BEST OF LUCK: Tipperary student Éabha heading to Monaco for world finals of Junk Kouture

Éabha Byrnes, a student at St Anne's Secondary School in Tipperary Town, was chosen last May, from hundreds of Irish Junk Kouture designers to represent Ireland in the World finals of Junk Kouture in Monaco.

Éabha’s colourful creation, Drowning Duchess, was created using swimming floats.

Junk Kouture is a competition that promotes recycling and sustainability, while at the same time promoting creativity and design.

Éabha’s beautiful design, Drowning Duchess, definitely displays huge levels of creativity, colour and skill. It is certainly an eye-catching piece, made from otherwise unused swimming floats.

Éabha was also chosen to represent Junk Kouture on The Late, Late Show last May and her colourful creation wowed both then host Ryan Tubridy and audiences on the screen.

Éabha was among 10 National Finalists chosen to represent Ireland in the International Junk Kouture Competition later this month.

On February 20, Éabha and her art teacher, Helen Ryan, will travel to Monaco to participate in this huge international event and showcase the very best of Irish design and creativity.

Ms Ryan said that Junk Kouture was one of the highlights of her school year.

"Our students are very creative and innovative and use their skills to create wonderfully artistic and creative garments for Junk Kouture each year. It is a competition that requires huge commitment and dedication from students, as well as an artistic flare," she said.

Helen said she was "particularly delighted with the national success of St Anne’s student Éabha Byrnes, and was delighted to see Éabha’s creativity and diligence recognised and rewarded.

Principal John Cullinane, said: "It is a huge honour for St Anne’s to have Éabha represent Ireland in the world finals of Junk Kouture in Monaco."

He complimented Ms  Ryan, who, he said, had "worked tirelessly" with students over many years, encouraging them to explore and develop their creativity with their Junk Kouture designs.

"Éabha will represent her school and her country with pride and honour in Monaco. We wish Éabha the very best of luck in what should be the experience of a lifetime," he said.