It was the beauty boot camp to beat them all.
The Miss Ireland competition had never seen anything like this.
For the first time ever, contestants were taken out of their comfort zone and put through their paces at an adventure centre over two action-packed, fun-filled days.
Out went the bling, the heels and the designer handbags and in came the camouflage gear, ropes and wetsuits.
And the girls loved it! The catfights and tantrums of other competitions were replaced by hugs and encouragement as the girls made new lifelong friends.
“It was the best craic I’ve ever had,” said 18-year-old Miss Limerick Shauna Lindsay.
The girls were the guests of the Adventure Islands company at the beautiful Westport House, where they mastered climbing frames, slid hundreds of feet along zip wires and took to the woods for a laser shooting contest.
Then it was out to the company’s own island, where they went kayaking and tested their balance on a giant water trampoline. Personal trainer to the stars Paul Byrne also put them through their paces.
The next day was one of pampering at the luxury Spa Sula at the stunning four-star Castlecourt Hotel, where the girls also stayed.
The emphasis was on fun rather than fear, but the most adventurous girl will automatically make it to the last 15 of the Miss Ireland competition in Dublin on Saturday night, when her identity will be revealed.
Miss Ireland organiser Sean Montague said the aim was to bring the competition in line with Miss World, which had evolved in recent years.
Challenge
“In Miss World there is a sports challenge, where you work in teams and you get points for things like golf and swimming. The winner is fast-tracked into the top 25,” he said.
“This is something fresh. Being in Miss Ireland is not just about standing there in a cocktail dress looking pretty.
“This will help to get them in the right frame of mind – and the girls really loved it.”
Here’s some footage of the girls in action…
Partner Brendan Scully said next year they would expand the competition even further, visiting other counties to promote the country.
But they would keep the sport in Westport, which has gained a reputation as the outdoor capital of Ireland.
Nineteen of the 30 contestants made the trip to Co. Mayo, while the others were on holiday, working or unable to get out of family commitments, like our own Miss Sunday World Emma Cronin (21), from Cork.
The heartbroken beauty said: “I was really looking forward to it, but I could not get away?
Those that made it had two days they will never forget.
Psychology student Jade Lynch (22), Miss Vanilla nightclub, Dublin, said: “I was expecting circuit training like an army boot camp, but what we got was a complete surprise and so much fun. I loved it and the girls really bonded, which was fantastic.
Miss Donegal Orla McGee (21), a retail management student from Gortahork, said: “It was fabulous and I will never forget it.
“I was nervous doing the big leap off the climbing frame, but I was really proud of myself for doing it.
Clare Doherty, Miss Motorbike Show from Tallaght, Dublin, said: “I can’t swim and was petrified of the water, but still tried the water trampoline.
“I ended up going under, but was okay with my life jacket. Adventure Islands helped me overcome my fear.”
Miss Buck Whaley’s Kate Monahan (22) said: “I totally forgot it was a competition because it was so much fun and the weather was
gorgeous. It was so generous of the organisers to bring us here. It was brilliant.”
Miss Tipperary Aoife Walsh, a 23-year-old teacher, said: “It was a fantastic idea and such a good way for a big group of girls to bond.
“We all forgot we were in a competition because we were having so much fun. And we were so well looked after.
“It was an amazing experience. It was nerve-wracking but I got such an adrenalin rush.”
Miss Roscommon Alexandra Carlos (22), a fashion student, said: “I did not know what to expect and thought we would be running through mud.
“But it was a really fun time and an amazing experience and the girls are really, really nice.”
Miss Kerry Ellen O’Shea said: “The idea of us being so glammed up and then stripped back to the bone allowing our personalities to come out was great. The bonding was my favourite bit.”
Local girl Miss Westport, 17-year-old Jessica Mellotte, said: “I have just had a fantastic time. I was only picked last week and I had no idea I would be doing anything like this. I made so many new friends.”
Jessica, a keen swimmer and pool lifeguard, was wished the best of luck by Westport’s new mayor, Michael McLaughlin.
And the girls were also delighted to meet The Chieftains’ Matt Molloy in his famous pub.