Lisbane teenager Abigail crowned Miss Ballynahinch

Lisbane teenager Abigail crowned Miss Ballynahinch

29 March 2023

THERE was more than a touch of glamour as the search for the next Miss Northern Ireland came to Ballynahinch recently.

Hinch Distillery was the venue for the latest heat of the Miss Northern Ireland competition.

Girls from across Northern Ireland competed for their place in the final in front of an astute judging panel. The compere for the evening was current Miss Northern Ireland Daria Gapska. 

Abigail Morrison a 19-year-old yoga instructor from Lisbane, was selected as Miss Ballynahinch. Orla O’Halloran, a 22-year-old student from Armagh, was crowned Miss Hinch Distillery and Ana Bartolovic a 19-year-old care worker from Ballycastle was named a Miss Northern Ireland 2023 finalist.

The three girls will now go forward to the grand final in Belfast’s Europa Hotel on  May 22.

Competition organiser Victoria Withers said: “We were thrilled to be at Hinch Distillery. It was the perfect venue to continue the search this year and a brilliant night was had by all.

“Ballynahinch had a strong calibre of girls who entered. Once again it was a fabulous night and a huge congratulations to the winning girls and a big thank you to all who came along.”

Last year’s winner, Daria Gapska, also congratulated the finalists and reflected on the past 12 months as Miss Northern Ireland.

“My year as Miss Northern Ireland has been a dream come true. It is something that I will treasure forever,” she said.

“I would also like to thank all of my amazing sponsors for everything that they have generously provided for me this year as Miss Northern Ireland. It was certainly has been a busy year.” 

Daria added: “I am so excited to get to know all of the girls as they embark on their Miss Northern Ireland journey, and I would like to wish them the very best of luck.”