Beautiful Holly set to take on the world

WHILE newly crowned Miss
Ireland, Holly Carpenter, is fully focused on representing her country in the
Miss World Pageant in London on November 8, the stunning brunette from Raheny
has a clearly defined career path mapped out for herself.

Holly, representing the
third level universities in Ireland, beat off the challenge of 33 other
beauties to land the Miss Ireland crown.

When Northside People caught
up with the 19-year-old National College of Art and Design (NCAD) student last
Friday, she was looking forward to a much-need day off.

Non-stop

“It’s been non-stop,

? said
Holly.

“All week I’ve been doing photo shoots and press and radio interviews.
Everything has happened so quickly.

?

Holly’s journey to winning Miss
Ireland started earlier this year when her friends suggested that she enter the
Miss Universities heat.

“I couldn’t believe I won
it,

? she stated.

“From that point on, though, I decided that this was a great
opportunity so I concentrated on trying to win Miss Ireland.

“I put everything into it
and really worked hard to promote myself.

Advantage

“I had an advantage in that
I was the second girl to qualify back in April and I had a head start on most
of the others in my preparations.

?

For five weeks before the
Miss World date, Holly will be travelling around the UK with a chaperone by her
side all the time.

“It will be the longest I’ve
been away from home,

? she said.

“My birthday is the week before I go away
(Holly turns 20 on October 9) but at least I’ll get to spend it at home.

“I’ve watched Miss World
over the years and can’t believe that I’m actually going to be taking part.

?

Fuss

When all the fuss eventually
dies down, Holly, a former student at St Dominic’s High School, Santa Sabina,
Sutton, intends to take full advantage of her Miss Ireland and Miss World
exploits.

“I’ve decided to take a year
out of college,

? she said.

“First, I have to write to my college but they’re
very good and know about my work ethic.

“When all this is over, I’ll
go back and finish my textiles degree.

“I’ve just completed the
first of my four years.

“When I finish the course I want to start my own
fashion line.

“I’ll be making a lot of
good contacts as part of being Miss Ireland and this can only help me in my
career.

“If I’m really well known
when I go to launch my own fashion line the media will be interested in me as a
former Miss Ireland and this will be help me get my name out there.

?

Supporters

Among Holly’s supporters at
the Miss Ireland final were her Mum and Dad, Jane and Karl, and her only
sibling Ben (17).

They’ll be heading to London
in November and Holly is anticipating that a lot of her friends will be able to
travel too, as

“the flights are good value at the moment

?.

After winning Miss Ireland
Holly received a lucrative modelling contract and a host of prizes including
jewellery, gowns, a professional photo shoot, beauty and hair products from
official partners Karora Tan, Isadora Makeup, Ebano Hair Salon & easilocks
hair extensions, and Debenhams. She will also get the use of a brand new SEAT
Car for the year of her reign, a fair swap for her used Yaris.

The biggest prize of all,
though, will be the Miss World title so roll on November 8 to see if Irish
eyes, and Holly’s beautiful green ones in particular, will be smiling

?¦ even
more than they are now!