Miss Universe Ireland, Grainne Gallanagh, shared an emotional statement online, after she reached the Top 20 of the competition.
While the Philippines representative, Catriona Gray, claimed the Miss Universe crown, the Donegal native did incredibly well at the pageant.
Grainne placed in Europe’s Top 5 competitors, as well as the entire competition’s Top 20 and shared an emotional statement on Instagram about her experience.
I don’t even know where to start. This day last year I was on holidays watching @missuniverse online and I said to @ryancoleman4734 “I am going to be there next year” – and here I am. What an experience,” she wrote.
“Making the top 20 in the most prestigious pageant in the world is an accomplishment I can’t put into words. Thank you to everyone for all of your support and kind words.”
“I am absolutely speechless at the amount of support I have received from everyone at home in Buncrana, family around the world, people I have never even met. Thank you all, I promise I will get back to everyone eventually.”
“Thank you to everyone in Ireland for believing in me to represent our beautiful wee Emerald Isle,” the nurse said, before she joked about now being able to eat as much food as she wants.