Killarney resident Alexandra Mae Gemeniano has been announced as an official finalist for Miss Universe Ireland 2026.

The announcement was made at the national competition’s summer launch party, which took place last week at Bewley’s Café Theatre on Grafton Street in Dublin.
Alexandra (43) is originally from the Philippines and moved to Ireland with her family when she was 17. She became an Irish citizen in 2011. After living and working in the UK for 14 years, she returned to Killarney to be closer to her family and currently works in the beauty industry.
The launch event marked the official start of the selection process to find Ireland’s representative for the global Miss Universe competition. The current title holder is 19-year-old Aadya Srivastava from Galway.
The national final is scheduled to take place on Saturday 20th June at the Bonnington Hotel in Dublin. The winner will represent Ireland at the 75th annual Miss Universe global final, where the reigning Miss Universe, Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, will crown her successor.

Three Killarney businesswomen were among the top winners at the 10th anniversary Connect Kerry Women in Business Awards, held at The Rose Hotel, Tralee, on Friday, June 5.

Carina Audley, founder of Killarney-based event styling firm The Event Edit, was named Kerry Business Woman for Services. The award recognizes her work growing the business from a personal concept into a highly successful premium event styling and mobile childcare provider working with leading venues across the county.

There was double celebration for Killarney sisters Hayley and Terrie Murphy.

Legacy Elite Cheerleaders coach Hayley Murphy won the Champion of Diversity and Inclusion award, capping off a hectic week where her athletes secured multiple solo, stunt, and team podium finishes at the Summer Flip Out Championships in Galway. Her sister, Terrie Murphy of Sorella Berries, claimed the Food Generation/Manufacture award.