Congratulations!

Lauren McDonagh is the new Miss Ireland. The Donegal native won the coveted title at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin. It was all glamour on Friday night too, as co-owner of the competition Brendan Scully and TV3's Elaine Crowley presented the event, dressed up to the absolute nines. However, Lauren said that while she was taking part in the competition, she had a very special person in mind.

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Speaking to The Irish Mail on Sunday after a whirlwind weekend, Lauren said that she was thinking of her late brother Darren, who died from muscular dystrophy at age 17. She told the publication: "Mammy came up to me with the flowers and she had a wee heart with Darren’s photo in it so it was just so personal. How sweet!

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And her mam added that even though she's delighted for her daughter, she won't get carried away with the glitz and glam. "I am just ecstatic for Donegal. I now have a Miss Ireland in the house but she will stay grounded." Laura took the title from Tipperary's Niamh Kennedy, who presented her with the crown on Friday night. The Buncrana native's next stop will be in China in November where she will battle it out to become Miss World.