Clare doctor touches down in India to represent Ireland at 71st Miss World competition

The 29-year-old, who studied medicine at UCC, was crowned Miss Ireland back in 2022

Ivanna McMahon on her graduation day from UCC.

Clare doctor Ivanna McMahon touched down in India earlier this week, to represent Ireland at the 71st Miss World competition.

The 29-year-old, who studied medicine at University College Cork (UCC) and comes from the village of Barefield, was crowned Miss Ireland back in 2022, the same year she graduated.

Since then, she has been using her platform to raise awareness about dyslexia, which she was diagnosed with when she was 17, which she believes was too late.

“Ideally, you should find out much younger than that, so you have the opportunity to get additional supports to make learning easier,” she said.

During her time at school, she remembers feeling embarrassed and self-conscious and hated reading in front of the class. Now, she wants others to know that is normal.

“If I was 17 again and someone came into my classroom and said: ‘I’m dyslexic, but I went to college, I qualified as a doctor, and I was able to achieve everything I ever wanted, it would have meant the world to me.

“So, I want to become that person for others,” she said.

Dr Ivanna McMahon pictured at Dublin Airport as she gets set to jet off to represent Ireland at the 71st Miss World Festival which takes place between February 18th and March 9th, 2024, across some of the most spectacular venues in India. Picture: Miss Ireland

As well as advocating for people with dyslexia, Ms McMahon wants to highlight the importance of healthcare, and CPR, to a wider audience.

“I’ve been giving talks to school kids around the country about the importance of mental and physical health.

“I also teach CPR which I think is vital. Everyone should know how to do it, it can literally save lives,” she said.

Ms McMahon, also an Irish speaker and talented musician, didn’t travel to India alone. She was accompanied by her harp, which she will play during the talent segment of the competition.

“I’m going to play a typical Irish tune and bring a piece of Ireland to the world stage,” she said.

Ms McMahon is one of 117 women hoping to be crowned Miss World on Saturday, March 9 in the Indian city of Mumbai.

For the duration of the competition, she will be sharing a room with Miss Spain, who is also a doctor.

“She has brilliant English, so we have been having great chats every evening,” she said.

According to Ms Mahon, the competition feels more like a “sisterhood.” “Everyone is here to look out for each other and support each other. I really hope I make friends for life, that would be an absolute win for me if I was to come away with 116 new friends,” she said.

This is Ms McMahon’s first time in India, and she has already been enjoying the local food and meeting the local people.

“I’m excited to be in a new place, a new continent. The food has been brilliant, and the people are lovely,” she said.

But India isn’t the only place that has a piece of her heart.

“I absolutely love Cork and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to live there.

“I was there for 8 years, and I still miss it. I made such great friends who I still go down to visit. There are great restaurants in Cork,” she said.

As well as studying in UCC, Ms McMahon also worked in the Neurology and Cardiology department in Cork University Hospital (CUH) as part of her intern year.

Ms McMahon believes that the Miss Ireland and Miss World competitions have boosted her confidence. She says they also gave her a platform and opportunity to speak about the things that matter most to her.

“If I was lucky enough to win, I’d get the chance to get the message out about dyslexia, the importance of healthcare, and CPR.

“To be able to spread that message around Ireland and has been incredible, but I think everyone in the world should know about dyslexia.

“Ten percent of the world is dyslexic, and the other 90% should be able to help. And equally, 100% of the world should be able to give CPR,” she concluded.