‘I want to represent the older women who might not believe in themselves’

Being a mother of four, working full-time, and bringing home the Ms Universal Global International crown is no easy feat. But Mary Mullally has managed to do just that.

She travelled to Orlando, Florida, in recent weeks for the pageant. What was it like being among the bright and the beautiful?

“It was a week that I’ll never forget,” says Mary, who is mother to three daughters and one son. “It was an eye-opening experience.

“I am so proud of what I achieved in Orlando, representing my beautiful Emerald Isle on the international stage. I was the only Irish native taking part.”

Mary, who is originally from Wexford and now lives in Youghal, did us proud.

“I wasn’t pushing myself to win,” she says.

“I didn’t want to forget how to enjoy the experience with all the other contestants.”

Mary was first runner-up at last year’s pageant, and she is the current holder of the Ms Ireland Universal Global 24/25 title, but this time she went one step further, being crowned champion.

Did she actually get time to enjoy herself during the experience?

“I did!” she says, smiling. “Even though it was full on.

“We have three different rounds where we are judged in one interview. We talk about our work and the events we attend; the charity work we promote while with our titles,” says Mary.

And the second round?

“The second round is ‘everyday wear’ where it’s an outfit you wear to an event.

“Round three is our ‘evening wear’, so that would be any kind of evening dress to suit us.

“There are also extra rounds we’d like to take part in. This year I did denim and swimwear. I also took part in a charity fashion show wearing top USA designers, where all proceeds go to Polka Dogz Animal Rescue in Florida.”

Mary returned triumphant.

“Wearing the crown and banner with pride and honour, I truly am so grateful to my director, Suzi Hosfeld, for giving me this opportunity to represent her system, Miss Universal Global Pageant, here in Ireland,” says Mary.

“It’s a system of sisterhood and family. I was so thrilled to see and catch-up with all my Universal Global family and to meet the new members.”

Mary has so many people in her corner, including her family, friends, young and old, colleagues and customers at CnD café at Cumann Na Daoine, Youghal.

Her mother, who passed away in July, 2018, inspired her to get involved in pageants.

“My mother is buried in St Mary’s Church, Enniscorthy,” says Mary. “She was the main reason I got into the world of pageants and why I kept at it. Before mam passed away, she always encouraged me to pursue my passion. It is still so hard without her. But this is what she wanted me to do and everything I have achieved is for her.

“When I was looking after her when she was ill, I was inspired to train as a healthcare worker, that I find is hugely rewarding.”

Mary says she was always interested in make-up and I began modelling,.

“I was always curious about the pageant world and when I saw there was an open day in Limerick, I decided to take a look and see what it was all about. “

Mary signed up to represent her area and began attending charity events and getting out into the community and see where help was needed. “Four years ago, I entered the system in the UK and went on to represent Ireland.”

She was a Celtic goddess. “Yes, for my International costume, ” says Mary, laughing.

She is a godsend to other people.

“When lockdown came, so many elderly people were affected by loneliness and isolation,” says Mary.

“I would go and check on the elderly and then realised if I wanted to care for them on a regular basis, I needed qualifications.”

Mary, a high achiever, got her qualifications as a healthcare worker.

“When I was invited to go to City Hall to meet the Lord Mayor, my clients were over the moon!” she says.

“They were so excited, and they thought it was a big deal.”

It was a big deal.

“It was fabulous,” says Mary.

Winning the Ms Universal Global Pageant in Orlando, Florida, was an even bigger deal.

“I tried to keep it quiet until I got home,” says Mary.

“But it seems everyone found out, and they couldn’t wait until I got back!”

The world is her oyster, having found love with Ryan.

Mary, 41, having achieved so much, is still only human, just like us.

“I’m not 6ft tall with the perfect body,” says Mary.

“I like to think that I represent the older woman who might not believe in themselves.”