Offaly woman crowned Ms Ireland 2026

Offaly representative Cleo Knight has been crowned Ms Ireland 2026, following the national final on Saturday.

Cleo entered the competition representing Offaly and used her journey through the pageant to champion a message that is deeply connected to her own experience: “Further Than You Think.”

Now working as a lecturer and coordinator in Further Education in Dublin, Cleo’s own educational journey began very differently from the traditional route she once imagined for herself.

After receiving just 65 points in her Leaving Certificate, Cleo entered Further Education — a decision that ultimately opened the door to seven years of higher education, including undergraduate and postgraduate study, and eventually a career in education.

Her experience inspired Further Than You Think, a campaign encouraging people not to allow exam results, setbacks or traditional ideas of success to determine what they believe they are capable of achieving.

“Being crowned Ms Ireland is incredibly special to me, but what means even more is having the opportunity to take the message of Further Than You Think to a bigger audience.

“When I received 65 points in my Leaving Certificate, I could never have imagined the life I have today. Further Education opened a door for me when I needed another route. That route eventually led me through seven years of college and into a career where I now have the privilege of teaching and supporting other learners.

“I want people, particularly young people and adult learners who may feel that education has not worked out for them, to know that one result does not determine their potential. Sometimes your journey simply looks different — and you can go much further than you think.”

Throughout her time as Ms Offaly, Cleo combined her pageant journey with community and charitable work, including a series of toy drives and fundraising activities in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Her campaign has also highlighted the importance of accessible education, alternative pathways and challenging the stigma that can still surround Further Education.

Cleo hopes to use her year as Ms Ireland 2026 to continue developing the campaign, speaking about her educational journey and using the title to encourage others to recognise that success does not have one predetermined route.

“Winning the crown is not the end of the campaign — it is really the beginning of its next chapter. I want to use this year positively, continue supporting causes that matter to me and bring Further Than You Think to as many people as possible.”

Alongside her advocacy work, Cleo will continue her career in education and hopes that sharing her own unconventional journey will help learners who may currently be questioning whether they belong in education.

Ms Ireland is Ireland's first pageant designed for women outside of the traditional 'Miss' division. Ms Ireland is open to all women ages 30- 39 who live in Ireland or Northern Ireland.