Athlone woman to take part in Miss Universe Ireland tonight

A 21-year-old Retreat woman is to take part in the Miss Universe Ireland final in Dublin tonight.

Alise Murniece will battle it out with 29 other contestants for the coveted title.

The daughter of Aiga and Ainars, Alise is from Auburn Heights and is the oldest of seven.

This will be the first time she has taken part in a pageant, but in 2012, aged just 16, she won the Midlands Next Top Model competition and with it a modelling contract with Catwalk Model Agency. She has been modelling since, although she is now with Ross Model Management.

She said this week that she was really surprised when she won the Midlands Next Top Model as she had been reluctant to even enter due to shyness, but her friends talke her into it.

A past pupil of Athlone Community College, Alise will shortly enter her final year of Social Science in UCD.

Speaking about her modelling work, she said: “I do as much modelling as I can but I try not to let it get in the way of college.”

Alise decided this year to apply to Miss Universe Ireland competition and found out two weeks ago that she is through to the final. She said she had met some of the contestants at promotional events and they are really nice.

“I'm a bit nervous, but I'm also excited because it'll be different and intersting,” Alise told the Westmeath Independent this week.

The final takes place this evening in Dublin's Mansion House, although Alise underwent interviews yesterday with the judges. The final kicks off with a red carpet event at 6pm before the show begins at 7pm. The competition involves a ballroom walk and Alise will be wearing a dress from The Debs Room, Athlone, and also a bikini walk.

She will have plenty of support as her parents and two of her sisters will be travelling to the event to cheer her on.

“They're very excited and they've been very supportive,” said Alise.