Aideen Howard is preparing to take the international stage as she represents Ireland at Miss Universe.
UNIVERSITY of Limerick graduate Aideen Howard is preparing for the experience of a lifetime as she gets ready to represent Ireland at Miss Universe.
The championship will take place in Puerto Rico at the end of November, following a milestone year that has seen Howard graduate from college and take on an exciting new challenge competing in the pageant.
Born in Boston but raised in Limerick, Howard says she feels a strong connection to both cultures, describing her dual heritage as a gift.
“I was born in Boston, but I grew up in Limerick, so Ireland is definitely home to me,” she said. “I think I’ve taken little things from both cultures, and I’m really proud of that.”
Having experienced life in two countries, Howard believes that being part of different cultures is something to celebrate.
“We live in a world that is learning to celebrate diversity, so I think being able to be a part of multiple cultures is a gift,” she said.
Learning to embrace being different
Howard moved to Ireland at the age of 12, a transition that brought many challenges as she struggled to adjust to a new environment.
Looking back, she said she would offer her younger self some simple advice: Not to worry so much.
“At 12, everything can feel very overwhelming, and I was conscious of feeling different and trying to fit in,” she said.
At the time, she could not have imagined where life would take her. Now, as she prepares to represent Ireland on an international stage, she hopes her experience will remind others to trust themselves and be patient.
“I don’t think younger me would ever believe that I’d be here now, representing Ireland at Miss Universe,” she said. “So, I’d just tell her to trust herself, be patient and know that things are going to work out.”
A moment to remember
For Howard, the moment she was announced as Miss Universe Ireland on June 20 at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin was one she will remember for the rest of her life.
Describing the experience as surreal, she recalled freezing for a moment when she heard her name called before looking towards her loved ones.
“The first thing I did was look over at my friends and family, and I was just so excited to get over to them and hug them,” she said.
Having worked hard in preparation for the final, the announcement brought a rush of emotion.
“And then it actually hit me, I’m Miss Universe Ireland. It was just such a special moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life,” she said.
More than a beauty pageant
While the title brings the excitement of an international competition, Howard is keen to challenge the perception that beauty pageants are solely about appearance.
“I think the biggest misconception is that it’s just about how you look,” she said. “There’s obviously a visual side to pageants, but I believe there’s so much more to beauty than that.”
For Howard, the experience also involves communication, confidence, and acting as a representative for others.
“It’s important to be able to speak confidently, meet new people, handle pressure and represent something bigger than yourself,” she said. “For me, the biggest part is getting to represent Ireland and make people back home proud.”
From lectures to the limelight
Her recent graduation from the University of Limerick marks another important milestone, with her transition from student life to international representation happening in quick succession.
“I was worrying about exams and assignments not that long ago, and now I’m preparing to represent Ireland at Miss Universe,” she said.
Howard described graduating from UL as an achievement she was particularly proud of, making the opportunity to represent Ireland an unexpected but welcome next chapter.
“It’s definitely not what I expected to be doing after graduation, but I’m beyond grateful about it,” she said.
She also believes her time at UL has helped prepare her for the experience ahead. Presentations, group projects and meeting people from different backgrounds helped her become more confident communicating with others, a skill she expects to rely on throughout the competition.
“I think that’s going to help me a lot at Miss Universe because I’m going to be meeting new people constantly, doing interviews and being put into situations I’m not used to,” she said.
Ready for the unknown
As she looks ahead to the competition in Puerto Rico, Howard is particularly excited about meeting the other contestants and learning about their lives and cultures.
“There are going to be women there from so many different countries, and I think it’s going to be amazing getting to know them all,” she said.
The scale and pace of the competition, however, will present a new challenge. With events, rehearsals, and interviews, she expects the schedule to be demanding.
“I think the pace of everything will be one of the biggest challenges,” she said, adding that she will need to remind herself to slow down and appreciate the experience.
Although she admits to feeling nervous about the unknown, Howard sees nerves as a natural part of taking on something important.
“I actually think nerves are a good thing. It means you care about what you’re doing,” she said.
Before stepping onto the stage, she focuses on taking a deep breath and reminding herself that she has prepared for the moment.
“I remind myself that I’ve prepared for this and that I’m there for a reason,” she said. “Once I’m on stage, I just try to enjoy it and let myself have fun rather than thinking about every little thing.”
Bringing the treaty county to Puerto Rico
Beyond the competition itself, Howard hopes the journey will help her grow, push her outside her comfort zone and give her the chance to experience a new country.
“I’m excited to represent Ireland, meet people from all over the world and visit the beautiful country of Puerto Rico,” she said.
Ultimately, she hopes the public will get to know more than just the title she holds, with the person behind it being an important part of the journey.
“I hope people get to see the person behind the title and get to know me throughout the journey,” she said.
Grateful for the opportunity, Howard is looking forward to representing her home county and country as she takes on the international stage.
“I’m really excited to bring a little bit of Limerick and Ireland with me to Puerto Rico and make everyone back home proud,” she said.