Miss Cavan vies for Miss Ireland crown

Twenty-one-year-old Cornafean beauty, Orla Fitzpatrick "can't wait" for the illustrious Miss Ireland pageant which takes place in Ballsbridge, Dublin this Saturday, August 13. Sports fanatic Orla, who hopes to be a professional catwalk model and is also interested in studying childcare, will compete with 29 other women for the national title with the winner then going on to represent Ireland in the Miss World Pageant in London on November 8. Modelling contract The winner of the Miss Ireland 2011 competition will receive a lucrative modelling contract and prizes including jewellery, gowns, a professional photo shoot, beauty and hair products. Currently having orthodontic work done that will be complete before the Miss Ireland competition, Orla hopes she's in with a good chance on Saturday. "I would be a good role model for girls who think having braces would stop them entering these competitions and becoming a model. I believe that beauty is deep down," she says. This year's judges include former Miss Ireland Sarah Morrissey, trainer to the stars Paul Byrne and Ireland's first top model and beauty expert Laura Birmingham. Running since 1947, the Miss Ireland competition will this year be hosted by Sinead Desmond from TV3's Ireland AM and Q102's Ray Shah. This sparkling highly choreographed show will feature aerial acrobatics, stunning fashion showcases and an eclectic mix of music and entertainment.