<div class="page old_photo"> <article> <header style="background-image:url(/uploads/52e3f1575bfef.jpg);"> <div class="box"> <div class="intro"> <h1>All aboard for Miss NI 2014 launch!</h1> <p class="byline"> </p> </div> </div> </header> <div class="main"> <div class="container"> <p class="summary"></p> <p>Former winners of the legendary Miss Northern Ireland contest joined event organiser Alison Clarke and guests on board the beautifully restored Nomadic Belfast to officially launch the 2014 Open Direct Miss Northern Ireland contest.</p><p>The contest which is now in its 28th year, organised by ACA Models, will see hundreds of young ladies compete for the coveted Open Direct Miss Northern Ireland title in a series of heats that will take place in venues across the province this Spring, starting on 27th February at 21 Social, Belfast and finishing on 27th April at Betty Blacks, Bangor.</p><p>The grand finale will take place on Monday 12th May at the Europa Hotel, Belfast. The glittering event will be hosted by former Miss Northern Ireland and television presenter Zoe Salmon and UTV’s Marc Mallett.</p><p>Contest organiser Alison Clarke welcomed 2014 hopefuls and former winners to the launch event. She said: “It was wonderful to launch the contest alongside our headline sponsor Open Direct on board the beautiful Nomadic Belfast. Over the years the Miss Northern Ireland contest has grown in stature so we wanted this year’s launch to be somewhere meaningful that represented the best of Northern Ireland.</p><p>“Our contest is all about finding talented young women, who will be judged not only on their appearance but also on their presence, self expression, intelligence and poise. We were overwhelmed by the number and calibre of the girls who graced our contest last year and as such, we have introduced an extra heat to accommodate them.</p><p>“The winner will become an ambassador for Northern Ireland at events far and wide during 2014, so it’s vital they have a great personality too!”</p><p>Current title holder Meagan Green said: “It was an honour to be crowned Open Direct Miss Northern Ireland 2013. I’ve had the best year of my life representing Northern Ireland. It’s been everything a girl could ever wish for!</p><p>“The contest is a great opportunity for local girls to network, meet new people and gain confidence.”</p><p>Event organisers are seeking ambitious young women aged between 17 and 24 years old from all parts of Northern Ireland to compete for the crown in May. Entrants should send a photograph with their name and address to the Open Direct Miss Northern Ireland Contest, 381 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, BT5 5DT.</p><p>For further information and a full list of heats and prizes, please visit <a href="http://www.missnorthernireland.co.uk/">www.missnorthernireland.co.uk</a></p> </div> </div> </article> </div><!-- /page-->