Miss International hopefuls

11-year-old Emma McBreen from Lisnarick and 20-year-old Clodagh Miskimmin from Irvinestown are two of five finalist from Fermanagh due to compete in the Miss International competition in Belfast’s Holiday Inn.

Organised by Ann Connor of the Northern Ireland School of Modelling, the competition has been split into three age groups of five to 12 years, 13 to 17 years and 18 years and over.

According to Ann, competition is stiff with over 120 entrants from Fermanagh alone.

But Emma’s mother, Geraldine is hoping her daughter can wow the judges with her winning smile.

“This is something she is really interested in,” says Geraldine, “She has always had a flair for fashion and clothes and is very into her make-up.

“I saw this opportunity in an advertisement on Facebook so we sat down and talked with her about it and she was really excited.” Following an interview with Ann in Belfast, Emma secured her place in this weekend’s final.

And having spent last Sunday with the rest on the contestants in a training and preparation exercise, Emma is feeling more confident about stepping out on the catwalk before the judges this weekend.

“She is a little nervous,” her mother conceded, “It’s all quite new to her but she is generally quite an outgoing person and she has made friends with some of the other girls taking part too so she seems a lot happier about it all now.” A second year chemistry student at Queen’s University, Belfast, modelling is a new experience for Clodagh too.

“I have never done anything like this before but I saw the advertisement for the competition and I thought this was a great opportunity,” she says.

“I know that the organiser, Ann is very much into her charity work and that is something that is important to me too. So no matter what happens on Sunday, I would like to be able to help out in any way I can with the charity work.

“I honestly don’t know how I will get on, but I am going to give it my all,” she adds.