to the Bahamas, stand on the international stage alongside women from all around the world and then hear “Ireland – Emerald Isle” get announced as the winner was a moment I will never forget.
‘As a young girl, I always liked the male stereotypical hobbies — I loved construction, I loved cars — and I really needed that confidence boost in something that was a bit more feminine.’
