Grainne Gallanagh was crowned Miss Universe Ireland 2018 on 2nd August 2018 to become the official representative of Ireland in the upcoming Miss Universe 2018. A science graduate and a nurse by profession, she enjoys working with others and helping those in need. Female health and empowerment are particularly important to Grainne. She believes in using her voice and Miss Universe Ireland platform to raise awareness about women’s health.
As Grainne prepares to represent her country in Miss Universe 2018, she finds time to talk about her dreams, ambitions, childhood and her guilty pleasures in an exclusive interview with Angelopedia.
INTERVIEW –
Q. How does it feel to be Miss Universe Ireland 2018 and now a delegate of Miss Universe 2018?
It feels amazing. It is very surreal, it feels almost like an outer body experience. I have always admired all of the contestants and winners of Miss Universe and to actually be one now fills me with an immense sense of pride. I am extremely honoured and grateful to represent my beautiful country on an international stage.
Q. How would you like to represent yourself at the international stage of Miss Universe 2018?
I hope to be the best version of myself that I can be. I will not change who I am as a person, my authenticity is what makes me and it differentiates me from everyone else. I will keep my own personal traits, my passion and determination. In saying that, I think we all need a bit of humour to keep everything lots of fun.
Q. What inspired you to the world of pageantry?
I love pageants. I love everything that they stand for. I have always admired the MU contestants. I love how they represent an honest portrayal of women, that women can be beautiful and still intelligent. We do not have to be one-dimensional characters. I love the fact that pageants give a good platform for important issues and topics and allow women to bring some of these deserving issues and charities to light.
Q. We have heard that you would want to use your platform to raise awareness about women health, why would you like to talk about that?
I am very passionate about women’s health issues. This really is the time for women to shine. There are finally issues about the treatment women that are being highlighted in society. I am a qualified nurse and female health is very close to my heart. As my time as Miss Universe Ireland, I hope to raise awareness about preventable diseases that affect women. I want to give women a sense of empowerment in terms of their health and have the confidence to say when they feel that something is not right.
Q.Who is your role model, if any, and what values of his or her do you wish you could inculcate in your own life, and teach the next generation?
My role model in life is without a doubt my mother. She is a fantastic woman and human being. I have been very lucky that my parents are so supportive of everything that I do. She has taught me many things, one of the most important I would say has been patience and kindness. She has 5 daughters and 4 grandchildren and she is always there for us, no matter what. She has always been patient and showed us to treat everyone with kindness no matter who they are or where they come from. It is something that I would like to continue to do and show the next generation that you don’t need to be cruel to get ahead in life.
Q. What is the one thing that keeps you going and inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
My motivation to keep going is my family. My parents have tried to give me the best start in life and I strive to make them proud of me. I have 5 sisters and they are always helping me and giving me life advice and they continuously inspire me to be the best version of myself.
Q. If you could be invisible for a day, how would you like to spend it?
If I could be invisible I would go to the airport and travel so as many countries as I could possibly squeeze in! Imagine travelling to loads of exotic places for free!
Q. Would you like to share your most special childhood memory with us?
My favourite childhood memory has to be my summers at the beach. I live beside the coast and it might not seem exciting to some people but my favourite memories are spending every day at the beach with my family. We would just spend all day everyday if It was sunny or raining, swimming in the sea and having picnics. Even to this day swimming in the sea always makes me feel relaxed and happy.
Q. What or who empowers you to be yourself and work hard every day?
My family is my inspiration to be myself. They empower me to be who I am and be confident in what I believe. I feel like my dreams motivate me to work hard because I know I need to push myself out of my comfort zone and face my fears if I want to achieve my goals
Q. What is the one thing you can label as your guilty pleasure?
My guilty pleasure is a bar of chocolate, a glass of wine and sitting in front of Netflix. There is nothing like better than getting home after a long day and relaxing with chocolate and wine in front of a good film.
Q. We’re sure that this competition is another milestone in your life. What is that one thing that you ultimately want to achieve?
Apart from being the first ever Irish Miss Universe? I hope to open my own women’s health clinic in my local area to help women in my community.
Q. If you are granted three wishes right now, what would you ask for?
1. That I could win Miss Universe, and bring the crown to my country for the first time and shine a light on female healthcare.
2. To find a cure for incurable diseases such as cancer and HIV
3. End world hunger
Q. Lastly, is there any message that you would like to give to your fans of Angelopedia?
I would just like to say thank you so much for all your continued support from the bottom of my heart. I hope to do everyone proud at Miss Universe and appreciate every single message of support!