Miss Northern Ireland

Kirsty Anne Gabriel Stewart

Kirsty comes from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. During her college years she was elected to the Shadow Youth Council and received an award from the Youth Mission and Northern Images. She attempted to master the guitar but soon realised it was not for her and joined the school choir. She also has a keen interest in sport: squash, swimming, boating, has played in the netball & basketball team, and was undefeated for three years in the high jump. Kirsty enjoys contemporary and modern dance, she has won medals for her Irish dancing. After completing her education, Kirsty started work for the family business as a sales assistant and trainee butcher, this she enjoyed immensely as it was a very sociable place to work.


Where did you grow up? Tell us a little about your home town/city, and family.
I grew up in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. I lived in the centre of the town for fifteen years as my father owns a butchers shop. I love going into the town where I can always meet my friends and boredom never arises as there is always something to interest us. The town at the moment is really expanding with more play parks, commercial shops and of course, clothes shopping is not as limited as it used to be.What’s great about Enniskillen is that it caters for all ages its surrounded by Loughs which means there are many water sports and lazy Sundays can be spent cruising the waterways. There are many peaceful trails to ramble with beautiful scenery and plenty of fresh air. Friday and Saturday are the busy nights in Enniskillen where loads of people go out to unwind and enjoy themselves. Night-life is friendly and always great craic! Sunday is a family day and good quality food is served no matter where you decide to eat.I have quite a large family, which is nothing to complain about. Everyone has their own wacky personality. I have two older sisters who both have children. My elder sister Nadia has one girl and two boys, Naomi, Cashel and Shane, she is a very hard-working housewife. My other sister Aisling has a daughter called Caitlin. Aisling is the manager of the delicatessen in our family business. I have four brothers, the eldest of which, Aaron. He is a very happy married man working in Belfast as a lawyer. Shane is a butcher/manager also in the family business with crazy twins, two boys Connor and Michael. Emmett and I would have always messed about with one another as he is close to my age although we did not always get along, what brother and sister do? Then there is Christie the baby - he has to be the funniest person I know.

What are your career ambitions, how do you plan to realise them?
My ambitions would be to work in the media business presenting would be ideal. I would also love to be a make-up artist for the fashion shows in Paris, Milan, New York, and other exotic cities! At the moment I am meeting with lots of different people from different career paths who are only too happy to give me good advice as to what to do next. I am enjoying every minute of being Miss Northern Ireland and I believe it will be the spring board to help me fulfil my dreams in the future.

What is the proudest moment of your life? (Not including winning your National Title)
I am proud of many different small things like getting gold in Irish dancing and being asked to be the godmother of my nephew Cashel, but when my brothers, Aaron, Shane and my sister Nadia got married I was so proud. I do not know why exactly but I was over the moon for them. To see two people getting married and to see them deep in love, knowing that one of them was either my brother or sister was really overwhelming. I am just an old romantic at heart!

What was the funniest/most embarrassing moment of your life?
If I had to pinpoint the funniest thing it would have to be when I was at school. I was up walking around the classroom and everyone burst out laughing I thought I was missing out on something that was happening, but when I turned around it was me that they were laughing at. My skirt was tucked in my tights.

How has your life changed since winning your National Title?
Life is great, everyone is so proud and that is a lovely feeling to know that people want me to do well! I have become more ambitious and I have also learned to appreciate family and friends more. At the moment buses, taxies and trains are my second home. It is exciting travelling from one place to another for different photoshoots or interviews. My life has become more focussed and winning the title has really made me realise my dreams. It has given me a taste of what may be to come.

Tell us about an interesting event you have attended, or a person that you have met.
One event that stands out would have to be the charity golf event, which took place in the Hilton hotel, Templepatrick. I was asked to attend this in my capacity as Miss Northern Ireland and it gave me a great opportunity to talk to people with various backgrounds from sporting celebrities and comedians to self-made company directors each with interesting life stories which they were only too happy to share.The organiser of the event was Norman Whiteside himself a very talented famous footballer in his day. Who played for Manchester United and N.Ireland. It was a great inspiration to see that he still works so hard for charity.After the days golfing a five course dinner was served which incorporated a charity auction of sporting memorabilia, the auction raised thousands of much needed money for children with special needs.

What would you like to do, if you became Miss World 2004?
Since I became Miss Northern Ireland I have become aware that the role is perceived by others to be all glamour and parties. I have seen that it is also very hard work that I thoroughly enjoy. I have also become accustomed to the tight schedule and demands that have been placed upon me. If I become Miss World 2004, I would enjoy every minute of my time holding the title, but I would also adopt a very professional attitude and not underestimate the importance of my role as an ambassador to both my country and the competition.

If you had a personal motto what would it be?
Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Give details of any charitable work undertaken?
I was a member of the local St Michael’s youth club at ten where we had ‘stay awakes’ to raise money again for local charities. Since I became Miss Northern Ireland I have attended many charity photo shoots to give my support. To date most of the charity work is for cancer, mainly Marie-Curie cancer care, and also Mc Macmillan relief. These photos were taken at Belfast fire station, where the fire fighters all joined in to give their support.

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