‘I really want to advocate for the homeless crisis’

A courageous Cork mum has shared her personal story after being announced as a Miss Universe Ireland 2026 finalist.

Lydia O’Keeffe, 23, from Carrigaline was officially announced at the pageant’s summer launch party at the iconic Bewley’s Café Theatre on Grafton Street, Dublin.

Lydia, who works as a social media assistant and model while also training to be a dental nurse, will use this opportunity to speak up for Ireland’s homeless, having experienced homelessness herself.

She said: “Pageants have always been my dream and I want to show my daughter you can do anything you want once you work hard to achieve your goals.

“I really want to advocate for the homeless crisis in Ireland as I was homeless my whole pregnancy until my daughter was one, so I saw first-hand how bad the homeless crisis has got and how it can happen so easily to anyone.”

Lydia, who was also a national gymnastics title holder for ten years, will be hoping to succeed current Miss Universe Ireland, Aadya Srivastava, from Galway, who was crowned Miss Universe Ireland last year by Miss Universe Ireland 2024, Sofia Labus from Cork.

The winner of Miss Universe Ireland 2026 will receive an exclusive prize package along with the honour of representing Ireland on the world stage at the prestigious Miss Universe global final, where delegates from more than 100 countries will compete for the coveted title and reigning Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, will crown her successor.