Aideen Howard, 22, of Castleroy, Limerick, Ireland won the 20th edition of Miss Universe Ireland. She is a model originally from Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Aideen Howard
In 2016, Howard and her family moved from Boston to Castleroy. According to her, moving countries at a young age taught her the importance of kindness, empathy and making others feel included.
“Having experienced major life changes throughout my childhood, I understand how overwhelming and lonely life can feel, which is why I value creating a positive, welcoming environment for others,” Howard shared before winning Miss Universe Ireland 2026. “When I first moved to Ireland, I struggled with confidence. Modeling helped me grow in confidence and resilience. It taught me to stop being afraid of mistakes or judgment and to continue putting myself out there.
Outside of modeling, Howard loves traveling, taking care of animals and learning about different cultures. She enjoys meeting people from different backgrounds and gaining new perspectives through their experiences.
“Supporting vulnerable children and young people is a cause close to my heart,” Howard shared. “I hope to use my experiences and voice to encourage kindness, confidence, and inclusion, particularly for those navigating difficult circumstances or struggling to feel supported and included.
“Above all, I aspire to be someone young girls and boys can look up to as proof that confidence can be built over time,” the Castleroy resident added. “I believe even the smallest acts of compassion can make a lasting difference, and I hope to always be someone who uplifts and empowers others.”
Howard is Daithi Howard Sr. and Deirdre Kearney Howard‘s daughter. Aideen has three siblings namely Aislinn Kate Howard, Maureen Howard and Daithi Howard Jr.
Miss Universe Ireland 2026
On October 4, 2025, Aadya Srivastava of Galway, Ireland won Miss Universe Ireland 2025 at the Hilton Hotel Dublin Airport in Dublin. The city’s Natalia Gradzka and Maksuda Akhter Prioty were the first and second runners-up, respectively.
On June 20, 2026, Srivastava crowned Aideen as her successor at The Bonnington Hotel in Dublin. The Miss Universe Ireland 2026 judges were:
- Miss Universe Ireland 2025 Aadya Srivastava
- Miss Universe Ireland 2023 Aishah Akorede
- PR1 Publicity owner Helen O Dwyer
- Hairitage Salon owner Jenny Russell
- Miss Ireland 2014 finalist Shannen Reilly McGrath
- Miss Universe Ireland 2024 Sofia Labus
Including Aideen, 25 women competed for the crown. These were her fellow candidates:
- Alexandra Mae Gemenino, 43, Killarney, County Kerry
- Amy Doherty, 30, Limavad, County Londonderry
- Cloveni Balolo, 25, Dublin
- Dawn Curley Knight, 41, Rhode, County Offaly
- Davinia Knight, 41, Portarlington, County Offaly
- Destiny Facos, 23, Galway
- Diana Mayboroda, Dublin
- Eileen Coyle, 32, Derry City
- Erin Ferguson, 22, Coleraine, County Derry
- Katie McCrory, Belfast, Norther Ireland
- Leah Marie Sheehan, 23, Annacotty, County Limerick
- Lydia O’Keeffe, 23, Carrigaline
- Emma Gavin, 27, Maynooth
- Maksuda Akhter, Malahide, Dublin
- Natalia Gradzka, 28, Santry
- Natalia Rybakowska, 19, Adare, County Limerick
- Patricia Furdui, Dublin
- Rachel McAlinden, 25, Maghery, County Armagh
- Rita Paulino, 19, Dundalk
- Roisin Tuohy, 20, Roscrea, County Tipperary
- Sarah Lumbroso, 32, Nenagh, County Tipperary
- Shaleen Chadha Guzgan, Dublin
- Silvia Goffi, Dublin
- Victoria Lewis, Monksland
Miss Universe 2026
The 75th edition of Miss Universe will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States in November 2026. The specific date and venue of the coronation ceremony have yet to be announced.
Including Ireland, Puerto Rico and the U.S., more than 100 countries and territories will be represented. Here are Aideen’s confirmed fellow Miss Universe 2026 candidates:
- Jogersa Beqiri, 24, Albania
- Wanderleia Rodrigues, 23, Angola
- Tamara Rogouski, 28, Argentina
- Dabilo Moses, 26, Botswana
- Audrey Black, 30, Cameroon
- Weiyi Chen, 22, China
- Mariale Acosta, 24, Costa Rica
- Antea Mrsic, 24, Croatia
- Sophia Osako, 22, Czech Republic
- Chloe Deher, 31, Guadeloupe
- Matoma Conde, 22, Guinea
- Kamilla Kiss, 25, Hungary
- Sigridur Hrafnkelsdottir, 27, Iceland
- Alina Ekaterinecheva, 22, Kazakhstan
- Medina Ermekova, 18, Kyrgyzstan
- Maëva Toumbou Dani, 33, Mayotte
- Aleksandra Ivezaj, 22, Montenegro
- May Grace Parry, 31, Myanmar
- Zoulahatou Amadou, 24, Niger
- Gretha Matiauda, 25, Paraguay
- Luren Marquez, 27, Peru
- Bea Millan-Windorski, 24, Philippines
- Anna Lickova, 25, Slovakia
- Eunike Lioe, 37, Suriname
- Sarrah Brahmi, 33, Tunisia
- Jenna-Monet Queeley, 21, United States Virgin Islands
- Lucía Piñeyro, 35, Uruguay
- Clara Vegas, 24, Venezuela
- Mubanga Hatyoka, 24, Zambia
- Roseanna Hall, 34, Zimbabwe
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