By JESSICA GREEN FOR MAILONLINE
- Medical scientist and model Pamela Uba, 26, has been crowned Miss IrelandÂ
- She came to Ireland as an asylum seeker from Johannesburg, when aged seven
- She was crowned the winner of the pageant – which has been running since 1947
A frontline worker has become the first black woman to be crowned Miss Ireland in the competition’s 74-year history.
Medical scientist and part-time model Pamela Uba, from Galway, came to Ireland as an asylum seeker from Johannesburg, in South Africa, when she was aged just seven.
The eldest of six siblings, she grew up in direct provision – a system of asylum seeker accommodation used in Ireland – and is now a ‘very proud’ Irish citizen.
She was crowned the winner of the beauty pageant – which has been running since 1947 – in an outdoor ceremony in Cavan on Sunday night, reported The Irish Times.
But sadly, she has already been trolled over her historic win and took to her Instagram stories yesterday to hit back at ‘hurt people trying to hurt people’ – after admitting: ‘It’s sad to say I did expect this type of behaviour’.
Speaking about her win, she said: ‘It means so much to me. I am so grateful I can show girls that colour is not something that holds you back and it doesn’t matter where you come from, the world is your oyster.’
Pamela worked on the frontline during the pandemic at Galway University Hospital, observing the inflammatory process in Covid-19 patients to determine how serious the infection was for each person.
When arriving in Ireland as a child, she spent time in centres in Dublin and Athlone, Co Westmeath, before finally settling in Ballyhaunis, in Co Mayo, for a decade with her family.
‘I remember thinking it was strange that I couldn’t hear gunshot when I arrived,’ she admitted, adding: ‘I cried when I got my Irish passport.’
Pamela completed her medical-science degree in Galway and has just finished her master’s in clinical chemistry at Trinity College Dublin, but is still waiting for her results.
In December, the beauty pageant winner will represent Ireland at the 70th Miss World festival in Puerto Rico.
Pamela, who was crowned Miss Galway in March 2020, aims to use her Miss Ireland title to represent a more diverse Ireland.
Sadly, she has already faced racism and trolling over her wins – but took to Instagram yesterday to hit back at the trolls.
She wrote on a story, which showed some of the negative comments: ‘It’s sad to say I did expect this type of behaviour. This is just a snippet of hurt people trying to hurt people.
‘Well despite this minority of people, the impossible was achieved and will continue to be achieved.
‘I am PROUD! I am BLACK! and I AM IRISH! I AM MISS IRELAND,’ she passionately added.
The Miss Ireland winner also took to Instagram to celebrate her success, writing: ‘It’s like a dream come true.
‘Words can’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now, or have been feeling for the past week leading up to the final. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions!
‘…It would not have been possible without the continued support from each and everyone of you!
‘From my incredible family and their words of encouragement. My amazing friends that have cheered me on from the very start.
‘The fabulous team at @missgalwayorg team, especially my Galway girls for starting this journey with me from the very beginning and teaching me so much about myself as a woman.
‘The @missirelandorg team for putting on a glamorous celebration last night, and their amazing organisation and support of all of us contestants throughout the Miss Ireland journey!
‘…I hope I can make you all proud as your Miss Ireland 2021 and I can’t wait to represent Ireland at the 70th @missworld in Puerto Rico this December.’
