The medical scientist said that winning felt like a "dream come true".

Last night saw Pamela Uba make history as she was crowned the first ever Black Miss Ireland. The 25-year-old represented Galway in the competition, and has said that winning it feels like a "dream come true". This isn't the first big victory for Pamela - the medical scientist won the Her Best Dressed Competition at the Galway Races in 2019. Taking to Instagram after her win, Pamela said: "Words can't even begin to describe how I'm feeling right now, or have been feeling for the past week leading up to the final. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions!" Pamela, who began her life in Ireland in Direct Provision after her family left South Africa, thanked her family and friends for all their support. She also expressed her gratitude towards all those who worked on the competition, as well as her sponsors. Pamela wrote: "It has been such a privilege to get to know, stand beside and go through this unique journey with so many extraordinary young women in the competition. "I hope I can make you all proud as your Miss Ireland 2021 and I can't wait to represent Ireland at the 70th Miss World in Puerto Rico this December." As a medical scientist, Pamela spent the majority of the pandemic working on the front line at Galway University Hospital. Miss Ireland's director, Brendan Marc Scully, commended Pamela on her win, and described her as a "joy from the very start". He said: "She won the most amount of Miss Ireland challenges coming first in the debating challenge as well as the sports challenge. "She was also outstanding in the talent challenge, and the charity challenge. I am so delighted she will represent Ireland this year and I think she has a very bright future ahead." As well as representing Ireland in the Miss World competition, Pamela will receive an agency contract, jewelry, gowns, hair and beauty products and a professional photo shoot.