Drag queens in beauty title battle

Drag queens from across Ireland were tonight fighting it out on the catwalk for the prestigious title of Queen of Ireland 2003.

Miss Zimbabwe Rose, Miss Alter Ego and Miss Coco du Val were just a few of the hopefuls parading at Dublin’s Alternative Miss Ireland contest.

The notorious alternative beauty pageant – now in its ninth year – is open to men, women and animals and features winners of regional heats in Cork and Limerick.

Dancers, singers and drag performers were among those battling for the crown held by last year’s winner Miss Sid Viscous.

Contestants hope to catch the eye of the Olympia Theatre judges as they perform in daywear, swimwear and evening wear categories.

Previous winners of the charity competition include Shirley Temple Bar and Vada Bon Reve, two of Ireland’s most prolific drag performers.

A range of showbusiness and media personalities such as Marc Almond, Van Morrison and Louis Walsh have judged the contest in the past.

The Alternative Miss Ireland pageant has become one of the most popular gay events in Ireland, and over the past four years has raised €100,000 for Cairde - a support group for people affected by HIV and Aids.

Proceeds from this year’s event will also be donated to another Aids charity, the Open Heart House.