"Unfortunately, Ireland has not always had a presence at Miss Universe, and when they do, the young lady has only had four to six days to prepare for Miss Universe. Outrageous, right?!" - Brittany Mason
From 2002 until 2015, the licence for Miss Universe was held by the Andrea Roche Modelling Agency and although they produced a Top 10 placement in 2010 with Roz Purcell, I do not think the organisation was ever very passionate towards their responsibility. In 2007, there was an absence, in 2013 there was an absence and in 2015, Joanna Cooper was crowned just 3 days before she was supposed to depart for Las Vegas, there might has well of been an absence. In 2016, Ireland did not participate, either because the licence had been removed or because, yet again, the organisation did not take their job seriously.
Despite what people might say about Rozanna Purcell, and this is a myth that does get said all too often to justify how futile the last few endeavors to find a Miss Universe Ireland have been, she is not Ireland's best placement at Miss Universe. In fact, the Miss Ireland Organisation tallied up two runner-up positions (2nd RU 1963 & 2ND RU 1983), along with five semi-finalist positions. Ireland has never performed as well at Miss Universe as we do at Miss World, but for far too long the gorgeous Roz has been used as a shield to defend the lackluster performance of her own national director.
"I am creating an entire new structure, foundation and perspective of the brand. I hope that within 10 years, I will have helped bring home the first Miss Universe crown for Ireland!" - Brittany Mason.
Well, that is no more. I am placing my final hopes on the new Irish era (I think they are in good hands, if I am honest) that a new management can finally start delivering for Ireland. In my three years as an active member of Misso, this is the first Miss Universe Ireland thread that I have been able to create that will be put to good use. Now, under the leadership of a positive, ambitious and knowledgeable new National Director, Brittany Mason, the search for the Republic of Ireland's representative to my favourite pageant is about to begin.
Welcome to the Road to Miss Universe Ireland 2017 !