Clik here to view.
Miss NI winner Rebekah Shirley with runners up Anna Henry (r) and Sophia Adli (l)
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Rebakah Shirley is named as Miss NI 2014
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Miss NI Finalist at the Culloden Hotel last week
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Claire McErlean, and Fermanagh duo Hayley Leonard and Tori Khan take to the cat walk this week at the grand final of the Miss N.Ireland contest
Ballymoney student Rebekah Shirley has been crowned Open and Direct and Sunday World Miss Northern Ireland.
The 18-year-old took the crown from last year's winner Meagan Green at the glamorous star-studded event at the Europa Hotel in Belfast last night.
The student won a stellar prize package which includes a modeling contract with ACA Models, a Kia car from Downey’s taxed and insured for a year by Open + Direct and an all expenses paid trip to the Miss World Competition in London.
Runners up were Portglenone girl Anna Henry, 19, in second place, and Sophia Adli, 22, from Belfast, who finished third.
A delighted Rebekah beamed: "Taking part in the contest has been such an immense experience and I never thought I would come this far.
"I've always looked up to previous Miss Northern Ireland winners, so I hope to follow in their footsteps and become a positive role model for other local girls. Winning this title is undoubtedly life-changing and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me."
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Miss Northern Ireland finalists
Alison Clarke, managing director of ACA Models and organiser of the event, attended the final with her husband, golfer Darren Clarke.
She said: "We are thrilled that Rebekah has won the title. Although the standard of talent has been extremely high this year, Rebekah has really sparkled throughout the contest and she certainly wowed the judging panel on the night."
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Alison and Darren Clarke
In the days before the event the 26 finalists visited the Culloden Hotel to give fans a sneak peak of what to expect ahead of last night's final.
Twenty six finalists were put through their paces in the grounds on the luxury hotel as they prepared for last night’s gala final which saw Rebekah crowned Miss Northern Ireland.
For the last two months hundreds of contestants have competed in 13 heats across Northern Ireland.
“Our contest is all about finding talented young women who will be judged not only on their appearance but also on their presence, self expression, intelligence and poise,” said competition organiser Alison Clarke who was presiding over her 28th contest.
“I thought the number and calibre of girls received last year could not be topped, but such has been the interest we had to introduce an extra heat.”
The winner, she said, will be an ambassador for Northern Ireland. “Of course they will be representing themselves, but also Northern Ireland as a whole.”
Current title holder Meagan Green said the last 12 months had been the best time of her life.
“The title has given me the chance to travel as far as Indonesia to take part in the Miss World contest and meet people I wouldn’t have otherwise met. It’s an incredible opportunity.”
Colin McEvoy, Head of Open+Direct Northern Ireland said the company is delighted to have been involved in the competition for the last three years.
“Our 15 branches across NI have enjoyed getting involved with the competition and supporting all of the heats in our local communities. It has been a pleasure to be involved with the contest once again,” he said.